Wednesday, October 07, 2009

New Wine Reviews Oct. 8th

WineSpectator Insider


October 7th, 2009


1998 Krug Brut Champagne: 96 Pts starting at $288.40

Gorgeous aromas of lemon, peach, toast, leather and spices. The attack is rich and forceful, backed by a racy structure that keeps it pure and drives the finish. Perhaps not as expansive on the aftertaste to match the attack, but long nonetheless, with spice and minerals lingering."


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2007 Seghesio Home Ranch Zinfandel: 93 Pts starting at $27.39


"Rich and powerful yet supple, ripe but still balanced. Though jammed with personality, this is focused and complex, approachable now, but better in a few years. Shows aromas of black cherry and licorice, with dense plum, cracked pepper and espresso flavors that finish with ripe tannins."


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2007 Seghesio Rockpile Zinfandel: 92 Pts starting at $29.95


"Focused like a razor, with bright raspberry, cinnamon and licorice aromas and complex, zesty cherry, toasty sage and peppered beef flavors that linger toward ripe but firm tannins."


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Robert Parker - Wine of the Day


October 7th, 2009


2008 Clos de l'Oratoire : 89-91 Pts starting at $24.99


"Although yields were a low 29 hectoliters per hectare, and the final blend was 95% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, this 2008 does not appear to be one of the top 3 or 4 Clos de l-Oratoires made since the estate was acquired by Stefan von Neipperg. That said, aromas of roasted Provencal herbs, licorice, black cherries, and black currants are enthralling. The wine possesses a deep ruby/purple color, beautiful sweetness, and excellent ripeness, but not the profound depth, intensity, or overall length of the vintage's finest wines"


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Wall Street Journal


Côte-Rôtie: The Taste of Autumn


October 7th, 2009

By Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher


2005 Domaine Jamet Cote Rotie starting at $89.99


"Very Good. Sleeker and smoother than some, with lovely, blackberry fruit and good pepper. We thought this was the wine we'd serve to the in-laws—it has stature yet is so drinkable they'd enjoy a lot of it.."


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2005 Paul Jaboulet Aine 'Les Jumelles' Cote Rotie starting at $63.29


"Delicious. Sage, tarragon, pepper and an earthy meatiness, all in a luscious package that goes down easy, with a relaxed sophistication. Gets better with air. Pull up a chair to the fire with a glass of this.



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2005 Domaine Georges Vernay 'Blonde du Seigneur'Cote Rotie starting at $46.30


"Delicious! Best of tasting and best value. Relaxed, confident and elegant. Lilacs, black pepper and roasted fruit, all distilled into a kind of soulful pleasure point. Raspberries, earth and the essence of great fruit. "It's not working hard. It just is," Dottie said."



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SF Chronicle - West Coast Riesling under $15


Sunday, October 4th, 2009 by Lynne Char Bennett


2008 Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling starting at $6.99


"When this off-dry Riesling was first produced in 1972, it was labeled Johannisberg Riesling. Consistent, easy drinking and value-priced, with plenty of fruit, including green melon, cantaloupe and citrus; seamless acidity, pink grapefruit on the finish."


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2008 Fess Parker Santa Barbara County Riesling starting at $11.79


"Fess Parker's son, winemaker Eli, and head winemaker Blair Fox now oversee about 700 vineyard acres in Santa Barbara County. Tropical fruit, pineapple and lime; fresh, clean aromas and flavors; weightier body with a fruity, moderately sweet finish."


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2008 Pacific Rim Columbia Valley Sweet Riesling starting at $7.99


"Riesling specialist Pacific Rim indicates a wine's sweetness level on its back labels. This bottling - which hits the upper range of medium sweet - weighs in with about 6.5 percent residual sugar and less than 8.5 percent alcohol. Mouthfuls of sweet peach and tropical fruit are balanced with ample acidity."


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