Top 10 wines in the US press

Stolpman Vineyards Roussanne 2012, Ballard Canyon

This “seriously structured” white from AVA Ballard Canyon is suited to Chardonnay lovers looking to try something new, writes Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas News this week.

She said: “It’s rich and vibrant, with floral, honeyed peach fruit and vanilla highlights. It has medium weight with a creamy, round and voluptuous mouthfeel made buoyant by citrusy acidity. Enjoy it with a juicy steak or sautéed scallops.

“Tom Stolpman, a Los Angeles attorney, and his wife, Marilyn, chose Ballard Canyon as the site for their family vineyards and winery more than 20 years ago. Their son Peter is the hands-on partner, managing the property on a daily basis.”

Price: $24.99 

Alta Maria Vineyards 2013 Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California

Irene Virbila, writing in the LA Times, rated this “lighthearted easy drinking” wine from Alta Maria – a small vineyard in Santa Barbara which specialises in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir varieties.

She said: “Alta Maria Vineyards makes mostly very serious and seriously delicious Pinot Noirs. This one, though, is lighthearted and fun. Made by fermenting whole clusters the way they do in Beaujolais, the Carbonic Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir delights with its bright fruit and unabashed charm.

“Easy drinking, this pretty Pinot is perfect with fish and fowl, salade Nicoise or a pizza. Keep an eye out too for the winery’s 2011 Alta Maria “Reserva” Pinot Noir.

Price: $22

Eola Hills Pinot Noir 2012, Oregon, US

Another Pinot Noir, this time from Oregon, was recommended by Dave McIntyre writing in the Washington Post this week.

He said: “Yet another example of an excellent Pinot Noir from Oregon’s fine 2012 vintage, this one that doesn’t stretch the budget. If you’re not convinced, try this, then move on to other wines.”

Price: $20

Brooklyn Oenology, Social Club White 2013, New York

With its hip bottle and unusual blend, this white wine from Brooklyn Oenology was a hit with McIntyre who gave it 2.5 out of 3 stars – near on “exceptional”.

He said: “I’m a sucker for unusual blends that don’t follow a classical paradigm. This blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Vidal Blanc, Riesling and Gewurztraminer is fruity and rich, excellent by itself or with seafood.”

Price: $19

2013 Guigal Cotes du Rhone Rosé, Côtes du Rhone, France

Moving to France Michael Dresser, writing for the Baltimore Sun, recommended this Côtes du Rhone rosé produced by one of the “greatest winemakers on Earth”, according to Dresser, Philippe Guigal.

He said: “The color may be pink but don’t be fooled: This is a wine with some muscle. Produced by one of the greatest winemakers on Earth, this is about as good as rose gets.

“Its intense, penetrating flavors include hints of cherry, strawberry and rosehips. It’s grip on the palate is impressive. If you ever serve rose with red meat, this should be the one.”

Price: $16

2012 Ceritas Hellenthal Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California, US

Wine writer Jon Bonné picked out a selection of Pinot Noirs from California’s Sonoma Coast writing in the San Francisco Chronicle this week, including this “powerful” Hellenthal.

Speaking of the region’s 2012 vintage, Bonné said: “The 2012s offer both the opportunity for restraint and plenty of sunshine in their flavors. I tasted it in wines like those from Failla and Ceritas, which brought a full bowl of fruit to the party. And in a wine like Papapietro Perry’s 2012 Campbell Ranch, a parcel five miles from the ocean. From a producer that has embraced powerful flavors in the past, here was a nod toward nuance.”

Of this example from Hellenthal he said: “John Raytek has tapped into one of the coast’s great little-known sites for his Ceritas label. Hellenthal is almost directly next to Hirsch, planted in 1980 to Calera-clone vines on their own roots. It shows the power, tannins and plum-skin chewiness typical of that Fort Ross neighborhood, with a savory oak tone and kirschy warmth on the end. Powerful stuff, utterly finessed.”

Price: $60

2012 Lutum Durell Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, California, US

Another 2012 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir highlighted by Bonné was this example from Durrel Vineyard which he described as “rich and deeply extracted”.

He said: “Lutum is the new project by winemaker Gavin Chanin and Bill Price (an owner of Durell, Kosta Browne and more). I’ve never been fully convinced of Durell’s potential with Pinot Noir (versus, say, Syrah). This is a curious data point. It’s rich and deeply extracted, balancing red-fruit brightness, deep oak tones, Bergamot and clove – a middle ground between full-bore fruit and that more intellectual style.”

Price: $60

2012 Olivara Joven, Zamora, Spain

This “full-bodied red with a rambunctious bite of bramble” was recommended by Colette Bancroft writing in the Tampa Bay Times.

She said: “The word joven on the label of a Spanish red wine indicates that the bottle contains a young wine, fresher than aged wines but also without the well-developed tannins that give older wines their structure. Drink it now, quaffing at will. The 2012 Olivara Joven from the Toro wine region in the province of Zamora in northwestern Spain (about $11 at bay area big-box wine retailers) is a fresh young red made from 100% Tinto (Tempranillo) grapes.

“It is a smooth and full-bodied red with a rambunctious bite of bramble on a nose dominated by blackberry and cherry with just a hint of violets. Soft round fruit dominates on the palate but that hint of violets is there in the margins, too. It finishes long and full with a nice peppery exclamation point at the finale.

“This wine will pair well with stews and many red meats, but we suggest trying it with chicken roasted on a bed of fennel and carrots.”

Price: $11

2011 Lively Grove Eighth Wonder Pinotage, Stellenbosch, South Africa

With a “fine deep ruby-red colour” and aromas of “smoked meat, brimstone and tar” and a touch of “grated pomegranate peel”, this South African Pinotage won over Gil Lempert-Schwarz, writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal.

She said: “The wine shows exactly what Pinotage is all about with rustic black fruits, again tons of smoked meat such as beef jerky, bacon, andouille sausage and saucy fruit extract with hints of smoky oak and minerality. The midpalate is rich with dark fruits, even though I would say this is more of a medium-bodied wine in terms of style and yet it has a pleasant finish with yet more hints of smoke and some herbs components, as well as phenolic compounds.

He added: “Pinotage is a strange hybrid grape variety coming from a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, so it’s like Burgundy meets Rhone in a different part of the world. The Huguenots brought these varieties with them when they fled France in the 17th century and Pinotage is indigenous to only South Africa. There used to be a plethora of South African wines coming into the US market, but when the Australian wine boom died out, it is as if it took the South Africans with it. Wholly undeserved I might add, since there are many excellent and really well-made wines coming out of that marvellous country. This Pinotage is like a match made in heaven for duck confit or alternatively bacon-wrapped tenderloin of beef with a peppercorn sauce. Drink it now through 2017.”

Price: $8.99

Truchard, 2012 Carneros, Napa Valley Pinot Noir, US

Finally Peg Melnik, writing in The Press Democrat, continued this week’s theme for Pinot Noir rounding up a selection of the best based on a blind tasting. Her top pick was Truchard’s 2012 Pinot Noir from Carneros.

She said: “While some contenders scored higher, this tasty Pinot Noir edged out the competition because it’s in good supply and it offers great quality for the price.

“A crisp pinot that wins you over with its breezy approachability. The wine is complex, and yet unfussy. Bing cherry meets bright acidity. Great balance. A smart food pick.”

Price: $35