Beaujolais
Misunderstood BeaujolaisBeaujolais is an often misunderstood region just south of Burgundy. For the past two decades, the area has turned from easy-drinking wines to a style that balances delight and complexity. …
Terra Corsa 2016 Rose, Corsica
Corsica Corsica is a beautiful puzzle. It’s a French Territory and the birthplace of Napolean. It’s also an island off the Italian coast with a millennia-long cultural relationship with the Italian …
Top Ten Wine Shops in Philly
Buying good wine in Philly can be a challenge. The prices are too damn high. Most of the folks working in most of the wine shops in Philadelphia know more about …
Domaine les Evigneaux 2015 Rasteau
The Algeria ConnectionAlgeria was once a part of the French Empire, and a lot of wine was grown there. When the country declared its independence, most of the winemakers headed to …
Sokol Blosser 2014 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley
Sokol BlosserSokol Blosser is one of those wineries everyone should know about. It’s a historic family-owned Oregon winery that keeps on producing quality wines. It’s great to see the current generation …
Wynns 2013 “Black Label” Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra
If you think of wine like art or architecture, this is one of those wines on the “Must Taste” list. It’s historically relevant to the origin of modern winemaking in Australia; it …
Foxen 7200, Santa Barbara
The Shack The Shack – the name alone holds some intrigue. This Foxen Vineyard tasting room was recommended to us by another winery. Several questions immediately came to mind – is …
Wine Reviews
Robert Young Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Scion Estate in Alexander ValleyThis is a classic. Aromas of Earl Grey tea and hibiscus are balanced with fresh mint and tobacco. The wine is rich …
Robert Young Winery 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Scion Estate in Alexander Valley
SonomaWhen students ask me where they should visit when traveling to Napa Valley, I’ll rattle off a few wineries. If someone asks me if they should go to Sonoma or Napa, …
King Estate 2014 Pinot Noir, Oregon
One of the great strengths of the Oregon wine scene is that its founders came from all points of the globe from all types of backgrounds. Background A case in point is …
Carneros Hills 2013 Pinot Noir, Carneros
The winery is a project of Jackson Family Wines, and this 2013 Estate Pinot Noir is its debut vintage. A very new winery, but it’s built on some seriously historical dirt.A …
Z’ivo 2012 Pinot Noir, Eola Amity Hills (Willamette Valley)
John ZelkoJohn Zelko is an interesting guy. He earned his MD from the University of Colorado Denver in 1983. He’s now a practicing surgeon at The Oregon Clinic’s Portland facility, where he’s …
Zaca Mesa Winery, Santa Barbara
Syah is Complicated for a Vegetarian It is not so easy for a vegetarian (or at least this vegetarian) to really love Syrah. This Rhône varietal typically has a bouquet that …
Simonsig 2016 Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch
Growing grapes has always been a challenge. In the past three years, the changing conditions in vineyards have made it even more difficult. Winemakers and vineyard managers the world over are …
Chateau Lanbersac 2014 Puisseguin Saint Emilion (Bordeaux)
Françoise Lannoye Françoise Lannoye is one of my favorite unknown Bordeaux winemakers. She makes great wine in unconventional areas and does it without fanfare. Along with her husband Philippe, she purchased …
Shannon Ridge 2016 “High Elevation Collection” Sauvignon Blanc Lake County (California)
Shannon Ridge is located in California’s Lake County, which is a hard place to make wine. Not because great wine can’t be made, but because it’s always in the (metaphorical) shadow …