| Vintage Name Variety | Publication Reviewer Score More... | |
|---|---|---|
| Red |
2007 Winterhawk MerlotSuisun Valley more |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 This delightfully floral rosé starts with broad orange and cranberry aromas and finishes lean and lithe, overflowing with rose petals and violets. A delicious quaff for a hot summer day. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| Red |
2007 Winterhawk Petite SirahSolano County more |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 A nose of smoky, wet wood and blackberry leads into a vanilla-cherry palate with just a hint of violets. Full and rich, this wine would match perfectly with any sort of wild game. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| Red |
2005 Sunset Cellars Zinfandel King VineyardSuisun Valley more |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 Overwhelming aromas of garrigue are followed by broad strokes of mint-cherry and cough drop. With a medium-length finish dominated by blackberry fruit, this wine was my favorite of the visit. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| Red |
2003 Twilight Ridge Petite SirahSuisun Valley more |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 A deep-purple Petite Sirah, dominated by soothing raspberry licorice. On the finish, there’s a sensation of gravel and slate, moderated by excellent acidity and freshness. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| White |
2007 Ledgewood Creek Chardonnay Three Clone Estate GrownSuisun Valley more |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 Butterscotch and ginger aromas lead into light pear and peach flavors and a comforting Creamsicle finish. Moderately tannic, this wine exudes class and elegance. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| Red |
2006 Ledgewood Creek GSMSuisun Valley Red Rhone Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 63% Syrah, 22% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache. Cereal and strawberries dominate the nose of this juicy blend, followed by notes of raspberry, cherry and black licorice, lime peel, and white pepper. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| White |
2006 Woodenhead Chardonnay Lanza Family Suisun Valleymore |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 Green melon and mown grass start the attack, and thirst-quenching lemonade brings up the rear. A slight bitterness works to the wine’s advantage; the finish is light and smooth. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| Red |
2007 Woodenhead Pinot Noir Lanza Family Suisun Valleymore |
Sommelier Journal, Benjamin T. WeinbergAugust 2009 I can still smell the horsey aroma of this Pinot. But there’s much more in store on the palate, including brown sugar, strawberry, and raspberry licorice. Moderate acidity and a long finish round out this impressive offering. Terroir: Suisun Valley |
| White - Sparkling |
2000 Dom Pérignon ChampagneChampagne Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWPAugust 2009 Classic Dom Pérignon: Light in color and body, fresh, and slightly yeasty, with back notes of apple and Bosc pear and a streak of chalky minerality. Fine, persistent bead. Soft and elegant. Winery Spotlight: Dom Pérignon |
| Rosé - Sparkling |
1998 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon RoséChampagne Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWPAugust 2009 This is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, with most of the Pinot coming from the south-facing vineyards of Aÿ. Light salmon-gold, with a delicate perfume of red berries, lemon, and rose petal, the wine is medium-bodied on the palate; brioche-like autolytic notes complement the bright berry fruit, soft floral notes, and fresh, lemony acidity. Very fine, persistent bead. Winery Spotlight: Dom Pérignon |
| Rosé - Sparkling |
1996 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon RoséChampagne Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWPAugust 2009 Light pink with amber highlights, this wine has aromas of fraise du bois, cherry, white peach, toasted almonds, smoke, and earth. On the palate, it displays the classic, light-bodied, delicate style of the house. Flavors match the aromas, the bead is fine and beautifully integrated, and the finish is soft and smooth. Winery Spotlight: Dom Pérignon |
| White - Sparkling |
1993 Dom Pérignon Champagne OenothèqueChampagne Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWPAugust 2009 Light straw-yellow with lemon, yeast, chalk, and floral notes. The palate is vigorously acidic at first and then softens up, allowing mineral and nutty autolytic notes to shine through. Fine, persistent bead and a long, nutty finish. Winery Spotlight: Dom Pérignon |
| White - Sparkling |
1985 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon OenothèqueChampagne Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Catherine Fallis, MS, ACWPAugust 2009 The wine for this release, or plénitude, was disgorged in 1999. It is a rich golden-yellow, with a yeasty, lemony nose and a crisp, nutty palate. Notes of vanilla bean and violet add complexity. 1985 was a difficult, hot vintage, so the wine is fairly one-dimensional, but an excellent snapshot nonetheless. Winery Spotlight: Dom Pérignon |
| White - Sparkling |
2006 Antech Blanquette de Limoux Grande RéserveMauzac Blend, Mauzac more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 90% Mauzac, 10% Chenin Blanc. This cuvée is matured in oak, which lends aromas of brioche, toast, and dried fruits to a generous midpalate of citron, green pear, and roasted nuts. The mousse is creamy and compact. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| White - Sparkling |
NV Domaine Delmas Blanquette de Limoux Méthode Ancestrale Clair de LuneMauzac Blend, Mauzac more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 100% Mauzac; 7% alcohol, 75-80 grams per liter residual sugar. Aromas and flavors of baked quince and caramel apple give way to citrus and pineapple in this traditionally made dessert wine. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| Red |
2007 Domaines du Grand Crès Corbières Cuvée MajeureRed Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 90% Syrah, 10% Grenache. Maturing vines reveal an evolution from the ’05 and ’06 releases. A focused Syrah character of white pepper, black plum, licorice, and baking spices is neatly underscored by minerality and fine tannins. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| Red |
2006 Château Ollieux Romanis Corbières-Boutenac Atal SiaCarignan Blend, Carignan more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 45% Grenache, 25% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache Noir, 5% Syrah. After carbonic maceration, this opulent cuvée is aged in vat for 12 months. The wine is deeply colored, redolent of spices and mocha, and full-bodied, showing blackberry and blackcurrant fruit flavors and round, supple tannins. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| Red |
2006 Château Sainte-Eulalie Minervois Plaisir d'EulalieRed Rhone Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 45% Carignan, 40% Grenache, 15% Syrah. Grown on clay-limestone soils rich in manganese, this blend is bright cherry-red, with generous floral and red-fruit aromas ceding to a midpalate of fig, blackberry, and thyme and fine, mineral-driven tannins. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| White |
2007 Château Coupe Roses Minervois BlancRoussanne more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 100% Roussanne. The château takes its name from the rose-tinted soils of the Minervois area. Racking before fermentation and lees aging give the white flowers and stone fruit of this expressive Roussanne a rich, almost lush midpalate, balanced by bright acidity and concentrated minerality. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| Red |
2004 Domaine de Chamans Minervois Hegarty No.1Red Rhone Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 60% Carignan, 40% Syrah. Almost inky, with aromas of violets and blackcurrant giving way to complex minerals, baking spice, and licorice on a midpalate of dark fruit and well-integrated new oak. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| Red |
2006 Clos Centeilles Minervois Capitelle de CenteillesCinsault, Cinsaut more |
Sommelier Journal, Deborah Parker Wong, AIWSAugust 2009 100% Cinsault. An exceptional example of low-yield Cinsault achieved by a lengthy maceration of eight weeks. Perfumed floral aromas of dusty rose and strawberry progress to concentrated red fruit on the midpalate, supported by silky tannins and bright acidity that convey a complex mélange of garrigue on the finish. Langeudoc: The Pursuit of Quality |
| Red |
2007 Ziereisen Syrah MarkgräflerlandBaden more |
Sommelier Journal, David Furer, CWEAugust 2009 “The French swear by their terroir—in this respect, I am a Frenchman,” states the ebullient Hanspeter Ziereisen. With his 2003 and subsequent vintages, this newcomer has earned recognition for producing one of Germany’s two or three best Syrahs. Two years’ care in German barriques allows the wine to fall bright of its own accord, so it can be bottled without filtration. Along with his wife, Edel, Ziereisen is supported in his efforts by Hartmut Bick (formerly with Werner Näkel) and Reinhard Löwenstein. Unfortunately, their wine sells out before its release. Ziereisen’s village of Efringen-Kirchen is a 20-minute drive from the Basel airport; book your flight today, and be sure to stay in the winery’s bed and breakfast. Hot Picks |
| White |
2007 Channing Daughters MeditazioneThe Hamptons White Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, David Furer, CWEAugust 2009 A blend of Sauvignonasse, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscat Ottonel, Chardonnay, Viognier, Malvasia, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Blanc, this wine sees nine days of mixed skin contact, three to four daily punchdowns for a week, and 13 months of aging in new French oak, though one would never know. It’s reminiscent of some western Slovenian whites: long and grippy, smelling of roses, acacia blossoms, and damp, warm earth. Paul Grieco of New York’s Terroir restaurant touts this as “the greatest white wine in America”—which may be overstating the case, but you get the idea. Only 108 cases were made by the perpetual-student partners, the stoic Larry Perrine and the kinetic Christopher Tracy. Hot Picks |
| White |
2007 Domaine de l'Ecu Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine Cuvée ClassiqueMelon de Bourgogne more |
Sommelier Journal, Beverley Blanning, MWAugust 2009 Guy Bossard’s Muscadet is a great value and an excellent food wine for the times when full-on flavor is not required. A crisp, light, and subtly flavored white, it has a lingering, savory minerality that will complement fresh seafood. Hot Picks |
| White - Sparkling |
2002 Heidsieck & Co. Monopole Champagne Gold Top BrutChampagne Blend more |
Sommelier Journal, Beverley Blanning, MWAugust 2009 2002 was a lovely vintage for Champagne, yielding rich, approachable, balanced wines. Heidsieck’s lively Gold Top is now showing a delicious maturity, with soft, yeasty complexity and a mouth-filling roundness. Perfect as an aperitif, it has enough character and weight to pair with food as well. Hot Picks |
Sommelier Journal (click to search again)
- Reviews: 33 /
- Wines: 33
