Cafaggio 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva
The world’s love of Tuscany is all-encompassing, but I think that blinds us to nuance. So while we dive head-first into our love affair, perhaps a more critical eye may be …
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Te Mata 2019 Estate Vineyards Syrah, Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand’s South Island is well-established for its Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs. However, the North Island is still forging its identity as a fine wine producer. Of note, Hawke’s Bay …
Ram’s Gate 2017 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Great wine often turns millionaires into, well, less wealthy millionaires. This is one of those stories. The owners of Ram’s Gate spent seven million on building the winery, only to discover …
Upcoming Wine Tastings Classes
New Zealand & Australia Wines Tired of illustrations of Kangaroos and Kiwis? Yeah, me too. Why is it that wine cultures get reduced to their worst moments? The truth is that …
Fattoria Le Pupille 2019 Morellino di Scansano
A quick Italian wine lesson: When you see an Italian wine labeled as “Blah Blah” di “Blah Blah,” it always means “This Grape” from “This Place.” The phrase Morellino di Scansano …
Gunther Steinmetz 2018 “Unfiltriert” Pinot Noir, Mosel
German Pinot Noirs are having a well-deserved renaissance. Before the Little Ice Age (a time of drastic cooling in 15th Century Europe), Germany grew a lot of Pinot Noir. The Mosel …
Wine Tasting Classes for Fall
France vs South America Part of the ongoing series of wine tastings devised by the brilliant Alana Zerbe. Take two great wine countries, toss them into a battle royale, and see …
Wine Tasting 101
Tasting wine is fundamentally different from drinking wine: The goal of tasting is to form an appreciation for the wine and its components. This intrinsically precludes overindulging. If you do, you’ll …
Summer Wine School
Spending your summer in the Italian Riviera, then this isn’t for you. Vacationing in Rioja? Stay put. Touring Sonoma with a winemaker friend? Don’t change your plans. Everyone else, pay attention! …
Luis Gurpegui 2014 “Primi” Rioja Reserva
Luis Gurpegui Muga is an old winery with extensive vineyards throughout Rioja. While common to see in Spain and Europe, this isn’t widely distributed in the United States. That is likely …
Santa Ema 2018 “Reserva” Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley
Balanced and varietally correct, this is a great value. Cassis and blackberries integrated with a whisper of spice and wildflower. Medium-bodied with a beautiful freshness. I really love the classic Cabernet …
Clos du Val 2016 Estate Merlot, Napa
A storied winery that helped cement the Napa legend. Since its founding in 1972, it has been required drinking for any sommelier. This bottling of Merlot was sourced from estate vineyards …
Carlos Serres 2012 Rioja Gran Reserva
This is not the first time we have reviewed the wines of Carlos Serres, and for a good reason. Their wines offer classic Rioja flavors balanced with modern winemaking finesse. Tucked …
Cave des Onze Communes 2017 Cornalin, Aosta Valley
$14.39 (FWGS) 88 Points (WSoP) Sometimes life calls for a crazy wine from Italy’s smallest wine region, right smack on the Swiss border. Aosta is a mountain region, and this is …
Tercero 2014 “Verbiage” Santa Barbara County
$19.99 (FWGS) 92 Points (WSoP) A classic Rhone-style blend from the Central Coast. This bottling is mostly Roussanne with a small amount of Viognier and Grenache Blanc. Aged in older French …
Bodega Garzon 2019 “Reserva” Tannat, Uruguay
$11.99 (FWGS) 89 Points (WSoP) Uruguay has a vibrant wine-producing culture focused on family farms. Garzon is one of the larger producers but still small by American standards. The French and …