Crios 2013 “Limited Edition” Tannat, Mendoza
Tannat originally hails from France, grown mostly in Madiran. The wine it produces is always tannic and often primitive. The grape is also widely planted in South America, with Uruguay at the epicenter. …
Chairman Selection
Marchiori and Barraud 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza
Paul Hobbs Paul Hobbs without Paul Hobbs? Let’s talk a bit about Paul. He is one of the most celebrated Napa winemakers alive today: he worked for Mondavi and was on …
Jermann 2012 “Red Angel on the Moonlight” Pinot Nero, Friuli
Pinot Nero is Italian for Pinot Noir, but the Nero is much more Italian than Pinot. Winemakers in northeastern Italy don’t typically make Pinot in the French style, as most everyone …
Domaine Courtois 2012 “La Grange” Vinsobres
This is a fresh and zesty style of red with lavender and fresh cranberry on the nose. Stone and crushed wildflowers are playfully entwined on the palate. The blend here is about equal …
Les Grands Crus Blancs 2014 Pouilly Vinzelles
A beautiful white wine from southern Burgundy. Cave Le Grands Crus is a small cooperative winery working with about 100 growers in and around the towns of Vinzelles and Pouilly. This particular bottling …
Dinastia Vivanco 2010 Rioja Reserva
After all these years (and all those wines!), the high level of winemaking and the low cost of Spanish wines still amazes me. For instance, this bottle of reserva should cost …
Pierre Amadieu 2013 “Domaine Grand Romane” Gigondas
Gigondas is one of the top crus in the southern Rhone, often dominating its famous neighbor Chateauneuf du Pape, and Pierre Amadieu is a benchmark winery for the region. A few years back, I …
Koyle 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Royale, Colchagua Valley
Chilean wine review Colchagua Valley has always been my first choice for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. This bottle proves that it’s a good habit to keep up. This is the first …
Maculan 2010 Brentino, Veneto
A Veneto wine review A Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend from Northeastern Italy with a great deal of style. On the nose, classic notes of tobacco and graphite interplay with fresh …
Buena Vista 2006 Pinot Noir Ramal Road, Carneros
Carneros wine review Grown at the very bottom of Carneros, which also happens to be the very top of San Pablo Bay (let that be a lesson in geography for you) …
Craiglee 2007 Shiraz, Victoria
Australian wine review The cooler climate of Victoria often delivers Shiraz with more complexity and a lighter framework than other South Australian regions. This bottle is a wonderful example of that style. …
De Martino 2010 Carmenere Legado Reserva, Maipo
Chilean wine review A vanguard in the organic wine movement, De Martino has been farming organically since 1997 and has been carbon neutral for the last season. Despite that, the winery …
Reserve des Vignerons 2010 Saumur Champigny
Loire valley wine review Minimalistic, fresh, and pretty, this Loire Valley red is a true gem. The fresh and bright red fruit is tied to accents of dried leaves and a …