Grape Collective takes a look at this week’s wine selections from the top US critics.
Washington Post, Dave McIntyre
Blending Wines Creates Complexity
Black Ankle Vineyards Slate 2
Maryland, USA
“A blend primarily of wine from the rainy harvest of 2011 with some from the successful 2010 season blended in.”
$52 Available at Black Ankle Vineyards
Marietta Cellars Old Vine Red Lot 62
California, USA
“An old-style zinfandel-based blend.
Unavailable through search on Winesearcher
New York Times, Eric Asimov
Wine Lists That Respect A Budget
Angiolino Maule Gambellera Pico La Biancara 2010
Italy
Unavailable through search on Winesearcher
Gaspare Vinci 2012 Grillo
Sicily, Italy
Unavailable through search on Winesearcher
Donnafugata 2013 Zibibbo
Sicily, Italy
$18.79 Available at GetWineOnline
Caravaglio 2013 Salina Bianco
Sicily, Italy
Unavailable through search on Winesearcher
2013 Vall dell’Acate Frappato
Sicily, Italy
$18.99 Available at Astor Wines
2011 Fèlsina Chianti Classico
Tuscany, Italy
$14.97 Available at Astor Wines
Domaine des Terres Dorées 2012 Côte de Brouilly
Beaujolais, France
$21.99 Available at Flatiron Wines
Vincent Raimbault 2011 Vouvray Bel Air
Loire, France
$14.96 Available at Astor Wines
Abbazia di Novacella 2013 Kerner
Alto Adige, Italy
$15.98 Available at WineWorksOnline
Thierry Puzelat Clos de Tue Bouef 2013 Le P’tit Blanc
Loire, France
Unavailable through search on Winesearcher
Laureano Serres 2011 Mendall José María
Terra Alta, Spain
Unavailable through search on Winesearcher
Contrà Soarda 2013 Vespaiolo
Veneto, Italy
$20 Available at Vintry Fine Wines
2010 Vaccelli Unu
Corsica
$24.99 Available at Ball Square Fine Wines
2011 Matthiasson White Blend
Napa Valley, California, USA
$37.99 Available at 67 Wine
2007 Grosjean Fumin
Valle d’Aosta, Italy
$33.99 Available at Wine House
Foradori 2011 Teroldego
Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
$22.99 Available at PJ Wine
Brovia 2012 Barbera d’Alba Sori del Drago
Piedmont, Italy
$23.99 Available at Flatiron Wines
La Taille aux Loups Montlouis Brut Tradition
Loire, France
$22 Available at 24 Hubert Wines
L’Octavin 2010 Pamina Blanc
France
Unavailable through search on Winesearcher
Domaine de Bellivière 2011 Castor
Loire, France
$17.99 Available at Flatiron Wines
Cavallotto 2010 Langhe Freisa Bricco Boschis
Piedmont, Italy
$23.99 Available at Sussex Wine
Canet-Valette 2012 Saint-Chinian Antonyme
Languedoc, France
$16 Available at Smith & Vine
Clemens Busch 2012 Riesling Trocken
Mosel, Germany
$20.99 Available at Flatiron Wines
Los Angeles Times, S. Irene Virbila
2012 Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba
Piedmont, Italy
“This Barbera from one of Piedmont’s oldest wineries is a lovely surprise: full and deep in flavor, with notes of plum, spice and chocolate. It shows elegance and balance.”
$13.99 Available at Leiser’s Wines
Seattle Times, Andy Perdue
Angel Vine Zeros In On Zinfandel
Angel Vine 2011 Alder Ridge Vineyard zinfandel
Washington, USA
“This big, juicy zin is loaded with aromas and flavors of raspberry-chocolate sauce, black cherry reduction and pomegranate.”
$20 Available at Angel Vine
Angel Vine 2011 Primitivo
Washington, USA
“Gorgeous aromas of black cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate give way to flavors of dried strawberry and a pinch of black pepper.”
$202/case Available at The Wine Connection
Angel Vine 2011 StoneTree Vineyard Zinfandel
Washington, USA
“Classic zin aromas of strawberry fruit leather, violet and dark chocolate lead to complex flavors of raspberry and black cherry.”
$17.95 Available at Napa Cabs
San Jose Mercury News, Jessica Yadegaran
Twisted Oak 2011 River of Skulls
California, USA
“According to winemaker Jeff Stai, the ankle bone of cherry aromas in this 100 percent mourvedre wine is connected to the shin bone of blackberries, which connects to the knee bone of spice and perfume.”
$39 Available at Twisted Oak
Spellbound 2012 Merlot
California, USA
“The full moon on the label evokes a haunting vibe, but this merlot from winemaker Robert Mondavi Jr. is all about soft, lush fruits and aromatics of mulling spice, fresh cedar cigar box and decadent leather.”
$16 Available at Spellbound Wines
Ravenswood 2013 Besieged Red Blend
California, USA
“Red-black in color and robust in flavor, this brooding blend of seven grapes, including petite sirah and carignan, has a dash of spice on the finish.”
$14.95 Available at Empire Wine
Michael David 2012 Freakshow Cab
California, USA
“Now in its fourth vintage, the Freakshow has intense depth and notes of ripe, black fruit, pomegranate and smoke. And that bright label has all the pizazz and creepy factor of a circus act gone wrong.”
$16.95 Available at Empire Wine
Bogle Vineyards 2011 Phantom
California, USA
“Bogle's tantalizing apparition of rich berry and spice is concentrated and intense, to say the least. The blend of petite sirah, zinfandel, cabernet and mourvedre has a succulent richness and firm tannins thanks to 24 months of aging in American oak.”
$15.90 Available at GetWineOnline
