Chateau de Roquebrune “Cuvee Reine” 2009 Lalande de Pomerol
The Guinjard family have been Bordeaux wine growers for five generations. Before 1970, most of that fruit went to other wineries. Over the past few decades, they have started making more …
Wine Reviews
Badenhorst 2010 Secateurs Red
Adi Badenhorst is showing himself to be an ingenious winemaker and a by-the-bootstraps winery owner. His vineyards in Paardesberg in Swartland, South Africa, are reclaimed from a defunct 1930’s winery. His …
Valdipiatta 2010 Chianti Colli Senesi
Colli Senesi is the wine region surrounding the Tuscan town of Siena. Two of Chianti’s top wine regions –Montepulciano and Montalcino– are located there. Valdipiatta is a well regarded producer of Vino …
Trimbach 2000 Gewurztraminer Vendange Tardive, Alsace
I’ve been reviewing ancient vines and vineyards recently. The theme continues with this bottling from Trimbach. The winery itself dates back 12 generations, and its vineyards are some of the best …
Reginato 2011 Chaman
In Argentina, a chaman is a witch doctor. Is this a witchy wine? I am not sure, but it is a fine wine and a surprising departure for the Reginato clan. …
Domaine Collotte 2010 Fixin Cote de Nuits, Burgundy
Domaine Collotte is a family estate dating back a few hundred years, with vineyards in Marsannay and the nearby town of Fixin. The current winemaker, Philippe Collotte, was making some of …
Havens Winery 2009 Bourriquot, Napa Valley
Before Michael Havens found himself out of cash and bankrupt, I worked at his winery as a cellar rat. He later sold the winery, along with the name – his own, …
Rafael Reverte 2009 Cistum, Navarra
Mr. Reverte comes from a family with eight generations of winemaking experience. His family owns Bodega Reverte in nearby Rioja, where his brother Daniel is the winemaker. Cistum is a solo …
Chateau Gigognan 2009 Vigne du Regent Chateauneuf du Pape
Gigognan is a small producer with a short history; the winery was founded in 1996 by Anne and Jacques Callet in the outskirts of Chateauneuf du Pape. While many well-known wineries are located …
Tenuta Belguardo 2007 Belguardo
This property is located in the ancient lands of the Etruscans, today known as Maremma. Over the past twenty years, this coastal region of Tuscany has emerged from history to become …
Genium Celler 2007 Priorat
This bottling hails from a tiny cooperative winery located in the just-as-tiny town of Poboleda in Catalonia. Vineyards around the town are planted with Grenache and Cariñena that date back to …
Heras Cordón 2005 Rioja Reserva
Winemaking in Rioja has a contradictory vein: winemakers tend to use classic techniques and grape varietals to make modern wines. Heras Cordon is a relatively new winery in Rioja Alta, being …
Dow’s Quinta Senhora da Ribeira 2001 Vintage Port
Here is a wine with a history. This vineyard was purchased by Dow in 1890 and soon became known as one of the top three vineyards in Portugal. By 1954, it …
Tudor 2006 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
Dan Tudor is one of the few self-taught vintners of Pinot Noir, and he does it better than most. Without any winemaking experience, he opened his Monterrey winery in 2000. Under …
La Conreria d’Scala Dei 2007 “Les Brugueres” Priorat
Priorat is a rare wine, but a white wine from the region is much rarer still. Sourced from a terraced vineyard at the northernmost point of Priorat, a spot that is …
Firriato Chiaramonte 2010 Nero d’Avola
Firriato is located in the western mountains on the Italian island of Favignana. Culturally and viticultural part of Sicily, it is no surprise that the Sicilian grape Nero d’Avola is widely …