Notes on wines that received at least one vote are from tasters Jason Bond, Josh Cole, Felisha “Flea” Foster, and Ellen Bhang. The shop name with each wine is the retailer who nominated it; most bottles have good distribution in our area. Check with your local shop and if they don’t sell the wine, they can probably get it for you. Wines for this year’s tasting were purchased at Bin Ends, Braintree (781-817-1212) and Needham (781-400-2086); Colonial Spirits, Acton (978-263-7775); Social Wines, South Boston (617-268-2974); Streetcar Wine & Beer, Jamaica Plain (617-522-6416); and The Urban Grape, Chestnut Hill (617-232-4831) and South End (857-250-2509).
2012 Fontezoppa Verdicchio di Matelica, Marche (Italian white, $12, The Urban Grape). “Flowers, green apple, fresh lime zest, stone, creamier than it looks or smells, long finish.” Josh Cole
Advertisement
2012 Durnberg “L & T” Gruner Veltliner, Falkenstein (Austrian white, $12, Bin Ends). “Cereal grains, subtle yet fresh fruit aromas, soft yellow apple, touch of spritz.” Ellen Bhang
2012 Selective Wine Estates “Mommy’s Time Out” Garganega, Pinot Grigio (Italian white, $11, Social Wines).
2012 Domaine Felines Jourdan Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc (French white, $10, The Urban Grape).
Hidalgo Fino Jerez Seco
(Spanish white, $15, Streetcar Wine & Beer).
2012 Barbi Orvieto Classico Secco (Italian white, $14, Bin Ends).
2012 Paul D Gruner Veltliner, Wagram (Austrian white, $14, Social Wines). “Limestone, wet rocks with zip, acidity and minerality create rounder mouth feel.” J.C.
2011 Dourthe “La Grande Cuvee” Sauvignon Blanc, Bordeaux (French white, $13, The Urban Grape). “Resinous herbs, garrigue, good grip, grassy.” Jason Bond
2012 Domaine de la Bregeonnette “Folle Blanche” Gros-Plant du Pays Nantais (French white, $15, Streetcar Wine & Beer).
2011 Inama Soave Classico (Italian white, $15, Colonial Spirits).
2012 Danie de Wet de Wetshof “Limestone Hill” Chardonnay, Robertson (South African white, $15, Colonial Spirits). “Low register yellow apple and stony aromas with citrus, zippy acidity and appetizing bitterness.” E.B.
Advertisement
2012 Red Newt Cellars “Circle” Riesling, Finger Lakes (New York white, $12, Bin Ends).
2010 Celler Pinol “Ludovicus” Garnacha Blanca, Terra Alta (Spanish white, $13, Colonial Spirits). “Oxidation, tar, rose with menthol coolness, acidity, dried lime and green walnut.” J.B.
2011 Bodegas Dinastia Vivanco Viura, Malvasia, Tempranillo Blanco Rioja (Spanish white, $13, Colonial Spirits).
2012 Selbach “Incline” Riesling, Mosel (German white, $14, Streetcar Wine & Beer). “Lively, vibrant, mineral aromas, clean, bitter orange.” Flea Foster
2012 Tikves Rkaciteli Special Selection (Macedonian white, $12, Streetcar Wine & Beer).
2012 La Fleur de Lys Macon-Villages Chardonnay (French white, $13, The Urban Grape).
2013 Stonehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape (South
African white, $13, Bin Ends). “Mineral, soil aromas, grapefruit, green apple skin, clean, good acidity.” E.B.
2011 Domaine du Rin Du Bois Touraine Sauvignon Blanc (French white, $13, Social Wines).
2011 Karl Pfaffmann Riesling Trocken, Walsheim (German white, $13/liter, Colonial Spirits). “Easy drinking, stone fruit, well balanced.” F.F.
2011 Evolucio Furmint Tokaj (Hungarian white, $12, Streetcar Wine & Beer). “White peach, flowers, grass, minerality.” J.C.
2011 Villa Wolf Gewurztraminer, Pfalz (German white, $14, The Urban Grape). “Lively up front, acidity in middle, sweetness in back.” J.C.
2011 Paul Mas Estate Marsanne Pays d’Oc (French white, $14, Bin Ends).
2012 Badenhorst Family Wines “Secateurs” Chenin Blanc, Swartland (South African white, $15, Social Wines).
2012 Fondo Antico Grillo Parlante, Sicilia (Italian white, $15, Social Wines).
2010 Vinarija Dingac “Peljesac,” Peljesac Peninsula (Croatian red, $14, Streetcar Wine & Beer). “Cabernet franc-like nose, bell pepper, cherry cola. Nice acidity, soft tannin, touch of spice.” J.C.
Advertisement
2009 Blue Pirate Pinot Noir
(Oregon red, $15, The Urban Grape).
2010 Monte Bernardi “Fuori Off Road Strada” Sangiovese
(Italian red, $15/liter, Streetcar Wine & Beer). This boxed wine was poured into a bottle for tasting. E.B
Domaine Rimbert “Cousin Oscar” Vin de France (French red, $12, Social Wines).
2011 Roberto Perez “Bielsa” Vinas Viejas Garnacha, Campo de Borja (Spanish red, $13, Streetcar Wine & Beer). “Savory nose with violets, meats, forest floor. Appetizing tannins.” E.B.
2011 Bodegas Aragonesas “Crucillon” Garnacha, Campo de Borja (Spanish red, $11,
Social Wines).
2011 Domaine Rimbert “Les Travers de Marceau,” Saint Chinian (French red, $15, Colonial Spirits) “Toasted walnuts, cooked butter, oak log, and smoke. Violets, floral, red berry, grass.” J.B.
2010 Cantina Convento Muri-Gries Santa Maddalena, Alto Adige (Italian red, $15, Social Wines). “Bright acidity, feminine, finesse-driven, pretty.” J.C.
2010 Cascina Ballarin “Cino” Rosso, Langhe (Italian red, $14, The Urban Grape). “Low tannins, good acidity, easy drinking.” F.F.
2012 Luccarelli Negroamaro, Puglia (Italian red, $13, The
Urban Grape).
2011 Celler de Capcanes “Mas Picosa” Garnacha, Syrah, Montsant (Spanish red, $15, Bin Ends).
2011 Casa de Saima Colheita Tinto, Beiras (Portuguese red, $12, Colonial Spirits).
2012 Estenas Bobal, Utiel-
Requena (Spanish red, $14, Streetcar Wine & Beer). “Cherry, floral, soil and minerality with rounded tannins, ripe, bright, savory.” E.B.
2011 Domaine de Piaugier “La Grange de Piaugier,” Cotes du Rhone (French red, $14, Colonial Spirits).
Advertisement
2010 Adega Regional de
Colares “Chao Rijo” Vinho Regional, Lisboa (Portuguese red, $14, Social Wines).
2009 Cantele Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva Negroamaro (Italian red, $14, Bin Ends).
2012 Chateau Fontanes “Les Traverses de Fontanes” Cabernet Sauvignon, Vin de Pays d’Oc (French red, $13, Streetcar Wine & Beer). “Earth, spice, smoke complexity, touch of minerality on the nose.” J.C.
2009 Feotto dello Jato Nero d’Avola, Sicilia (Italian red, $14, Colonial Spirits).
2011 Montes Classic Series Cabernet Sauvigon, Colchagua Valley (Chilean red, $13, Bin Ends).
2010 Taltarni “T Series” Shiraz, Victoria (Australian red, $12, Bin Ends).
2011 Rio Madre Graciano, Rioja (Spanish red, $14, The Urban Grape). “Tar, dusty clay, salinity. Mineral, nori, and blackberry.” J.B.
2011 Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Columbia Valley (Washington State red, $14, Bin Ends). “Upfront fruit, red fruit aromas, uncomplicated, oak.” F.F.
2011 Torreguaceto “Pietraluna” Negramaro, Salento
(Italian red, $11, Colonial Spirits). “Soy saucy, dark fruit aromas. Spicy, rare meat, with rounded tannins.” E.B.
2012 RJ Vinedos “Reunion” Malbec, Mendoza (Argentine red, $15, The Urban Grape).
2010 Viu Manent Gran Reserva Carmenere, Colchagua (Chilean red, $13, Social Wines).