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2004 Barone, Fini, Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: This straw- colored wine welcomed panelists with aromas of "very pronounced" grapefruit, peach, nectarine with lemon curd and a slight mineral undertone. A variety of flavors made an appearance on the palate, from "bright lemon and yeast" to "melon and honey". Nuances of lemon, bread and custard showed up to give an impressive finishing touch to this wine.
91 Points
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2003 Bollini, Reserve Selection, Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Clear and crisp in appearnce with a pale yellow-green hue, this wine exudes aromas of green apple, faint lemon, "citrus blossom" and mango. Panelists tasted subtle layers of peach, apricot, and creamy melon with accents of vanilla which lingered before ending with a "great finish".
90 Points
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2004 Cesare Duetorri, Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: This beauty's delicate lemon-yellow color sparkled with elegant brilliance. The wine offered "very bright and pleasing aromas" of citrus, "fresh cut grass," gentle minerality and a refreshing whiff of whtie flowers. In the mouth this wine's formidable acidity melds with a calm toastiness, wrapped around "crisp lemon flavors" pineapple and melon. Tastes of mild yeast and sweet pear put the finishing touches on this charmer.
90 Points
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2003 Jean-Luc Colombo, La Pavillon des Courtisanes, Côtes du Rhône- Villages, France
Summary: Consistent and well mannered, this dark red wine greeted panelists with aromas of chocolate covered cherries, spiced plums and cigar box. Flavors of blackberry, dried strawberry, cherry cola, and pepper were balanced by "appropriate acidity" and "silky tannins," noted scorers. The "mild, lingering finish" introduced soft mineral accents.
90 Points
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2004 Saint Cosme, Côtes du Rhône, France
Summary: This rich wine pulled bay leaf, menthol, rose, dark fruit and tobacco aromas out of its deep purple pockets. Flavors of plum, leather, vanilla, cola and blackberry were well integrated, structured and balanced by strong tannins. Though panelists described the finish as "fairly long" and "complex," one noted, "I'd let it rest a couple of years."
90 Points
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2004 Molliard, Les Violettes, Côtes du Rhône, France
Summary: Deep and inviting, this smokey purple offering arrived with sage, pepper, vanilla and cherry aromas. Intense flavors of fruit, eucalyptus, strawberry, dry earth and mild tobacco added intrigue. Balanced acid and solid tannins contributed to a fall, round mouthfeel. The smooth, reasonably complex finish ended with "mouthwatering tannins" and a tobacco note.
90 Points
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2004 Bottega Vinaia, Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Bright and inviting, this pale yellow wine smelled of wet stone, nectarine, hazelnut, kiwi and lemon. Lip-smacking green apple, lemon-lime, vanilla and clove flavors were chewy, crisp and well balanced. Zesty citrus flavors lingered into a long-lasting mineral note.
90 Points
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2004 Georges Duboeuf, Côtes du Rhône, France
Summary: Bright ruby in color with an almost opaque center, this wine released rich aromas of black currant, spice, tart raspberry and gentle minerality. A wave of cherry, raspberry, and black pepper crashed on the palate before fading into a long, “fairly complex” finish of prune and earth.
89 Points |
2004 Pedroncelli, East Side Vineyards, Souvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Summary: This pale yellow wine smelled as crisp and clean as an ocean breeze. Panelists detected honey, stone fruit and yeast aromas billowing in the background. Pleasant flavors of sugar cookie, lemon candy, oregano and peach were slightly overpowered by citric acidity. This acidic finish was crisp and lingering.
89 Points
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2004 Ca' Montini, L'Aristocratico Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Bright and complex, this pale gold wine smelled of spiced citrus, poached pear, lemon-lime and talcum powder. The well-balanced citrus, green apple, banana and vanilla flavors “expanded and changed” in the mouth, noted one scorer. The finish was “very pleasing.”
90 Points
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2004 Banfi, San Angelo, Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Perfumed with grapefruit, peach and spiced apple, this pale straw-colored wine opened with a bitter mineral flavor then transitioned into passion fruit, kiwi, grapefruit, cinnamon and caramel. Pungent, crisp and tart in the mouth, the finish was slightly hot.
89 Points
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2004 Folonari, Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: This light-bodied yellow wine opened with pleasant whiffs of citrus, green apple and herb. Tasters noted that the citrus, stone fruit and green apple flavors “showed a little complexity” and were “well-balanced with a nice mouthfeel.” The finish surprised with a “nice kick of spice at the end.”
89 Points
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2004 Ronco Cucco, Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Reserved but pleasant, this pale yellow wine appeared slightly bubbly in the glass. Lime, talcum powder, green apple and honey aromas danced with panelist’s noses. Honeydew, white peach and white pepper flavors skipped across their tongues, leaving a bittersweet aftertaste.
89 Points
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2003 Delas, Saint-Esprit, Côtes du Rhône, France
Summary: This dull purple wine’s aromas of pepper, vanilla and smoked cherries initially suggested something medicinal. Uncomplicated cherry cola flavors matched by ripe tannins were dry and “very drinkable.” Smooth, round and well weighted, the wine had a finish that was light and modest.
88 Points
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2004 Lake Sonoma Winery, Fume Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County
Summary: This bright, shiny yellow wine “looked good” and appeared “inviting,” noted tasters. Aromas of tropical fruits, green grass and vanilla were appealing. Flavors of honey, peach, grapefruit and mango were “a bit young with a harsh edge,” suggesting that additional bottle time might benefit this wine.
88 Points
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2004 Sartori di Verona Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Pale yellow in color with a slight hint of green that faded to a crystal-clear rim, this wine emitted aromas of grapefruit and lemon with traces of clove and spice. Flavors of creamy vanilla with white peach in the background flooded the palate and left a fleeting finish of pepper, spice and vanilla notes. Overall, this palate- pleasing wine was pleasant and refreshing.
88 Points
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2004 Placido Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Light yellow in color with a pale edge, this wine offered aromas of vanilla, floral, orange and thyme. Upon tasting, panelists reported flavors of lime, lemon, tart apple and yeast. The acidity was slightly biting and left a lingering burn after swallowing, but the finish of fruit lingered as well.
88 Points
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2004 Santi, Sortesele Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Displaying great clarity with a nice golden color and greenish tones in the background, this Italian Pinot revealed sweet, nutty and buttery aromas with hints of dried herbs and minerals. This average-complexity wine presented flavors of lemon, peach and apricot. The fruit-acid balance left a pleasing memory on the palate.
88 Points
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2004 Altanuta Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: Light golden in color with silver edges, this Italian Pinot offered aromas of pineapple, strawberry and lemon with hints of thyme and floral notes. Flavors of apple, pineapple and tart melon paired with crisp acidity to greet panelists’ palates. This medium-bodied Pinot Grigio left a surprisingly short finish on the palate, with faint flavors of sweet lemon and fading acidity.
88 Points
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2004 Montresor, La Colombaia Pinot Grigio, Italy
Summary: In the glass, this wine has a crisp, light lemon core with a crystal-clear rim. It exuded aromas of orange blossom, mineral and green apple. Tart flavors of lemon and white grape juice with grassy notes were dispersed on scorers’ palates. This light-bodied acidic Pinot Grigio left a finish of lingering green apple that faded to melon with a clean and fresh acidic ending.
87 Points
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2004 PGA Tour Champions Select, Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Somona County
Summary: This light yellow wine had a hint of sediment. After aggressively pushing lemon, gardenia, cut grass and yeast aromas from the glass, the wine’s delicate flavors of lemon, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and green pepper were light. The acidic bite then faded smoothly, lingering on citrus.
88 Points
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