Villa Cafaggio 2006 Cortaccio
This is not my first rodeo with Villa Cafaggio. When I was the national sommelier for Bacchus Selections, I was a huge fan of their Chianti Classico. It was a great …
PLCB
Chalk Hill 2011 Sauvignon Blanc
A unique style of Sauvignon Blanc that typically is referred to as “Fume Blanc” saw its popularity peak in the nineties. You know, last century. That said, this is a fantastic …
Coppo 2011 Moncalvina Moscato d’Asti
Moscato has been a popular bubbly for centuries, but the last few years have seen its fame skyrocket in America. It’s one of the best gateway wines: its bubbles and grapey …
Casa Lapostolle 2010 ”Cuvée Alexandre” Merlot
This is a delicious wine styled to be both plush and pretty. First is the rich ruby color with glass-staining extraction. Then the aromas of red berries and tarragon traced by …
Privatizing Wine with Jonathan Newman
A long time ago, we were part of the push to abolish the PLCB and privatize the wine industry in Pennsylvania. This press conference was a big moment for us. House …
Treana Winery 2010 Red, Paso Robles
An enduring mystery in the American wine market is why Paso Robles is still an undiscovered wine country. After all, it’s one of the best spots in Cali for both good …
Tamarack Cellars 2011 Firehouse Red, Columbia Valley
Walla WallaA winery town where hard work is valued, winemakers are trained as apprentices, and everyone is a bit rough around the edges. That’s a unique place. That’s Walla Walla, and …
Chateau Moulin de Clotte 2010 Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux
Hmm. Seems like the chateau owner may be in a financial pickle. First, her bottlings from Chateau Ambe Tour Pourret showed up at stark discounts. That was some great Bordeaux for …
Roth Estate 2011 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Bill Foley Ever 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 …
La Follette 2009 Chardonnay Manchester Ridge Vineyard, Mendocino Ridge
Greg La Follette Greg La Follette is not someone who would name a winery after himself. The winery was named Tandem until he sold it to Quivira Winery. The purchase agreement …
Clos de los Siete 2009, Mendoza (Argentina)
Clos de Los Siete is a spectacle at the edge of the world. It consists of five great chateaus on the edge of Argentina, close to the Andes Mountains. Each of …
Mill Creek 2010 Merlot, Alexander Valley
There is no shame in not knowing Mill Creek Vineyards. It is easy to miss. This is a tiny, family-run operation covering 55 acres in Sonoma County. Its focus is on …
Villa Cafaggio 2010 Chianti Classico
The winery dates back as far as the 14th Century. It was labeled the “Cahago,” the Tuscan term for a walled field. It was bought by the Farkas family in the …
Domaine Des Ardoisieres 2010 Argile Blanc, Savoie
Domaine Des Ardoisieres is a tiny, 17 acre winery in Savoie. This mountainous French wine region is located near the border of Switzerland, below Jura, and is producing some of the …
Zocker 2012 Gruner Veltliner, Edna Valley
Zocker, the Austria word for “gambler,” is a new project by the Niven Family Wine Estates, a top producer in California’s central coast.The Gruner Veltliner varietal is a rare and idiosyncratic …
Domaine Durand 2011 Premices Cornas
Domaine Durand is an old family estate taken over by the dynamic duo of two brothers, Eric and Joel Durand, in 1991. It’s a small, 13-hectare property that straddles the wine …
