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Picks & Pans March / February 2002

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 (3/25/02) is 2000 Stonehaven, Limestone Coast Chardonnay, Limestone Coast, Australia ($16.00)

Pale yellow in color, this wine has a big, delicious, inviting nose of lemon citrus, butter, and hints of peach. On the palate, it has an elegant, slightly unctuous mouthfeel. Dry and medium bodied, it delivers plenty of lemon-citrus and bitter-almond flavors. Quite crisp, it's well structured with good acidity and it has a long, dry mineral finish. This wine would go well with grilled sea bass or sautéed seafood. Imported by Excelsior Wine & Spirits, Old Brookville, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (3/18/02) is 1998 Castello Banfi, Late Harvest Moscadello di Montalcino DOC ($17.00/500ml)

Light topaz in color, this dessert wine has an attractive nose of honey and dired apricots. Medium bodied, it's unctuous on the palate and delivers a melange of dried-apricot, raisin, and honey flavors. These sweet flavors linger but are not at all cloying. The wine has a lasting finish with nuances of almond and honey. A dessert in a glass, or serve with a crème brulée. Imported by Banfi Vintners, Old Brookville, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (3/11/02) is Non-Vintage Pommery, Extra Dry POP, Champagne ($9.99/187ml)

Just in time for Spring, this novel bottling of a serious Champagne is quite irresistible. (It even comes with a flex straw.) Pale straw in color, with a nice mousse and tiny bubbles, this bubbly is off dry but not too fruity. It delivers plenty of lemon citrus flavors with just a hint of peach. The finish is dry with almond and mineral notes. Pass these tiny royal-blue bottles around at your next dinner party as an apéritif and conversation starter. Imported by W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., White Plains, NY.

This week's wine (3/04/02) is 2001 Santa Julia Vineyards, Torrontes, Medoza ($7.00)

Very pale straw in color, this Argentinean Torrontes has an inviting, forward nose of lemon citrus complemented by Anjou-pear notes. It's crisp on entry and has an unctuous mouthfeel. Well structured with with good acidity, it delivers ripe-pear flavors counterbalanced by a lemon-curd tartness. The flavors linger on the palate, and the finish is long with nuances of juicy pears. This wine would make an excellent aperitif or would also go well with roast game hen. You might also pair it with some spicy Asian fare. At its suggested retail price, this wine is an outstanding value. Imported by Winesellers, Ltd., Skokie, IL. Website Link

This week's wine (2/25/02) is 1999 Vinicola del Priorat, Onix, Priorat ($11.99)

This blend of Grenache (50%) and Carignan (50%) from Spain's Priorat region is deep purple in color with lots of long legs. It has a full nose, with aromas of plum and cocoa along with some hints of oak. On the palate, it's medium bodied, dry, and just delicious, delivering lingering flavors of black fruit with hints of dried meats. This wine is well structured, with fruit and supple tannins nicely balanced. There's also good acidity for food. It finishes well with some tarry notes. Not the current vintage, this wine is close to its peak. It should go well with Mediterranean fare, a roasted pork loin, or a plate of Manchego and crusty bread. Imported by Tempranillo, Inc., Mamaoneck, NY.

This week's wines (2/18/02) are 2000 Carmel, Vineyards Selected Emerald Riesling/Chenin Blanc, Shomron ($7.99) and 1998 Carmel, Vineyards Selected Cabernet Sauvignon, Galil ($10.99)

Pale gold in color, this wine has an interesting nose of pear. Light bodied and relatively dry, it offers pear and lemon-citrus flavors with a nice citrus finish. There's also good acidity for food. This wine should go well with fish or Middle Eastern appetizers like humus or baba ghanoush.

Deep garnet in color, this wine has good legs and a straightforward nose of cherries and cassis. Light to medium bodied, the wine is dry and offers tart plum and cherry flavors with some tobacco notes. Nicely structured with very soft tannins, it has an adequate finish with hints of oak. This wine would go well with most red meats or cheeses.

These two selections represent new styles of Kosher wines that should please even the serious wine lover at a Kosher table. Both are imported by Royal Wine Corporation, Bayonne, NJ. Website Link

This week's wine (2/11/02) is 2001 Trapiche, Falling Star, Sauvignon Blanc - Semillon, Mendoza ($4.99)

This Argentinean white is very pale straw in color and has a pleasant herbaceous nose with hints of gooseberry. Crisp on entry, the wine is light bodied and dry with mineral and lemon-citrus flavors. It has an adequate finish with some sweet pear notes. Not at all complex, it's a great everyday white and, given its price, don't hesitate to use it for cooking as well as sipping. Imported by Frederick Wildman and Sons, Ltd., New York, NY.

This week's wine (2/4/02) is 2001 The Crossings, Sauvignon Blanc, Awatere Valley ($15.99)

This wine from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough, New Zealand is the premier release from The Crossings. Very pale straw in color, it has a deep, classic Sauvignon Blanc, herbaceous and cat's pee nose. Light to medium bodied, the wine is well structured with crisp acidity. It delivers plenty of lemon-zest and pear flavors accompanied by flinty mineral notes. The finish is good with hints of pear and lemon citrus. This wine would go well with raw shell fish or a grilled Chilean sea bass. An impressive first release. Imported by W.J. Deutsch & Sons Ltd., White Plains, NY. Website Link

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