Fritz Allendorf 2016 Spätburgunder, Assmannshäuser
Some names don’t translate well into English, and this quaint town on the Rhine river in Germany is one of them: Assmannshäuser. Of course, your inner fourteen-year-old will giggle, and that’s …
Wine Reviews
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 clearly …
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 oak …
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 Basque …
Crocus 2015 “Le Calcifere” Malbec de Cahors
$19.99 (FWGS) 95 Points (WSoP)This is what you get when you take two great winemakers and toss them into the most underrated wine region in France. Paul Hobbs is a freaking …
Il Poggione 2019 “Brancato” Rosato di Toscana
90 Points (WSoP) $9.99 (FWGS)A Sangiovese Rosé from the famed Brunello producer Tenuta Il Poggione. Bright and crunchy watermelon and river rocks. There is a richness here that is atypical for …
Wine Reviews
Bodegas Ego “Goru Gold” Red, Jumilla 1881 Napa 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Oliviero Toscani “OT” Toscana Firriato “Chiaramonte” Nero d’Avola, Sicilia Buty Semillon Blend, Columbia Valley Raats “Unwooded” Chenin Blanc …
Wines Reviews
If there is a positive spin to 2020, it’s that we all have leveled-up our eating and drinking skills. Do you remember back in 2019 when everyone was tweeting about Dry January? People were so silly in the before times. This year, we are going to focus on situation-appropriate wines.
Wine Reviews
Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa ValleyThis vintage is limited and extraordinary: they only produced about half the usual volume due to the 2017 fires near the winery: dark fruit and …
Portuguese Wine Recommendations
From our Wines of Portugal Wine Class (Online). Join us for more online wine classes!Port RecommendationsQuinta do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Port $$ For medium-term aging (10 years or less). Youthful …
Wine Reviews
J Wilkes Chardonnay Santa Maria ValleyThis exemplifies the ever-evolving style of Central Coast Chardonnay. A deft balance of vibrant white fruit with decadent hazelnut creaminess. Apricot, cardamom, sea breeze, and pineapple.Wine …
Wine Reviews
Hope Estate 2015 “The Ripper” ShirazHailing from Western Australia will give you the drunken power of seven wombats. Eh. Actually, this is a white-pepper-driven beauty with clear notes of cedar and …