Featured Wines - July 2014

Few Provencal red wines possess the elegance, power and purity of the 2011 Château Margüi Côteaux Varois Rouge. From the moment the wine is poured, it begins to work its magic. First, the wine’s brilliant ruby and purple edged robe attracts the eye. It then ably follows up with a second command performance: a beguiling bouquet of floral scents, framed by underlying oak tones and hints of exotic spices. The wine’s pleasing olfactory carries...

Château Margüi’s 2012 L’Or des Pierres Blanc reflects the pristine environment of Philippe and Marie Guillanton’s beautifully restored estate. The estate’s exceptional white wine also underscores the merits of bio-dynamic viticulture and the importance of limiting yields in order to produce world class wine. In the 2012 L’Or des Pierres Blanc, a fine complex aroma awaits the eager taster, offering scents of pear, almond, and dried honey with a citrus...

The intensity of the 2010 Terrer d’Aubert shows in the wine’s saturated purple color, yet the 2010 Terrer d’Aubert maintains a rich, harmonious balance reminiscent of Classified Bordeaux and the greatest Spanish Cabernet based wines of nearby Priorato. In short, we were a bit blown away, as 2010 is Terrer d’Aubert’s debut vintage. As an opening act, the wine offers a heady bouquet, a pleasing combination of pure blackberry and cassis fruit married...

Viña Gormaz continues to be a source of exceptionally tasty Verdejo, as the delicious 2012 Viña Gormaz Rueda Verdejo amply attests. To initiate the appeal, the wine opens with the savory scents and flavors of apricot, citrus, melon, and spring flowers that tantalize the nose and palate. Medium-bodied and immediately gratifying the 2012 Viña Gormaz Rueda makes a great first impression, so much so that one could easily dismiss it as an exceptional...

The 2011 Querciola Barbera d’Alba extends Sergio Gomba’s hot hand with Barbera, which merely serves to underscore Gomba’s ability to consistently fashion velvety smooth Barbera d’Alba that is both satisfying and easy to drink. Like its predecessors, the 2011 vintage clearly expresses the sensual side of Barbera. The 2011 Querciola Barbera d’Alba offers up a savory aroma that reminds us of the greatest Barbera wines of yesteryear. And, instead of...

Albariño renders what many consider to be Spain’s finest white wine, and Eidos enjoys a position at the very top of the game. Classic in all respects, the 2012 Eidos de Padriñán is emblematic of what Albariño has to offer. Bob Sprentall of B-21 called the 2012 Eidos “The finest Albariño I have ever tasted,” and awarded it 94 points. And we concur. Stephen Tanzer of International Wine Cellar gave it 91 points and waxed over its beauty, too. Selected from...

Some wines strut their power and offer up a huge, muscular body along with more than their fair share of tannin to impress, while others ingratiate themselves with subtle complex flavors that require patience and a taste for refinement. Tremonte’s 2010 Centauro, which is an exclusive offering of The International Wine of the Month Club, makes its case with eminent drinkability. In other words, we couldn’t stop drinking this wine. Centauro...