Featured Wines - July 2001

Traditionally dominated by Clairette, Grenache Blanc and Bourboulenc, Guigal has begun to supplement his cepage for white Côtes du Rhone with significant proportions of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne. Fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel cuves, the 1999 Guigal Côtes du Rhone Blanc constitutes Marcel's greatest effort yet in this category. Using 40% Viognier in the final offering, this great estate has fashioned a medium dry white, ...

Fire and power permeate the character of the 1997 Valley of the Moon Zinfandel. Produced from old vines, this muscular, nearly opaque wine offers up scents of bramble, wild raspberry and pepper in its heady, alcoholic nose. "No white Zinfandel aficionados need apply for this big-boned beauty", carped one of the panel's tasters. And how! In the mouth, brawn, bramble and blueberry flavors present themselves in statuesque fashion, followed by a heft...

The 1999 Charlotte Street Margaret River Chardonnay Semillon wears a rich, straw-colored robe with a hint of green, not unlike many of the fine, old-style California Chardonnays of yesteryear-wines that exhibit more natural color and flavor than most of their contemporary counterparts. Ripe, succulent fruit emanates from the glass: peach, honeydew, grapefruit and guava all purvey their olfactory wares to an eager nose. On the palate, soft, silky,...

A deep, dark, brooding blend of Grenache and Syrah, the 1998 La Chance de Saint Luc Côtes de Rousillon is testimony to both the power and the promise of the Côtes du Roussillon Appellation as well as the consummate quality produced by the formidable team of Etienne Montes and Jean-Luc Colombo. Exhilarating scents of black fruits, aromatic woodlands, anise and bergamot, the La Chance de Saint Luc captivates the senses. Rich, deep fruits laced with...