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 …
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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 …
Vignobles Bulliat 2014 “Cuvee du Colombier” Morgon
The Beaujolais wine region is located at the bottom of Burgundy, and Morgon is smack in the middle of the best winemaking villages in Beaujolais. It should come as no surprise …
Tua Rita 2012 “Perlato del Bosco” Sangiovese
Super Tuscans were born on the Italian coast, and warm Maremma is the cradle of many modern wines. The region is known for massive Cabernet Sauvignon, with the depth and breadth …
Familia Zuccardi 2013 “Q” Malbec, Mendoza
Zuccardi is a rock-solid winery in Argentina. This wine has been evolving vintage by vintage. I love how Zuccardi is pulling away from the “Melted Chocolate and Licorice” profile that has …
Koyle 2012 “Gran Reserva” Carmenere, Colchagua Valley
Koyle is one of those wineries that pops into the marketplace once or twice a year, only to disappear as quickly as it came. The wines are fantastic, but inventory is …
Burgo Viejo Licenciado 2008 Rioja Reserva
A full metal wine label? That is a badass as it comes. This bottling hails from the Baja region of Rioja. The winery–which started as a cooperative back in the ’50’s— is …
Domaine les Verrieres 2008 “Les Pierres Plantees” Coteaux du Languedoc
A straight line connects Bordeaux to Languedoc: Follow the Pyrenees Mountains from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. It is the narrowest point in France, a mere four-hour drive between two points, …
Maison Henry Fessy 2014 “Sous La Roche” Pouilly Fuisse
Pouilly-Fuissé lies at the southernmost border of Burgundy, just above Beaujolais. The town is famous for its Roche de Solutré: the limestone ridge that is the basis for its famous calcareous soils. The Sous La …
Chateau Gramond 2011 Haut Medoc
There are famous towns in the Haut Medoc: Margaux, Saint-Julien, and Pauillac. And then there is Listrac. This town isn’t famous, but it is producing high-quality wine. The last few vintages …
Byron 2012 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley
Here is the knockdown over-the-top cream bomb. It will drown your sorrows in a bag of cotton candy tucked into the wheelbase of an out-of-control roller coaster. It’s a style with …
Cascina Chicco 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castelletto
A note about this wine: there is much more of it on the Main Line than in Philly. For reasons unknown, this is often the case. It’s a shame since there …
Baigorri 2010 Rioja Crianza
If you ever visit Rioja –and I suggest you do– you will see this winery while driving between Logroño (where you MUST go for tapas) and Laguardia (the most beautiful town …
Neil Ellis 2010 Shiraz, Elgin
Elgin is a beautiful spot for winemaking in South Africa, just below Stellenbosch and a three-hour drive from Cape Town. Neil Ellis is an excellent producer, known for its light touch …
Falesco 2012 Merlot, Umbria
Riccardo Cotarella has been knocking out stellar Italian (and a few French) Merlot for decades. Very modern in style, this wine pushes the oak to center stage. Sweet vanilla, mocha, and clove …
Senorio de Los Baldios 2009 Ribera del Duero Crianza
A modern style of RDD that pushes the classic marriage of tempranillo and oak into a more risque space. Lush and full-bodied sporting flavors of melted chocolate and vanilla over dark …