July Staff Picks

Peter: '01 Pine Ridge, Chenin Blanc, Blend with Viognier, $8.99 Looking for that delicious thirst quencher? I’ve got the wine that fits the bill. The 2001 Pine Ridge is a blend of 86% Chenin Blanc and 14% Viognier. Some secrets to its success are that a portion of the juice goes through cold fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 40 to 45 degrees to enhance the white fruit and floral aromas, while the rest is fermented in used French oak barrels. The key factor in producing this hedonistic nectar is the precise moment of harvest which rewards with delicate flavors of peach and melon that softly dance on your palate. The juicy and refreshing flavors are so satisfying, enough is never enough. Sam: '99 Glen Fiona, Syrah, "Bacchus Vineyard" $24.49 I was particularly impressed with this single vineyard selection from Washington state. The nose makes you sit up and take notice with distinctive aromas of toasted sesame and barbeque smoke. Seconds later, secondary aromas of spiced plum, sautéed red peppers and spices come into play. The characteristic that's made me a true believer is the texture. Sexy and decadent. A perfect food accompaniment that comes to mind with this wine would be a peppercorn crusted New York strip steak with roasted Cippolini onions. Heaven. Justin: '99 La Universal, Tarragona, Spanish Red, Cariñena & Syrah, "Venus" $25.99 In a friend's less than technical terms: "It just smells so good!" Why? The scents of fresh baked blackberry pie waft right out of the glass. It's irresistible. And when you taste: fresh juicy, summer berries are the essence; a medley of blackberry, black current and red raspberry notes, rounded out by plush, gooey blueberry on the palette. Yet under the power of all that ripe fruit, it's mouthwateringly supple and harmonious; finishing with a well integrated dollop of oak. A great new wine from Tarragona, Spain by the team who brought you one of Priorat's stars, Clos Martinet—at about half the price.

John: '00 Graillot, Alain, Crozes-Hermitage, $16.99 Alain Graillot began making his first Crozes-Hermitage in 1985 and in 15 subsequent vintages has established himself as a benchmark for quality and consistency in the Northern Rhône. The red Crozes-Hermitage is 100% Syrah grape and Graillots' wines are packed full of this superb fruit flavor. His 2000 Crozes has a rich dark purple color and an incredible nose of grilled plum and raspberry fruit, roasted espresso beans, smoky, earthy scents and a nice touch of toasty new oak that’s enough to turn any wine enthusiast into a Rhône wine fanatic. The wine has a luxurious expansive quality on the palate with expressive purity and length. I guarantee if paired with any barbequed meat grilled "low and slow" you will have a gastronomic experience too few people in the world have experienced. James: '96 Elderton, Command Shiraz $57.99 Barossa Valley, state of South Australia. Fruit harvested from syrah vines planted early in the twentieth century. If there’s any wine more explosively flavorful than this one is, please sell me a bottle! Command introduces itself with a hearty whiff of oak, then plunges one direct and deep into an ocean of cassis and wild blackberry fruit. Broadly expansive on the palate, it’s got surprisingly tame tannins for such a wild colonial fellow, but features a finish that one can time with a sundial. Food match? A leg of lamb, stuck all over under the skin with garlic slivers, smothered in onion, green pepper, black olives and tomatoes, roasted in a 300 degree oven for the better part of an afternoon.