Vintage Delights

March 25, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in on March 2007 Old World. New World. Down under. Who’s on top?

Wine lovers everywhere.

Never in history has there been so much choice among grape varietal and wine for enthusiasts. This issue’s recommendations skew toward New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc—a nod to warmer weather and to a region that’s put Sauvignon Blanc back on the white wine world map.

Each reflects average retail; expect to pay two to three times in a restaurant.

Everyday bargains:

2005 Osborne Solaz Blanco: This Spanish producer is renowned for Rioja, sherry and port wines but here’s a simple, crisp white fashioned from 100 percent Viura grape that provides melon ball and granny apple flavors against sufficient acidity. A delightful spring and summer treat. ($8-$9).

2005 Bodegas Juan Gil Wrongo Dongo: Maybe the goofiest label ever minted but this black berry, black cherry, plum concoction fashioned primarily from the Mourvedre grape makes this Spanish offering a delight. ($8)

2006 Matua Sauvignon Blanc: Some enthusiasts might take a pass on this widely-available Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, zeroing in on its screw-cap. That would be a big mistake. Everything you’d expect from the signature grape of Kiwi is here. Don’t pass up this crisp white at the price. ($11-$12).

2003 Jacobs Creek Reserve Shiraz: The Australian’s have claimed the Syrah grape as their own—though the French might beg to differ. But there’s no argument this is a flat out beauty at the price with gobs of black cherry, cracked pepper and anise. ($13).



Super Premium:

2006 Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc: What distinguishes this New Zealand offering from what follows is just a hint of herbal edge. Here’s another in a long line of Kiwi winners with this grape. ($15)

2006 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc: This New Zealand producer simply seems to own this varietal. From the Marlborough region, this winery delivers top-flight grapefruit, lime and peach that begs for shellfish. ($17).

2004 Hess Collection Chardonnay: This Napa Valley producer is ubiquitous at the fighting varietal end but its mid-tier in most years is where real value resides. Hess hit a home run with its ‘04 vintage. Layers of creamy, complex tropical fruit alongside melon and lemon hints. ($20).

2004 Louis Sipp Gewurztraminer: This French producer from Alsace is synonymous with value. This exotic grape thrives in its hands, sporting spice, tropical fruit and citrus flavors. ($20).

Luxury Class:

2003 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon: A fabled Napa Valley, California producer back in full stride, here’s full-bodied currant, cassis, clove, cedar, vanilla and toast. ($40)

2003 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages: California’s answer to Bordeaux, this Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine pumps currant, plum, blue berry, black cherry and blackberry against sturdy tannins. The name hails from its five-variety blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. ($75).