Here are five wines to try.
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Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2011
Three stars
Marlborough, New Zealand, $30
Is the National Security Agency compiling meta-databases of wine tasting notes posted on Twitter? (If not, some marketing firm probably is.) The entry for this outstanding wine should note that it’s made from grapes handpicked from vineyards on the slopes of Marlborough’s southern valleys, whole-cluster-fermented with wild yeasts in open-top fermenters, foot-trodden, hand-plunged and aged in barrels for a year. If that doesn’t get your clandestine wine-geek adrenaline pumping, then the dark-fruit flavors singed with wood spice and delicately balanced on a mineral core will. From the Broadbent Selections portfolio. Alcohol by volume: 14 percent.
Country Vintner.
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Clos du Mont-Olivet Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2011
Two and a half stars
Rhone Valley, France, $35
Most Chateauneuf-du-Papes taste as though the guys in tall white hats are still duking it out, but this example substitutes diplomacy for brute strength, harmony for discord. ABV: 14.5 percent.
Dionysus.
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Domaine Trois Freres Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2011
Two stars
Loire Valley, France, $15
This muscadet is a bit richer than most, with ripe tree fruit and an appealing minerality. An excellent partner to shellfish and seafood salads. ABV: 12 percent.
Kysela.
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Pedroncelli Friends Red 2011
GREAT VALUE One and a half stars
Sonoma County, Calif. $11
The various factions in this fun, juicy wine — merlot, zinfandel, petite sirah and syrah — get along just fine. ABV: 13.9 percent.
DOPS.
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Domaine de Vaufuget Vouvray 2012
GREAT VALUE One and a half stars
Loire Valley, France, $13
This is a delicious dry chenin blanc, easily found, easily gulped and easily paired with all sorts of seafood and light dishes. ABV: 12 percent.
M Touton.
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Three stars Exceptional, two stars Excellent, one star Very Good
Check Winesearcher.com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.
