Clicquot wines click Edited by Darryl Beeson The founder of the historic Champagne House of Veuve Clicquot ("Veuve" rhymes with "love," then "Klee-coal"), the dynamic Madame Clicquot had as her motto: "Only one quality...the finest." That same principle is the foundation upon which Clicquot, Inc. has built its international portfolio of ultra-premium wines. From France's Champagne region to the Marlborough region of New Zealand, to Italy and more regions, They have traveled the globe to bring the finest of wines. More to know is at www.clicquotinc.com. Villa di Capezzana, Carmignano 2001 Price $24.99 Rating 92 The nose is huge with earthy mushroom and reserved fruit. The sip shows more complex earth, dried red fruit, mushroom and cool mint on the long finish. The more precise blend is 80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. Match with both red and white means as well as most types of cheese. Ceretto Bricco Rocche "Prapo" Barolo 1998 Price $49 Rating 92 Hints of earthy tar along with the perfumes and aromas of withered rose greet the nose, with a slight fragrance of underbrush and earthiness. It is full-bodied, concentrated with complex bouquet of withered roses, underbrush spices and ripe cherries. Serve this complex red with meats, pastas with complex sauces and cheese. This wine can easily age for ten to twenty-five years. Ceretto Bricco Asili "Bernardot" Barbaresco 2001 Price $70 Rating 93 The color is tinted with brown and orange, classic of the Nebbiolo grape. A sniff reveals wild berry fruit and earthy tar. The sip is rich and complex. Serve with red meats, wild game and hard, aged cheeses. Ceretto Monsordo, Piedmont 2000 Price $30 Rating 94 The nose is full-bodied with big earthiness. Imagine digging in the garden, in the vibrant black top soil. The sip is alive with black fruit, mushroom, cocoa powder and complex earthiness in the long length. This would be the Piedmont reply to the Super Tuscan. It is rich and complex, reinforced by touches of vanilla and spice, this wine is opulent, though structured and soft with tannins. The blend of grapes is a spectrum of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Nebbiolo. Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio, Colli Orientali del Friuli 2004 Price $23 Rating 92 This white wine's color has a tint of pink, but not like a rose. The sip enters with resounding mineral like chalk or limestone. Notes of citrus and fresh fig follow in the good length. There are hints of peach and apricot. Serve this superior Pinot Grigio with fish, seafood starters, risottos and baked vegetables. Avoid soft, ripe cheese or tomato sauced dishes. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2005 Price $25 Rating 93 Pale straw green in color and vibrantly aromatic, the 2005 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc is like an exotic infusion of fresh ginger, sweet basil, and lemongrass layered over ripe tropical and citrus fruits. Bright and zesty with limes, grass and gooseberry that typifies Marlborough. Punchy and vibrant with lots of grassy acidity, the grass, gooseberry and limes build to a rich and juicy tropical fruit finish with passion fruit laced with citrus. Cloudy Bay Chardonnay, Marlborough 2003 Price $25 Rating 90 Complex aromas of ripe stonefruit and orange blossom mingle with hints of crisp apple and citrus. Flinty gunsmoke characters derived from natural yeast fermentation add to the complexity of this savory style. Full bodied, the palate shows more zesty citrus flavors, along with honey, toasted nuts and buttery-cream, finishing with more mineral in the long length. Cape Mentelle Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Margaret River 2004 Price $14 Rating 93 There are aromas of passion fruit, orange blossom, ripe lemons and notes of tarragon mingle with vanilla from the barrel fermentation. The sip is creamy and textural, with vibrant citrus flavors that finish crisp and clean. Champagne Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label, N.V. Price $37 Rating 93 Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label is a true example of harmony between subtle elements vs. power. Predominately Pinot Noir, there is a firm structure, rounded with a touch of Pinot Meunier. The nearly a third balance of Chardonnay gives elegance and finesse.   For more great wine suggestions, click here Do you have any questions, comments or suggestions? Email: jwdineline@aol.com Copyright © 1998 Inter Active Media Solutions. All Rights Reserved. The interactive components of this site require that you use a current browser version of Explorer; be sure to maximize your window out so you can see the entire page. This page was created by Inter Active Media Solutions.