Santa Julia 2017 “Magna” Red, Uco Valley
José Zuccardi’s is the director of Argentina’s Familia Zuccardi winery. We’ve reviewed their wines in the past. In the 1990s, he developed a new brand, Santa Julia, which was named after his only …
Red
Rotie Cellars 2013 “Northern Blend” Red, Walla Walla
Eventually, Walla Walla is going to crush Napa Valley. It’s not just climate change; it’s the culture of the place. Rotie Cellars is a case in point. I’ve never seen winemaker/owner Sean …
Mark Herold 2014 “Collide” Red, California
Mark HeroldMark’s new tasting room just opened in Napa –just down from the Oxbow Public Market– a scant three months before I reviewed his wines. I loved the room –super fun …
Gundlach Bundschu 2012 Mountain Cuvee Red, Sonoma
You got to respect an American winery that was founded in the 1850s and still going strong. It’s now run by Jeff Bundschu, the 6th generation of winemakers. That makes it the …
Rotie Cellars 2011 “Southern Blend” Red, Walla Walla (WA)
Impolite, brash, and barely keeping it together. The hot mess that is Rotie Cellars is the greatest thing in wine that I have seen in a while. We all know the …
Tenor 2011 “2:2” Red, Columbia Valley (Washington State)
This bottle is a strong argument for why Columbia Valley should replace Napa on steak house wine lists. This Bordeaux blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot) has the massive oak-and-smooth hugeness …
Conceito 2012 “Contraste” Red, Douro (Portugal)
The tension between tannin and acid is remarkable. This wine is tight as a guitar string, which brings a high-toned musicality to the experience. A nose of crushed stone and white …
Jermann 2012 “Red Angel on the Moonlight” Pinot Nero, Friuli
Pinot Nero is Italian for Pinot Noir, but the Nero is much more Italian than Pinot. Winemakers in northeastern Italy don’t typically make Pinot in the French style, as most everyone …
Erasmo 2009 Red, Maule Valley
Wine Review: Erasmo 2009 Red Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and a percentage of Syrah. The Cabernet is clearly dominant here, with graphite and cedar aroma rising above the wildflower …
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 …
Domaine Collotte 2010 Fixin Cote de Nuits, Burgundy
Domaine Collotte is a family estate dating back a few hundred years, with vineyards in Marsannay and the nearby town of Fixin. The current winemaker, Philippe Collotte, was making some of …
Miraval 2012 Rose de Provence
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt… yes, we’ve all heard that hype. The real story here is that both AC/DC and Shirley Bassey recorded at the nearby Miraval Studios. In fact, the …
Dominio Mano a Mano 2009 Venta La Ossa
Portuguese Wine ReviewOne 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 by …
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 …