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 …
Wine Reviews
Chateau L’Ermitage 2012 Costieres de Nimes Reserve du Selection Vieilles Vignes
Talk about a winery with history; Château l’Ermitage has been kicking around since the 12th century. Most of that was terrible plonk made by hermits. Its modern history (and when the …
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 …
Luigi Bosca 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza
A remarkable value for Cabernet Sauvignon. When buying wines from Mendoza, it’s best to know where in the region the wine is from. After all, Mendoza is HUGE. This bottle comes …
Landmark Vineyards 2012 “Overlook” Chardonnay
This bottle sports the generic appellation of “California,” but it’s mostly sourced from two vineyards in Sonoma’s Russian River Valley (the rest of central California). It is fermented in older oak …
2011 Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
2011 was a crazy year for Napa Cabs. California is in the grip of a massive drought, but that wasn’t the case in 2011. At least in Napa Valley, where rain pummelled …
Top Rosé Wines
Villa Des Anges “Old Vines” Rosé, Pays d’Oc Here’s a pretty little folly from winemaker Jeff Carrel of the Languedoc-Roussillon. Bright and wild strawberries on the nose, with a plume of …
French & Spanish Wine Reviews
Spanish Wine ReviewsAnecoop Casa L’Angel Old Vines, Valencia (SP)This bottle smells like a pirate ship: aromas of ocean air, old wood, and gun smoke. It’s another story for the palate, which …
Wine Ratings
Clos du Val Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley (Cali)For 40 years, this vineyard in the valley has been bottling top-notch Cabernet Sauvignon and their mature craftsmanship shows. The same winemaking finesse shows in …
California Wines Reviews
Terlato “Devil’s Peak” Cabernet Franc, Pope ValleyThe wine is bright, ruby, and shows no bricking with medium color concentration, no sediment, and medium-minus viscosity. Aromas of blueberry, smoke, and hints of …
Wine Reviews
Victor Vineyards Roadside RedFun little Zinfandel-based bottle from the town of Victor in California’s Central Valley. Red fruit, port-y raisins, licorice, and milk chocolate notes. My current “house red” for everyday drinking.Callabriga DaoA serious …
Wine Reviews
The top wines from our wine tasting classes. These are the bottles that excited and challenged us this year. And these aren’t just the expensive bottles, either: there are plenty here in the …
Feudi di San Gregorio 2007 Serpico
Aglianico Wine Review Aglianico is an essential wine, creating some of the most expressive, complicated, and massive wines one can experience. I have reviewed the Serpico’s little brother the “Rubrato recently, and …
Sella and Mosca 2005 Marchese di Villa Marina
Sardinian Wine Review This bottle of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from 2005 is an excellent example of a beautifully aged red. While in it’s youth, this bottle offers massive amount of fruit and …
Lanciola 2009 Le Masse di Greve Chianti Classico
Chianti Wine Review A hedgehog playing in a pile of autumn leaves. This bottle starts off with a very specific wet fur-and-oak-leaf aroma that was both surprising and delightful. There is …
Bertani 2009 “Villa Arvedi” Amarone della Valpolicella
Amarone Wine Review Aromas of licorice and Cherry Coke on the nose with a shaving of bitter chocolate. This is a very flirtatious aroma, with a hint of cardamom and white …