Featured Wines - December 2000

The amplifying scent of black fruits and crushed peppercorns form the initial impression of the 1997 Domaine Durieu Cotes du Ventoux, hardly preparing the taster for the opulent, seductive fruit that permeates this medium-bodied potion. Infused with the hedonistic scent and flavor of Provence: "garrique" and the heady savor of herbes de Provence, this delicious Cotes du Ventoux is hard to resist. One taster called it "hedonism in a glass, but not...

A deep purple potion with the scent of blackberry and current in the bouquet, the 1998 Chapel Hill McLaren Vale Shiraz is a hedonistic wine, waiting to be devoured. Lush, ripe and soft in the mouth, this Australian Shiraz is full of blackberry, cassis and spice flavors. Emanating from a twenty-two month hiatus in new French and American oak barrels, vanilla and a cachet of spices permeate the lusty rich fruit of this immensely pleasing Shiraz. Wh...

Barrel-fermented and aged like a fine Chardonnay, the 1998 Murphy-Goode Pinot Blanc exhibits a rich robe, a cachet of heavenly scents reminiscent of a spice box, and a bold, rich flavor that is infused with citrus and lemon zest. This is no wimpy, self-effacing white wine. In other words, don't serve it to Great-Grandma Dotty unless you want to do the old girl in...well, on second thought it might do the old girl some good, put a little pep back ...

A dry, medium-bodied, yet delightfully, full-flavored wine, the 1999 Poggio del Lupo Orvieto sports the clear golden-hued role of classic Orvieto. Fragrant and refreshing, this Orvieto goes down easy. Hints of pineapple and peach are detectable on the palate, adding to the wine's subtle complexity. Drink this Umbrian classic moderately chilled....