Shopping the wine critics week of October 6, 2014

Grape Collective takes a look at this week’s wine selections from the top US critics.


New York Times, Eric Asimov

“In its role as a wine, Champagne is remarkably versatile, wonderful with an astonishingly wide array of foods. It can be great with sushi and seafood in many guises. But it’s also terrific with foods that might be considered too déclassé, like popcorn, fried chicken and even pizza.”

Bollinger Special Cuvée

Champagne, France

$49.97 Available at PJ Wine

Delamotte Brut

Champagne, France

$35.97 Available at Garnet Wines & Liquors

Alfred Gratien Brut

Champagne, France

$38.99 Available at Get Wine Online

Ruinart Brut

Champagne, France

$69.99 Available at Valley Fine Wines

Billecart-Salmon Brut Réserve

Champagne, France

$24.99 Available at 67 Wine

Henriot Brut Souverain

Champagne, France

$23.99 Available at Zachys

Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée Brut

Champagne, France

$41.95 Available at Sherry-Lehman

Philipponnat Royale Réserve

Champagne, France

$41.94 Available at Saratoga Wine

Taittinger Brut Réserve

Champagne, France

$28.95 Available at Sherry-Lehman

“Each is a blend of the three main Champagne grapes, pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, and each is a non-vintage wine, meaning it is a blend of wines from quite a few different years. They are all good introductory Champagnes, delicious even if you need no introduction to Champagne.”

Louis Roederer Brut Premier

Champagne, France

$29.99 Available at Chambers Street Wines

Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve

Champagne, France

$47.97 Available at PJ Wine

Pol Roger Réserve Brut

Champagne, France

$38.99 Available at 67 Wine

Wall Street Journal, Will Lyons

Chapel Down Vintage Reserve Brut

England

The Tenterden-based winery’s Vintage Reserve is light and quaffable, with fresh apple and moreish citrus notes. The finish is crisp and refreshing.”

Unavailable through search on Winesearcher

2008 Nyetimber Classic Cuvée

England

“A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, it fills the nose with spritzy citrus aromas. A buttery, biscuit component adds depth.”

Unavailable through search on Winesearcher

2009 Gusbourne Brut Reserve

England

I was impressed with its purity, zesty citrus notes and intensity. A major entrant on the sparkling wine scene.”

Unavailable through search on Winesearcher

Camel Valley Sparkling Pinot Noir Brut

England

It hits you first with the faintest whiff of red fruits; later, the strawberry character on the nose emerges. This wine is fresh, with racing, powerful acidity and a long, dry finish.”

Unavailable through search on Winesearcher

2010 Ridgeview Fitzrovia Rosé Brut

England

This blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier has a juicy, red-fruit character. Because there is quite a bit of Chardonnay, the wine has more body and greater depth in the mouth.”

Unavailable through search on Winesearcher

Los Angeles Times, S. Irene Virbila

2012 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly

Côté de Brouilly, France

“It's a deep wine with some weight to it, made from Gamay vines on Mont Brouilly that are more than 50 years old. Tasting of sun-ripened raspberries and blackberries, the 2012 Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly has soft tannins and a long, satisfying finish”

$23.99 Available at Flatiron Wines & Spirits

Sacramento Bee, Mike Dunne

Longoria Wines 2012 Sta. Rita Hills Rita’s Crown Vineyard Chardonnay

Santa Barbara County, California

“In heft, ripeness, rich aroma and complex tropical and citric flavors, this is a classic California chardonnay, but it breaks from the rest of the pack in its tautness, light smoke and nippy acidity, making it unusually balanced and refreshing for the style.”

$50 Available at Longoria Wine

Longoria Wines 2012 Sta. Rita Hills La Encantada Vineyard Pinot Noir

Santa Barbara County, California

“It’s an unusually involved and busy pinot noir, with a mature and dark fruitiness so dense it verges on meatiness itself, yet the texture is silken and the finish prolonged.”

$50 Available at Longoria Wine

Longoria Wines 2011 Sta. Rita Hills Fe Ciega Vineyard Pinot Noir

Santa Barbara County, California

“Though darker than the La Encantada, the Fe Ciega comes from the more traditional mold for pinot noir. Its fruit is more direct and sweeter, its complexity tilting more to a garnish of truffles and mushrooms than the meat itself, and its supple texture makes it more immediately accessible.”

$59.99 Available at Harrison Wine Vault

Longoria Wines 2011 Santa Ynez Valley Tempranillo

Santa Barbara County, California

“Its scent and flavor run to tobacco leaves, chocolate and cherries, all hung on a frame strong yet bending.”

$36 Available at Longoria Wine

Financial Times, Jancis Robinson

Moss Wood Chardonnay 2012

Margaret River
, Australia

“An elegant answer to white burgundy informed by the Indian Ocean.”

Unavailable through search on Winesearcher

Altos Las Hormigas Malbecs 2012

Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

“Any wines from this vintage and this producer are exciting.”

$10.99 Available at America’s Wine Shop

Celler del Roure, Parotet 2012

Valencia, Spain

“Made mainly from the local Mando (aka Mandón) grape aged in clay jars.”

Unavailable through search on Winesearcher

Sadie Family Wines, Columella 2010

Swartland, South Africa

“The trailblazing red based on old vines took a new, fresher direction from the 2008 vintage.”

$99.99 Available at Sunfish Cellars