Rutini Encuentro 2014 Chardonnay, Uco Valley
Want a retro chardonnay? Something to enjoy while listening to Hall & Oates and noshing on some baked brie? Buy a case of this and get your freak on. Like many …
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Koyle 2012 “Gran Reserva” Carmenere, Colchagua Valley
Koyle is one of those wineries that pops into the marketplace once or twice a year, only to disappear as quickly as it came. The wines are fantastic, but inventory is …
Byron 2012 Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley
Here is the knockdown over-the-top cream bomb. It will drown your sorrows in a bag of cotton candy tucked into the wheelbase of an out-of-control roller coaster. It’s a style with …
Maquis 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Colchagua Valley
A lush and delightful bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from one of the world’s top Cabernet growing regions. Aromas of licorice and sandalwood are accented by iron and fresh leather. On the …
Terlato 2009 Syrah “Block 9” Dry Creek Valley
Is this Syrah from Cornas or California? In most ways, this wine drinks like it hail from that awesome Northern Rhone cru. Yet, here we are in Sonoma Valley, Dry Creek …
Chamisal Estate 2011 Pinot Noir, Edna Valley
Way back in 1973, Chamisal was the pioneering winery in Edna Valley. Owners and varietals have come and gone, but one thing has remained constant: Pinot Noir from Edna Valley is …
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 …
Maquis 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley
What do Chateau d’Yquem, Joseph Phelps, Leoville Las Cases, Champagne Roederer, and Dominus Estate have in common? First, they all share the same winemaking consultant, Xavier Chone. Originally hailing from Bordeaux, …
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 …
Mill Creek 2010 Merlot, Alexander Valley
There is no shame in not knowing Mill Creek Vineyards. It is easy to miss. This is a tiny, family-run operation covering 55 acres in Sonoma County. Its focus is on …
Zocker 2012 Gruner Veltliner, Edna Valley
Zocker, the Austria word for “gambler,” is a new project by the Niven Family Wine Estates, a top producer in California’s central coast.The Gruner Veltliner varietal is a rare and idiosyncratic …
Veramonte 2009 “Primus” Cabernet Sauvignon, Rapel Valley
Veramonte is a large winery in Chile’s Casablanca Valley, clocking in at just under 500 hectares. Since its founding, it’s been a US-centric winery, with over 80% of its wines bought …
Trisaetum 2011 “Trisae” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Oregon’s Willamette Valley produces some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs. And that is only half the reason to love their wines. The other is its grassroots vibe. Unlike so many …
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 …
Gordon Estate 2009 Syrah, Columbia Valley
Another winery has opted to change its name and cause great confusion in the marketplace. Gordon Brothers Winery, which has earned a large following over the past decade, has changed its …
Goose Ridge 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley
The big four –Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, International Wine Cellar, and the Wine Advocate– all liked this wine. None of them loved it, but they all gave the wine a solid …
