3 Rings 2013 Shiraz, Barossa Valley
It’s interesting how fashion changes in the wine world. When this wine was first released, it was the belle of the ball. Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate gave the 2004 …
Wine Reviews
Rotie Cellars 2011 “Southern Blend” Red, Walla Walla (WA)
Impolite, brash, and barely keeping it together. The hot mess that is Rotie Cellars is the greatest thing in wine that I have seen in a while. We all know the …
Lagar de Bezana 2011 “Aluvion” Gran Reserva, Rapel Valley (Chile)
A beautiful wine with dense smoke and incense aromas. It’s lushly textured with deep soft tannins and flavors that pool into creme de cassis and ocean air. The finish is long with saturated …
Castellani 2013 “San Michele” Valpolicella Classico Ripasso
Some call this style a “Baby Amarone,” which is kinda like comparing a ribeye steak to a cheesesteak. Sure they come from the same place, and they both are damn delicious, …
Castelli del Grevepesa 2011 “Clemente VII” Chianti Classico
This Tuscan co-op winery is making a habit of featuring its wines in the Chairman’s Selection. I am not complaining. The 2010 Chianti was amazing, and their Super Tuscan was a great buy, too. If …
Bodega Ovidio Garcia 2009 “Esencia” Crianza, Cigales
Cigales is located between two of my favorite Spanish wine regions: Ribera del Duero and Toro. That is probably why this is the first Cigales wine review I have written in 15 years. I’ll …
Jean Leon 2006 “Reserva” Cabernet Sauvignon, Penedes
If you are Scrooge McDuck wealthy, you don’t need this wine. If you habitually drop a few hundred on a bottle, this wine isn’t for you. If you have been a wine collector for over …
Elias Mora 2012 “Descarte” Toro (Spain)
I had a student recently who was adamant that I was too partial to Italian wines. I was surprised at the comment, but he’s a smart guy who comes to many classes …
Tenor 2011 “2:2” Red, Columbia Valley (Washington State)
This bottle is a strong argument for why Columbia Valley should replace Napa on steak house wine lists. This Bordeaux blend (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot) has the massive oak-and-smooth hugeness …
Solena 2013 “Domaine Danielle Laurent Reserve” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
So the name of this winery is tricky. Solena was a side project that Laurent and Danielle Montalieu worked on while their vineyards matured. The plan was to eventually start making …
Conceito 2012 “Contraste” Red, Douro (Portugal)
The tension between tannin and acid is remarkable. This wine is tight as a guitar string, which brings a high-toned musicality to the experience. A nose of crushed stone and white …
Maison Nicolas Perrin 2013 Crozes-Hermitage
The Northern Rhone is the ancestral home to Syrah, and family-run wineries dominate it. Names like Chapoutier, Chave, Perrin, and Guigal top the family tree here. There used to be another, …
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 …
Tudernum 2008 Montefalco Sagrantino
A classic Sagrantino with an intimidating style. Tobacco and cedar are the building material of this colossus. It is austere and muscular with the barest hint of fruit, some leafy plum …
Merryvale 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2011 in Napa Valley was a difficult vintage. It was the year when using too much oak in the aging process turned the wine anemic and unpleasant. Many big-name Napa wineries turned …
Castelli del Grevepesa 2010 “Clemente VII” Rosso
Castelli del Grevepesa offers two wines named ” Clemente VII ” this bottling and the Chianti Classico. This wine is a Super Tuscan, a blend of Sangiovese, Merlot, and Syrah. It …