New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs

New Zealand is best known for its Sauvignon Blancs. The cool maritime climate and stony soils are particularly suitable for this variety. Here are a couple we recommend that are excellent values.

2022 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($16.99 - Safeway) - Marlborough is on the South Island of New Zealand and is well-known for its Sauvignon Blancs. This one shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and floral aromas of green pear, melon, kiwi and lime with scents of pear blossoms, jasmine, lemongrass and wet stone. The flavors are brisk, yet ripe and juicy, with yellow and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and saline minerals. The back picks up pear liqueur, melon rind and a twist of lime zest on the way to a bracing yet fruited finish. A bit crisper than the below wine, it calls for seafood. 18.5/20 points.

2022 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough ($17.99 - Safeway) - Kim Crawford is a popular brand in the U.S. It displays a brilliant lemon-gold color and fresh aromas of pear, white peach, melon, passion fruit, kiwi and lime, with scents of pear blossoms, jasmine, cut grass and stone. The flavors are a bit more tropical than the above wine, with yellow and green fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins and melon rind. The vibrancy continues on the back with white liqueurs and a twist of lime zest on the brisk, fruited finish. 18.5/20 points. 

French Wines

2020 Domaine Les Pins Bourgeuil, "Les Rochettes" ($21.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - The reds of Bourgeil in the Loire Valley are produced from Cabernet Franc. This one offers a deep-ruby-crimson color and ripe aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed rose, mulberry, tobacco, herb potpourri and stick incense. The flavors are generous and mouth pleasing, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, bittersweet chocolate. caffé au lait and riverside earth and minerals. The appeal continues on the back with framboise and cerise liqueurs and plum preserves, followed by a ripe, chewy moderate tannin finish. 18+/20 points.

2019 Domaine Maurice Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru Les Serpentières ($30 - lastbottle.com) - Back in the 1980's, we visited this Côte de Beaune property. This vintage shows a brick red color and perfumed aromas of fraises de bois, red currants, orange peel, crushed rose petals, lilac, sandalwood and orange incense. The flavors medium bodied yet deliciously full and expansive, pure Pinot Noir, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, Swiss chocolate, Earl Grey tea and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with pressed fruits, hazelnuts, fraise and creme de cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a lingering moderate tannin finish. "Delicious, wow!" says Lynn. Super one-shot deal at half the normal price. 19/20 points.

2019 Famille Perrin Vinsobres, "Les Cornes" ($25.99 -Safeway) This South Rhone red is composed of 50% each of Grenache and Syrah. It shows a deep ruby color and rich aromas of raspberry, blueberry, currant, black roses, garrigue, hillside brush, olive and spiced incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with ample yet deep and focused red and blue fruits that are intermixed with licorice, chocolate, roasted coffee beans and stony minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with framboise and cassis liqueurs and touches of nougat and soft charcoal, followed by a ripe moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

Lirac Wines

Lirac is situated across the Rhône River from Chateauneuf du Pape to whose wines these are similar. The reds are predominately Grenache with some Syrah and Mourvèdre. The whites are combinations of Grenache Blanc, Viognier and Roussane. They can be excellent values.

2020 Domaine Lafond Lirac Blanc, "Roc Epine" ($22.99 - wine.com) - This blend of 50% Grenache Blanc, 30% Roussanne and 20% Viognier offers a brilliant gold color and attractive aromas of Bosc pear, apricot, grapefruit, pear blossoms, honeysuckle, jasmine and sweet white incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with brisk white fruits that are accented by grape and pear skins, apricot stones and minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire William liqueur and grapefruit peel on the nicely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine Lafond Lirac Rouge, "Roc Epine" ($22.99 - wine.com) - This 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah combination shows a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of fraises de bois, cranberries, black currants, crushed roses, garrigue, olive tapenade and spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with copious red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, black tea and minerals. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs and stick incense, followed by a ripe tannin finish, lifted by vigorous fruit acids. Delivers a lot for the price. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine de la Modorée Lirac, "La Reine des Bois" ($44.99 - wine.com) - This is the top cuvée from a top producer. Composed of one-third each of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, it displays a deep ruby color and intoxicating aromas of raspberry, blueberry, brambly currant, crushed roses, tobacco, garrigue, orange peel, olive and spiced incense. The flavors are bold and mouth-filling, yet refined, with layers of black and blue fruits that are infused with licorice, cocoa powder, black tea and riverside mineral,s. On the back, the wine invigorates with framboise and crème de cassis liqueurs, roasted nuts and ground charcoal, followed by a spiced (nutmeg, clove) firm yet ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2019 Domaine de la Modorée Lirac, "La Dame Rousse" ($31.99 - wine.com) - This 50/50 Grenache, Syrah combination offers a deep ruby color and seductive aromas of raspberry, blueberry, black currant, black roses, lavender, lilac, olive and sweet spiced incense. The flavors are deliciously mouth filling, combining the suppleness of the Grenache with robustness of the Syrah, with notes of licorice, cocoa, black tea and minerals. The penetration continues on the back with fraise and cassis liqueurs, blueberry preserves and roasted nuts, followed by a ripe tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2018 Alain Jaume Lirac, Domaine du Clos de Sixte ($26.99 - wine.com) - A blend of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, this displays a deep ruby color and an enticing nose of raspberry, cranberry, black currant, black roses, pipe tobacco, lavender, sage, thyme and incense. The flavors are ripe and mouth filling, with red fruits that are marked by licorice, cocoa, black tea and earth. The back picks up macerated fruits, roasted nuts, mocha and soft charcoal followed by a savory moderate tannin and acid finish. A good choice for those liking a smoother styled Rhone. 18.5/20 points.

See the 02/17 posting below for the 2021 Domaine de la Modorée Lirac Blanc and the 2019 Domaine de Marcoux Lirac Rouge.