During the course of 2012, I reviewed fourteen (14) different wines. The seven (7) listed below (4red/3white) are my personal favorites. Please note that the prices quoted are approximates and may vary from retailer to retailer.
FAVORITE RED WINES:
Botromagno Nero Di Troia, 2007, $16.00
This red wine hails from the Apulia – or Puglia in Italian – region of Italy, located along the Adriatic coast in the country’s extreme southeast corner. It was produced from the uva or nero di Troia grape, which is named after the mythical city of Troy and is one of Puglia’s oldest and most noble varieties. Traditionally blended with other local grapes, it is only within the last fifteen years of so that the nero di Troia has emerged as a qualitative grape made as a single varietal wine. The 2007 boasts a beautiful ruby-red color with splashes of purple, and a nose redolent of ripe berry fruit. On the palate, it is a rich, medium-bodied wine held in perfect harmonious balance by 13.5% alcohol and fine-grained tannins. A weighty wine, it also beguiles with its distinctive elegance.
Elk Cove Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 2009, $26.00
This is a light and lively wine with a solid alcoholic backbone (14.2%), soft and supple tannins, and plenty of fresh fruit on the noise and on the palate. I particularly like this wine because it is so incredibly versatile; it provides a suitable match for a great variety of foods (salmon & Pinot Noir is always a perfect marriage), but it is also thoroughly enjoyable on its own. Pinot Noirs can be outlandishly expensive; and price is, unfortunately, not necessarily indicative of quality. The 2009 Elk Cove is not only highly rated by a number of professional critics, it is also listed as a “Smart Buy” by the Wine Spectator. Given its overall quality, this wine remains something of a steal… and, thankfully, it is still widely available.
Penfolds “St. Henri” Shiraz, South Australia, 2005, $15.00 half bottle (375ml)
This critically acclaimed vintage from down under – 95 points from the Wine Spectator, 94 points from the Australian Wine Companion, and 92 points from the International Wine Cellar – is a silky, seductive, and downright sexy wine. The color is an eye-appealingly deep garnet; aromas of blackberry, blueberry, and vanilla waft from the glass; and the palate is completely beguiled by a lush, velvety texture rife with dark berry and toasty spice. The price for a full bottle (750ml) of this exhilarating elixir runs between $50.00 and $70.00 at many retailers. However, for a short period of time, the PA Liquor Control Board in its all-knowing wisdom had half bottles on sale for a mere $14.99 – and I snatched up as many as I could lay my hands on. Definitely worth seeking out. An absolutely incredible wine.
Pio Cesare Dolcetto d’Alba, 2010, $20.00
This wine was sampled at an Italian Food & Wine Tour at a local Wegmans in October. It was paired with a roasted mushroom & ricotta naan pizza and seafood fra diavolo – and proved a perfect match for both. This is a fragrant & fruity vintage with a delicate hint of spice. A very good “every day” wine, it is easily paired with a great variety of foods. It is also a wine from a quality producer that remains reliable year after year. Best of all, it is reasonably priced and readily available from a variety of sources.
FAVORITE WHITE WINES:
Antinori Castello della Sala Chardonnay Bramìto del Cervo, 2011, $20.00
This 2011 Chardonnay is a stunner. Following fermentation, part of the wine was given a five-month period of oak aging, while the other part was aged in stainless steel tanks. The blending of the two portions produced an elegantly complex wine with subtle traces of oak perfectly balanced by a crisp lemony acidity and 13% alcohol. On the palate, you quickly pick up wonderfully fresh notes of green apple, peach, and honey. If you’re seeking a respite from those ponderous, over-oaked California Chardonnays, this is definitely a wine that is eminently quaffable for all occasions and also perfectly matched with a variety of cuisines.
Dr. Loosen “Red Slate” Dry Riesling, 2012, $14.00
Situated in the middle Mosel River Valley, in the midst of some of Germany’s best-rated vineyards, the Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. The steep, south-facing slopes create the perfect climate for Riesling, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly. The Mosel’s slate soil reflects the sunlight and holds the heat of the day; and the thin topsoil forces the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients, producing wines of intense quality. And there is something distinctive about “red slate,” as it imparts a dense, muscular mineral backbone to the wines produced in that particular soil. The 2012 Dr. Loosen “Red Slate” Dry Riesling, is a wine that possesses not only a definitive minerality but also a palate-pleasing subtlety that tantalizes the senses with a tingling, harmonious acidity and notes of pear & honey on its long, lingering finish. This quintessential Riesling is a beautiful, captivating, and delightfully food-friendly wine.
La Posta Cocina Blanco, 2010, $13.00
This engaging white wine from Mendoz, Argentina, is a provocative blend of 70% Chardonnay, 15% Sauvignon Blanc, and 15% Torrontes. Torrontes is a white wine grape that produces fresh, aromatic wines that exhibit smooth texture & mouth-feel and distinctive peach & apricot aromas. And these characteristics are quite discernible in this complex and exceedingly well balanced wine. There’s just a touch of spicy oak here… but there’s also plenty of liveliness from the Sauvignon Blanc and Torrontes to keep the Chardonnay’s buttery notes in proper proportion. This is a quality, food-friendly wine that will satisfy the palate without breaking the bank.
Cheers!
TAD
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