Laurent MontalieuLaurent Montalieu continues to make great wines. Despite selling Soléna Estate to Jackson Family Wine Estates in 2013, Laurent has remained on board as winemaker (For a bit of history …
Sonoma When students ask me where they should visit when traveling to Napa Valley, I’ll rattle off a few wineries. If someone asks me if they should go to Sonoma or …
One of the great strengths of the Oregon wine scene is that its founders came from all points of the globe from all types of backgrounds. Background A case in point is …
Daydream of those buttery-but-bright chardonnays of lore? Those happy days listening to Depeche Mode and noshing on brie from Canada? There is always going to be a place for this style …
Eventually, people will figure out how remarkable Cabernet from Washington State really is. For selfish reasons, I hope it’s not too quickly. Once they do, we can all kiss these awesome …
A standout winery from the wine ghetto in (not so) beautiful Lompoc. While this may be the less majestic looking spot in Santa Barbara County, it’s one of the greatest spots …
Using Statistics to Find a Great WineWant to know the secret to find a wine that EVERYONE in the wine trade thinks is amazing? Find a wine that more than three prominent …
Way back in 1973, Chamisal was the pioneering winery in Edna Valley. Owners and varietals have come and gone, but one thing has remained constant: Pinot Noir from Edna Valley is …
Bill FoleyEver wonder how empires start? Keep an eye on Bill Foley. Last I checked in with him, he was running Foley Estates. I was drinking with his assistant winemaker in …
Another winery has opted to change its name and cause great confusion in the marketplace. Gordon Brothers Winery, which has earned a large following over the past decade, has changed its …
Eight years ago, a juice company from Australia contacted me. They were moving into the wine market, and we’re working on distribution into the US. Could I help them?Sure, I said. …
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 …
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 …
The aromas and flavors of chalk, lemongrass, and honeysuckle scream out White Burgundy. Chablis, even. Pretty notes of exotic fruit round out the profile. A lovely wine that shows character and …
A lighter style red coming from Chile, with a distinctive old-world character. Tobacco leaf and wet clay mingle with raspberry notes. The finish opens up, and darker fruit take hold, along with …
A nose of super ripe, concentrated blackberry and plum, cigar smoke, cedar, grilled meat, and a touch of alcohol heat lead the way to a red-berry-fruit palate buttressed by fine-grained tannins, …