Dale Robertson and his team of tasters rate new wines.
WHITE OF THE WEEK
2015 TRISAETUM RIBBON RIDGE ESTATE RIESLING
Overall score: 18.4 (8.9 for quality, 9.5 for value)
Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with three scores of 9. “Minerally with pear, apricots, tangerines. Nice finish.”
My score: 9. “Tart and fruity.” This is the most accessible and fruit-forward of the six to 10 rieslings made each year by James Frey, who launched the Willamette Valley winery with his wife, Andrea, in 2003. Alcohol: 11 percent.
Winery/vineyards: The Freys’ warmest vineyard side, it’s located in the heart of the Ribbon Ridge AVA. The 28 acres of uniformly sedimentary soil are farmed organically and bio-dynamically without irrigation.
Winemaking: The winery has a 600-square-foot cold room, where grape clusters are sent after harvest to ferment in a slow, deliberate manner. A nine-stage fruit-sorting system that can involve up to 15 workers ensures that only the best berries from the best clusters go into the finished wine. (Note that the 2014 Ribbon Ridge Pinot Noir also turned our tasters’ heads, earning a unanimous recommendation. It’s $42.74 at Spec’s.)
Winemaker notes: “Hints of sweetness and a touch of minerality annotate this wine, which bursts with flavors of peaches and tangerines.”
Critical acclaim: The 2013 vintage received a 94 from Wine Enthusiast.
Pairings: Asian food, spicy fried chicken
Price: $23.74 at Spec’s
RED OF THE WEEK 2013 DUCKHORN CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Overall score: 18.7 (9.2 for quality, 9.5 for value)
Our tasters: Gave it a unanimous recommendation with a high score of 9.5. “Ripe black fruit with well-integrated oak. Lovely!”
My score: 9.1. “A big, chewy, easy embraced cab.” It’s 92 percent cabernet sauvignon with merlot (6 percent), cabernet franc and petit verdot in the blend, too.
Winery/vineyards: Dan Duckhorn founded his eponymous Napa Valley winery in 1976, and the property has grown to encompass seven estate vineyards.
Winemaking: Renée Ary became the fourth winemaker in Duckhorn’s history in 2014, having spent her first 11 years with the winery progressing from lab manager to enologist to assistant winemaker to associate winemaker.
Winemaker notes: “Offers aromas of blackberry, fig, pipe tobacco and sandalwood. On the palate, a wonderful, layered structure that is one of the hallmarks of the exceptional 2013 vintage. Underscores flavors of violet, red currant, cocoa nibs and graphite. The finish is long and focused with a hint of vibrant red fruit reminiscent of fresh strawberry rhubarb cobbler.”
Critical acclaim: James Suckling awarded a score of 92: “Aromas of brambleberries, flowers and wet earth follow through to a medium body, a solid core of fruit and a fresh finish. Dusty tannin texture. Solid.”
Pairing: grilled porterhouse steak
Price: $62.49 at Spec’s
Also recommended
Carpené Malvolti Extra Dry Prosecco: 18.8 (8.8 for quality, 10 for value). Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9. “Delicious bright fruit.” My score: 9. The grapes for this Italian sparkler grow on the hillsides around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the heart of Prosecco country. $14.99 at Spec’s
2012 Bosco del Merlo Lison Pramaggiore Merlot: 18.3 (8.8 for quality, 9.5 for value). Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendations with three scores of 9. “Round and ripe fruit.” My score: 9. It’s 100 percent merlot from the Veneto that was aged for a year in oak barrels, then for four additional months in the bottle. $17.19 at Spec’s
Available online
2015 Gnarly Head Chardonnay: 18.9 (8.9 for quality, 10 for value). Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9. “New World fruit. Bright citrus notes. Medium finish.” My score: 8.8. The grapes mostly come from the Clay Station Vineyard near Lodi, Calif. $9.99 from wine. com
Moutard Père et Fils Brut Grand Cuvée NV: 18.9 (8.9 for quality, 10 for value). Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9 or higher. “Clean and crisp red fruits.” My score: 9. This bargain champagne is 100 percent pinot noir. $24.98 from theoriginalwineclub.com
2014 Scarpetta Barbera del Monferrato: 18.9 (8.9 for quality, 10 for value). Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9 or higher. “Floral nose, cranberries and rose petals.” My score: 9.1. Master sommelier Bobby Stuckey and partner Lachlan Patterson make the wine with Fabrizio Luli in Monferrato, Italy, considered the “birthplace” of the barbera grape. $15.99 from garyswine. com
2014 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir: 17.4 (8.9 for quality, 8.5 for value). Our tasters gave it a unanimous recommendation with two scores of 9. “Fruity and slightly acidic. Clean.” My score: 8.8. The wine, a California Central Coast “cult” favorite, spent 16 months in French oak, 55 percent new. $69.99 from klwines.com.