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Picks & Pans September/August 2000

Wine of the Week reviews one wine 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 and throughout our web site are the prices we pay (before any discount) at our local wine stores. They are given solely as guidelines. We do not sell any wines.

This week's wine (9/25/00) is 1999 Paul et Jean-Marc Pastou, "Les Boucaults" Vieilles Vignes, Sancerre ($12.99)

This Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire is pale gold in color with a big gooseberry and herbaceous nose. Well structured with good acidity, this wine is full bodied and packed with flavors of unripe peach, bitter almond, and lemon citrus. The flavors linger on the palate and the wine has a good finish with notes of lemon zest. A textbook Sancerre. This wine would go quite well with pan broiled trout or sautéed turkey breasts. It's imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY.

This week's wine (9/18/00) is 1998 Torres, Gran Viña Sol, Chardonnay, Penedès ($11.99)

Light gold in color, this Spanish Chardonnay has a big attractive nose of vanilla, peach, and orange blossom. Crisp on entry, with just a touch of petillance, it delivers plenty of caramel and oak flavors along with a bit of citrus. The oak is handled judiciously, resulting in a well structured wine with just the right amount of acidity to stand up to food. It also has a good citrus finish. This wine would go well with most fish or shell fish dishes and would be perfect with a paella. Imported by Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL.

Be sure to check out our latest feature, Picking Up Pizza, our anniversary retrospective on wines to serve with pizza.

This week's wine (9/11/00) is 1998 Chateau La Grande Clotte, Lussac Saint Emilion ($13.99)

Deep purple in color with very long legs, this wine from one of the satellites of Bordeaux's Saint Emilion region has a big classic nose of black cherries and cassis, with just a slight hint of oak. On the palate, it's dry and still somewhat tannic. Full bodied, it delivers earth and tobacco flavors accompanied by black berry and spice. It also finishes well. This is a big wine that would go well with most bistro fare like braised lamb shanks or a pan-broiled steak with fries. The wine is imported by The Stacole Co, Inc., Boca Raton, FL.

This week's wine (9/04/00) is 1999 Le Pouy, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne ($6.99)

Pale straw in color, this wine, made from Ugni Blanc, has a lovely nose of pear accompanied by some herbaceousness. On entry it's dry and crisp, with tart flavors of lemon zest that seem to envelop the tongue. It's nicely structured with good acidity and has an adequate finish. A great gullpable bargain that would go well with a simple seafood dish or a grilled chicken breast. Imported by Robert Kacher Selections, Washington D.C.

This week's wine (8/28/00) is 1999 Chateau Tourmentine, Bergerac Sec ($6.99)

Pale straw in color, this dry white from Bergerac has a big classic Sauvignon Blanc nose with grass, grapefruit, and gooseberry aromas together with some vanilla notes. On the palate, it's crisp with good acidity and delivers plenty of lemon-citrus flavor. It also has a nice crisp citrus finish. This wine would be perfect with a simple roast chicken. An excellent value. Imported by Signature Selections USA, South Kearny, NJ.

This week's wine (8/21/00) is Non-vintage Nicole, Sauvignon Blanc, Vin de Pays Doc ($7.99)

Straw colored, this wine from the Languedoc has a huge nose, rich with honey and grapefruit aromas that are complemented by hints of gooseberry. Medium bodied with an elegant mouth-feel, it delivers plenty of crisp lemon-citrus and mineral flavors that linger on the palate. The wine has a good crisp finish as well. This is a beautifully structured wine that should stand up well to white meats and seafood. It would also make an impressive aperitif. At just under $8.00, this is an excellent value.

This week's wine (8/14/00) is 1998 Manousakis Winery, Nostos, Crete ($12.99)

Rich purple in color with long legs, this Greek wine is made from Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, and Rousanne. It has a big nose with cinnamon, blackberry, and vanilla. Medium bodied, dry, and still rather tannic, it delivers raisin and black cherry flavors together with some spice. It finishes well with spice notes. Its acidity should make it a fine accompaniment for a variety of Mediterranean dishes; but I think red-wine drinkers would enjoy it especially with roast lamb. Imported by Hand Picked Selections, Warrenton, Virginia.

This week's wine (8/7/00) is 1999 Bodega J & F Lurton, Malbec Reserva, Mendoza ($9.99)

Purple to deep ruby in color with long legs, this Argentinean Malbec has a sweet nose of plums and cedar. On the palate, it's big and forward. Plenty of wild blackberry and spice flavors are surrounded by mild tannins. There are some tobacco flavors as well. The finish is long with leather and spice notes. This is a bold yet elegant wine that just calls for a thick juicy steak. This is an excellent value. Imported by Ex Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA.

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