“In the dead heat of summer (or dead cold of summer this year) Vintages historically launches wines in a lower key – less expensive, less famous, from farther reaches of the wine world, or bottlings otherwise without a lot of cachet. Overall this is a patchy release with many wines not worth special attention. I hate to lump southern Italy – the major theme of this release – into this generalization but among the reds at least there are very few must-buys, even though there is a fascinating kaleidoscope of indigenous grapes, labels and styles. The whites are another story – many are magnificent and ideal for summer dalliances with the exotic, from grape varieties not known outside their own regions. And then there are the fascinating German rieslings, all from the Mosel’s famous Wehlener Sonnerhur (sundial) vineyard. The four offerings do more to demonstrate producers’ stylistic variability than the singular identity of the site, but three of four are very good. Elsewhere, there are scattered gems from around the world, some of which make it into David’s Half Dozen, a selection of the top quality, top value and most interesting wines in this release.”
- David Lawrason, VP of Wine at WineAlign
Click here to see ranked lists and reviews of close to 100 wines in this release.
David’s Half Dozen
Whites
Domæne Gobelsburg 2007 Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Austria, 90 pts, $14.95
Torres Floralis Moscatel Oro, Spain, 93 pts $16.95
Pala Sálnico 2007 Nuragus, Sardinia, Italy, 90 pts $14.95
Reds
Domaine Grand Veneur Les Champauvins 2007 Côtes Du Rhône-Villages, France, 91 pts, $19.95
Clos Puy Arnaud 2005 Côtes de Castillon 2005, France, 92 pts $45.00
Tyrrell’s Rufus Stone 2006 Shiraz, Heathcote, Australia, 91 pts, $19.95
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