Understanding Tannin
Writers Don’t Understand Tannin.When I was a winemaker in California, the very first question a customer asked me was, “What is Tannin?” So many times, the question was posed when I …
TANNIN
Bodega 2010 El Agosto Bierzo
Spanish Wine ReviewA beautiful bottling of old vine Mencia grapes. A nose of garrigue with pain grillé, basil, and dark berry. On the palate, rich fruit and savage elements dominate. Very …
Philippe Collotte 2009 Marsannay les Champsalomon
A remarkably aristocratic Burgundy, remarkable especially considering the price point (Burgundy is the bizarro world of wine, in which spending under $30 usually gets you an average everyday bottle). The wine boasts deep …
Domaine De La Bastide Blanche 2009 Bandol
For the sheer force of fruit and a delivery system of nitro-fueled tannin, nothing matches a Bandol. Creme de cassis, mocha, and sandalwood flavors are beautiful and temper the aggressiveness of …
Pierre Amadieu 2009 “Romaine Machotte” Gigondas
Gigondas is one of the most complex wine regions in France, terroir-wise. Some in the valley are remarkably similar to the princely Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Some have the imposing structure of the Hermitage. …
Terre Da Vino 2005 “Essenze” Barolo
This is a under-the-radar Barolo negotiant that deserves a bit of attention. The price point is excellent for this level of Barolo. Blended from a few of the top vineyards in …
Health Benefits of Red Wine
Study Pinpoints Health Benefits of Red WineOver the past few years, many studies have been published drawing a link to drinking red wine and decreased morbidity rates. The organic compound cited in all studies was …
Bad Science
A bevy of news outlets are reporting that only wine professionals can taste complexity in wine:Ever wondered why you can’t quite detect those hints of vanilla and cardamom touted in a …
Chateau Mont Redon 2007 Cotes du Rhone
Good fresh fruit intermixed with dried fruit flavor, pain grille, and a backbone of tannin. A very good wine for its class and style.
The Fingerprints of Red Grape Varietals
This is a declassified article from our Foundation Wine Course from 2008. For the real deal, you should check out our Core Wine Program, which is available both in-person and virtual. …
Newton 2001 Unfiltered Merlot, Napa Valley
A Merlot for Bordeaux drinkers. Wet earth & allspice underpin the enticing aroma of smoked plums. Well-balanced, fresh cherry notes and tannin deliver a multi-layered experience.
Summers 2005 Charbono, Napa Valley
Yes, the mercury has risen, the muggies are threatening, and the food most of us crave has likely become lighter. So why extol the virtues of a wine of only moderate …
Wishing Tree 2004 Shiraz
When I want to show how good a ten-dollar bottle of Shiraz can be, I often pull out this one. This is the Anti-Yellow Tail. There are actual wine flavors in …
Segura Viudas 2001 “Mas D’Aranyo Riserva” Tempranillo
One of those rare $10 bottles of wine that can deliver some substance along with style. Ripe currant flavors edge into toasted chocolate, and finely textured tannin support flavors of thyme …