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 …
2003
Tenuta Le Querce 2003 “Il Viola” Aglianico del Vulture
Almost black in color with deep, rich garnet tones at the edges. The nose is filled with game, crushed ripe berries, late-summer fruit, and peppercorns. It’s a tannic wine, but the …
Montesole 2003 Fiano di Avellino, Campania
.This varietal stands out from the unassuming crowd of white wines from the region, all of them interesting in their own right but whose nuances are not easily discerned. Fiano has …
La Spinetta 2003 “Bionzo” Barbera d’Asti Superiore, Piemonte
This is one of Piedmont’s larger and more successful producers, whose wines are unfiltered, unfined, and in most cases created using biodynamic methods. The “Bionzo” Barbera debuted in 1998, and only …
Casa Librandi Ciro, “Duca di San Felice” Riserva, 2003, DOC, Calabria
The Ciro DOC is home to Gaglioppo, a vigorous grape known as “The Black Prince.” Genetically related to Sicilian Frappato, it was used in ancient times to make crimissa. Today it …
Wine Review: Green Point 2003 Chardonnay, Yarra Valley (Australia)
A lovely cool-weather chardonnay. Asian five-spice and fresh pears dominate the nose. Apple and stones pop across on the tongue, reminiscent of a Chablis with a beer belly. At $9, this …
B. Levet 2003 “La Chavaroche” Cote Rotie
Typical of the hot 2003 vintage, the nose here is all raisin-y black currants, cherry liqueur, and high-toned spice, as well as a pronounced black peppercorn bite. It actually reminds me, …
Markham 2003 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Soft & fleshy with a core of fresh raspberries and a grapey nose of black pepper. An excellent value for zin.
Mas Donis 2003 Barrica, Montsant
From the Capcanes cooperative in the Montsant region of Catalonia, this straightforward blend of 80% old vines Garnacha and 20% Syrah is a deep purple color that thins out to light …
Coufran 2003 Haut Medoc
One of the best values right now. Ripe and rich black fruits on the palate finish into eucalyptus and vanilla bean. On the nose, hibiscus flowers.
Domaine de Couroulu 2003 Vacqueyras Vielles Vignes
The 03’s from the Southern Rhone have always been a favorite of ours, and this one is an excellent example of how affordable even standouts are. Your CdP’s may not all …
Pieve del Vescovo “Lucciaio” IGT, Umbria
Those of you who have consistently read reviews of Italian wines on this site are aware of a bias toward traditional wines that do not cater to notions of standardization. That …
Tasting Campania
We’ve dropped Italian Wine Pick of The Week in favor of a more suitable header, one which translates as “The Wine Corner.” A place not just for reviews but all things …
A Great Wine Moment
In the last class of the Wine School‘s Advanced: Classic Certification program, I taught on the terroir of Burgundy. The wines we used (all 1er Cru from Nuits) were some of …
Sierra de Siles 2003Tempranillo
An interestingly lolly-pop-like purple color that lightens to ruby at the edges is the first indication that this is a lighthearted wine. The nose smells strongly of cloves, and this exotic …
