http://www.winespectator.com Wine Spectator Online - Daily Wine Picks en-us http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Images/Graphics/Redesign/images/WSOrss_logo.gif http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Home 180 44 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:15:21 EST Copyright 2008, Wine Spectator Online wsonline@mshanken.com http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5783,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS This crisp white shows flavors of mineral, mead and peach. The bright finish features plenty of spice and melon. Drink now. 1,200 cases imported. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5784,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Fresh and juicy, with apple, citrus and green peach flavors. The crisp finish features white pepper notes. Drink now. 20,000 cases made. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5785,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Rich and ripe, brimming with blueberry, tobacco and smoke flavors, persisting on the firm-textured finish. Best from 2009 through 2013. 2,500 cases made. Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5780,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Flinty, with tart sour lemon-citrus and green racy fruit flavors that have a touch of quince, ending with a minerally edge. Medium-bodied. Best from 2010 through 2015. 19,398 cases made. Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5781,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Rich and ripe, with creamy, plush flavors of cream, ripe peach and glazed apricot. Seductive notes of quince, pear and spice fill the lush finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,250 cases made. Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5782,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Bright, effusive and generous with its raspberry, red cherry, nutmeg and cream flavors, lingering impressively on the polished finish. This jumps out of the glass, not for its size or any single element, but for its seamlessness and focus. Drink now through 2013. 3,040 cases made. Sat, 03 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5779,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Just like the tasty Sonoma field-style blends of yore, with distinct toasty dill and berry cobbler aromas and zesty raspberry, cracked pepper and earthy sage flavors that end with slightly rustic tannins. Zinfandel, Carignane, Petite Sirah and Mataro. Drink now through 2015. 12,000 cases made Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5777,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Bright red cherry and plum flavors give this good lift. The spicy finish is filled with raspberry. Drink now. 20,000 cases made. Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5778,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS A polished texture and balanced structure carry plum, leaf and light coffee flavors in this fresh red. The floral and cedar finish brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2013. 3,000 cases made. Fri, 02 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5774,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Polished and appealing for its blackberry and spice flavors, persisting on the refreshingly open-textured finish. Drink now through 2011. 37,000 cases imported. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5776,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Round and mouthfilling, with an ample core of plum and currant fruit intertwined with notes of tobacco, game and roasted herb. The solid, fleshy finish extends nicely, with raspberry and mineral notes chiming in. Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Drink now through 2018. 1,650 cases made. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5775,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Light and fragrant, with cantaloupe and pear aromas and flavors, lingering on the silky frame. Drink now. 18,500 cases made. Thu, 01 Jan 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5771,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Ripe and juicy, with a solid core of anise, melon and fig flavors backed by a mouthwatering McIntosh note on the finish. Drink now through 2009. 1,124 cases made. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5772,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Lush and fruit-driven, with a creamy texture carrying enticing flavors of melted fig, crushed blackberry and spice. Long, alluring finish has plenty of toast, but it's well-integrated, with the fruit really shining. Drink now through 2010. 2,841 cases made. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5773,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Full-blown, ripe and rich, with intense and sharply focused dried currant, wild berry and blackberry fruit that's still fairly tannic at this stage. Ends with a long, persistent finish. Best from 2010 through 2015. 33,900 cases made. Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5768,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Soft and round, with a lovely glow of peach and melon flavors at the core, wafting gracefully through the long finish. Drink now. 1,693 cases made. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5769,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Richly layered, with ambitiously styled fig, mocha, espresso and bittersweet cocoa, backed by a lush beam of boysenberry fruit. Fleshy and toasty through the finish, with the dark fruit lingering well in the background. Superdelicious. Drink now through 2010. 7,500 cases imported. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5770,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS This is really stuffed with dark, macerated currant and fig fruit, along with well-integrated toast and juicy, buried acidity. Dark cocoa, loam, melted licorice and spice notes flitter through the finish and bode well for cellaring. 95 percent Grenache with the rest Mourvèdre, Syrah and Cinsault. Best from 2009 through 2028. 1,375 cases made. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5765,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Good plum, herb and vanilla notes run through this focused, medium-weight Merlot. Drink now. 300,000 cases made. Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5766,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Floral, lemon grove and citrus aromas have a flinty, minerally edge, ending with a pleasant earthy streak. Lean and medium-bodied. Drink now through 2010. 18,000 cases made. Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5767,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Fresh and pure, offering floral, yellow fruits and mineral flavors, this bubbly is graceful and beautifully integrated. The texture is firm and refined, with a subtle nutty note on the finish. Drink now. 75,000 cases made. Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5764,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Rich and medium-weight, offering citrus and ginger flavors, with a touch of honey. It holds together well, with a mouthwatering finish. Lovely ripeness overall, with a firm structure underneath. Drink now. 2,300 cases imported. Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5763,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Zesty acidity gives this medium-bodied wine plenty of vibrancy, highlighting the citrus and green apple flavors. Ends with a crisp aftertaste. Drink now through 2011. 233,000 cases made. Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5762,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Soft, with a sweet edge to the watermelon and black pepper flavors, finishing with refreshing balance. Drink now. 20,081 cases made. Sat, 27 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5760,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Juicy and fruity, offering peach and white cherry flavors accented by honeysuckle notes, with salted almond accents on the finish. Drink now through 2012. 3,333 cases made. Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5759,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Pale copper in color and sweet on balance, with cream and watermelon flavors that linger on the soft finish. Drink now. 10,000 cases imported. Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5761,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Light and open-textured, with an earthy edge to the pretty raspberry and tangerine aromas and flavors, finishing silky. Drink now through 2013. 5,671 cases made. Fri, 26 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5756,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Soft but pure, with a good beam of plum fruit backed by hints of cocoa and tobacco. Drink now. 10,000 cases made. Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5757,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Smooth and silky, with pear and melon flavors riding harmoniously over the dry finish, echoing nicely. This integrates its elements especially well. Drink now. 30,000 cases made. Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5758,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Tight and firm, with mineral, sage, dried berry, pepper and spice presented in a compact, concentrated style. Needs time. Best from 2009 through 2016. 1,125 cases made. Thu, 25 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5753,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Very fresh-tasting, with flavors of crushed stone, slate, McIntosh apple and Meyer lemon. Powerful anise and kiwifruit notes fill the firm finish. Drink now through 2014. 1,667 cases made. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5755,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Fresh, with well-defined mineral, candied citrus and honey aromas and flavors. This is elegant and full of finesse, lingering nicely on the finish, where a nutty accent peeks through. Drink now. 6,000 cases made. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5754,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Light and fragrant, with pretty floral overtones to the cherry and roasted meat flavors, lingering softly on the seamless finish. Drink now through 2014. 3,000 cases made. Wed, 24 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5750,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Fresh, clean style, with a stony undertow to the peach pit, yellow apple and floral notes. Bright, clean finish is very youthful for its age. Drink now through 2009. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 1,200 cases made. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5751,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Firm and focused, showing concentrated flavors of dark plum, kirsch and beef, followed by a lithe finish of iron, mineral and spice, with plenty of dark chocolate. Drink now through 2013. 2,000 cases imported. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Daily_Wine/0,1142,5752,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS A bright version, chock full of citrus, peach, pear and pastry notes. Harmonious and refined in texture, this glides to a long, nutty aftertaste. Drink now. 3,000 cases made. Tue, 23 Dec 2008 00:00:00 EDT