Wines for Beginners
For those of us in the wine trade, it’s hard to remember what it felt like to be a beginner. The nerves. The uncertainty. The fear of being judged.Being new to …
For those of us in the wine trade, it’s hard to remember what it felt like to be a beginner. The nerves. The uncertainty. The fear of being judged.Being new to …
Like much of Australian lingo, Chook has forboding silliness to it. WTF is a Chook? Is it an insult? A term of affection? I went looking for clues. In Shakespeare’s England, it …
A Winery Divorce First, there was Sparky Marquis. He was the “hit winemaker” for years in South Australia. His wines were highly coveted, especially in the states. His wines were bigger …
It’s interesting how fashion changes in the wine world. When this wine was first released, it was the belle of the ball. Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate gave the 2004 …
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 …
Eight years ago, a juice company from Australia contacted me. They were moving into the wine market, and we’re working on distribution into the US. Could I help them? Sure, I …
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. …
Australian Wine Review Deeply hued with aromas of fresh berries and currants. Secondary scents of caramelized fat and savory herbs are amazing. Rich tannin softens in the glass but keeps …
Cooler climate Shiraz are often the greatest and finest of all Australian wines. This bottle sports aromas of beef jerky, wood smoke, and white pepper arrive first. A touch of reductive …
A vinous cocktail of Chambord, Creme Yvette, and Morello cherries. A viscous wine with a glass-and-teeth staining hue of carmine. Sweet cherry and mocha notes rise over the huge weight of …
Luxurious, like a velvet cushion of dark sweet fruit. The only fault is its perfection –round, sexy, slick perfection– which takes away some of the pleasure of drinking a bottle of …
Compared to Yellow Tail, this is the height of sophistication. Of course, that’s like saying Jessica Simpson is classier than Pam Anderson. This wine is pure silly fun, but it’s the …
I don’t like to parrot other reviewers but in this one, it can’t be helped: this is a blackberry overdrive machine. Toss in some licorice for fuel, and this velvet monkey …
This winery is quickly becoming near and dear to my heart (I fell in love with their Marsanne /Viognier blend a few weeks ago). This oddball blend may end up in …
Chateau Reynella produces one of our favorite Australian Tawnies, and now, with this deep, dramatic Shiraz, they’ve won us over with their dry juice, too. Some producers, it seems, have the …