Top 10 wines in the US press

Alamos, 2012 Seleccion Mendoza, Argentina

Peg Melnik, writing in the Press Democrat, was all about Malbec this week, which she said was often thought of as a “budget-savvy alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah”, describing Argentine Malbecs as “knockout” with their “full-throttle fruit and smoky finish”.

Melnik picked this example from Mendoza as her wine of the week.

She said: “It’s a tasty, layered red with notes of dark berry, plum, violet, leather and cracked black pepper. What makes this malbec a standout is its generous fruit, coupled with a kick of spice.”

Adding: “A tasty Malbec with layered flavors. Notes of dark berry, plum, violet, leather and cracked black pepper. Round texture. Its rich fruit and dose of spice gives it an edge.”

Price: $20

Arrowood, 2010 Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon

While Argentine Malbecs came out on top, at least for Melnik, she also had praise for this Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County calling it a “Cabernet with great bones (structure) and ripe fruit.”

She said: “What makes this impressive is its concentration of fruit – blackberry and black raspberry. Notes of herbs and spice in the mix. Lush texture.”

Price: $35

Chateau Ste Michelle Eroica Riesling 2012, Washington, US

Dave McIntyre, writing in the Washington Post, rounded up a selection of autumn whites paying particular attention to a number of US-produced Rieslings.

Of this Columbia Valley example from Washington he said: “The original partnership between Chateau Ste Michelle, Washington’s largest winery, and famed Mosel producer Ernst Loosen is a reliably delicious example of New World Riesling. Compared with the Poet’s Leap, it’s a tad sweeter (though by no means a sweet wine; Riesling fans will understand that subtle distinction). But it shows classic fruit flavors of apricot and peach. It also has a beguiling subtlety that kept drawing me back to the glass.”

Price: $20

Hermann J. Wiemer Dry Riesling 2013, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes, NY, US

McIntyre also rated this Riesling from Seneca Lake in New York, a region well-known for its Riesling wines.

He said: “Wiemer long ago set the standard for Finger Lakes Riesling, and although there are many fine producers today, it remains near the top. The 2013 is softer than usual, with less acid, yet its character shows well with the classic Seneca Lake flavors of lime zest, apricot and peach.”

Price: $22

Vesevo Greco di Tufo DOCG 2010, Campania, Southern Italy

Made from a blend of Greco Bianco and Coda di Volpe, Gil Lempert-Schwarz, writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, recommended this Italian white with aromas of pear and honeydew melon and “lovely floral white fruits” with no hint of wood or oak.

He said: “It is a bone-dry mouthful of juicy white wine with very different characteristics than say Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. You first get the apple-laced white fruit with superb acidity and excellent structure underneath, then there’s white currants, white cranberry juice, pomelo-like citrus notes, then steely minerality going through the mid-palate and just remarkable length on this white wine, which ends in a soft, but very dry note. Highly recommended white wine.”

Price: $4.99

Borgo Scopeto Borgonero IGT 2010, Chianti Classico, Italy

Sandra Silfven, writing in the Detroit News, took a look at the wines of Tuscany this week showcasing three “classic and affordably priced” brands owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini.

She described this Italian red blend from Chianti as having notes of “cooked Damson plum, spice, leather, tobacco with an infusion of smoky oak.”

She said: “It’s dense and intense with silky tannins and surprising softness. Wine Spectator awarded this wine 90 points. It’s a blend of 40% Sangiovese, with equal amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It was aged 18 months in small barrels. Think Super Tuscan – for twenty dollars?? What a great buy.”

Price: $20

Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2011

Silfven also recommended this Rosso di Montalcino, which she said is often called “Baby Brunello” because of the younger age of the vines and less time in oak.

She said: “Rosso di Montalcino is more rustic, more tannic (and more affordable). This example from Caparzo is soft and elegant, with a bouquet of violets, raspberry and pomegranate. It’s aged 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks and a minimum of 10 months in bottle.”

Price: $18.99

2012 Saldo Zinfandel, Northern California, US

This “opulent, velvety and elegant red” with a strikingly minimalist label was recommended by Irene Virbila writing in the LA Times. 

She said: “Made by the Prisoner Wine Co. Dark ruby, with concentrated flavors of blackberries and dark cherries, a velvety texture and ripe tannins, the 2012 Saldo is big and bold but dialed back just enough to call it elegant. Maybe it’s the touch of Petite Sirah and Syrah in the blend. This is a wine that could make you fall in love with Zinfandel again.”

Price: $26 to $30

Riva Leone, Gavi DOCG 2012

Rebecca Murphy picked this ” lightly bodied white” from the Italian region of Piedmont as her wine of the week writing for the Dallas News.  

She said: “Yes, Gavi is a great seafood wine. It’s made from the Cortese grape, thought to be indigenous to this region. This one boasts lightly floral, citrus and green apple aromas and flavors, with a touch of chalk. It is light bodied with zesty acidity and a touch of savory bitterness in the finish.”

Price: $16 to $17

2012 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi, California

Finally Michael Dresser, writing in the Baltimore Sun, recommended this full-bodied Californian red which he said packed a “flavorful punch, even if it isn’t the most elegant Cabernet in California.”

She said: “It offers a full measure of cassis, black raspberry and blackberry fruit, with hints of chocolate cake and coffee. This is not a wine to serve with rack of lamb or beef filet, but would make a wonderful match with some of the less-exalted cuts of red meat. There’s lots of burly charm here at an excellent price.”

Price: $14