| Wine |
Score |
Price |
| ACHÁVAL-FERRER Quimera Mendoza 2003 |
92 |
$38 |
| Really juicy red, with raspberry, red currant and boysenberry fruit flavors mixed with racy mineral, briar and floral notes. Long, mouthwatering finish brings you back for more. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Drink now through 2008. 4,966 cases made. From Argentina. —J.M. |
| |
| VIÑA MONTES Syrah Colchagua Valley Alpha Apalta Vineyard 2003 |
91 |
$23 |
| Suave, stylish wine, with aromatic black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, violet and mineral notes. Shows darkly roasted coffee bean and tar notes on the finish, but relies more on guile and finesse overall. Drink now through 2007. 18,000 cases made. From Chile. —J.M. |
| |
| PERRIN & FILS Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Sinards 2003 |
91 |
$30 |
| Juicy, modern style, with mocha, blackberry, fig and boysenberry flavors mingling with tar and mineral notes. Firm finish has plenty of pure fruit for balance, and this gains steam in the glass too. Drink now through 2013. 6,700 cases made. From France. —J.M. |
| |
| ROSENBLUM Zinfandel Redwood Valley Annette's Reserve 2003 |
91 |
$30 |
| Smooth and creamy, with rich, concentrated, graceful blackberry, vanilla, seductive toasty oak and wild berry flavors. Excellent balance, depth and length, ending with chewy yet flavorful tannins and a chocolate brownie nuance. Drink now through 2009. 3,186 cases made. From California. —J.L. |
| |
| DOMAINE DE LA CÔTE DE L'ANGE Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2003 |
90 |
$32 |
| Focused and approachable, with racy blackberry and black currant fruit supported by plenty of cocoa powder, tar and mineral notes. Shows the vintage's grip, but very fresh as well. Drink now through 2015. 4,000 cases made. From France. —J.M. |
| |
| DOMINIO DE TARES Bierzo Cepas Viejas 2003 |
90 |
$28 |
| This modern red delivers plum, blackberry, meat and chocolate flavors on a plush frame, yet shows enough tannins for balance, and a clean finish scented with minerals and herbs. Drink now through 2009. 7,500 cases made. From Spain. —T.M. |
| |
| GIRARD Petite Sirah Napa Valley 2003 |
90 |
$24 |
| Wine doesn't get any darker than this dense behemoth. For fans of chewy, inky, extracted yet elegant wines with grapey, peppery plum, wild berry, herb and spicy floral notes. The tannins are what you might expect from a wine of this size—mouthcoating. Still, it's a delightful wine to drink. Drink now through 2009. 3,217 cases made. From California. —J.L. |
| |
| HENRY'S DRIVE Shiraz Padthaway 2003 |
90 |
$40 |
| Ripe, rich style has lots of licorice character to accent the dark cherry and berry flavors, finishing with velvety tannins and a sweet spicy note. Drink now through 2011. 3,000 cases imported. From Australia. —H.S. |
| |
| BODEGA NORTON Malbec Mendoza Reserve 2003 |
90 |
$17 |
| Juicy and plush, with layers of blackberry and boysenberry fruit augmented with mocha, graphite and floral notes. Solid, juicy finish. Drink now through 2007. 16,000 cases made. From Argentina. —J.M. |
| |
| PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO Barbaresco 2001 |
90 |
$33 |
| Aromas of leather, plum and hints of flowers. Medium- to full-bodied, with fine tannins and a juicy finish. Round. Best after 2006. 14,000 cases made. From Italy. —J.S. |
| |
| QUINTA NOVA DE NOSSA SENHORA DO CARMO Douro Casa Burmester Reserva 2001 |
90 |
$23 |
| Lovely aromas of rose petal and mineral give this crunchy, well-structured red a seductive allure. The palate is filled with rich and mature flavors of red plum, mineral, smoke and cassis, which echo on the long finish. Drink now. 4,000 cases made. From Portugal. —K.M. |
| |
| RUFFINO Chianti Classico Ducale Gold Label Riserva 2001 |
90 |
$40 |
| This shows a raisiny tar character with hints of brown sugar. Full-bodied and very rich, with velvety tannins. This will improve with age. Drink now. 50,000 cases made. From Italy. —J.S. |
| |
| TORBRECK Cuveé Juveniles Barossa Valley 2004 |
90 |
$25 |
| Smooth, ripe and generous, brimming with cherry, raspberry, pepper and bittersweet chocolate flavors, which linger enticingly on the fine-grained finish. Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz. Drink now through 2010. 6,000 cases made. From Australia. —H.S. |
| |
| PIERRE USSEGLIO & FILS Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2003 |
90 |
$39 |
| Ready to go, with outstanding black cherry and currant fruit harnessed by tar, garrigue and mineral notes. Chunky finish opens to reveal its flesh. Textbook vintage and appellation profile. Drink now through 2015. 4,000 cases made. From France. —J.M. |
| Wine |
Score |
Price |
| THE WISHING TREE Shiraz Western Australia-South Australia 2004 |
89 |
$10 |
| Bright and lively, with a crisp edge to the ripe blackberry, cherry and white pepper flavors, which lifts the finish beautifully. Drink now through 2007. 20,000 cases imported. From Australia. —H.S. |
| |
| BODEGAS ESCORIHUELA Malbec Mendoza Don Miguel Gascón 2004 |
88 |
$13 |
| Lovely purity, with blackberry and blueberry fruit followed by dark chocolate and loam notes that stay fresh through the finish. Solid. Drink now through 2006. 28,000 cases imported. From Argentina. —J.M. |
| |
| HANDPICKED Shiraz-Viognier Langhorne Creek-Heathcote 2003 |
88 |
$10 |
| Firm, distinctly peppery, a lively style with a candied edge to the blackberry and cherry flavors, lingering on the lithe, refined finish. Drink now through 2007. 50,000 cases made. From Australia. —H.S. |
| |
| ALTOS LAS HORMIGAS Malbec Mendoza 2004 |
87 |
$11 |
| Bright and juicy, with blackberry and raspberry fruit supported by mocha and mineral notes. Nice bouncy finish. Textbook intro to Argentinean Malbec. Drink now. 22,000 cases made. From Argentina. —J.M. |
| |
| BUCKELEY'S Shiraz South Australia 2003 |
87 |
$10 |
| Smooth, a lively red with distinctly peppery aromas and flavors around a lithe core of blackberry and licorice. Drink now through 2008. 20,000 cases imported. From Australia. —H.S. |
| |
| COLUMBIA CREST Shiraz Columbia Valley Two Vines 2003 |
87 |
$8 |
| Bright and juicy, with plum, berry and an interesting tomato note in the mix. The finish lingers against very fine tannins. Drink now through 2008. 100,000 cases made. From Washington. —H.S. |
| |
| VILLA PUCCINI Toscana 2001 |
87 |
$10 |
| Interesting wine with plum, black pepper and berry character. Medium-bodied, with a good core of fruit and fine tannins. Good value here. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now. 18,000 cases made. From Italy. —J.S. |
| |
| BRANCOTT Pinot Noir Marlborough 2004 |
86 |
$11 |
| On the tart side, light in texture, with cherry and spice flavors that linger on the polished finish. Drink now through 2008. 15,000 cases imported. From New Zealand. —H.S. |
| |
| BODEGA CATENA ZAPATA Malbec Mendoza Alamos 2004 |
86 |
$10 |
| Round and grapey, with black cherry, spice and toast notes as well. Fruity finish picks up a nice floral hint. Drink now. 70,000 cases made. From Argentina. —J.M. |
| |
| MONTE ANTICO Toscana 2003 |
86 |
$11 |
| Fresh and fruity with plum and dried cherry character. Medium-bodied, with bright acidity and a clean finish. Bring on the pasta! Drink now. 100,000 cases made. From Italy. —J.S. |
| |
| BODEGAS TERRAZAS DE LOS ANDES Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza 2004 |
86 |
$10 |
| Sweet blackberry fruit, with nice smoke and spice notes. Ripe and creamy textured. Drink now. 60,000 cases made. From Argentina. —J.M. |
| |
| TOSCOLO Chianti 2004 |
86 |
$11 |
| A fresh and fruity red with plum and sweet tobacco character. Medium-bodied, soft texture and a fruity finish. Solid Chianti for the money, as always. Drink now. 40,000 cases made. From Italy. —J.S. |
| |
| TRAPICHE Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza Oak Cask 2003 |
86 |
$11 |
| Solid, with juicy red currant and blackberry fruit followed by sweet toast and smoke notes. Nice fleshy finish. Drink now. 85,000 cases made. From Argentina. —J.M. |
| |
| VALENTÍN BIANCHI Cabernet Sauvignon San Rafael Elsa 2004 |
86 |
$9 |
| Restrained red currant and plum fruit, with a polished texture and a toasty finish. Drink now. 35,000 cases made. From Argentina. —J.M. |
