Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Wine Spectator Great Wine Values

Last issue if Wine Spectator had a big report on 100 wine for under $25 that scored 88-94 points. I decided to check out the local "Beverages and More" to see if I could find any of the top scoring wines there. Said and done, I headed of with my W.S. magazine in hand. After about 30 minutes of looking through the shelves (politely declining all offers of help from the staff) I came up with 5 bottles. Tonight I tasted two of them (can't do all 5 during one night considering it is a work day tomorrow...) And following are my thoughts on them.
Let's start with the 2004 Antinori, Chianti Classico Peppoli. It get 90 points from Wine Spectator and is one of five Sangiovese to get that score (the highest score given to a Sangiovese in this report). I got red currant and earthy notes on the palate. W.S. says powerful. Powerful to begin with sure, but a little flat and week after the mid palate (at least more so than I expected). They recommend to put this bottle down until 2007 and I agree, and I suspect it will come to it's right with age and earn that 90 point score. I payed $23.99 at BevMo but you can find it online at http://www.winex.com/ for $18.99.
The next bottle made me more excited. Elk Cove 2005 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon has succulent floral and pear on the nose. It is light and delicate on the palate with slight sweetness and a full, creamy finish. Well worth its 90 points from Wine Spectator. Checking it out online it also gets 91 from Wine Enthusiast and 92 from Wine and Spirit. This is a wine I will buy again. BevMo $12.99.
Keep your eyes open for the remaining three wine reviews. We're talking Argentina, Australia and Washington...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Dear Victoria,

I'm glad you enjoyed the Elk Cove pinot gris, which is listed second on my pinot gris recommended list. It is an excellent wine, especially if you prefer a softer, less citrus attack. If you allow it to warm somewhat from refrigerator temperature, a very interesting range of flavors will emerge.

I recently ordered it for some friends at Cafe Gray in Manhattan, a restaurant you might be interested in trying on one of our visits. By NY restaurant standards, it was priced well within reason on their list.

Thanks also for recommending that I give greater consideration to pinot noir offerings from California's Central Coast. I'll look for some of the ones you suggested -- although they may be hard to find here in Seattle.

It's always a pleasure to get some new ideas.

Victoria said...

Thank you for your recommendation on Cafe Gary. I had not heard of it before but checking it out online tonight it sounds like something I would enjoy immensely. And beeing located in the same building as Thomas Keller's Per Se can only be a good thing...