($16, Vineyard Brands): Vouvray in general can be difficult for consumers because their level of sweetness can be difficult to discern from the label. Thankfully, Pichot’s is an easy choice. Both fruity and zesty, it has a wonderful tension and balance between the subtle sweetness and bracing acidity. … Read more
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Domaine Cherrier, Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) 2011
($22, Vineyard Brands): One taste of Cherrier’s 2011 Sancerre explains why this appellation has been so popular. Flinty and chalky, almost smokey, notes accompany the pungency and vibrancy typical of Sauvignon Blanc. But it’s not a Sauvignon Blanc. Its beauty lies with its minerality rather than the all too often aggressive grassiness of that varietal.… Read more
Peregrine, Central Otago (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2009
($35, Vineyard Brands): Peregrine has fashioned a beautifully pure and pretty Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand’s premier regions (Martinborough’s another) for that varietal. Concentrated, yet not overdone, it would be a good choice for grilled salmon this summer. 89 Michael Apstein Jul 10, 2012… Read more
Château de la Ragotière, Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine (Loire Valley, France) Vieilles Vignes 2010
($15, Vineyard Brands): 
Also known at “Black Label,” this is Château de la Ragotière’s top Muscadet, made from 50 year old vines. Yes, it’s bracing as Muscadet should be. But it has a lovely texture and depth–it must be the old vines speaking–that is lacking in most Muscadet. … Read more
Bodegas Parra Jimenez, La Mancha (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) Graciano 2010
($11, Para Family Organic Imports): Although Graciano has the reputation of making a tough and tannic wine, Parra Jimenez has tamed it nicely. It’s a dense wine with an alluring combination of earth and explosive black fruit. Both savory and succulent, it would be a good choice for a butterflied leg of lamb on the grill. … Read more
Bodegas Angel Rodríquez/Martínsancho, Rueda (Castilla y León, Spain) Verdejo “Martínsancho” 2010
($18, Classical Wines from Spain): Angel Rodríquez is credited with saving the Verdejo grape from extinction 
by refusing to replace it in the 1970s with more prolific varieties, such as Viura and Palomino, in his Martínsancho vineyard. I, like so many others, would like to thank him. … Read more
Bodegas Piqueras, Almansa (Castilla La Mancha, Spain) Monastrell “Valcanto” 2010
($10, Vineyard Varieties): 
Bodegas Piqueras is the major producer of bottled (as opposed to bulk) wine in Almansa, a less well known DO in Castilla – La Mancha, Spain’s largest wine area. This wine, made entirely from Monastrell (a.k.a. Mourvèdre) has appealing meaty or leathery undertones that offset its ripe bright fruitiness. … Read more
Bodegas Piqueras, Almansa (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) “Castillo de Almansa Selección” 2007
($23, Vineyard Varieties): This high-octane (14.5% stated alcohol) blend of equal parts Garnacha Tintorera (aka Alicante), Monastrell, Tempranillo and Syrah, delivers power–no surprise there–and elegance. The Syrah adds a ripe pluminess without eviscerating the underlying intrigue and savory notes of the other grapes. … Read more
Puglia Will Fool Ya
Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, is hot, mostly flat, and sun drenched. Italy’s third largest wine producing region after the Veneto and Emilia-Romagna, Puglia accounts for more wine even than Sicily. This is, basically, a recipe for low-quality bulk wine. … Read more
Kuentz-Bas, Alsace (France) Pinot Blanc 2008
($16, Kermit Lynch): Pinot Blanc from Kuentz-Bas shows individuality with its slightly creamier profile. A clean citrus finish brings it all into focus. It can do double duty as a before dinner drink and an accompaniment to simple seafood. 88 Michael Apstein Jun 26, 2012
Sipp, Alsace (France) Pinot Blanc 2009
($12, Classic Wines): Never an “important” wine, Pinot Blanc ranges from insipid very satisfying. Put Sipp’s into the very satisfying–and bargain-priced–category. Unlike many Pinot Blanc on the market, Sipp’s has real character, with a firm edge and lively austerity. Steamed clams, anyone?… Read more
Gustave Lorentz, Alsace (France) Pinot Blanc Réserve 2010
($14, Quintessential Wines): In Alsace, a wine labeled Pinot Blanc can be a blend of that grape and Auxerrois. The latter is often used to lend fatness to the wine. Lorentz’s, a blend of Auxerrois (90%) and Pinot Blanc, has the telltale richness of Auxerrois while maintaining great green apple-like freshness. … Read more
Zind-Humbrecht Grand Cru, Alsace (France) Pinot Gris Rangen de Thann “Clos St. Urbain” 2008
($70, The Sorting Table): 
Zind-Humbrecht is arguably the most renowned name in Alsace. The Clos St. Urbain is a particular plot within the Grand Cru Rangen vineyard (Thann is the town). This rich and lush Pinot Gris delivers ripe pear-like flavors coupled with subtle pineappley undertones. … Read more
Willm, Alsace (France) Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr 2009
($20, Touton): What a buy! With a whiff of cherries–I can see why the vineyard’s called Kirchberg–and bracing minerality, this is truly grand cru Riesling. Long and precise, it awakens the palate without assaulting it. A glass on a hot summer’s day is refreshingly clean and bright, but a couple of glasses with grilled swordfish and a caper butter sauce is even better.… Read more
Domaines Louis Jadot, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) “Couvent des Jacobins” 2009
($22, Kobrand): This Bourgogne Rouge is a real treat from Jadot
because the grapes come entirely from the domains they control: 
Domaine Louis Jadot, Domaine Héritiers Louis Jadot, and Domaine Gagey, which explains the labeling. No purchased grapes or wine go into this bottling, which distinguishes it from Jadot’s other Bourgogne Rouge. … Read more
Hugel, Alsace (France) Riesling “Jubilee” 2005
($51, Frederick Wildman): Hugel, one of Alsace’s top producers, eschews the Alsace’s Grand Cru classification system. They believe politics trumped terroir when vineyards
were awarded Grand Cru status. Hence, the Grand Cru designation will never appear on Hugel’s labels even though the wines come from Grand Cru sites. … Read more
Schoenheitz, Crémant d’Alsace (France) Brut NV
($20, Oz Wine Company): Looking for a bright and zesty sparkling wine for summertime sipping? Here’s one suggestion from Alsace, a place well-known for its Riesling, Gewurztraminer and other still white wines, but somehow under the radar for bubbly. Its creamy suaveness is nicely balanced by an invigorating crisp edginess. … Read more
Mongeard-Mugneret, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) 2010
($24, Vineyard Brands): Mongeard-Mugneret, a small grower located in Vosne-Romanée, makes traditionally proportioned graceful Burgundies. They emphasize elegance and persistence rather than shear power. And those characteristics are evident in this Bourgogne Rouge. It’s a fine introduction to true Burgundy, showing the savory and earthy side of Pinot Noir.… Read more
Mongeard-Mugneret, Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits (Burgundy, France) “Les Dames Huguettes” 2010
($30): The Hautes Côtes, a far less prestigious area of Burgundy, is the source of good value wines from top-notch producers, such as Mongeard-Mugneret. This one packs a little more power than their straight Bourgogne Rouge that is coupled with a charming rusticity. … Read more
Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Rhône Valley, France) 2009
($119, Vineyard Brands): Beaucastel is one of the top properties in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Year after year, they produce a multidimensional, age-worthy wine. Although Mourvèdre and Grenache, at about 30% each, comprise the majority of the blend, Beaucastel uses all 13 grape varieties permitted in the appellation, which may explain the phenomenal complexity of their wines, especially the 2009. … Read more
Disznókõ, Tokaj (Hungary) Kapi Vineyard Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2005
($165, Vintus): Tokaj is one of the world’s great places for producing sweet wines. To 
produce a sweet wine, winemakers there add over-ripe and shriveled grapes (Aszú) that may or may not have been attacked by botrytis or “noble rot” to the juice just before fermentation. … Read more
Parra Jimenez, La Mancha (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) Graciano 2010
($11, Parra Family): Parra Jimenez has tamed Graciano, a tannic and dense grape sometimes used in Rioja, without eviscerating it. An intriguing mixture of fruit and earth flavors, it still delivers dense explosive black fruit flavors. But there’s also a savory, almost chewy component. … Read more
Laurent-Perrier, Champagne (France) Brut 2002
($50, Laurent-Perrier USA): 
I was pleasantly surprised to find this Champagne still selling at the retail level at Garnet Wines and Liquors in Manhattan because most Champagnes from the excellent 2002 vintage have disappeared. It has the hallmark elegance of Laurent Perrier, a suave creaminess and lovely freshness despite 10 years of age.… Read more
Guigal, Condrieu (Rhône Valley, France) 2010
($57, Vintus): Condrieu, home to Viognier grape, can be a hard wine to get right. Viognier needs to be ripe to express its floral character, but not so ripe that the alcohol shows. Guigal hit the bulls eye with their 2010. … Read more
Banfi Does It Again
Earlier this month a $12 wine, Castello Banfi’s 2010 Centine, was voted the best red wine at the Ninth Annual Critics Challenge International Wine Competition held in San Diego.
To be voted best red is a high honor for any wine, but is absolutely extraordinary for one costing twelve bucks. … Read more
Bruno Paillard, Champagne Grand Cru (France) Blanc de Blancs “Réserve Privée” Brut NV
($100, Vintus): 
The grapes for this bottling come exclusively from four grand cru villages in the Côte des Blancs, the area within the Champagne region known for Chardonnay. One taste explains why many people swoon over a Blanc de Blancs Champagne. … Read more
Daniel Chotard, Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) 2010
($25): The problem with Sancerre over the last two or three decades has been its popularity, both in the bistros of Paris and on these shores. The result has been a dilution of quality with many examples tasting more like Sauvignon Blanc and less like Sancerre. … Read more
Guigal, Côtes du Rhône Blanc (Rhône Valley, France) 2010
($18, Vintus): Wine lovers know Guigal is one of the top, if not the top, producers of red wines in the Rhône Valley. Their red Côte du Rhône is a consistent winner. Their white Côte du Rhone has been getting better and better as they’ve increased the proportion of Viognier in the blend. … Read more
Disznókõ, Tokaj (Hungary) Aszú 5 Puttonyos 2005
($45, Vintus): Tokaj is one of the world’s great places for producing sweet wines. To produce a sweet wine, winemakers there add over-ripe and shriveled grapes (Aszú) that may or may not have been attacked by botrytis or “noble rot” to the juice just before fermentation. … Read more
Domaine du Gros’Noré, Bandol Blanc (Provence, France) 2009
($30, Kermit Lynch): Bandol, a small appellation bordering the Mediterranean, is well known for its sturdy Mourvedre-based red wines. But growers also make a tiny amount of white wine from the usual Mediterranean varieties, Bourboulenc, Clairette, and Ugni Blanc, as well as Sauvignon Blanc. … Read more
Domaine des Baumard, Savennières (Loire Valley, France) 2008
($24): Savennières, a tiny appellation on the Loire River, makes unique dry and racy wines from Chenin Blanc, a grape better known for sweet wines. Baumard is one of the appellation’s leading producers. Baumard’s 2008, bottled under screw cap to preserve freshness, has an alluring combination of honey-like, but not sweet, richness and savory, sharp, che 91 Michael Apstein May 22, 2012… Read more
Domaine des Baumard, Savennières (Loire Valley, France) Clos du Papillon 2008
($38): As good as Baumard’s regular bottling of Savennières is, this one, from a 
particularly well-sited vineyard, is even better. With more complexity, the interplay of richness and savory herbal notes in the Clos du Papillon creates even more intrigue. Despite the increased concentration, this maintains impeccable balance and finesse.… Read more
Domaine des Baumard, Quarts de Chaume (Loire Valley, France) 2008
($70, Vintus): Quarts de Chaume, a tiny appellation in the Loire Valley, is capable of producing extraordinary sweet wines from the Chenin Blanc grape. Florent Baumard believes that the hallmark of the 2008 vintage is an uplifting acidity in the wines. … Read more
Bordeaux’s second wines affordable, exceptional
We Americans don’t realize it, but the Chinese are determining what wine we drink.
They’re not flooding the market with knockoffs or gray-market bottles. Instead, their voracious appetite for big-name Bordeaux has relegated us to buying the leftovers.
Fortunately, there is a silver lining.… Read more
Guigal, St. Joseph (Rhône Valley, France) “Vignes de l’ Hospice” 2007
($145, Vintus): Hermitage and St. Joseph have precisely the same soil because when the Rhône River turned south, it sliced through the granite hill instead of coursing around it, putting Hermitage on the eastern bank and St. Joseph on its western bank. … Read more
Guigal, Gigondas (Rhône Valley, France) 2007
($32, Vintus): To my mind, Guigal is a genius. And this wine shows why. Gigondas is usually a big burly wine reflective of its home in the rugged area of the southern Rhone. With concentrated black fruit-like flavors sprinkled with black pepper notes, Guigal’s 2007 Gigondas certainly has the burly aspect covered. … Read more
Château Recougne, Bordeaux Supérieur (Bordeaux, France) 2009
($16, Vintus): As always, this “simple” Bordeaux is satisfying and a great value. The herbal nuances that accompany the mixture of fruit flavors are what make it so appealing. It has the length and grace you’d expect from a more expensive bottling. … Read more
Guigal, Côte-Rôtie (Rhône Valley, France) “Brune et Blonde” 2007
($72, Vintus): The Brune et Blonde designation indicates that the wine comes from grapes grown in a variety of parcels on the two major slopes of the appellation, the Côte Brune and the Côte Blonde, names that reflect the color of the soil. … Read more
Disznókõ, Tokaji (Hungary) Dry Furmint 2011
($20, Vintus): Although Tokaji is renown for its delectable sweet wine, the region also makes dry wine from the same grape, Furmint. This one is clean and fresh with a slightly steely signature that makes it extremely appealing with grilled fish and roast chicken.… Read more
Chablis Short List
One of my goals for Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne, a weeklong series of tastings held in Burgundy every two years, was to learn about the differences between vineyards in Chablis.
It was the ideal setting, a day-long tasting with over 100 Chablis producers pouring over 600 wines, all from Chablis. … Read more
Guigal, Crozes Hermitage (Rhone Valley, France) 2007
($24): Not surprisingly given the appellation, Guigal’s 2007 Crozes-Hermitage is more distinctive than his Côtes du Rhone. It conveys attractive black pepper notes and a ripe dark-fruit character reflective of the warm 2007 vintage. It has added depth along with the hallmark Guigal classiness. … Read more
Guigal, Cotes du Rhone (France) 2007
($18): Guigal is the finest producer in the Rhone, making tiny quantities of iconic, single-vineyard, expensive (hundreds of dollars a bottle) Côte Rôtie, elegant Condrieu, and stunning Hermitage. I could go on and on. He also makes hundreds of thousands of cases of affordable red Côtes du Rhone. … Read more
Telmo Rodriguez, Rioja (Spain) “LZ” 2010
($16): Telmo Rodriguez always thinks outside of the box. He eschews the conventional Rioja classification of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva, which refers to the amount of aging the wine receives before release. Rather, he prefers to highlight the site, the origin of the grapes, in this case from the village of Lanciega.… Read more
Erazzuriz, Aconcagua Valley (Chile) “Kai” 2008
($158): Errazuriz thinks outside of the box. While much of the Chilean industry was focusing on basic $10 Cabernet and Merlot, Errazuriz, led by Eduardo Chadwick, was heading in a different direction. Make no mistake, Errazuriz does make excellent basic Cabernet and Merlot. … Read more
Telmo Rodriguez, Valdeorras (Spain) Mencia “Gaba do Xil” 2010
($18): 
Valdeorras, the valley of gold, named because the Romans discovered the metal there, is nestled in the northwestern part of Spain. The Mencia grape, usually associated with Bierzo, the adjacent DO, also does well in the region. The beauty of wine made from Mencia, like this one, is the earthy, savory (non-fruit) nuances it delivers along with the charming combination of red fruit flavors. … Read more
Domaine Humbert Frères, Gevrey-Chambertin (Burgundy, France) Vieilles Vignes 2009
($60, Vins Divins): Not all village wines are created equal, which highlights another flaw in the French appellation system. This one towers above most village wines because of the contribution of the old vines that, for whatever reason, add a dose of complexity. … Read more
Château Tour D’Auron, Bordeaux Supérieur (Bordeaux, France) 2009
($16, Vintus Imports): Château Tour D’Auron is a château controlled by the well-regarded and talented Milhade family, who produces a bevy of fine wines from all their properties. This “little” wine exemplifies why Bordeaux is so popular. Supple and polished, it has the concentration of the 2009 vintage. … Read more
Dog Point, Marlborough (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2008
($39, Vintus): The Marlborough region of New Zealand is best known for their vibrant and zesty Sauvignon Blanc. It’s clear from this Pinot Noir that Marlborough has more to offer. (Dog Point does also make splendid Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc). Their Pinot Noir is bright and fresh. … Read more
Errazuriz, Aconcagua Valley (Chile) Carménère “Max Reserva” Estate Single Vineyard 2010
($21, Vintus): Carménère is Chile’s signature grape. Originally grown in Bordeaux, it was mostly abandoned there because it was such a late ripening variety. Initially in Chile it was confused with Merlot and harvested early with Merlot, which imparted an unpleasant greenness to the wine. … Read more
Mas Belles Eaux, Languedoc (France) “Les Coteaux” 2008
($20, Vintus): AXA, the insurance company that also owns Château Pichon Baron and other superb properties, purchased this one in 2002 because it had “good bones.” They poured gobs of money into it renovating and modernizing the vineyards and winery and it shows in this gorgeous wine. … Read more