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
