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."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."
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."
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"
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.."
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.
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."
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."
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."
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."