Five Wines to Buy and Drink Now
2005 Chardonnay
Sonoma, California
News
The 2005 vintage was particularly successful throughout Sonoma; the Chardonnays were especially rich and concentrated, but also well balanced with excellent acidity.
Bottles to Buy
Look for the impressive 2005 Hartford Court Stone Côte Chardonnay, from the cool Sonoma Coast region ($50).
2005 Côtes-du-Rhône
Rhône Valley, France
News
There have been several terrific vintages in the southern Rhône; 2005 is just the latest. Buy Côtes-du-Rhône to drink now (and cellar the same region’s Châteauneuf-du-Pape).
Bottles to Buy
Pierre Usseglio is well known to Châteauneuf-du-Pape lovers, but the domaine also makes a delicious Côtes-du-Rhône ($23).
2005 Shiraz
Australia
News
Australia is an awfully large country, and it’s difficult, if not downright irresponsible, to generalize. But 2005 was an exceptionally good year for most makers of Aussie Shiraz.
Bottles to Buy
The 2005 berry-rich Wolf Blass Gold Label Barossa Shiraz is a well-made, polished wine, and at $25, it’s a great value.
2006 Whites
Alto Adige, Italy
News
Some of the most intensely flavorful Italian whites–Pinot Bianco, Müller-Thurgau–are made in the northern reaches of the country, specifically in the mountainous Trentino—Alto Adige in 2006.
Bottles to Buy
Trentino-based Pojer and Sandri produced a top Müller-Thurgau, a Riesling-like varietal, in 2006. It’s a steal at just $20.
2007 Sauvignon Blanc
Chile
News
Although Chilean winemakers are more likely to boast of their Carmenères and Cabernets than their whites, the quality of their crisp, bright 2007 Sauvignon Blancs is impressively high.
Bottles to Buy
The 2007 Santa Rita Floresta Leyda Sauvignon Blanc, with its penetrating minerality, is simply outstanding ($23).
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