Elvio Cogno 1999 Montegrillo Langhe Rosso
Elvio Cogno’s established his reputation in Piedmont long before he purchased his own property in Novello. His mark had been made at the renowned Marcarini estate in La Morra, bridging the …
Fine Wine and Good Spirits
Segura Viudas 2001 “Mas D’Aranyo Riserva” Tempranillo
One of those rare $10 bottles of wine that can deliver some substance along with style. Ripe currant flavors edge into toasted chocolate, and finely textured tannin support flavors of thyme …
Hentley Farm 2007 Zinfandel, Barossa
Say “Zinfandel,” and most people will immediately think of California. But Australia is also home to some great examples of the grape variety. This one, from Barossa Valley, shows all the …
Sette Ponti 2005 Toscana “Crognolo,” Tuscany
The miraculously priced Luce 375s that the state has been selling may have gotten all the attention (and justifiably so–the 2001s are drinking beautifully right now), but that famous Mondavi – …
Saladini Pilastri 2004 Rosso Piceno, Marche
.Viticulture in the coastal area near Ancona predates Roman times, yet the wines of the Marche are still relatively unknown save for Fazzi-Battaglia’s “fish” bottle of Verdicchio. The Rosso is a …
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.
Argiolas 2004 “Perdera”, Isola dei Nuraghi
Monica is a varietal indigenous to Sardegna, believed to have been introduced, as was Cannonau, by Spanish monks in the 11th century.There are two DOC zones where it predominates. However, this …
Casa de la Ermita 2005 Dulce Monastrell
We’ve tried, but it turns out that the adage is true: Man cannot live on Port and Sauternes alone. Luckily, this unexpected sticky from Spain is here to save the (holi)day. …
Donhoff 2006 Riesling Oberhauser Leisten Kabinett, Nahe
From one of the best producers in the sadly overshadowed Nahe (one cannot live on Mosel alone, after all) comes this fabulously affordable 06. This one is all about intimation: It …
Muelenhof 2007 Riesling Kabinett Erdener Treppchen
When the weather turns cooler, a gently chilled Kabinett Riesling like this one is more than perfect: It’s restorative. Great fruit, zippy acid, and a flavor profile bridge the gap between …
Crios de Susana Balbo 2006 Rose of Malbec
Sign me up as the first member of the Susana Balbo fan club. Her wines are so well-made, so affordable, so fun that whenever I see them in the wine shop, …
Bodega Numanthia 2005 “Termes” Toro
Sure, the mortgage-necessitating Termanthia may get all the fame. Its fans (and we count ourselves among them) absolutely adore the Numanthia bottling, but for the price, you’ll have a hard time …
Fonseca 10 Year Old Tawny Port
You might think of Port as a cold-weather treat, but it’s really appropriate throughout the year. The trick right now is to put the slightest hint of a chill on it. …
Lail Vineyards 2005 “Blueprint” Red
Lail’s J. Daniel Cuvée is one of the legends of California. The only problem is that it’ll set you back a beautiful penny. This is what makes the “Blueprint” proprietary blend …
Tablas Creek 2007 Cotes de Tablas Blanc
And speaking of great white Rhones, check out this one from what many consider to be the first family of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the Perrins of famous Chateau de Beaucastel. This Paso Robles …
Benedicte De Rycke 2004 Jasnieres, France
Sometimes, you have to go for the wine equivalent of a guitar solo. This wine waft hits your nose like a fistful of irises and warm earth. On the tongue, a …