Description

Below is a summary of issue #178-180, published in March-August 2018. This issue is available for purchase online by clicking “Add to Cart” below.

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Featured in This Issue

California Close-Up: Top producers’ new releases reviewed

First rate Cabernet Sauvignons and blends by vintage: 2013s from Saint Helena Winery …2014s from Amici, Black Stallion, Charles Krug, Corison, J. Lohr, Joseph Phelps, Kunde, Mount Brave, Oakville Ranch, Ramey, Robert Mondavi, Rocca, Spottswoode, St. Supery, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars…2015s from Black Stallion, Charles Krug, Grgich Hills, Kunde, St. Supery, Trefethen…and two fine 2016s from Intrinsic and The Forager…

As for Merlot and Merlot blends: the 2014s from J. Lohr and St. Supery; the 2015s from Black Stallion and Grgich Hills; and the 2016 from Textbook… Two Malbecs not to miss are the 2015s from Black Stallion and Hess Collection (this latter, a stunning Malbec blend)….Other fine blends include those from Beringer (Waymaker Red), Westwood (Legend), and Whitehall Lane (Tre Leoni)…Benovia’s Grenache is one of California’s best…Standout 2015 Petite Sirahs include those from J. Lohr and Stanton…Top Syrahs are being made by Black Stallion and Ramey…Remarkable Zins derive from Artezin (Dry Creek), Oakville Ranch (Field Blend), Ottimino (Dry Creek), and Williams Selyem…

A range of extraordinary Pinot Noirs recommended include the 2015s from Anaba, Ancien, Benovia, Cobb, EnRoute, Handley, Heintz, MacPhail, Merry Edwards, Mueller, Square Peg, Three Sticks, WesMar, and Williams Selyem …And the splendid 2016s from Black Stallion, Dutton-Goldfield, The Forager, Three Sticks, and Williams Selyem(+).

Is Red Bordeaux Rising On-Premise?

We taste 80 leading wines from the celebrated vintage, and recommend 74. Of these, 21 wines receive 5-star ratings—i.e., exemplary wines in their price categories—one wine each from Listrac-Medoc, Moulis-en-Medoc, and Pomerol; two wines each from St. Estephe and St. Julien; three wines each from Margaux and Pessac-Leognan; and eight from St. Emilion. We also taste 46 wines from the good—but lesser—2013 vintage, and find more than a dozen wines that truly impress.

Special Report: Wines of Germany

Rieslings & Silvaners; Pinot Noirs & Lembergers

• Dry Rieslings from outstanding producers: 133 recommended, most from the 2016 vintage.
• Fruity & Sweet Rieslings: 136 recommended, most from the 2016 vintage.

Producers recommended include: Baron Knyphausen, Bassermann-Jordan, Battenfelf Spanier, Burg Ravensburg, Burklin-Wolf, Castell, Domdechant Werner, Donnhoff, Grans-Fassian, Hans Wirsching, Karl Haidle, Karthauserhof, Kloster Eberbach, Kuhling-Gillot, Juliusspital, Louis Guntrum, Muller-Catoir, Prinz von Hessen, Prinz zu Salm, Robert Weil, S.A. Prum, Schloss Johannisberg, Schloss Vollrads, von Kesselstatt, Wagner-Stempel, Wegeler, Willi Schaefer, Wittmann, and Zilliken…

Silvaner producers whose wines are highly recommended include: Castell, Hans Wirsching, and Juliusspital; and Bruder Dr. Becker, Dr. Heger, and Wechsler.

Also: wonderful Spatburgunders/Pinot Noirs from Benedikt Baltes, Dr. Heger, and Julie Bertram (Dernauer); and splendid Lembergers from Karl Haidle.

Other Highlights:

Wonderful 2015 white and red Burgundies; Ornellaia 2015; and a range of Italian wine white and red wine values.