Bargain Basement buys from Robert Parker

I don't often rely on wine critics' lists when I'm in the mood to try new things. I'd rather wing it and have no one but myself to blame for my mistakes. That said, I do enjoy reading a good bit of what Robert Parker writes and in a recent Business Week article he focuses on an assortment of wines from Cartlidge & Browne which are, like a good pair of khakis, always reliable and in-style. It just goes to show, you don't always have to turn to obscure and funky imports to find value. There are some stellar cellar finds right here in the USA, even in California.

Here is the list of wines that Parker reviewed:

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon 85 points
2005 Rabid Red 86 points
2006 Pinot Noir 87 points
2006 Chardonnay 87 points
2006 Sauvingon Blanc Dancing Crow 89 points

For his detailed notes check out our excerpt or the complete article in Business Week.

A Bargain-Basement Wine Cellar
by Robert Parker

Despite the enormous influence of California's wineries, too few specialize in premium wines at value prices. One that does is Cartlidge & Browne. Avoiding the extra oak and other types of manipulation used by some vintners, Cartlidge & Browne produces fruity, pure, and vibrant wines that reflect varietals' personalities. Even better, it offers sensational quality at bargain-basement prices.

85 POINTS
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon - The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits black currant, dried herb, earth, and spice characteristics. It is a soft, fruit-driven, medium-bodied wine to consume over the next two to three years. $12-$15

86 POINTS
2005 Rabid Red - The dark ruby-hued 2005 Rabid Red (a blend of cabernet sauvignon and petite sirah, with small amounts of merlot and syrah) offers an attractive bouquet of earthy red and black fruits and spice. Medium-bodied, with excellent texture, good purity, and a decent finish, it should be drunk over the next one to two years. $12

87 POINTS
2006 Pinot Noir - Cartlidge & Browne's 2006 pinot is better than many that go for five times the price. Its medium ruby color combines with a soft perfume of sweet cherry fruit and a touch of cinnamon. With good size, medium body, excellent purity, and a savory texture, it can be enjoyed over the next one to two years. $12-$15

87 POINTS
2006 Chardonnay - The tasty 2006 Chardonnay offers orange blossom, lemon oil, and tropical fruit notes, medium body, crisp acidity, and fine purity, as well as freshness. There is no evidence of oak in this lovely wine. $12

89 POINTS
2006 Sauvignon Blanc Dancing Crow - This is a brilliant, medium-bodied white loaded with melony fruit notes, crisp acidity, freshness, and a true sauvignon character. Drink it over the next year. $12

Wines rated from 96-100 are extraordinary; 90-95, excellent; 80-89, above average to very good.

February 17, 2008

Bargain Basement buys from Robert Parker

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