Goulart 2007 “The Marshall” Malbec
From Lujan de Cuyo, one of Mendoza’s prime locations, comes this powerful red that works both independently or with manly-man food like steak or short ribs. Protein! Beefcake!
Month: December 2010
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2006 “Redemption” Zinfandel, Sonoma
A no-nonsense party wine. I would go so far as to say this was a gummi bear riding a licorice stick down a boozy river.
Domaine William Fevre 2006 Chablis
Anyone who tells you that winter is not the right time for white wine clearly hasn’t enjoyed the many charms of Chablis on a crisp day. There’s something about the often …
Canon-Moueix 1998
Though I’m a fool for wines from the Southern Rhone, the highlight of a recent French wine class the 1998 Canon-Moueix. Sure, those two bottles of 2014 Vacqueyras were lovely, but …
Cristina Ascheri 2006 Langhe Arneis, Piemont
In the land of Barbaresco and Barolo, this grape is truly, in the local patois, an unruly child, the one who doesn’t quite fit in. Once planted among rows of Nebbiolo …
Domaine Gauby 2004 “Les Calcinaires” Cotes du Roussillon Villages
Rustic and classically styled, this wine is certainly not for everyone. However, its deep-rooted sense of place and authenticity will make it irresistible to lovers of old-fashioned Languedoc-Roussillon bottlings. The nose …
The Big Shakedown in Liquorville
From December, 2010. A little bit of local wine history: A case of political games may affect the future of wine buying in Pennsylvania.Earlier this month, Governor Ed Rendell named a …
Decanting! And from such great heights!
 Put down that Wine Atlas, and grab some Japanese manga. In Kami no Shizuku (The Drops of God), two wine connoisseurs are the main characters, the 1855 Bordeaux classification is made simple, …
Gary Farrell 2003 Zinfandel Maple Vineyard Tina’s Block
Classic aromas of peppercorns and crushed, ripe red berry fruit, followed by a mid-palate rich with the flavors of figs and dark berries. Despite all this richness and depth, though, it’s …
Viña Cobos 2004 Malbec “Bramare” Marchiori Vineyard, Mendoza
Snap up as much of this as you can, it’s one of the deals of the season. This rich red is kept in check by a spine of minerality that gives …
Bodegas Norton 2004 Privada, Mendoza
Sticking your nose into a glass of the ’04 Privada is like sticking your face into the best brunch buffet ever. Bacon, toast with cinnamon, roasted nuts, fig newtons, chocolate-covered espresso …
Baumard 2005 Savennieres, Loire Valley
From one of our favorite producers comes this stunning Chenin Blanc. And it’s from a great vintage. And it’s reasonable priced at $23.99. And it’s almost crazily delicious.
Disznoko 2006 Tokaji Dry Furmint
Unusual? Absolutely. But this is a wine that should be far more well-known than it is. For the time being, though, take advantage of the disparity between the price ($13.99) and …
The B’More Roadtrip
I was in Baltimore over Labor Day weekend and thought it would be a good time to have dinner at Charleston. I had worked with Chef Cindy Wolf over a decade …
Helyos 2002, Banyuls
So maybe it doesn’t have the same name recognition as Port, but a great vin doux naturel, as we tasted at last night’s annual Champagne & Dessert Wine Gala, proved, as …
Domaine Laroche 2006 “St.-Martin” Chablis
From one of our favorite Chablis producers and a great year in the region, this is a white worthy of all seasons, even the cooler one we find ourselves in now. …