June 2001

June Tastings: • June Tasting Stats • Top Ten Merlot • Value Varietals • Merlot • Rioja • American New Releases • Imported New Releases

In This Issue: • I'll take Manhattan David Lynch explores the subtleties or two classic Bourbon cocktails. • Best Value Wines of the Year Looking for affordable summer wines? Tara Q. Thomas and Taylor Antrim share buying tips and W&S's top picks from a year of tastings. • Building the Bargain Cellar Patrick Comiskey consults with retailers around the country for recommendations on value-priced, cellar-worthy wines. • >The Other Cabernet Napa Valley is known for for cabernet sauvignon. But some of Napa's most sought-after bottlings rely on its parent, cabernet franc, for their distinctive style. Rod Smith reports on franc's recent renaissance. • Merlot's Second Coming Simple, soft and forgettable? Not from these vineyards. Taylor Antrim explores some of the most distinctive merlot sites in California and Washington State. • La Rioja Nueva The "new" Riojas push old-vine tempranillo in a completely different direction from the old classics. Ray Isle investigates the exciting changes in this Spanish wine region. • Coming to Argentina Two latest developments far beyond Mendoza: Patricio Tapia looks into new vineyards in deepest Patagonia, while Tara Q. Thomas takes a wild ride through the heart of Salta.