Disznoko 2006 Tokaji Dry Furmint
Unusual? Absolutely. But this is a wine that should be far more well-known than it is. For the time being, though, take advantage of the disparity between the price ($13.99) and …
TIME
The B’More Roadtrip
I was in Baltimore over Labor Day weekend and thought it would be a good time to have dinner at Charleston. I had worked with Chef Cindy Wolf over a decade …
Helyos 2002, Banyuls
So maybe it doesn’t have the same name recognition as Port, but a great vin doux naturel, as we tasted at last night’s annual Champagne & Dessert Wine Gala, proved, as …
Tenuta Le Querce 2003 “Il Viola” Aglianico del Vulture
Almost black in color with deep, rich garnet tones at the edges. The nose is filled with game, crushed ripe berries, late-summer fruit, and peppercorns. It’s a tannic wine, but the …
Thomas Fogarty 2006 Gewurztraminer, Monterey
Yes, you read it right: Gewurztraminer from Monterey. Sounds odd, but this wine’s combination of perfume, fruit, and structure will make you a believer in no time.
Albarino Season!
With the warm weather upon us and the season of root veggies and all things braised blissfully put away for another year, this time has come to break out those bottles …
Enrico Santini 2005 “Poggio Al Moro” Bolgheri
See if this sounds familiar. Someone touts or perhaps even gives you a high-priced Super Tuscan, maybe a bottle with a recognizable name. Or you’re at a big-time tasting, stop at …
Bodega Numanthia 2005 “Termes” Toro
Sure, the mortgage-necessitating Termanthia may get all the fame. Its fans (and we count ourselves among them) absolutely adore the Numanthia bottling, but for the price, you’ll have a hard time …
Pecchenino 2005 Dolcetto di Dogliani “San Luigi”
Nebbiolo and Barbera may get most of the accolades. Still, a good Dolcetto, like this one, is perfect for this time of year with its modest weight, easy drinkability, and amazing …
Pedroncelli 2004 Mother Clone Zinfandel, Sonoma
A decent little bottle of Zin for the price. I add this wine to my “best buy” section with great hesitation. The last time I reviewed a Pedroncelli wine, it was …
Rizzi 2001 Barbaresco Riserva
Way too young, way too good, and way too cheap. The skinny: this wine should retail for about $50. The recommendation: buy a case. The problem: undrinkable for 3 years. Tone-perfect …
Is Burgundy Worthwhile?
Wine educators constantly find themselves in a neutral zone defined by advocating too strongly for certain wines while damning others with less than faint praise. Or, in my case, of practicing …
Francesco Vezzelli Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro
It was time for a change, so last night, I decided to ignore the beer in my fridge and pair my beloved Phillies with Lambrusco. And not just any Lambrusco. This …
I stand corrected
A couple of days back, I wrote a quickie post regarding George Taber’s original “Judgement of Paris” article published in TIME magazine, 1976. I pointed out that it is now available …
Ask the Wino
Dear Wino,I’m writing about a bottle of 1999 Chateau Lafitte Rothschild we have. In the past, we have had wines that we drank before they peaked and other wines we drank …
Winery Tour and Tourism
Similar to what the video did to the radio star in the ’80s, tourism has had a massive effect on wine tasting in Napa over the last 10+ years. It’s not …