Top 10 wines in the US press

2012 Prats & Symington Prazo de Roriz, Douro, Portugal

Michele Parente of the San Diego Union-Tribune kicks off our round-up this week with a wine that is “a perfect example of why we should all be paying more attention to Portuguese wines.”

“A blend of Tinot Roriz (aka Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Touriga Nacional and four other native grapes comes from one of the oldest estates in the Douro but has sophisticated, modern appeal to spare”, she writes.

“With a dusky, smoked chocolate nose and bright flavors of black fruit, vanilla and baking spices, it is an exotic, complex wine with a very simple price tag: $16.”

Graham Beck, WO Coastal Region, The Game Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014

Rebecca Murphy of the Dallas Morning News is next with this “star” Chenin Blanc from South Africa.

“Its ripe pineapple, melon and citrus fruit with hints of honey is animated with vivid lemony acidity.

“It’s light-bodied, yet round and rich in the mouth and will pair well with grilled chicken with a mango salsa or a cheesy pasta.”

Domaine de Robert/Patrick Brunet Fleurie 2014, Beaujolais, France

Eric Asimov of the New York Times chooses his favourite Fleurie and Morgon wines.

This wine is “pure and structured”, he writes, “with bright red fruit flavours threaded with granite and earth.” 

Julien Sunier Morgon 2014, Beaujolais, France

“Beautifully structured, with complex, lingering flavours of red fruit, flowers, herbs and minerals”, Asimov writes of this Morgon wine.

Best Value: Christophe Pacalet Fleurie 2014, Beaujolais, France

Finally, “pure, tangy flavours of earthy red fruit, herbs and flowers” come across from this Fleurie.

Louis Blanc Crozes-Hermitage 2014, Rhone Valley, France

Dave McIntyre of the Washington Post is up next with a focus on kosher wines.

“Delicious Syrah, its earthy, dark blueberry fruit and characteristic smoked-meat flavour signify the northern Rhone Valley”, he writes.

Jerusalem Winery Ugav Merlot 2012, Judean Hills, Israel, $14

Next is a “lovely merlot, it shows dark-fruit flavours with plum and hints of clove, nutmeg and cocoa.”

Joseph Mellot La Gravelière Sancerre 2014, Loire Valley, France, $33

“Fans of ripe Sauvignon Blanc will enjoy this one”, McIntyre continues. “Full of apricot and passion fruit flavours, with an appealing herbal accent”.

Benziger Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 2013

Sandra Silfven of The Detroit News plumps for this Sonoma winery’s flagship wines.

“Lively, complex dark berry-cherry flavours, tannins with grip, sturdy acidity, oak to broaden the flavours and mouthfeel: this is a bold Cabernet that has a little Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and other red grapes to round it out”, she writes.

“Experience notes of blackberry, black currant, dark plum, cranberry and mocha. Grapes came from vineyards farmed with certified sustainable practices.”

Benziger Family Winery Chardonnay Sonoma County 2013

“Zesty, minerally, pumped with fruit — pear, apple, citrus, apricot — this is a crisp, refreshing Chardonnay”, Silfven continues.

“It has lots of minerality and white stonefruit flavours in the finish. Grapes that are certified sustainably grown are whole-cluster pressed and fermented and aged in Hungarian oak.”