Top 10 wines in the US press

2012 Domaine la Bouïssiere Vacqueyras, Rhône Valley, France

Dave McIntyre begins this final US press roundup of 2015 with this “big and sturdy” red that “will help rich winter dishes stick to your ribs.

“I’m going to be unconventional and recommend chilling it,” he continues, “then decanting it an hour before drinking. That should coax more of the fruit flavours out of this earthy, brooding wine.”

Rozès Porto White Reserve, Douro Valley, Portugal

“White port is often used in cocktails, and I enjoyed this one with a slice of orange and a splash of sparkling water,” continues McIntyre in his festive selection.

“But ageing for eight years in oak casks gives this wine a rich character that deserves to shine by itself, with flavours of roasted nuts and candied orange.

“Serve it well chilled as an aperitif with charcuterie, or with dessert. A delicious novelty.”

Biutiful Cava Brut Nature, Penedes, Spain

It seems fitting to round off McIntyre’s choices with “this lovely, crisp and refreshing bubbly” which is made in the “trendy style of the most sought-after grower champagnes: with no dosage”.

He continues: “This is yet another example of why Cava is a favourite sparkling wine for budget-conscious wine lovers.”

Stoller Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Oregon

Next, Sandra Silfven of the Detroit News takes a look at the wares of this Oregon producer, picking out its Pinot Noir as a particular favourite.

She says “the Pinot from the highly regarded Stoller Family Estate signals the quality coming from this winery, where all the wines are made from estate-grown fruit.

“It has that bright raspberry, cherry, earthy, sweet bacon fat character typical of Oregon Pinots, with a touch of cola on the mid-palate and a seamless infusion of oak. Such pure flavours, complexity, balance.”

2014 Daniel Bouland Morgon Corcelette Vielles Vignes Beaujolais

S. Irene Virbila is up next, with her search for good value Beaujolais to make a perfect gift for a wine lover.

“This old vine bottling from Daniel Bouland is big and voluptuous, woven through with the taste of black cherries. A beauty from one of the master winemakers of Beaujolais.”

2014 Domaine Richard Rottiers Moulin à Vent Beaujolais

Then there is this wine from the hands of “young vintner Richard Rottiers [who] founded this estate in 2007 and farms his vineyards organically.

“His 2014 Moulin à Vent is aromatic and subtle, with sweet berry fruit, a chiseled structure and ripe tannins. This is one you want to drink with the main course, whether it’s a roast goose or a crown roast.”

2011 Agricola Querciabella, Maremma Toscana IGT, Mongrana

“A blend of half Sangiovese and equal parts Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot” is the next wine in our list, this time coming with the recommendation of Dallas Morning News writer Rebecca Murphy.

“It’s a charming blend of red cherry, blackberry and black currant flavours accented with dried herbs and anise that are velvety smooth in the mouth.

“It’s medium-bodied, finishing with ripe tannins. It’s made to shine with a meat stew or mushroom risotto.”

2015 Graham Beck Gorgeous Chardonnay / Pinot Noir 

Another wine perfect for gift giving is this blend from Graham Beck. “You can never go wrong giving someone something called ‘Gorgeous’,” Michele Parente of San Diego Union Press writes. “Especially when it is.”

“A friend called the bottle “very boudoir, like there should be bubble bath in it.” After she tried it, she said it “tastes as pretty as it looks.””

2013 Trocken Riesling, Jochen Beurer, Germany

And our final contributor of the week, Eric Asimov of the New York Times, takes us through his favourite finds of 2015, with this German producer being among his top picks.

“Jochen Beurer was one of my most exciting finds this year,” he writes. “I loved his 2013 Trocken Riesling, from Württemberg in southwest Germany, a region better known for red wines. This one, from grapes grown on limestone, was beautifully stony, chalky and floral.”

1945 Mouton Rothschild

But the “greatest of the great” for Asimov this year was when he had the chance to try 1945 Mouton Rothschild – “a storied bottle from a producer who was not elevated to first-growth status until 1973.

“At 70 years of age, it was still fresh, almost juicy, yet complex and full, long and exquisite, scented with violets and cedar. I was joyfully humbled.”