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Picks & Pans September / August 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 (9/30/02) is 1998 Di Majo Norante, Ramitello, Terra degli Osci, IGT ($10.99)

Deep, dark garnet in color, this wine, a blend of Prugnolo and Aglianico grapes, has a big smoky nose highlighted by black-currant, musty-rose, and licorice aromas. Medium to full bodied on the palate, it's dry and tannic. It delivers spicy flavors, followed by tart plums, that linger on the tongue. This wine has plenty of length, with spice and smoke on the finish. This wine cries for beef, although a crusty pizza would go with it just as well. Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (9/23/02) is 2002 Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc, Central Valley, Chile ($10.00)

Very pale straw in color, this Chilean Sauvignon Blanc has a huge, forward, herbaceous nose complemented by gooseberry notes. Dry, medium bodied, and well structured with good acidity, it's crisp and clean on the palate. Delivering plenty of tart citrus along with some subtle peach flavors, this white has good length and finishes nicely with nuances of tart peach. It would be perfect with oysters or clams on the half shell, as well as with most white meats. An excellent value. Imported by Excelsior Wine and Spirits, Old Brookville, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (9/16/02) is 1999 Antonin Rodet, Pinot Noir, Bourgogne ($10.99)

Bright garnet in color, with good legs, this red Burgundy has an attractive nose with sweet and earthy aromas of mushrooms and burnt sugar. Medium bodied, dry, and still a bit tannic, it has good structure, with adequate acidity for most foods. It delivers beefy flavors that are followed by tart red fruit. It has a good finish with spice and tart red-fruit notes. Enjoy this wine with roasted lamb. Imported by W. J. Deutsch & Sons. Ltd., Harrison, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (9/09/02) is 2001 Georges DuBoeuf, Regnie ($9.49)

This cru Beaujolais is ruby in color and has good legs. The fruit-forward nose is very pretty with aromas of currants and raspberries. On the palate, it's medium bodied, soft, and supple. The wine is packed with ripe cherry and raspberry flavors with a hint of spice. It's well structured with good acidity for food and adequate tannins to allow for some additional ageing. Its good, dry finish echoes the fruit on the nose. Enjoy this wine with most bistro fare or just with a slab of brie on a French baguette. Imported by W.J.Deutsch & Sons, Ltd. Harrison, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (9/02/02) is 1999 Emilio Moro, Ribera del Duero ($20.00)

This 100% Tinta del Pais (Tempranillo), from Spain, is deep, dark garnet in color. It has tremendous legs and an intriguing nose of plums, currants, and black licorice. Medium bodied and dry, it delivers loads of of cherry and spice flavors. This is a well structured wine with supple tannins, good concentration, and adequate acidity for food. The wine has plenty of length and finishes nicely with blue plums. This is a tremendous wine, well worth the price, and perfect for the change of seasons. Enjoy with hearty Mediterranean fare or with a simple grilled sirloin. Imported by Tempranillo Inc., Mamaroneck, NY.

This week's wine (8/26/02) is 2001 Antonin Rodet, Chardonnay, Bourgogne ($10.99)

Pale gold in color, this white Burgundy has an attractive nose of nectarines, with some floral nuances. Medium bodied and dry on the palate, it offers tart-pineapple and lemon-citrus flavors. It's well structured with adequate acidity for dining. The finish is good and consistent with the initial flavors, but with more of an emphasis on the citrus. If you're looking for oak or tropical fruit, typical of many California and Australian chardonnays, you may be disappointed. But if you want a dry, straightforward chard, this is a real bargain. Enjoy with simply prepared chicken or poultry, an omelet, or perhaps even with some goat cheese and crusty bread. Imported by W. J. Deutsch & Sons. Ltd., Harrison, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (8/19/02) is 2001 Walnut Crest, Shiraz, Rapel Valley ($6.00)

Deep dark ruby in color, this Chilean Shiraz has good legs and an attractive nose of black cherries and plums. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied. It has good structure with supple tannins, adequate acidity for food, and great concentration. It delivers plenty of plum and wild-cherry flavors. After being open for a while, it develops some licorice notes as well. The wine has good length and finishes with a bit of spice and black licorice. An outstanding value. Pair this wine with hearty pastas, like wild mushroom ravioli, or enjoy with grilled meats. Imported by Royal Imports, Old Brookville, NY.

This week's wine (8/12/02) is 2000 Odfjell Vineyards, Armador Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley ($8.99)

This Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon is deep garnet in color and has great legs. The nose is warm and inviting with aromas of cassis and spice. On the palate, it's light to medium bodied and has a silky mouthfeel. It delivers sweet, raisiny flavors that linger. The wine is well structured, with good acidity, plenty of concentration, and supple tannins. There's lots of length to the berry and spice finish. An outstanding value. Imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Inc., Syosset, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (8/5/02) is 2001 Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo, Carmenere, Rapel Valley ($10.00)

This Chilean red, a blend of Carmenere (90%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), is dark ruby in color and has good legs. The nose is forward with aromas of black cherry and jammy black fruit. On the palate, it's spicy and dry, with concentrated black-fruit flavors like plum. The wine is nicely structured with adequate acidity and supple tannins It finishes well with some spice and plum notes. A perfect accompaniment for chicken cacciatore or perhaps even for a steak.

(Note: Carmenere was originally grown in Bordeaux, but was was wiped out by phylloxera almost two centuries ago. The vine, however, was brought to Chile, where, until recently, it was mistaken for Merlot.)

Imported by Excelsior Wine & Spirits, Old Brookville, NY. Website Link

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