($80, Kobrand Wine & Spirits): 
Nature was kind to the Douro Valley in 2011 delivering perfect weather throughout the growing season. For most producers, it was an easy decision to “declare” a vintage. Taylor Fladgate’s 2011 is sensational. Tightly wound and mineraly, it’s surprisingly approachable and engaging already. … Read more
Category Archives: WRO Reviews
Fonseca, Porto (Portugal) 2011
($80, Kobrand Wine & Spirits): 
At a Kobrand-sponsored tasting of 2011 vintage Ports, tasters would be asking one another which they preferred, Taylor’s or Fonseca’s. What’s amazing to me is how different and distinctive these two Ports are, despite being owned by the same family run company (The Fladgate Partnership, where David Guimaraens is wine director for both houses).… Read more
Pazo Barrantes, Rias Baixas (Galicia, Spain) Albarino 2011
($20, Maisons Marques & Domaines): 
It should come as no surprise that Pazo Barrantes is a reliable label for an Albariño because that estate was founded and is still owned by the Creixell family, which also owns the exalted Rioja estate, Marqués de Murrieta. … Read more
Craggy Range, Martinborough (New Zealand) Pinot Noir Te Muna Road Vineyard 2011
($46, Kobrand Wine & Spirits): 
Craggy Range recently held ten-year vertical tasting, from their first vintage in 2002 to the 2011, of their Te Muna Road Vineyard Pinot Noir. The tasting demonstrated that Craggy Range is–without doubt–one of New Zealand’s top producers of that variety. … Read more
Hugel, Alsace Vendange Tardive (France) Gewürztraminer 2007
($40, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd): Hugel is the giant among producers of Vendange Tardive (literally, late harvest) wine. The best ones, such as this 2007 (sold in a 375 ml bottle), impress with their concentration, elegance and acidity rather than their sweetness.… Read more
Hugel, Alsace (France) Gewürztraminer 2012
($29, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd): 
Hugel is one of Alsace’s best and most consistent producers. Their wines always accurately reflect the varietal and the origin of the grapes. This one, a blend from a variety of vineyards, is a classic example of Alsace Gewürztraminer. … Read more
Hugel, Alsace (France) Riesling 2012
($24, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd): Jean-Frédéric Hugel, this house’s brand manager for the United States, summed up this Riesling, “It may not be perfect, but it is how we want it.” I would disagree slightly–it is perfect for the price. … Read more
Hugel, Alsace (France) Pinot Blanc “Cuvée des Amours” 2010
($18, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd): Jean-Frédéric Hugel, Etienne’s enthusiastic son, loves the 2010 vintage because it gave them great ripeness without losing acidity. This Pinot Blanc, one of Hugel’s best ever, reflects that assessment. It has unusual depth for Pinot Blanc, and invigorating acidity keeps in fresh and lively. … Read more
Bodega DiamAndes, Valle de Uco (Mendoza, Argentina) “Perlita” 2011
($13, Henry Wine Group): This “entry level” wine from DiamAndes, a Malbec (80%) Syrah blend is a good choice for this summer’s BBQs. The additional of Syrah to the blend and the talents of the winemaking team means this is not another “fruit bomb” Malbec.… Read more
Bodega DiamAndes, Valle de Uco (Mendoza, Argentina) Malbec 2010
($20, Henry Wine Group): 
The Bonnie family who owns the Cru Classé Graves property, Château Malartic-Lagravière, have shown, with their project in Argentina, that their talents are not limited to Bordeaux. Their Argentine wines are a unique and stunning combination of New World fruitiness and Old World structure.… Read more
Château des Labourons, Fleurie (Burgundy, France) 2011
($18, Louis Latour USA): Fleurie, one of the ten named villages or crus of Beaujolais, is allowed to put its name on the label, with or without reference to Beaujolais. The Château des Labourons has opted to omit Beaujolais from the label because, as Bernard Retornaz, the President of Louis Latour Inc in charge of North American Market, said, “This is real wine, not some grapey swill that’s become associated with Beaujolais.” … Read more
Craggy Range, Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc Te Muna Road Vineyard 2012
($22, Kobrand Wine & Spirits): Craggy Range specializes in single vineyard wines. I’m not familiar enough with vineyard-to-vineyard differences among New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to know whether the beauty of this one stems from the vineyard or the producer. Whatever the reason, it’s a stunning wine. … Read more
Craggy Range, Hawkes Bay (New Zealand) Gimblett Gravels Vineyard “Le Sol” 2009
($100, Kobrand Wine & Spirits): 
Everyone these days knows that New Zealand is home to refreshing and zesty Sauvignon Blanc. It’s no secret that Martinborough and Central Otago are giving Burgundy a run for its money with their Pinot Noir. But Syrah? … Read more
La Bastide Blanche, Bandol (Provence, France) Rosé 2012
($21, Weygandt Metzler): Bandol, a small, but important, appellation in Provence on the Mediterranean just east of Marseille, produces mostly robust red wines primarily from Mourvèdre. The appellation allows production of Rosé as well. This one, a blend of Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Grenache, combines the refreshing aspect of rosé with real substance that comes from Mourvèdre. … Read more
De Martino, Maipo Valley (Chile) Sauvignon Blanc 2012
($14, Opici): Chile’s location, a long thin country squeezed between the natural barriers
of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, is well known for their pesticide-free organic agriculture. So it’s no surprise that we see lots of wines “made with organic grapes” coming from that country. … Read more
Cono Sur, Colchagua Valley (Chile) Viognier “Bicicleta” 2012
($12, Vineyard Brands): Viognier can be a difficult grape to vinify because the window between ripeness and over ripeness is narrow. Cono Sur has succeeded admirably with this attractive, bargain-priced rendition. They’ve captured the spice and floral nature of Viognier while avoiding heaviness and warmth of excessive alcohol. … Read more
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Columbia Valley, Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon Cold Creek Vineyard 2010
($30): More tannic and muscular than Chateau Ste. Michelle’s very good Canoe Ridge Estate Cabernet, their Cold Creek Vineyard bottling is mineraly and dense. It is far less approachable at this stage than their Canoe Ridge Estate, which makes it a good candidate for a couple of more years in the bottle before pulling the cork.… Read more
John Duval Wines, Barossa Valley (South Australia) “Plexus” 2010
($40, Old Bridge Cellars): John Duval is no stranger to wine in general and the Barossa Valley in particular. As chief winemaker for Penfolds, he oversaw their entire portfolio of wine, much of which is made from Barossa grapes, and was responsible for Grange, Australia’s icon wine.… Read more
Jordan, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
($53): I
usually avoid describing something by what it isn’t. But this time, I’ll break my own rule. Jordan’s 2009 Cabernet is not a big, bombastic, overblown and over ripe California Cabernet. Instead it’s restrained yet forcefully flavorful, the style that Jordan has adopted since its inception 40 years ago.… Read more
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Sauvignon Blanc 2012
($11): Chateau Ste. Michelle has a way with their “entry level” wines. Year in and year out their Columbia Valley Riesling is easy to recommend. So too is this Sauvignon Blanc. A beautiful combination of subtle tropical fruit offset by just the right amount of bite and verve keeps you coming back for more.… Read more
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Riesling Cold Creek Vineyard 2012
($18): Although Chateau Ste. Michelle does a consistently fine job with its entire range of varietal wines, they are especially talented when it comes to Riesling. This one is pure and precise. Its subtle sweetness is underpinned by riveting acidity, making it a superb choice either as a stand-alone aperitif or to accompany full flavored Asian cuisine.… Read more
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Horse Heaven Hill (Columbia Valley, Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon Canoe Ridge Estate 2010
($30): Horse Heaven Hills, one of Washington’s most prestigious areas for wine, is a name worth remembering. Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Cabernet from there is dense and smoky with a rich, almost chocolate-like nuance. It combines power and succulence without overdoing it.… Read more
Edna Valley Vineyard, Central Coast (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
($15): Most of the fruit for this attractively priced wine comes from Paso Robles, a warm region becoming well known as the place for Cabernet Sauvignon. It conveys a masterful combination of Bing cherry flavors and a subtle, but balancing, hint of leafiness that adds an intriguing “not just fruit” aspect.… Read more
Truchard Vineyards, Carneros (Napa Valley, California) Pinot Noir 2010
($35): This substantial Pinot Noir delivers ripe red and black fruit flavors mixed with a healthy dollop of spice. A vibrant freshness, likely reflecting the cooler Carneros climate, enlivens the palate. This is a bold Pinot Noir, but not over the top, weighing in with a modest, by today’s standards, 13.9% stated alcohol.… Read more
d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Grenache The Derelict Vineyard 2009
($29, Old Bridge Cellars): Despite its punch of ripe wild strawberry notes, this is a mid-weight wine with a charming rusticity. It grows in the glass with smokey spicy elements appearing after the fruit notes. The more you sip it, the more you like it.… Read more
Joel Gott, California (United States) Red wine 2011
($14): Joel Gott is what the French call a négociant. He buys grapes from growers all over the state and puts together the blend he likes. This one, simply labeled, Red Wine, comes from a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan, grown in both Monterey and Knights Valley.… Read more
Joel Gott, California (United States) Cabernet Sauvignon “815” 2010
($14): Gott purchased grapes from five different areas — Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Lodi, Paso Robles and Lake County — to put together this beautifully balanced Cabernet Sauvignon. He has managed to combine lush black fruit nuances with mouth-watering acidity without going over the top with either.… Read more
Fracture, Vin de Pays Côtes Catalanes (Languedoc – Roussillon, France) Grenache “Shatter” 2011
($29, USA Wine West): The label says it all. This bombastic Grenache-based wine is massive and intense, but it not hot or rough, carrying, as Grenache often does, its 15.9% stated alcohol remarkably well. For all its ripeness, it actually has a pleasantly bitter, not sweet, finish.… Read more
Gloria Ferrer, Carneros (California) Pinot Noir 2010
($27): Sweet lush fruit is the clear focus of this Pinot Noir. A hint of oak ands spice and reinforces its intense style. It tastes riper than its 13.5% stated alcohol suggests. Supple smooth tannins allow for immediate enjoyment–even without food.… Read more
Innocent Bystander, Yarra Valley (Victoria, Australia) Pinot Noir 2011
($20, Old Bridge Cellars): Contrary to conventional wisdom, not all of Australia is hot. Indeed, the Yarra Valley in Victoria is quite chilly and, as this wine shows, perfectly suited for stylish Pinot Noir, a grape that doesn’t like the heat.… Read more
De Bortoli, King Valley (Victoria, Australia) Bella Riva Vineyard “Bella Riva Red” 2011
($11): Here’s a pleasant surprise. I was not expecting much from an $11 wine from Australia. Instead of some simple fruit bomb, De Bartoli has fashioned a refreshing and vibrant red with by blending equal amounts of Sangiovese and Merlot. Bright, cherry-like flavors are infused with subtle smoky notes.… Read more
Domaine Paul Blanck, Alsace (France) Pinot Blanc 2011
($16, Michael Skurnik): Blanck’s 2011 Pinot Blanc is a wonderfully versatile wine. The barest hint of sweetness, which comes across as a pleasing roundness, makes it a perfect stand-alone aperitif. A paradoxical bitter grapefruit rind nuance in the finish and excellent balancing acidity adds backbone and verve, making it a great choice to accompany spicy food.… Read more
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Chardonnay Unoaked 2011
($17): 
Chateau Ste. Michelle, one of the locomotives of the Washington State wine industry, produces a series of “limited release” wines. Wendy Stuckey, their talented white winemaker, made only about 2,500 bottles of this unoaked Chardonnay. Delivering a crisp green apple-like fruitiness, it has a refreshing austerity.… Read more
Domaine Durand, Sancerre (Loire Valley, France) Réserve 2012
($17, Monsieur Touton): A solid Sancerre reflecting its origins, not just the Sauvignon Blanc grape, Durand’s 2012 delivers nice bite, without being aggressive. Citrus elements dazzle the palette in the finish. It’s refreshing and a good choice for mussels or other shellfish.… Read more
Hecht & Bannier, Minervois (Languedoc, France) 2010
($20, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd.): 
Hecht & Bannier is a high quality négociant specializing in the wines from the Languedoc. If you ever want to explore how the wines from the different appellations in this part of the South of France differ, pick up bottlings from Hecht & Bannier and taste them side by side. … Read more
Hecht & Bannier, Languedoc (France) 2011
($14, Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd.): The Languedoc, an enormous swath of vineyards in the sunny South of France extending west from the Rhone River to the Spanish border, is a minefield for wine. The wines range from unique and wonderful to astringent and dilute. … Read more
Pech-Latt, Corbières (Languedoc, France) 2011
($12, HB Wine Merchants): You have just found your summertime grilling wine! Pech-Latt is one of the star producers in Corbières, one of the Languedoc’s most important appellations. A blend of Grenache (30%), Carignan (30%) Syrah (25%) and Mouvèdre, it transmits the sun and spice of the South of France. … Read more
Château de Pennautier, Cabardès (Languedoc, France) 2011
($13, Baron Francois): Cabardès, a small appellation in the Languedoc, sits where Atlantic and Mediterranean climatic influences meet. It’s one of the few areas in France where regulations permit grapes from both regions. Reflecting the tradition of the area, the Château de Pennautier, owned by Comte Nicolas de Longeril, one of the Languedoc’s most reliable names, is composed of equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Grenache and Syrah. … Read more
Jean-Maurice Raffault, Chinon Blanc (Loire Valley, France) 2011
($17, The Country Vintner): The vast majority of wines from Chinon, likely more than 95%, are red, so you don’t see many on retailers’ shelves. If you see this one, buy it. Made from Chenin Blanc, it’s entirely dry with vibrant stone fruit-like nuances.… Read more
Domaine Paul Mas, Limoux Blanc (Languedoc, France) Chardonnay “Arrogant Frog” 2011
($9, Palm Bay International): Despite the name, I must recommend this Chardonnay because it delivers more than the price suggests. Most Chardonnays at this price are clumsy and slightly sweet. Paul Mas, one of the region’s notable négociants, has made one that’s clean and fresh, with a delicate creaminess atop its tart apple-like fruitiness.… Read more
Domaine d’Aupilhac, Languedoc-Montpeyroux (Languedoc, France) 2010
($20, Kermit Lynch): The appellation system in the Languedoc is currently undergoing dramatic changes. Technically, this wine is still an AOC Coteaux du Languedoc with the name of the subregion, Montpeyroux, on the label. Soon, it will have its own appellation, simply Montpeyroux.… Read more
CVNE, Rioja (Spain) Rosado 2011
($13, Europvin): Although 95% of Rioja’s production is red, the region makes some attractive whites and rosés. And this rosé is one of them. CVNE, one of the region’s top producers, used Tempranillo entirely for this crisp, lively wine. Bright cherry-like fruit notes are framed by refreshing acidity. … Read more
Rippon, Central Otago (New Zealand) Riesling 2009
($30, Station Imports): Although New Zealand’s Central Otago region on the South Island is prized Pinot Noir area–80% of the vineyards are planted to that grape–it should come as no surprise that Riesling does very well there as well because it, like Pinot Noir, likes cooler climate. … Read more
Burn Cottage, Central Otago (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2011
($50, Classic Wines): 
The international backgrounds of the people involved with Burn Cottage help explain why this Pinot Noir is exceptional. Marquis Sauvage, owner, though hailing from Kansas, is no stranger to the wine business. He and his family own wine distributorships in the Midwest and Koehler Ruprecht in the Rhinepfalz. … Read more
Couly-Duthei, Chinon (Loire Valley, France) “La Coulée Automnale” 2011
($15, Cynthia Hurley French Wines): 
I don’t have enough experience with Chinon to say that Couly-Dutheil is the area’s best producer. But I can’t think of producer whose wines are consistently better. Couly-Dutheil produces a variety of bottling reflecting the diversity and individuality of their vineyards.… Read more
Bodegas Ramírez de la Piscina, Rioja (Spain) Crianza 2008
($15, Jorge Ordonez Selection): This must be one of the most enjoyable $15 wines I’ve tasted recently. It’s a classical and traditional Rioja with an unbeatable combination of red fruit flavors intertwined with herbal nuances and a little smokiness for good measure. … Read more
Gascón, Mendoza (Argentina) “Colosal” 2011
($15, Gascon USA): The name says it all. Made from a blend of Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah and 
Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a big juicy fruit forward wine with supple tannins. Easy to sip for those who like that style, Colosal would also go well with full flavored pasta dishes.… Read more
Ruinart, Champagne (France) NV
($82, Moët Hennessey): Founded in 1729, Ruinart is Champagne’s oldest house. They focus on Chardonnay, which explains why their stylish and elegant rosé contains such a large proportion of it in the blend, typically 45%. The remainder of the blend is Pinot Noir, which contributes bright red berry fruit notes. … Read more
Huia, Marlborough (New Zealand) Pinot Gris 2009
($22, Adventures In Wine): It’s clear to me after tasting a range of aromatic white wines from New Zealand that the Kiwis make exciting whites in addition to their unique and distinctive Sauvignon Blanc. Huia’s Pinot Gris proves the point. It clearly has the weight of Pinot Gris — as opposed to the lighter style of Pinot Grigio, the other name for the same grape.… Read more
Forrest, Marlborough (New Zealand) Riesling “The Doctors’” 2011
($15, American Wine Distributors): The name of the wine reflects that the owners, John and Bridgett Forrest, both have PhDs. These smart people need to convey on the label the style of Riesling that’s in the bottle because it’s a touch sweet and consumers expecting dry Riesling will be startled. … Read more