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Slideshow
Top 10 wines in the US press
Inman Family Endless Crush Rosé 2014, Sonoma Valley, US
Dave McIntyre of The Washington Post kicks off this week’s list with his top rosé picks.
“Kathleen Inman produces sleek, sexy Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and sparkling wines from her vineyards in Sonoma County’s Russian River Valley,” he writes, but “this wine, made with Pinot Noir, was my favourite American rosé this year.”
He describes it as “effusively fruity… precisely balanced with acidity, leading to a refreshing dry finish.”
Henri Bourgeois La Porte du Caillou Rosé 2014, Loire Valley, France
“Sancerre might be a benchmark for rosé of Pinot Noir. This example is a bit more austere than the Inman and most other New World renditions, with an emphasis on structure rather than fruit,” McIntrye writes of his next exceptional-rated rose.
“The Henri Bourgeois is my personal favourite with salmon.”
Château Pas du Cerf 2014, Côtes de Provence, France
“This classic blend of Grenache (70%) and Cinsault (30%) might make you think summer has returned,” McIntrye says wistfully of this wine.
“At your holiday meals, you might find yourself testing it with every dish on the table.”
Marqués de Cáceres Verdejo 2014, Rueda, Spain
“Citrusy, fresh herbal aromas with grapefruit, apple and peach flavours are brightened with vivid, citrusy acidity,” in this wine pick from Dallas Morning News‘s Rebecca Murphy.
“It’s light-bodied, yet round and creamy in the mouth,” she continues. “This wine offers far more flavour and character than you might expect for its price, so keep a few bottles around to conduct your own wine and food pairing experiments.”
Available Red Blend 2014, Puglia, Italy
Next up, Sandra Silfven of The Detroit News recommends “this gem” made of 50% Sangiovese blended with 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot.
“It offers aromas of intense dark berries, plum and spice followed by flavours of cherry, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry,” she writes, continuing, “It has good balance, with sturdy acidity and supple tannins. You can’t beat the price for an offbeat, delicious red blend.”
Kendall-Jackson 2013 Vintner’s Reserve Zinfandel, California, US
This “brambly and spicy” Zinfandel with “bright berry” flavours is one of San Jose Mercury wine writer Laurie Daniel’s top picks of the variety this week; wines that are “good, easy-to-drink Zins that are much less expensive” than most from California.
Seven Falls Jones Vineyard Zinfandel 2013, Washington State, US
Moving beyond the borders of California, where “nearly all US Zinfandel is grown”, Daniel recently tasted an “interesting bottling from Washington state”, the 2013 Seven Falls Jones Vineyard Zinfandel ($40), from the Wahluke Slope appellation.
“The wine offers spicy blackberry fruit, a leafy note and fine tannins,” she reports.
Broc Cellars Vine Starr Zinfandel, Sonoma County, US
Sitcking with Zinfandels, for the New York Times writer Eric Asimov, who isn’t a big fan of “overwhelming Zinfandels that pack an alcoholic wallop and taste like jam syrup”, he recommends producers that are making “precise, delicious Zinfandels that would be welcome at [his] table” this Thanksgiving.
“Vine Starr from Broc Cellars is a spicy, light-bodied delight for around $28,” he writes.
2012 Jorge Ordonez & Co. Botani Sparkling Muscat, Spain
And finally, in her piece analysing the impact of millennials on the wine industry, the Wall Street Journal‘s Lettie Teague chooses her top wines worthy of a tweet, like, snap or selfie.
“Moscato is the big wine success story across all generations of drinkers, and there are two basic types: cheap and good,” she begins. “This sparkling Muscat from Spain is both. Low in alcohol (5%), exotically floral, slightly sweet but balanced by a bright acidity, it’s a delightful and uncomplicated drink.”
Pertimali Sassetti Livio Prosecco Nonvintage Brut, Italy
And in her second choice, Teague turns her attention to this Brut Prosecco.
“The millennials who came to the tasting at my house wanted a Prosecco that wasn’t fruity or sweet. This wine, made by Tuscany’s Sassetti family in the prestigious Valdobbiadene DOCG, fits the bill,” she says.
“It’s bone dry with notes of green apple and pear. A brisk and refreshing aperitif.”