Featured Wines - November 2008

It has become almost an article of faith among oenophiles that the world's best Malbec comes from South America, and Argentina in particular. Among of the many fine attributes of Argentine Malbec are its immediate accessibility and drinkability, even when young. Yet good Malbec also offers plenty of ripe, juicy upfront fruit, subtle complexity, and the ability to evolve gracefully for years in bottle. The 2006 Achaval-Ferrer Malbec possesses all ...

Rare among Tuscan white wines for its deep flavor and longevity, Vernaccia di San Gimignano owes its 800-year reign as the region's most lauded white wine to the predominance of the relatively rare Vernaccia clones that thrive in the environs of San Gimignano. Whereby most Tuscan whites rely upon the more innocuous and ubiquitous Trebbiano and Malvasia, Vernaccia di Gimignano must be made predominantly or entirely from the Vernaccia varietal. The...

The 2005 Valley of the Moon Sonoma County Zinfandel is a rich, full-bodied potion that hardly shows its 15% alcohol. In fact, it is one aromatic Zinfandel that offers a boat load of flavor. Moreover, it comes across as smooth and utterly charming on the palate, where it delivers a tasty concoction of berry, bramble, and oak – all of which appear blissfully sunk into the marrow of the wine. With aeration, and we do suggest you allow this youthful ...

Fresh as a spring garden and as delicate as a blossom in the afternoon breeze, Baumard's Carte Turquoise Crémant de Loire captures the essence of sparkling wine from France's fabled Loire Valley. As a fine Crémant de Loire and a proper Baumard Chenin Blanc, the Carte Turquoise exhibits a persistent, tiny bead; at the same time, it radiates from the glass a golden glow as if kissed by the summer sun. More importantly, this méthode traditionnelle C...

Flavorful, golden-robed Champagne, the B. Deville-Chevallier Brut Grand Cru is traditional Champagne in all respects. It is a non-vintage blend of Pinot Noir (67%) and Chardonnay (33%), to which no sugar is added in the dosage. Elegant, light, and beautifully scented, the B. Deville-Chevallier Brut Grand Cru recalls the glory days of the great Champagne houses. In this finely crafted Champagne, scents of freshly baked bread, apple, peach, and pea...

Deep, haunting, and perfumed, the 2000 Dehesa La Granja Selección is a lush, sophisticated wine that stands in tribute to the viticultural revolution sweeping Spain. It is also one of the finest wines ever to emerge from Zamora. The 2000 Dehesa Selección, with its deep ruby robe and entrancing bouquet, captures the senses from the moment it is poured. It offers sweet scents of blackberry and plum, dark chocolate, sandalwood, and vanilla. Exceedin...

As aficionados of Agapito Rico's wines have come to expect, the 2006 Bodegas Agapito Rico Carchelo provides yet another crowd-pleasing experience. The 2006 Carchelo offers up copious quantities of black cherry and plum fruit, both on the nose and on the palate. To add to Carchelo's charm is a healthy dollop of anise in the wine's core, a deft touch of sandalwood, and plenty of luscious vinosity. Deep in color, long on flavor, and smooth as silk i...