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Argentina - Australia - Chile - Cyprus - France - Greece - International - Italy - Spain - USA
ARGENTINA
Wine Spectator - Smart Buys - Luigi Bosca Malbec Reserva -91pts
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate August 2009
Kiplingers Personal Finance - Wine at a Palatable Price - Luigi Bosca Malbec - August 2009
Wine & Spirits - La Linda Rosé - Extreme Values - Year's Best Rosé - August 2009
Wine and Spirits Years Best Argentine Malbec - June 2009
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar 2009
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 2009 Argentina
CHILE
WINE ENTHUSIAST - VIEJO FEO Chardonnay - 2009
Viña Tinajas 2006 Viejo Feo Chardonnay (Maule Valley)
Country: Chile
"More or less clean and neutral on the nose, with aromatic notes of peach and apple. The palate is juicy" "with flavors of orange, pithy bitterness and roast corn. Good in this price range"
FRANCE
BEAUMONT DES CRAYÈRES
Brut Rosé Champagne Grand Rosé NV
Score: 90
This rich rosé exudes berry, citrus and light toast aromas and flavors. Though round and generous, this stays lively, with a tangy finish of berry and spice. A crowd-pleaser. Drink now. 5,000 cases made. –BS |
WINE ENTHUSIAST - VOYOU Rosé - August 2009
86pts $11
Addict Wines 2007 Voyou Rosé Syrah-Grenache (Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes)
Country: Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Showing well with moderate aromas of cherry and apricot supported by subtle floral accents. The palate is light but full with juicy strawberry and tropical citrus notes. Crisp, flavorful, and well balanced.
GREECE
 December 2009
87 Koutsoyiannopoulos 2008 Santorini White Assyrtico (Santorini);
$19. This is a nicely balanced white with both clean citrus character and complexity. Fruit and acid are in check and on the palate, it offers pronounced fruit with an elegant mineral edge. Imported by Athena Importing Co. —S.K.
87 Protopapas 2008 Chardonnay (Greece); $17.
This elegant Chardonnay distinguishes itself with aromas of white flowers and fresh fruit, followed by a medium-bodied profile of white fruit, minerals and flowers. Balanced and with a clean, dry character, it’s a wine to pair with everything from seafood to richer poultry and pork dishes. Imported by Athena Importing Co. —S.K.
84 Protopapas 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (Pageon); $17.
This Greek Sauvignon Blanc is both fruity and dry with a crisp, fresh nose and simply good lemon and spice flavors. Clean with a medium body. A good everyday white for lighter dishes. Imported by Athena
Importing Co. —S.K.
88 Estate Constantin Gofas 2008 Mythic River Sauvignon-Roditis (Korinthia); $15. A blend of 50% Sauvignon Blanc and 50% Roditis, this refreshing white starts with aromas of citrus and peach, followed by crisp flavors of lemon backed by a lively acidity. Rich but clean. Pair with shellfish, meaty white
fish. Imported by Athena Importing Co. —S.K.
85 Dionysos NV White Wine (Greece); $11.
This dry white offers aromatic flowers and citrus on the nose, followed by a spicy, earthy blend of fruit and acid. Crisp but with complexity, it will pair well with salads, seafood. Imported by Athena Importing Co. —S.K.
86 Protopapas 2008 Agioritikos White (Mount Athos); $18.
A spicy, lively nose starts this elegant Greek white. Citrus, apple and some spice flavors on the palate are unfolding but fun. A spicy, clean finish adds to the food-friendly character. Pair with grilled seafood, poultry. Imported by Athena Importing Co. —S.K.
85 Protopapas 2008 Traminer (Pageon); $18. This slightly sweet white starts with a lush nose of flowers, orange marmalade and spice, followed by floral flavors edged with spice and minerals. Not overly complex, but paired with grilled fish or squid, a unique and tasty sip. Imported by Athena Importing Co. —S.K.
CONSTANTIN GOFAS
Sauvignon-Roditis Korinthia Mythic River 2008
Score: 86
Medium-bodied, with good cut to the white fruit flavors, which are accented by citrus and white pepper notes. Offers mineral and spice on the finish. Drink now. 2,000 cases made. –KM |
KOUTSOYIANNOPOULOS
Santorini 2008
Score: 87
Offers a creamy aroma, with flavors to match, joined by plenty of tropical fruit notes. The finish is intense, with exotic spice. Drink now. 4,000 cases made. –KM |
PROTOPAPAS
Chardonnay Pangeon 2008
Score: 85
Ripe style, with apple, pear and buttercream flavors that extend into the finish of nutmeg and clove. Drink now. 2,200 cases made. –KM |
PROTOPAPAS
Sauvignon Blanc Pangeon 2008
Score: 82
A buttery style, with ripe apple flavors and spicy notes on the finish. Drink now. 2,500 cases made. –KM |
PROTOPAPAS
Traminer Greece 2008
Score: 79
Soft, with oyster shell and herbal notes that turn cloying on the finish. 3,000 cases made. –KM |
PROTOPAPAS
Greece Agioritikos White 2008
Score: 77
Rustic white is a touch milky tasting, with some overripe peach flavors. A field blend of Greek varieties with Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. 2,800 cases made. –KM |
Wine & Spirits Magazine - Greece - 2009
Wine Spectator - Greek Wines - 2009
Wine Enthusiast - Greek Wines - 2009
WINE ENTHUSIAST - Loukatos Muscat of Patras
B 86pts $11
Loukatos NV Muscat (Muscat of Patras)
Country: GreeceThis Muscat offers aromas of orange, honey and maple syrup, and a rich array of butterscotch, honey and citrus flavors. Sweet but with a good spicy spin, the wine pairs well with sharp cheeses or desserts
WINE ENTHUSIAST - Mythic River Agiorgitiko
86pts $13
Estate Constantin Gofas 2006 Mythic River Agiorgitiko (Nemea)
Country: Greece
Aged four months in oak, this supple red offers notes of plum, cherry, forest fruit and a touch of smoke on the nose, and on the palate, a medium-bodied array of spicy and rich berry flavors. Balanced acidity and a lingering finish give the wine extra elegance. A good food wine; pair with grilled lamb, steak.
WINE ENTHUSIAST - Mythic River Agiorgitiko
84 $16
Estate Constantin Gofas 2006 Mythic River Agiorgitiko-Syrah Red Blend (Peloponnese)
Country: Greece
A sweetish nose of cherry, plum and berry tinged with spice leads on this pleasant wine from Mythic River, a Syrah and Agiorgitiko blend. On the palate, it’s dry and assertive, displaying flavors of plum, forest fruit and pepper. Simply good and a natural with grilled, spicy meats.
WINE ENTHUSIAST - Mythic River Agiorgitiko
Estate Constantin Gofas 2007 Mythic River Sauvignon-Roditis White Blend (Corinth)
Country: Greece
This Roditis-Sauvignon blend starts with a soft, floral nose of lemon and peach and leads into crisp but rich flavors of citrus and flowers. Simple but a good everyday white, especially with light meals.
International
December 2009
85 BEST BUY Ku Dé Ta 2007 Riesling
To judge by the codes on the label, this Best Buy is from the same bottler who did Rudi Wiest’s 2007 Mosel River. This is slightly lighter in weight, with simple apple and citrus flavors tinged with petrol. Off-dry, but clean and fresh on the finish. A wine to drink now and over the next few months. - J.C. (10/1/2009) – 85
WINE ENTHUSIAST - Ku Dé Ta Sauvignon Blanc
Ku Dé Ta 2007 Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley)
Country: Chile
Ku Dé Ta is a “global brand” in that its backers identify regions they like and then buy and bottle wine from that region. This one from Casablanca has gooseberry, green melon, apple and talcum powder all on a delicate but healthy frame. Imported by Ku Dé Ta Wines
Italy
Massimiliano Vivalda ‘l’clumbe’ Barbera d’Asti
BEST BUY
December 2009
90 Aldegheri 2000 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico; $NA.
This 2000 vintage Amarone features aromas of dried or candied fruit, old spice and toasted nut. You’ll also get licorice and resin and the wine ends with delicate, dusty tannins. Imported by Marco & Son Wine Importing. —M.L.
SPAIN
Recorba Reserva Ribera del Duero
($30) Bright ruby. Ripe cherry and plum aromas are complemented by dark chocolate and roasted coffee. Fleshy and sweet, with cherry-vanilla and spice flavors and firm tannins. The oak is pretty strong here and I wonder whether the fruit will be able to withstand it for much longer. Finishes with good length and strong vanillin oakiness.
87
Recorba Ribera del Duero
($12) Vivid ruby-red. Cherry, musky herbs and flowers on the nose. Light in body and pleasantly bitter, offering zesty red fruit flavors and a darker note of licorice. Finishes with decent persistence and a peppery quality. I'd serve this lightly chilled.
87
Recorba Rose Ribera del Duero
($11) Vivid pink color. Candied raspberry and cherry on the nose, with a hint of orange peel adding energy. Tangy red berry flavors are sharply defined and very fresh, with a zesty citrus quality adding cut and thrust. Plump but energetic, with good finishing clarity and a lingering note of bitter orange.
88
Recorba Rueda
($11; 60% verdejo and 40% viura) Light yellow. Assertive aromas of white grapefruit, lime and white flowers, with a strong undercurrent of talc. Spicy citrus and green apple on the palate, with a jolt of white pepper adding bite. A very refreshing wine with good finishing cut and tangy persistence.
88 |
