Wine & Health through the Ages
Wine must be a magical elixir. Otherwise, how can we explain why a restaurant wine list often turns a CEO into a pouting child? I have seen powerful doctors in bespoke …
review
Landmark Vineyards 2011 “Grand Detour” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
First of all, kudos to Landmark Vineyards for the awesome update to their labeling. It’s a great leap backward, and I mean that in the best way possible.This is a bittersweet …
Chateau Leon 2010 “Cuvee Prestige” Cadillac Cotes de Bordeaux
Back in January 2013, I favorably reviewed the Chateau Carignan 2005 “Prima” Cotes de Bordeaux. At the time, I had also tasted their regular un-Prima 2009 bottling. Like most wines I try, …
Frank Family 2010 Rutherford Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
If you are a grape junkie looking to score some top-grade Napa Cabernet, this is a bottle that will ease your pain. If you haven’t experienced something like this before, allow …
Starmont 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Here we have a wine from the second label of Napa Valley’s Merryvale Vineyard. Wine Spectator frequently calls out that their cabernets are deluxe in a way only Napa Cabs …
Schug Pinot Noir 2010 Carneros
Schug Winery is a major player in Northern Cali’s cool wine region of Carneros. Nestled at the bottom of Sonoma and Napa, Carneros has always been prime vineyard territory. Now, it’s …
Koyle 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Royale, Colchagua Valley
Chilean wine review Colchagua Valley has always been my first choice for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. This bottle proves that it’s a good habit to keep up. This is the first …
Tenute Sella & Mosca 2006 Alghero “Tanca Farra”
Sardinian wine reviewA serious wine from one of the most under-recognized wine regions in Italy. The 2006 Tanca Farra is a 50/50 blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cannonau and aged for three …
Tenuta La Marchesa 2011 “Gold Label” Gavi
Northeastern Italy wine review The wine region of Gavi has had its ups and downs. Quality hit a significant low in the nineteen-nineties with the push toward mass production. We are now …
Maculan 2010 Brentino, Veneto
A Veneto wine review A Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend from Northeastern Italy with a great deal of style. On the nose, classic notes of tobacco and graphite interplay with fresh …
Buena Vista 2006 Pinot Noir Ramal Road, Carneros
Carneros wine reviewGrown at the very bottom of Carneros, which also happens to be the very top of San Pablo Bay (let that be a lesson in geography for you)I can …
Terre da Vino 2009 “La Casa in Collina” Barbaresco
Lange wine review I am always looking for good values for Nebbiolo. The high-quality $20 bottle is a rare and wonderful thing. Typically that takes me to the larger Langhe region, …
Craiglee 2007 Shiraz, Victoria
Australian wine review The cooler climate of Victoria often delivers Shiraz with more complexity and a lighter framework than other South Australian regions. This bottle is a wonderful example of that style. …
De Martino 2010 Carmenere Legado Reserva, Maipo
Chilean wine review A vanguard in the organic wine movement, De Martino has been farming organically since 1997 and has been carbon neutral for the last season. Despite that, the winery …
Robert Hall Winery 2007 Rhone de Robles
Paso Robles Wine Review One of my favorite trends in Paso Robles is the embrace of these Rhone-style wines. I am especially pleased to see Robert Hall embracing the style. I …
Reserve des Vignerons 2010 Saumur Champigny
Loire valley wine review Minimalistic, fresh, and pretty, this Loire Valley red is a true gem. The fresh and bright red fruit is tied to accents of dried leaves and a …