| Red Wines |
| Wine |
Score |
Price |
| |
| CASTELLO DI QUERCETO Chianti Classico Riserva 1999 |
90 |
$23 |
| Wonderful aromas of spice, blackberry and incense. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a long, long finish. Very well-crafted. Best after 2003. From Italy. 12,000 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| FATTORIA DI FELSINA Chianti Classico Berardenga 2001 |
89 |
$23 |
| Shows fresh berry, with hints of flowers, fresh herbs and chocolate. Full-bodied, with a fresh palate, well-integrated tannins and a balanced finish. Lots of cherry and light spice. Best after 2003. From Italy. 15,000 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| FONTODI Chianti Classico 2001 |
89 |
$25 |
| Rich and plummy, with vanilla and flowers. Full-bodied, with lovely tannins and a fresh finish. Very pretty. Slightly austere now; almost reductive. Best after 2004. From Italy. 12,000 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| GREG NORMAN ESTATES Cabernet-Merlot Limestone Coast 2001 |
89 |
$17 |
| Firm in texture, generous with its peppery blackberry and lime flavors, echoing a minty note as the flavors linger. Drink now through 2006. From Australia. 110,000 cases imported. --H.S. |
| |
| ÁLVARO PALACIOS Priorat Les Terrasses 2000 |
89 |
$25 |
| Luscious texture and lavish oak mark this seductive red. A bit light on fruit but still appealing, with coffee, chocolate and spice flavors. Drink now through 2009. From Spain. 20,000 cases made. --T.M. |
| |
| ROSEMOUNT Cabernet Sauvignon Mudgee Hill of Gold 2001 |
89 |
$17 |
| Lithe and supple, a vibrant Cabernet with blueberry, currant and vanilla flavors that last on the finish as it plumps up with repeated sips. Drink now through 2006. From Australia. 22,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| COLUMBIA CREST Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Grand Estates 2000 |
88 |
$11 |
| Bright and open-textured, with minty blackberry and currant flavors, shaded with hints of pepper and spice as the flavors echo gently on the refined finish. Drink now through 2005. From Washington. 270,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| COLUMBIA CREST Merlot Columbia Valley Grand Estates 2000 |
88 |
$11 |
| Light in texture and ripe in flavor, with a nice package of cherry, tobacco and cedar flavors lasting impressively through the fine-grained finish. Drink now through 2005. From Washington. 255,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| PETER LEHMANN Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa The Barossa 2001 |
88 |
$20 |
| A polished, refined Cabernet, nicely fleshed out with currant and plum fruit, shaded with hints of white pepper and cream as the finish lingers. Drink now through 2006. From Australia. 50,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| MARCHESI DE' FRESCOBALDI Chianti Rufina Castello di Nipozzano Riserva 2000 |
88 |
$22 |
| Balanced, with plum, light meat and berry character. Medium-bodied, with soft tannins and a fresh finish. Delicious. Drink now. From Italy. 83,000 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| PARINGA Cabernet Sauvignon South Australia 2002 |
88 |
$10 |
| Dark, deep and remarkably rich, with lots of berry and currant fruit on a supple texture, finishing with a touch of mint. Drink now through 2005. From Australia. 20,000 cases imported. --H.S. |
| |
| RIVERINA ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon South Eastern Australia Bushman's Gully 2001 |
88 |
$5 |
| Polished, almost plush in texture, with lovely violet-scented currant and berry flavors that echo nicely on the silky finish. Drink now through 2006. From Australia. 100,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| VILLA CAFAGGIO Chianti Classico 2001 |
88 |
$20 |
| Ripe black fruit and damson, with a chestnut and mineral edge. Medium-bodied, with fine tannins and a minerally finish. Delicious. Best after 2003. From Italy. 35,830 cases made. |
| |
| CANOE RIDGE Merlot Columbia Valley 2000 |
87 |
$20 |
| Bright and juicy in flavor, with cherry and cedar notes, framed with a light grip of tannin on the finish. Drink now through 2005. From Washington. 13,414 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| CASTELLO DI BOSSI Chianti Classico 2001 |
87 |
$24 |
| Red berry and blackberry, with hints of mineral on the nose. Medium-bodied, with very fine, almost soft tannins and a medium, mineral-driven finish. Best after 2004. From Italy. 20,000 cases made. |
| |
| RIDGE Three Valleys Sonoma County 2001 |
87 |
$18 |
| Floral, pencil lead, blackberry, wild berry and blackberry jam form the core flavors in this ripe, supple, graceful red. New bottling from Ridge, taking its name from Alexander, Dry Creek and Russian River valleys. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignane, Mataro (Mourvèdre) and Grenache. Drink now through 2007. From California. 14,700 cases made. --J.L. |
| |
| VITICCIO Chianti Classico 2001 |
87 |
$16 |
| A well-balanced nose, with black fruit and a hint of tobacco and mineral. Medium-bodied, with fine, well-integrated tannins and a clean, minerally finish. Drink now. From Italy. 12,500 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| CASTELLO DI VOLPAIA Chianti Classico 2001 |
87 |
$20 |
| A relaxed nose, with ripe red fruit and hints of vanilla and fresh herb. Medium-bodied, with a fresh palate, smooth tannins and a fresh finish. Well-made, but needs a little time to pull together. Best after 2003. From Italy. 11,000 cases made. |
| |
| White Wines |
| |
| KIM CRAWFORD Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003 |
90 |
$16 |
| Bright and generous. Impressively balanced to show touches of ripe melon against tart grapefruit and lime flavors that echo nicely on the lively, delicately herbal finish. Drink now. From New Zealand. 35,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| COOPERS CREEK Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003 |
89 |
$10 |
| Ripe, generous flavors offer an explosion of passion fruit and hints of other tropical fruits on a tart, racy, juicy frame. Drink now. From New Zealand. 23,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| KLEIN CONSTANTIA Sauvignon Blanc Constantia 2002 |
89 |
$15 |
| Nice focus here, with lemon peel, straw, peach, floral and chalk notes on a pure, racy frame. Concentrated, brisk and lively. Very solid. 10 percent Sémillon. Drink now through 2004. From South Africa. 10,000 cases made. --J.M. |
| |
| BODEGAS ALDIAL Rueda Naia 2002 |
88 |
$10 |
| Rich yet firm, this generous white shows melon, lime and mineral notes that are balanced and fresh. The lingering finish brings you back for another sip. Drink now through 2005. From Spain. 10,000 cases made. --T.M. |
| |
| ANTINORI Vermentino Bolgheri Tenuta Guado al Tasso 2002 |
88 |
$18 |
| Plenty of exotic fruit, with apple, lime and mineral character. Medium-bodied, with a crisp finish. One of my summer whites! Drink now. From Italy. 15,000 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| BODEGAS AS LAXAS Albariño Rias Baixas 2002 |
88 |
$17 |
| Rich and deep, structured and austere, offering melon, smoke, mineral and honey flavors and a long, smoky finish. Better with food than as an aperitif. Drink now through 2005. From Spain. 15,000 cases made. --T.M. |
| |
| BRANCOTT Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003 |
88 |
$11 |
| Juicy and refreshing, with grapefruit and melon flavors that remain zingy through the tart finish. Drink now. From New Zealand. 51,734 cases imported. --H.S. |
| |
| COTTESBROOK Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003 |
88 |
$12 |
| Light and tangy, with grapefruit and herb flavors on a racy frame, echoing nicely on the lively finish. Drink now. From New Zealand. 14,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| MATUA Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003 |
88 |
$13 |
| Bright and tangy, with pineapple, passion fruit and citrus flavors that linger on the lively finish. Drink now. From New Zealand. 25,000 cases imported. --H.S. |
| |
| JACKSON Riesling Marlborough Dry 2000 |
87 |
$15 |
| A dry, tangy style, offering distinctive floral and peppery citrus flavors. Finishes with a distinct rose petal tone. Drink now through 2006. From New Zealand. 24,500 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| J. & F. LURTON Rueda 2002 |
87 |
$10 |
| Full-bodied and thick, offering ripe melon and honey flavors, with vanilla and coconut accents. Tangerine and spice notes linger on the finish. Drink now through 2004. From Spain. 12,000 cases made. --T.M. |
| |
| MILLTON Riesling Gisborne Opou Vineyard 2002 |
87 |
$17 |
| Light and tangy. A mouthful of raw peach and mineral flavors that echo nicely on the dry finish. Drink now through 2006. From New Zealand. 15,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| NOZZOLE Chardonnay Toscana Le Bruniche 2002 |
87 |
$12 |
| Pleasant apple and pear aromas and flavors, with medium body and good acidity. Toasty oak and vanilla aftertaste. Drink now. From Italy. 10,000 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| RUFFINO Chardonnay Toscana Libaio 2002 |
87 |
$11 |
| Clean, crisp style. Bright, fresh and fruity, with pineapple, apple and apricot character. Medium-bodied, with good acidity and a long finish. Where are the oysters? One of the best values in Italian white. Drink now. From Italy. 41,665 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| SPY VALLEY Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003 |
87 |
$12 |
| The racy, tangy style offers bracing lime and mineral flavors against a raw textural edge. Finishes with intensity. Drink now. From New Zealand. 10,000 cases imported. --H.S. |
| |
| TERUZZI & PUTHOD Toscana Terre di Tufi 2002 |
87 |
$22 |
| I like the green apple, honey and lemon character, with a hint of mineral. Medium body, fresh finish. Chardonnay, Malvasia and Vermentino. Drink now. From Italy. 35,830 cases made. --J.S. |
| |
| WITHER HILLS Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2003 |
87 |
$20 |
| Tart and juicy, showing lime, grapefruit, herb and apple flavors that echo on the edgy finish. Drink now. From New Zealand. 10,000 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| Sparkling Wines |
| |
| PIPER-HEIDSIECK Brut Champagne NV |
91 |
$35 |
| A gorgeous, toasty nose leads to candied citrus, honey and toast flavors in a medium-bodied, sumptuous profile. Very accessible and full of warmth and personality, with fine length. Drink now. From France. 50,000 cases imported. --B.S. |
| |
| DOMAINE CARNEROS Brut Carneros 2000 |
89 |
$24 |
| Earthy, yeasty, doughy aromas turn rich, with complex layers of earth, pear, apple, honey and yeasty notes, finishing with a long, smooth, creamy aftertaste. Drink now through 2007. From California. 32,000 cases made. --J.L. |
| |
| DUVAL-LEROY Brut Champagne NV |
89 |
$26 |
| A full-throttle, full-bodied Champagne, evoking honey, citrus, berry and spice, all supported by a firm backbone of acidity. Drink now. From France. 12,000 cases made. --B.S. |
| |
| JACQUART Brut Champagne Mosaïque NV |
89 |
$33 |
| Fine depth of flavor. Medium-bodied, with flavors ranging from ginger and citrus to honey and hazelnut, all integrated into the moderately firm structure. Good length. Drink now. From France. 116,665 cases made. --B.S. |
| |
| DOMAINE STE. MICHELLE Blanc de Blanc Columbia Valley NV |
88 |
$11 |
| Bright and crisp, lively with peppery peach and citrus flavors, lingering nicely on the finish. Drink now. From Washington. 49,700 cases made. --H.S. |
| |
| J Brut Russian River Valley 1998 |
88 |
$30 |
| Intense and vibrant, with complex and refreshing earth, pear, spice and citrus notes, turning to hazelnut and yeast. Drink now through 2007. From California. 25,000 cases made. --J.L. |
| |
| SCHRAMSBERG Brut Blanc de Blancs Napa-Sonoma-Mendocino-Monterey-Marin Counties 1999 |
88 |
$30 |
| Lively, lemony acidity gives the spicy citrus and pear flavors excellent structure and shows complexity and concentration. Lemon and vanilla aftertaste. Drink now through 2008. From California. 20,371 cases made. --J.L. |
| |
| MUMM NAPA Brut Napa Valley Prestige NV |
87 |
$18 |
| Creamy, intense and lively, supporting pear, spice and vanilla, finishing with a clean, refreshing aftertaste. Drink now through 2007. From California. 180,000 cases made. --J.L. |
