The Very First Summer Sommelier Program!
This press release announced our very first Accelerated Core Wine Course, back in 2009. Since then, we have offered this program every August, with the exception of 2020. The current list …
Verget 2005 Pouilly Fuissé
Verget’s wines can sometimes be unjustifiable in the price department, especially this time of year. But this Pouilly Fuissé, from a classic vintage, is beyond easy to love. Not cheap, but …
Chateau Clerc Milon 2005, Pauillac
With all the hoopla (or hoopla, if you’re feeling saucy) over the 2005 Bordeaux, prices haven’t been anywhere near the firmament since the big boys started publishing their barrel-sample notes. But …
E. Guigal 2008 Cotes du Rhone Rosé
For many of us, Southern France springs to mind when thoughts turn to rosé. And Guigal, one of the most reliable producers in the Rhone Valley, comes through with flying tri-colors …
Chateau Carbonnieux 2005 Blanc, Graves
If you’ve never had white Bordeaux before, this is a great place to start, which is to say, pretty impressive, indeed.
Niepoort 2006 “Twisted”
From one of the legends of Portuguese winemaking, this affordably priced ’06 blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, and other local grape varieties have it all…except the typically higher …
Ornella Molon Raboso, 2003 Pieve DOC, Veneto
Though it has been vinified since the pre-Roman era and was once an important wine for trade by Venetian merchants (known as recaldina), Raboso literally lost ground to Merlot and Cabernet …
Hogue 2006 “Genesis” Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
I have been impressed by this line for a few years now. It’s an excellent product when priced at $15, but in PA it usually costs more. Fortunately, this is in …
Tenute Dettori 2003 Tudori “Badde Nigolosu”, Sardegna
Attending a large-scale wine tasting with over 150 producers represented reminds me of a major league tryout camp. The usual suspects always turn up, a couple of can’t miss prospects that …
Dom Henry Fessy Beaujolais 2007 Moulin a Vent
Moulin a Vent is traditionally the most structured and bold of the Beaujolais. Highly grained tannins with notes of cranberry and just-ripe blackberry. If you think that Beaujolais is easy drinking …
Chateau d’Arche 2005 Sauternes
There are several reasons to be amazed by this $43.49 wine. First, it’s a Sauternes, not necessarily a hotbed of sub-$50 bottlings in 750ml. Second, it’s from the legendary 2005 vintage. …
Ermitage du Pic St.-Loup 2005, Coteaux du Languedoc
Step 1: Fry up some good bacon. Step 2: Grill up a burger and a sliced onion. Step 3: Open this wine and guzzle alongside dinner. C’est Magnifique.
Sattler 2006 St. Laurent
We like to think of St. Laurent as we do top-notch Beaujolais: Fruity and fun most of the time, but, like this bottling or the Morgon above, unexpectedly complex and structured. …
Terredora Dipaolo 2005 Aglianico Camapania
The inky color might be an indication of the meaty and stewed fruit aromas awaiting on the nose. There’s even a hint of Asian spices in there, adding depth and interest …
Badia di Morrona 2000 “Nantia” Toscana
Quick quiz. What do these wines have in common – Solaia, Lupicaia, Cepparello, Olmaia, Feliciai, Summus? Super Tuscans with prices to match. Throw in a few more “aias,” and you have …
Turkey Flat Rosé 2008, Barossa Valley
Not your usual rosé blend, but the proof, year after year, is difficult to argue with. In fact, we recently opened up a bottle of 06 that still had life in …