Rutherglen Estates 2008 Burgoyne’s Block
Australian Wine Review Deeply hued with aromas of fresh berries and currants. Secondary scents of caramelized fat and savory herbs are amazing. Rich tannin softens in the glass but keeps …
Chairman’s Selection
Francois Lurton 2009 El Albar Barricas
Spanish Wine ReviewOne of the finest values in fine wines I have seen in a few years. This is a remarkable bottle for both its impressive weight and finesse from the …
Domaine Cordier 2011 St Veran “en Faux”
White Burgundy Wine Review Cordier is known as a modern winemaker in a region -Burgundy-that often than not, values tradition. One of his signatures is a lavish use of new oak, …
Etude 2010 Chardonnay Estate Carneros
A Chardonnay Review A high styled wine that is intended as a luxury bottling. It upholds its mission, just not at the high price the winery intended (we can thank Pennsylvania’s …
Mastroberardino 2011 Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio Rosso
Italian Wine Review Piedrosso is one of my secret weapons. It’s an unknown wine from an obscure wine region in a largely ignored province in Italy. It’s also a delightful wine …
Gordon Brothers 2008 Merlot, Columbia Valley
Columbia Valley Merlot Review Back in the day, when I sold wines for a living, I was a huge fan of the Gordon Brothers. They released their first wines in the early …
Dominio Mano a Mano 2009 Venta La Ossa
Portuguese Wine Review One of the best-kept secrets in the wine industry is the new crop of modern Portuguese red wines. This is a great example and should be sought out …
Shea Wine Cellars 2008 Estate Chardonnay
Oregon Wine Review Anyone who doesn’t like chardonnay on principle should feel compelled to drink this wine. A study in elegance and sex appeal, this Shea is an excellent example of …
August Kesseler 2010 Spatburgunder
German Wine Review A beautiful Pinot Noir. Light, floral and feminine, with fresh red fruits. A distinct Burgundian flair, with aromas of farmland and wildflowers. Light bodied and offering a nice texture. …
Bodega Baigorri 2005 Crianza Rioja
A Spanish Wine Review A beautiful Rioja with an aroma of cigar box and toasted cinnamon. Flavors of vanilla and espresso dominate the attack. On the mid-palate, mineral and red cherry …
Calamaco 2010 Reserva Malbec
At first, very quiet, the flavors expand like a peacock. It is increasingly fun and rich. It brings eucalyptus and mocha first, then crushed blackberries with a wave of soft round …
Bodega 2010 El Agosto Bierzo
Spanish Wine Review A beautiful bottling of old vine Mencia grapes. A nose of garrigue with pain grillé, basil, and dark berry. On the palate, rich fruit and savage elements dominate. …
Philippe Collotte 2009 Marsannay les Champsalomon
A remarkably aristocratic Burgundy, remarkable especially considering the price point (Burgundy is the bizarro world of wine, in which spending under $30 usually gets you an average everyday bottle). The wine boasts deep …
Domaine De La Bastide Blanche 2009 Bandol
For the sheer force of fruit and a delivery system of nitro-fueled tannin, nothing matches a Bandol. Creme de cassis, mocha, and sandalwood flavors are beautiful and temper the aggressiveness of …
Quinta de Maritavora 2007 Touriga Nacional, Douro
Portugal is the last great undiscovered wine country. With wines like this coming into the market, that may soon change. Fresh, bright cherry and a steep mineral streak cut through the …
Pierre Amadieu 2009 “Romaine Machotte” Gigondas
Gigondas is one of the most complex wine regions in France, terroir-wise. Some in the valley are remarkably similar to the princely Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Some have the imposing structure of the Hermitage. …