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Picks & Pans

Wine of the Week reviews one or more wines each week. Most are picks; a few are pans. Please write in and let us know if you agree or disagree with our opinion. Note: The wine prices in our reviews are the prices we pay (before any discount) at our local wine stores or that are suggested by the importer or distributor. They are given solely as guidelines. We do not sell any wines.

This week's wine (9/15/03) is 2002 Marquis Philips, Shiraz, South Eastern Australia ($12.99)

Opaque, deep purple in color, with dense legs, this wine has a thick, attractive bacony and black-berry nose. On the palate, it's rich and full bodied. It's well structured, with good acidity, supple tannins, and excellent extract. It delivers spciy licorice flavors, with berry and tobacco notes. It has plenty of length and finishes with cherry notes. A big mouthful of a wine. A big mouthful of a wine; unless you're serving hearty fare or a plain steak, save this wine for sipping. Imported by the Graetful Palate, Oxnard, CA. Website Link

We've been on vacation and hope to back in full force in October

This week's wine (8/18/03) is 2002 Francis Coppola Presents Rosso, California ($9.99)

Deep ruby and dense in color, this blend of Zinfandel (49%), Syrah (28%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) has gobs and gobs of legs. The nose is big and forward, with aromas of plums and currants complemented by caramel notes. Light to medium bodied, it's nicely structured, with good concentration, adequate acidity, and supple tannins. It delivers dry, tart flavors of blue plum and black cherry. It has good length and finishes with spice notes. A good value that would go nicely with Mediterranean fare as well as with a simple steak. Website Link

We just posted our August Feature,"Late Summer & Sauvignon Blanc: Perfect Together." It discusses Sauvignon Blanc and reviews ten examples of this wine from California.

This week's wine (8/11/03) is 2001 Georges DuBoeuf, Domaine des Rosiers Moulin-A-Vent ($11.49)

With just a bit of age to it, this cru Beaujolais is bright ruby in color and has loads of legs. The understated nose offers cranberry and raspberry aromas. On the palate, the wine is light to medium bodied. It's well structured, with good extract, adequate acidity, and supple tannins. Dry and tart, its plum and cherry flavors linger. The wine has good length and finishes nicely with tart-berry nuances. Perfect with roasted lamb. Imported by W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., Harrison, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (8/04/03) is 2000 Silkwood, Red Duet, California ($12.99)

This beautiful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and Syrah (50%) is due to be released early this fall and is not yet labeled. But it's well worth waiting for. Bright ruby in color, with long, flowing legs, it has a seductive nose of sweet cassis and cherry accompanied by hints of tobacco. On the palate, it's medium bodied and well structured, with supple tannins, adequate acidity, and good concentration. It has a silky mouthfeel and delivers big black-cherry flavors. It has plenty of length and finishes nicely with tart-plum notes. An elegant wine that's more European than Californian in style. Pair this wine with grilled meats or wild-mushroom dishes. E-Mail Link

This week's wine (7/28/03) is 2002 Francis Coppola, Diamond Series Gold Label Chardonnay, Monterey County ($15.00)

Pale gold in color, this rather distinctive California Chardonnay has an attractive butterscotch and orange-zest nose that's complemented by some buttery notes. On the palate, it's quite crisp and delivers burnt-sugar and pineapple flavors backed with plenty of acidity. The finish is long and tart. This is a refreshing Chardonnay without a lot of oak. It would go well with grilled shrimp or scallops. Website Link

This week's wine (7/21/03) is 2002 Francis Coppola Presents Bianco, California ($8.99)

This rather unique blend of Pinot Grigio (43%), Chardonnay (41%), and Sauvignon Blanc (16%) is light gold in color and has a somewhat forward nose of pineapple accompanied by some herbaceous notes. Light to medium bodied, it has a bit of unctuousness to it on the palate and delivers crisp lemon and tart honeydew flavors along with good acidity. It finishes well with lemon-zest notes. A good summer aperitif or pair with grilled chicken.

This week's wine (7/14/03) is 2001 Terra Vitis, Cotes du Rhone ($10.99)

Ruby in color, with gobs of legs, this wine has a full nose, dominated by spice and raspberries. Medium bodied and dry, it's well structured, with tannins and fruit in good proportion. It delivers plenty of spice flavors that follow through to the finish, along with some plum undertones. A delicious, classic Cotes du Rhone. Would be wonderful with grilled lamb. Imported by Hand Picked Selections. Warrenton, VA.

This week's wine (7/7/03) is 2002 Santa Julia, Chardonnay, Mendoza ($8.99)

This Chardonnay from Argentina has a pale gold color and a subtle nose of vanilla, pears, and honeysuckle. Light to medium bodied, with good acidity for dining, it has a nice mouthfeel and delivers crisp lemon-zest and pear flavors along with some mineral notes. It has good length and finishes with vanilla and tart lemon. It would go well with fried calamari or light pasta dishes. Imported by Winesellers, Ltd., Skokie, IL. Website Link

This week's wine (6/30/03) is 2002 Michael Pozzan Winery, Special Reserve Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($12.99)

Pale yellow in color, this California Chardonnay has an attractive nose of lemon and cream, with just a hint of vanilla. Medium to full bodied and well structured with good acidity, it has a beautiful unctuous mouthfeel. Nicely dry, it delivers loads of cream and lemon-zest flavors that linger on the tongue. There's also a hint of minerals. The wine has plenty of length and finishes well with lemon-zest notes. A really elegant, affordable Chardonnay, not overwhelmed by oak, and made to accompany food. Enjoy this wine with grilled trout or a baked white fish. Website Link

This week's wine (6/23/03) is 2001 Domaine de l'Arjolle, Zinfandel de l'Arjolle, Vin de Table ($16 - $19)

This French Zinfandel from the Languedoc is deep, dark purple in color and has loads of long legs. The nose is thick with aromas of black fruit and some hints of spice. Medium to full bodied, it's well structured, with soft, supple tannins, good fruit concentration, and adequate acidity for food. It delivers blue-plum flavors followed by peppery spice. The flavors linger, and the wine finishes nicely with plums and spice. A novelty worth trying. Pair with grilled pork loin served with a tropical-fruit salsa. Imported by Hand Picked Selections, Warrenton, VA. Website Link

This week's wine (6/16/03) is 2001 Francis Coppola, "Diamond Series" Black Label Claret, California ($17.99)

Deep ruby in color, this classically Bordeaux-styled blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), Merlot (5%), Cabernet Franc (3%), and Malbec (2%) has loads of long legs. The nose is big and forward, with aromas of plums, currants, and earth that slowly evolve towards sweet black cherry. Medium to full bodied and dry, the wine is nicely structured with good fruit concentration and supple, yet still firm, tannins. It delivers tart black-fruit flavors with just a hint of spice. There is plenty of length, and the wine finishes with Bing-cherry notes. A beautiful wine. To be totally decadent, match with a thick slab of prime rib .

This week's wine (6/9/03) is 2002 Sartori di Verona, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, IGT ($9.00)

Pale gold in color, this Pinot Grigio has a subtle peach nose with some hints of lemon citrus. Light to medium bodied, it's dry on the palate and delivers grapefruit-citrus flavors followed by underpinnings of peach. There's also just the right amount of acidity for dining. The wine finishes nicely, with grapefruit and bitter-almond notes. A lovely, affordable Pinot Grigio. To enjoy this wine at its fullest, do not over chill it. The perfect accompaniment for linguine with white clam sauce or for steamed mussels. Imported by Banfi Vintners, Old Brookville, NY.

This week's wine (6/2/03) is 2001 Georges Duboeuf, Viognier, Vin de Pays de L'Ardeche ($9.99)

Light gold in color, this wine has an attractive, forward nose with hints of herbs, butter, and peach. It's medium bodied and elegant on the palate, with a toasty unctuousness. Dry, with delicious peach flavors and a touch of citrus, it's nicely structured, with good acidity to stand up to food. It has lots of length and a tart peach finish. A wonderful value. Serve with scallops or even mildly spicy Asian fare. Imported by W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., White Plains, NY. Website Link

Wine of the Week Archives