Wine Reviews
Domaine du Coulet Cornas Terrasses du SerreA classic style, with minimal oak and blended from several slopes within Cornas. The traditional approach is quite evident on the palate. More delicate than …
2005
Baumard 2005 Savennieres
Steely acidity and popping apple notes give way to cool chalk and ripe apricot and just a hint of a forest fire: a complex and beautiful wine that will develop over …
M. Sorrel 2005 Crozes-Hermitage Blanc
In the Rhone Valley, the reds get all the attention and the lion’s share of love. But fans of the region’s whites know that they are every bit as wonderful as …
Herman Story 2005 Grenache, Larner Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley
I love this wine–let’s just put it out there and avoid all that wine-writing propriety and distance. And the funny thing is that it’s not in the style I typically gravitate …
Agricola Punica 2005 “Montessu” Isola dei Nuraghi IGT
The southwest corner of Sardinia has provided a welcome home for the Carignano varietal, the most notable versions being in the Carignano de Sulcis DOC. The use of up to 40% …
Feudo Maccari 2005″ReNoto” Sicilia
Sicily is developing a reputation as the “California” of Italian wine, a region where ambiguous regulations allow winemakers latitude regarding production and freedom to experiment.The inclusion of non-Italian grapes to the …
Terre Nera 2005 “Calderara Sottana”, Etna
The volcanic soils of the Etna DOC, like those created by the ancient activity of Campania’s Vesuvio, impart to its wines an expression of southern Italian power and flavor. The zone’s …
Georges Duboeuf 2005 Regnie
Violets, minerals, and fresh purple fruit mark the nose here, and the palate is a fascinating (and consistent) combination of fruit, minerals, and wet stones. There’s great acid here and a …
Buehler 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
This hearkens back to the halcyon days when my friend Jonathan Newman was the Chairman of the PLCB. I still remember all those great deals on top-shelf Napa Cabernet. Although the …
Studert-Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr 2005 Riesling Kabinett, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Anyone who’s been to a Wine School class knows that we’re big on that whole petrol-y thing that good riesling has. And this bottle possesses it in spades, and then some: …
Bleasdale 2005 “Franks Potts” Red
This 89% Cab blend from the Land Down Under is rich and big and lush but still hangs together far better than you’d expect of a mid-price Aussie Cabernet blend.
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 …
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.
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.