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March 2006
March 6, 2006
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Cycles Gladiator — 2004 Central Coast Chardonnay
For
all of you romantics out there, here is a wine that recalls
the Belle Époque of the late 19th century
France. French painter G. Massias created a promotional
poster depicting a beautiful young woman with her flying
bicycle. This famous artwork is the inspiration and label
for Adam LaZarre's (Smith & Hook and Hahn Estates) new
project, Cycles Gladiator. This newly released Chardonnay
was aged in 60 percent new French oak and 40 percent stainless
steel, giving the wine a hint of toasted oak flavor. Aromas
of citrus and pineapple also permeate through the creamy
wine, adding a slight tropical twist. Buy a case and enjoy
it as an aperitif—at $10 a bottle, you’ll hardly
notice a dent in your wallet.
Rating:
13/20
Price: $10
Other Chardonnays
we've tasted
Check out our guide to Central
Coast, CA
For more information, visit www.cyclesgladiator.com |
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Atlas Peak — 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Here
is a serious Cab from Napa
at a mid-range price. It is still quite young and not necessarily
your best sipping wine, so we advise you to give it time
to let the magical tannins do their thing. Grown at higher
elevations, these grapes don’t overripen and deliver
a balanced, albeit dark, juice. Intense red fruit concentration
greets you on the nose. In the mouth, robust tannins give
you plenty of pep to attack an equally robust steak.
Think ripe Bing cherry on the nose, tobacco and vanilla
in the mouth. Full-bodied, it will take you to a long finish.
Rating:
14/20
Price: $38
Other Cabernet
Sauvignons we've tasted
Check out our guide to Napa
Valley
For more information, visit www.atlaspeak.com |
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Badia a Coltibuono — 2000 Chianti Classico Riserva
The
Abbey at Badia a Coltibuono seems straight out of a fantasy
novel. Set in the Tuscan hills amid tranquil pines, this
fifteenth-century complex houses an inn, a notable restaurant
and a multi-generational winery. As for the 2000 Riserva,
in our humble opinion Chiantis don’t age very well,
but this bottle is drinking admirably right now. Expect
a good balance of tannins, acid and flavors. The Stucchi-Prinetti
family, who runs the winery, only produces the Riserva
in outstanding years with grapes from older vineyards;
because of this selection, you get an elegant wine with
rustic tone—a true terroir expressive wine that
is not over-engineered. With a treasure chest of flavors
from ripe fruits to chocolate, this vino is a true charmer.
Rating:
15/20
Price: $30
Other Sangioveses
we've tasted
Check out our guide to Italy
For more information, visit www.coltibuono.com |
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Osborne Solaz — 2003 Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon
More
than six generations of tradition have gone into the Osborne
Solaz winery, located deep in the heart of Spain, in the
Tierra de Castilla region. It remains one of the few winemaking
families to make their own aging barrels, which are crafted
by the in-house master coopers. But even with the storied
heritage, this wine is one of the best values on the market.
At only $8, the Solaz is both approachable and food-friendly.
With well-balanced tannins and aromas of ripe berries,
this red blend will pair with a variety of meat dishes,
pastas and cheeses.
Rating:
14/20
Price: $8
Other Red
Blends we've tasted
Check out our guide to Spain
For more information, visit www.osbornesolaz.com |
Read
about the wine world's most influential critic: Robert
Parker, Jr.
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