Top 10 wines in the US press

Robert Mondavi Fumé Blanc 2013, Napa Valley

Dennis Sodomka, writing in the Augusta Chronicle, recommended a wine he has been drinking “for more than 30 years” – Robert Mondavi’s Fumé Blanc 2013.

“Each time I drink it, I marvel at its quality for the price. And that quality doesn’t vary with the vintage; it stays the same year after year”, he said.

“There is an explosion of aromas when you sniff: tangerine, honeydew melon, lime and jasmine. The flavor continues to seduce the senses, with layers of fruit and floral tastes, especially lemon and lime. The crisp flavors linger long and pleasantly on the tongue. The wine comes mostly from Napa (89%), specifically the Wappo Hill vineyard and the famed To Kalon vineyard. The other 11% comes from Mendocino. The blend is 90% Sauvignon Blanc and 10% Semillon.

“The Wappo Hill vineyard in the Stag’s Leap District adds the bright citrus and herbal flavors, while the To Kalon fruit adds richness and complexity with layers of tropical, mineral and floral notes. The semillon adds complexity and a nicer mouth feel.”

Price: $19 to 21

Diaz R. Cabernet Franc 2013, San Juan, Argentina

“Wow”, was how Dave McIntyre of the Washingtgon Post described Diaz R.’s 2013 Cabernet Franc.

“Wines this delicious are extremely rare at under $10. It’s big, deep, spicy and a bit on the sweet/ripe side. Fans of Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley or Virginia will not find it familiar — in fact, this wine resembles an Australian Shiraz in style and texture. At this price, stock up!”, he said.

Price: $8

Maximin Grünhäuser Riesling Feinherb 2012, Mosel, Germany

McIntyre also recommended this “delightful” German Riesling that he said has “almost no availability”.

He said: “Perhaps it’s the strange “Feinherb,” which does not indicate that the wine is steeped with fines herbes but that it is “half dry. Perhaps it’s the popular misconception that all Rieslings, especially those that are “half dry,” are cloyingly sweet. Whatever the reason, this wine and others like it need more daring retailers and consumers to try them. This is delicious Riesling, beautifully balanced. My only complaint was that it disappeared all too quickly.”

Price: $22

Menage a Trois Chardonnay 2013, California

Sandra Silfven, writing for Detroit News, recommended this “turbocharged” Chardonnay from Menage a Trois based in California’s Napa Valley.

She said: “Grapes from Monterey County, Santa Barbara and Mendocino play off each other in this complex, turbocharged Chardonnay. It’s spicy, lemony, packed with tropical fruit, a blast of oak and sturdy acidity. Mouthfeel is creamy.”

Price: $10-$15

Barrymore by Carmel Road Pinot Grigio Monterey 2013

Drew Barrymore is not the first Hollwood A-lister to launch their own wine, and she certainly won’t be the last. Silfven described this Pinot Grigio, the result of a partnership between Barrymore and the Carmel Road Winery, as dry, minerally and fruit-packed.

She said: “It’s got that Asian pear, honeydew, white peach fruit character infused with minerality and braced with firm acidity. A great wine to pour with a Caprese salad or homemade gnocchi in a light tomato sauce. The label depicts the crest of Drew’s grandfather — actor John Barrymore.”

Price: $14.99

2013 Handcraft ‘Artisan Collection’ Chardonnay, California

This “impeccably balanced Chardonnay” was recommended by Michael Dresser writing in the Baltimore Sun.

He said: “A dollop of Malvasia Bianca adds just the right note of fruit and liveliness to this well-made, impeccably balanced Chardonnay at a moderate price. It’s clean and refreshing, with light oak and vibrant lemon, apple and nut flavors. It’s not the most complex wine, but its upfront fruitiness and breezy acidity make it a satisfying white wine.”

Price: $13

Duckhorn Vineyards, 2012 Napa Valley Chardonnay

Peg Melnik, writing for the Press Democrat, picked this Duckhorn Vineyards Chardonnay as her wine of the week, describing it as “striking” with a “lush texture”.

She said: “Notes of apple, pear, toast and a hint of butterscotch. Lingering finish. Exceptional for the price.”

Price: $35

Bacigalupi, 2012 Russian River Valley Chardonnay

While pipped to the top spot by Duckhorn’s Chardonnay, this Chardonnay from Bacigalupi in California’s Russian River Valley was given a special mention by Melnik.

She said: “A gorgeous Chardonnay, with great complexity. Notes of pineapple, creme brulee and mineral. A toasty oak finish. Rich. A Chardonnay to savor. Impressive.”

Price: $56

Fattoria Rodáno, Toscana IGT, Poggialupi 2012

“Though the first Super Tuscans were pricey, it is now possible to find them at lower prices, like this one from Rodáno”, wrote Rebecca Murphy in the Dallas Morning News. 

She said: “It is 90% Sangiovese blended with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. With this blend and the winery’s location in the Chianti Classico region, it could have been labeled as such. However, Enrico Pozzesi, owner-winemaker of Rodáno, feels that Poggialupi has a more modern expression than his more traditional Chianti Classico wines and is better represented in the category of IGT. This is a cheerful, generous and easy-to- drink wine with bright cherry fruit with hints of anise and dried herbs, lively acidity and integrated tannins. Enjoy it with a mushroom pizza.”

Price: $14 to $15.99

Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011

Finally this “hearty Cab for now and the future” was recommended by Stacey Vreeken writing in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

She said: “In the world of Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2011 vintage is considered infancy, but Mt. Brave’s cab already shows well. Big, hearty and tannic, this is one to put down for the future with long ties to the past. Winemaking in the Mount Veeder region of Napa began in the 1860s. Even though the terrain is considered too steep, the soils too thin and rocky, winemaker and viticulturist Chris Carpenter persists, harvesting small intense fruit that provides depth and complexity to the wine.”

She added: “This wine is a glimpse of what’s to come. A big Cab with developing tannins and chewy mouth feel, it opens with hints of violet, followed by dark cherry, blueberry and plum. Leather, vanilla and cedar notes add to the minerality of this classic but still young Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Price: $75