Burgo Viejo Licenciado 2008 Rioja Reserva
A full metal wine label? That is a badass as it comes. This bottling hails from the Baja region of Rioja. The winery–which started as a cooperative back in the ’50’s— is …
Wine Reviews
Domaine les Verrieres 2008 “Les Pierres Plantees” Coteaux du Languedoc
A straight line connects Bordeaux to Languedoc: Follow the Pyrenees Mountains from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. It is the narrowest point in France, a mere four-hour drive between two points, …
Maison Henry Fessy 2014 “Sous La Roche” Pouilly Fuisse
Pouilly-Fuissé lies at the southernmost border of Burgundy, just above Beaujolais. The town is famous for its Roche de Solutré: the limestone ridge that is the basis for its famous calcareous soils. The Sous La …
Chateau Gramond 2011 Haut Medoc
There are famous towns in the Haut Medoc: Margaux, Saint-Julien, and Pauillac. And then there is Listrac. This town isn’t famous, but it is producing high-quality wine. The last few vintages …
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 …
Cascina Chicco 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castelletto
A note about this wine: there is much more of it on the Main Line than in Philly. For reasons unknown, this is often the case. It’s a shame since there …
Baigorri 2010 Rioja Crianza
If you ever visit Rioja –and I suggest you do– you will see this winery while driving between Logroño (where you MUST go for tapas) and Laguardia (the most beautiful town …
Neil Ellis 2010 Shiraz, Elgin
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 …
Falesco 2012 Merlot, Umbria
Riccardo Cotarella has been knocking out stellar Italian (and a few French) Merlot for decades. Very modern in style, this wine pushes the oak to center stage. Sweet vanilla, mocha, and clove …
Senorio de Los Baldios 2009 Ribera del Duero Crianza
A modern style of RDD that pushes the classic marriage of tempranillo and oak into a more risque space. Lush and full-bodied sporting flavors of melted chocolate and vanilla over dark …
Puramun 2012 “Reserva” Malbec, Valle de Uco
Puramun is a new project by Jose Galante, one of the finest winemakers in Argentina. He was the man behind Catena Zapata from the 1970s until a few years ago. Sourced …
Antonin Rodet 2010 Clos de Thorey 1er Cru
Thorey is a Rodet monopole in Nuits Saint Georges and one of their best bottlings. For the serious lover of Pinot Noir, this is a dramatic bottle of Premier Cru Burgundy that …
Altocedro 2012 Malbec Reserva
A bold, full-bodied wine with lots of complexity. Aromas of smoky oak, vanilla, cola, black cherry, and spice. The palate pushes into mocha and cinnamon territory with a draping of dark …
Twelftree Wines 2011 Grenache/Mataro
This is a side project for Michael Twelftree, Australia’s Two Hands Winery owner, and a fantastic find in the PLCB system. The wine is sourced from two old vineyards in Barossa: …
Cune 2009 Rioja Gran Reserva
The wines of C.V.N.E. (or Cune) will always have a warm place in my heart. They are classical Rioja, and their Gran Reserva stands the test of time. If you have …
Coppo 2010 “Camp du Rouss” Barbera d’Asti
From the Piedmonte region of Italy. The guy who owns this vineyard is ginger, where the name “Camp du Rouss” comes from. In Piedmontese, “camp” means vineyard, and “du rouss” means red …