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Picks & Pans November / October 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 (11/25/02) is 2001 The Bishop of Riesling, Riesling, Mosel-Sarr Ruwer ($7.99)

Very pale, almost clear, in color, this German Riesling has a very pretty, big nose of vanilla, lemon, and Granny Smith apple, along with some hints of tropical fruit. On the palate, it's light bodied, crisp, and relatively fruity with dried-fig and subdued citrus flavors that linger. There's also adequate acidity to stand up to food. The wine has good length and finishes with hints of dried figs. A good value. Serve with light Asian dishes or as an aperitif. Imported by Winesellers, Ltd., Skokie, IL.

This week's wine (11/18/02) is 2001 Georges Duboeuf, Chateau de Nevers Brouilly, Brouilly ($11.99)

Beautiful garnet in color, this cru Beaujolais has good legs and a huge nose with initial caramel or burnt sugar aromas that leap from the glass and are then followed by more subdued aromas of raspberry. Dry and light bodied on the palate, the wine is packed with tart cherry flavors along with black-pepper underpinnings. The flavors are supported by good acidity and soft tannins.The dry finish is all red fruit. A classic Brouilly that cries for roast lamb but would also do very well on a Thanksgiving table. Imported by W.J. Deutsch and Sons, Ltd. Harrison, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (11/11/02) is 2001 Castle Rock, Pinot Noir, Napa Valley ($11.00)

Light ruby in color, this wine has good legs and a deep, inviting nose of raspberry, bing cherry, and vanilla, along with hints of cedar. Light to medium bodied on the palate, its flavors begin with baking spices, evolve into berries, and then develop tart cherry nuances. The flavors linger and there's plenty of length to the wood and spice finish. This is a nicely structured wine with good acidity for dining. The perfect food match would be grilled lamb chops. Website Link

This week's wine (11/04/02) is 2000 Carmel, "Private Collection" Chardonnay, Galil ($13.99)

This Chardonnay from the Upper Galilee region of Israel is very pale gold in color and has an attractive nose of green apples and fennel, complemented by vanilla and caramel notes. On the palate, the wine is medium bodied and unctuous. It's well structured with good acidity for dining and offers apple and lemon-zest flavors. It finishes nicely with a burst of spice and a hint of oak. With Chanukah coming right after Thanksgiving this year, this bottle is the perfect Kosher wine to serve with your holiday turkey on one day and with crispy potato latkes on the next. Imported by Royal Wine Corporation, Bayone, NJ. Website Link

This week's wine (10/28/02) is 2000 Vignoble Gasnier, Chinon “Vieilles Vignes” ($14.99)

Deep ruby in color with nice legs, this Cabernet-Franc based red from the Loire has a huge, earthy nose of herbs and mushrooms, with black-pepper underpinnings. Medium bodied and dry with supple tannins, it delivers tart cherry and cassis flavors with hints of spice. The dry flavors linger on the palate. It has a long, tart and spicy finish. Wonderful with braised lamb shanks or a cassoulet. Imported by Petit Pois Corp., Merion, PA.

This week's wine (10/21/02) is 1998 Bodegas Muga, Rioja Reserva ($17.99)

Dark ruby in color with gobs of long legs, this Spanish blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha, along with some Mazuelo and Graciano, has a big clean nose of cedar and currants. On the palate, it’s medium bodied, dry, and nicely structured with good fruit concentration and adequate acidity for dining. It offers tart, cherry flavors with some nuances of spice. It finishes nicely with tart fruit and hints of wood. Imported by Tempranillo Inc, Mamaroneck, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (10/14/02) is 1999 Guilhem Darde, Mas des Chimeres, Coteaux du Languedoc ($14.99)

This blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Cabernet Sauvignon, from France's Languedoc region, is deep, dark purple in color and has long legs. The nose is big and dense, with aromas of blackberry and smoke and some hints of spice. On the palate, it's full bodied and dry, with tannins and fruit nicely balanced. It delivers tart-berry and black-pepper flavors that linger. The finish is long with blackberry nuances. This wine cries for roast lamb. Imported by LDM Wines, Inc., New York, NY. Website Link

This week's wine (10/7/02) is 1999 Castle Rock, Syrah, California Cuvee ($11.00)

Opaque purple in color, with long, slow legs, this California Syrah has an attractive nose of blackberry, fresh crushed pepper, and spice, with nuances of smoke. Medium to full bodied, it's dry on the palate, with supple tannins and adequate acidity for food. It delivers plenty of long-lasting, tart, blackberry and plum flavors. It finishes nicely with spice and plum notes. To enjoy it at its best, give this bottle a little time to breathe before serving. This wine would go well with wild-mushroom focused dishes or with roast game. Website Link

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