2014 Top Wines

Is there any better way to celebrate the New Year than with a cheerful sparkling wine?!? – Spanish and Italian bubbly rocks too! – My Easy Going Picks!

By in 2014 Top Wines, Sparkling Wine, Wine Scores and Reviews

Is there any better way to celebrate New Year’s Eve than with cheerful sparkling wine?!? Certainly Not! Bring on the Bubbly!

Since we’re talking of sparkling wines, champagne is of course the king of bubbles and apart from recognized and celebrated maisons, such as Krug, Bollinger and Ruinart…

In fact the New York Daily News was so kind to publish the top 10 champagne brands for 2013 by volume sales:

1. Moet & Chandon

2. Veuve Clicquot

3. Nicolas Feuillatte

4. G.H. Mumm

5. Laurent-Perrier

6. Taittinger

7. Piper-Heidsieck

8. Pommery

9. Lanson

10. Canard-Duchene

All just awesome! But there’s more to this story…

So… in no special order because I really enjoy all of these…here is my selection of easy going sparkling wines of the New Year … actually for any time… a perfect match for every mood and pocketbook. Enjoy, and not all are Champagne of course… Spanish and Italian bubbly rocks too! Stock this stuff up; so you always a have some sparklers that are good.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Extra Dry – $10 – The crowd pleasing Cava in the black bottle; it’s earthy and fruity and not really dry…It’s flavorful and is nice and smooth.

Depreville Extra Dry, France – $10 –  a light off-dry bubbly with nice fruit white peaches, lemons, pears, cream… well-dressed with tropical notes

Mumm Cuvee Napa Brut Prestige, Napa – $20 – Simply the best complex sparkler for the price…Crisp flavors! Fresh apple, ginger spice and smoke with notes of raspberry; Layered…

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava, Cava – $10 – creamy bead supporting red apple and pastry cream with lemon notes

Barefoot Bubbly Pinot Grigio Champagne, California – $10 – Yes this one… the ‘Pinot Grigio’; Aromas and flavors of Key lime pie and medium dry

Banfi Rosa Regale Brachetto D’Acqui DOCG, Itlay – $20 – Perfumed with a hint of rose petals, raspberries, strawberry shortcake, like punch in color. Effervescence is softer…Truly remarkable stuff.

Marques de Monistrol Brut Cava – $10 – A good straight forward Cava; with apple and stone-fruit fragrances. A nice easy finish too  

Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico NV, Valdobbiadene – $15 – A bad boy Prosecco! White peaches, flowers, wet stones, smoldering tinges

La Marca Prosecco di Conegliano, Valdobbiadene –  $13 – This Prosecco with a heady bouquet of ripe lemons and flowers on the tongue it’s ultra-juicy; vanilla cream on both nose and palate

Domaine Chandon Brut Classic, California –  $15 – Nuts and stoned fruits. Peaches with creamy vanilla flavors; with a hint of raspberry. Delicious! There’s a slight sweetness peeking through…

I hope this list inspires you to pick some of these up and …Happy New Year!

 

Special Report by Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent -This Year’s Lucky Seven Wines are definitely to seek out! Outstanding! 2014 Toppermost!

By in 2014 Top Wines

By Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent

It’s year end again. Can you believe it ?!?

I make the effort to bring up some memorable wines for the year; which are some of the overall best; standouts! In the past the list was a little more comprehensive. Last year I started a ‘Lucky Seven’ list. This year we are a concise again nd it’s a great seven wines. So let’s get on with 2014’s top wines.



2012 Fess Parker Santa Rita Hills Ashley’s Chardonnay

A standout wine that’s full of life and minerality!  Apples, Pears and Limes; streaks of chalk. This full bodied wine has a nice balance to it which makes a nice complement to probably all seafood you can think of; poultry or pasta dishes with lighter sauces, and makes and first-rate pairing with mushrooms. It is an graceful, elegant and complex wine that has this fresh feel too that cannot be ignored.

2009 Clos Figueras Font de la Figuera – Priorat Spain

With a direct July ruby color; stone scented with a sexy floral nose. Firm blackberries with pencil lead break through, black currant, cherry and licorice; It’s a schist soil wine with a clean feel and this deep dark cherry and crème de cassis in the mid palate…plenty of flavors abound.

2011 Seghesio Zinfandel Sonoma County Old Vine

Just so much going on. This is what it’s all about. Deep black ripe cherries nose, fruits and herbs, jam and good acidity with concentrated layers at the center of this classic zin . Hints of cinnamon spice and toasted oak; full bodied tannins. It screams for stews, pizza, a big thick grilled steak with blue cheese or just bring out the cuisine!

2011 Chateau Lilian Ladouys St, Estephe Bordeaux, France

The last few vintages of this wine have been spot on and this one is topper most. Rich in licorice blackberry and has these tangy citrus that hints flow through this rounded feel that’s truly earthy and stony. It’s a plush and long Bordeaux that’s located very near Petrus. So there is great acidity and structure here, to go along with it’s plushiness.

2012 Tikal Jubilo Mendoza Argentina

The heart of dark chocolate prevails on this lush supple integrated cherry pit and blackberry steeped wine that’s a focused effort with a glimpse of coffee notes  and Asian spices. Think Duck and Lamb with fruit sauces or really strong cheeses and mushrooms. Wow!

2013 Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling Columbia Valley

Crisp and racy with the mouth-watering acidity which is that you would expect from  flavorful Washington Riesling fruit. I beg to differ that only Alsace has similar terroir to do Riesling like this. But Hey!  The core with hints of honey and minty lime combined with its layered citrus, peach and apricot stone fruits come across with a vibrant appeal…It goes the distance.

2013 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Washington State

This is a blend of 3 Amavi vineyards… just about. There are actually six estate vineyards as I understand it! Not only do they make an outstanding  Syrah; This Cabernet is the kind that you pair with a pan fried pork belly, grilled steak, earthy mushrooms; risotto… you get the picture. The aromas of sweet oak, blueberry cobbler and french style lavender seasonings. It is inviting yet challenging to the spirit with supple flavors of black plums which texturize the tannins to support the taste and the long finish.

Special Report – A list of 15 value food friendly red wines; Great deals and All on the shelves right now; Drink up!

By in 2014 Top Wines

By Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent

Here are 15 red wines, with quick notes in restaurant menu style.
All are bargains that you can find on the shelves right now. You do not need to break the bank to enjoy good wine.

These are food friendly too!…and under $15 retail.

Drink these over the next year or so. Go ahead and count on this list… no vintage is listed.

These wines are from some of the top wineries/producers year in and year out; Have fun seeking them out!…


Luzón Verde, Spain                                                                                                                          Bold red cherry and strawberry flavors are the highlight in this Monastrell


Sierra Cantabria Tinto Rioja                                                                                                           This Tempranillo wine offers robust black-fruit flavors and a satisfying herbal edge.


Bodegas Hijos de Juan Gil Juan Gil Jumilla

A fleshy, new world style of Monastrell with rich flavors and generous mocha and vanilla.

Emilio Moro Finca Resalso Ribera del Duero
An earthy red whose steady tannins, spice and acidity make it ideal for picadillo, lamb or steak.

Mas de Guiot – Grenache-Syrah
Well rounded Grenache and Syrah blend good plum and brown spices come together nicely

Perrin & Fils Côtes-du-Rhône Villages, France                                                                 Vivaciously fruity, with raspberry and sweet cherry tones.


Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera, Italy

This delivers loads of herbs and spices and  supple black cherry flavors

Allegrini Valpolicella Classico, Italy
Juicy and supple and delicious with bright red berry fruit flavors.

Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano, Italy
A supple, energizing blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet.

Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec
Jammy, deep and concentrared; sourced from higher-elevation vineyards.

Montes Limited Selection Apalta Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon-Carmenère                          Rich, generous and spiced, well concentrated fruit with a full body

Cline Cashmere, California
This lush Mourvèdre, Grenache and Syrah blend yield chocolate and cherry flavors

Foxglove Zinfandel, California                                                                                               Extravagantly oaked, with caramel, chocolate and cedar flavors layered with blackberry fruit.


Liberty School, Paso Robles, California
Fruit driven and smooth; juicy red plums with supple black cherry, plum and violets

Monte Antico, Italy
Leather, cherries and plums a mighty valued Super Tuscan that delivers


My List of 25 white wines, all bargains that you can find on the shelves right now! A Special Report by Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent

By in 2014 Top Wines

By Ralph Del Rio, Wine Correspondent

In the summer time a lot of us think about good white wines; Good values and what to drink that won’t break the pocketbook. A friend of mine asked me the other day and said; ‘Can you just tell me what to buy? Just give me a list; I don’t want to spend more than $15’…


Well, what really has merit?

What’s the usefulness of creating this type of list?

…especially when price is a significant factor

…and real accessibility(Can you find the darn wine!?!) 

…and really nice and acceptable quality is a factor?


Here are 25 white wines, with some comments, all bargains that you can find on the shelves right now. Drink these over the next year or so. These guys put out quality wines year in and year out (so I am not listing the vintage). These wines emanate from some of the world’s top wineries. So without further ado…



La Vielle Ferme – Cotes de Luberon – A cool, fresh, crisp and peachy wine


Marques de Caceres White Rioja – Stainless steel fermented yields a bright and vibrant saline hinted, great seafood pairing


Indaba –Chenin Blanc – South Africa –lemon lime and herbaceous, ripe apples; it’s the ripe apples that’s the fun part.


Hogue Riesling – A citrusy peach affair, off dry – it’s a nice pairing with shellfish, Oysters. Pickled Ceviche; try with a Mustard based sauce!


Yalumba – The Y Series Viognier – Limeade and Lychee fruit and apricot. Lush, tropical, exotic…Substitute this one for a Chardonnay some time.


Santa Rita Sauvignon Blanc – lemon grass and grapefruit with some tropical fruit flavors…


A to Z – Pinot Gris – the explodes with apples and lime, wet stones very bright, will go with just about anything really; hot wings, pork, seafood.


Acrobat Pinot Gris – a King Estate offshoot which is great, Quince fruit, nutty characteristics apples , try with clams, lemony chicken, roasted veggies and even a Cuban Sandwich, Dim Sum!


Columbia Winery Cellar Master Riesling – It’s peachy and bright with some tangy sweet acidity – it pairs well with Indian and Thai curries and complex Cuban stews.


Little James Basket Press – Vid de Pays d’ Oc – it’s a blend of Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc . From the St. Cosmo wine folk. It’s zesty, floral aromas with some stewed fruits, delicious, try with grilled veggies or risotto and mushrooms


Mulderbosch – Chenin Blanc – a peppy wine with fresh green apples acidity and some sweet fruit palate – a good one! Try it with a mild cheese.

Edna Valley Vineyard Paragon Chardonnay- pears, ripe apples, brown spices like cinnamon. Try it heavy cream foods, lively foods,
roasted fish and trout; fettuccini alfredo and shrimp 

Pacific Rim – Gewürztraminer- melons and fragrant, tangerines and Lychee fruit…pairs well with oven roasted chicken, indian food and the blues like gorgonzola

Bodegas Naia Las Brisas – Rueda Spain -It’s a great straight forward wine with hints of melons, honeydew, yellow apples it’s alive with citrus too.

Loosin Bros – Reisling – a delicious wine that is balanced and hints of peach and pears and apples it can pair with any grilled seafood dish

Cave de Lugny Macon – Les Charmes – Burgundy France- Fresh, apples, clean wine that is lemony, zesty and hint of spice, some chalk and honey. Great Balance

Enjoy!!! and Happy drinking!