Michael Dresser, writing in the Baltimore Sun, picked out this Californian blend featuring Syrah, Merlot and Zinfandel, which he described as a “dry wine” which packs a “gentle punch.”
He said: “This blend of California red varieties is a concentrated by soft-textured wine that packs a lot of flavour.
“Widely distributed – and often on sale at attractive prices – this Apothic offers deep blackberry fruit and flavours of chocolate, black pepper and herbs.
“Though a dry wine, it leaves the impression of sweetness – in a good way, It’s not a complex wine but it packs a (gentle) punch.”
This “scrumptiously fun wine” from Spain was highlighted by Rebecca Murphy writing in the Dallas News this week.
Priced from $9.99, Murphy said it was a wine that “proudly struts” spicy, strawberry and raspberry flavours with notes of dried thyme.
She said: “It’s warm and plush in the mouth, finishing with soft tannins. Both the 2011 and 2012 vintages are available in the market. The 2011 is mellow; the 2012 is a bit more concentrated.
“Evodia is a lot of wine for the price. The combination of round fruit and soft tannins makes it a suitable companion for a bowl of spicy venison chilli or a juicy burger.”
Sandra Silfven, writing in the Detroit News, picked Robert Mondavi’s Private Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, she said boasted “affordable quality.”
She said: “If your wine budget is feeling the crunch after the holidays, you don’t have to put away the corkscrew.
“There’s much to like about the Robert Mondavi Private Selection line: Under $10 on sale; a more specific appellation, Central Coast, than the all-encompassing California; easy on the palate; really easy to find in stores.
“The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon has rich berry and dark plum flavours. I was struck by it its intensity and textbook Cabernet character. I would not think twice about pouring it for guests who are wine enthusiasts.
“On sale, it’s about eight bucks at Meijer. The same goes for the Meritage, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot — a true Bordeaux-style blend worthy of company and a steak dinner.”
This week the Dave McIntyre’s focus was on vintages from Bordeaux which he said consumers often wrongly deduced were out of their reach due to the “exorbitant prices” charged by top chateaux.
Of this $23 red, The Washington Post writer said: “This blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest merlot is textbook and should be anyone’s introduction to Bordeaux.
“It features flavours of blackberry and plum, spiced with what Bordeaux lovers call “pencil shavings.”
“Yes, that sounds weird, but if you’ve ever felt a writer’s satisfaction honing a No. 2 to a fine point, you’ll know what I mean.”
McIntyre also recommended this $20 2009 Bordeaux from the Medoc.
He said: “Give this beauty some time to open up by decanting two hours or so before dinner or even by “letting it breathe” on the counter for a few hours.
“It’s rich and supple, ripe with soft tannins that grip your palate and elevate the wine, like a gymnast on a balance beam.”
Pictured: 2009 vintage
Colette Bancroft, writing in the Tampa Times, chose this South African Pinotage as her wine of the week describing its as a tasteful companion to a barbecue.
She said: “Despite some promotional silliness about real men religiously tending red meat on a fire and drinking red wine instead of beer while they do it, the 2012 Rib Shack Red from South Africa’s Douglas Green Wines ($10 or less at supermarkets) is, in fact, a very tasty and well conceived companion to barbecue.
“We sampled this appropriately smoky blend of Pinotage (a cross between pinot noir and Cinsaut that is South Africa’s signature grape) and Shiraz with a rack of ribs from Champions BBQ in St.”
She added: “The Pinotage leads on both the nose and the tongue with its lovely scent of wood smoke and earthy spices. The dominant fruit on the nose is ripe cherry, which is joined on the tongue by a medley of dark stone fruits, especially plum, plus a bit of fig and a touch of anise. The finish is short but clean and resonant. All of these combine to produce a wine that harmonizes to perfection with smoky-good barbecue, from ribs to pulled pork to brisket to links. It also would be great with a fat fire-grilled cheeseburger.”
Writing in the Augusta Chronicle, Dennis Sodomka recommended this Pinot Noir from the Californian coast.
He said: “The Liberty School Pinot Noir 2012 definitely falls into the category of a wine you should like because it tastes so good. It is soft, smooth and easy to drink with lots of fresh fruit.
Liberty School has been making a very good Cabernet Sauvignon at a fair price for a long time. This year they branched out with outstanding Pinot Noir and Merlot.
“The Pinot is a beautiful dark red in the glass with aromas of flowers and strawberries.
“The taste is full of cherries, strawberries and spice notes. My wife, Teri, also picked up some notes of allspice. The wine features smooth, balanced tannins with a long, silky finish.
“The secret to this Pinot is the Hope Family found the right place to grow the grapes. Pinot Noir grows best in cool climates where the grapes can hang on the vines for an extended period. The grape flourishes in Burgundy, France, where winemakers usually make a subtler style.”
“Though his wines are trumpeted from wine newsletters all over the country, Kinne hasn’t let his Pinots’ success go to his head. Prices are still modest. But if you want to taste his 2012, better run out to the store right now before it’s all gone. Drink it with a steak, a chop, a slab of ribs, even a burger. And, of course, a rotisserie chicken — from Tigeorge’s or Pollo a la Brasa.”
She recommended a food pairing of steak, chops, ribs, burgers and rotisserie chicken
“This lovely Sicilian red is made from the indigenous nero d’Avola (40 per cent) along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Serious juice from an island known for value, it’s rich with flavours of plum jam, cherry and dark chocolate.
“The mouthfeel alternates between smooth and juicy, with fresh acidity and a chewy-tannin finish.
“Great for hearty red meats or simply on its own.”
Crosariol also recommended this $32.99 “powerful” blend from British Colombia.
He said: “With a name like Invictus, Latin for invincible, this red creates high expectations. I don’t know about the invincible part (depends on the wines it’s competing against), but it’s impressive stuff.
“A classic Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec, it’s powerful yet velvety, with succulent berry fruit, chocolate and dark coffee, held together by lots of sticky tannins.
“Decant and serve with hearty winter food such as braised short ribs, lamb shanks or stews.”
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