Hilberg-Pasquero 2007 Vareij
If you’ve read any of the wine reviews I’ve posted over the last couple of years, you are well aware of my fondness for the unusual, the eccentric, and the downright …
Wine Reviews
Guy Larmandier Brut Vertus 1er Cru
How can you call it a celebration without Champagne? And this one, a gorgeous, minerally, exuberant premier cru, is not only addictive to drink, but under $50. Which itself is cause …
Bruno Giacosa 2001 Dolcetto d’Alba, Piemonte
Sometimes it’s good to start the new year with a bit of auld lang syne, going back to an old friend whom you’ve neglected for one reason or another. Such is …
What is your favorite wine?
A few years back, while channel surfing, I settled on a television rarity – a program about wine that was informative without being insufferably boring or contrived. From Wine Glass to …
Silvio Jermann 2005 “Were Dreams,” Friuli
Still, making jokes about Italian white wines? This one will cure you. Silvio Jermann, the genius of northeast Italy, produces some of the most interesting, well-crafted whites on the boot. This …
Simi 2006 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley
Classic Cali style Chardonnay. Melon and cream with a core of cinnamon stick and a splash of apple cider. For lovers of this style, it’s worth every penny of the $14.99 …
Riesling Reviews
One of our Advanced Sommelier students spent a month drinking Riesling. I thought that was cool, so I asked him to write about it.———-One man’s journey to the light side and …
Peter Michael “L’Apres-Midi” Sauvignon Blanc, Knights Valley
I made it home last night by 8:30, the first time I’d been back to Chateau Wallace before 10:00 pm since the previous Friday. So to say I was ready to …
Shannon 2007 Wrangler Red, Lake County
Wet earth and menthol on the nose follow through onto the palate, where they jump into a vat of maraschino cherries. Inexpensive ($15), full-bodied, and soft tannins, this is a good …
Chateau Carbonnieux 2005 Graves
This consistently under-the-radar producer has turned out a series of stellar wines in recent years. Their 2005 is yet another success in a string of them, showing beautiful fruit, typical Bordeaux …
Inniskillin 2004 Vidal Sparkling Icewine
Not for everybody, but that almost seems to be the point of this unusual, unexpected sparkler. It’s rich and sweet, but the bubbles somehow cut it all down to manageable size. …
Pedro Romero Pedro Ximenez “Extra Rich” Sherry
Known to aficionados simply as “PX,” this underappreciated, wildly affordable sherry is perfect for creamy desserts and as an accompaniment to a pipe or a good spicy cigar.
Turkey Flat 2005 “Butcher’s Block Red,” Barossa
This classic Rhone-style blend of Shiraz, Grenache, and Mourvedre is custom-made for dry-herb-rubbed lamb chops. Or, frankly, just for sipping on its own. There’s a reason Turkey Flat has long been …
Goulart 2007 “The Marshall” Malbec
From Lujan de Cuyo, one of Mendoza’s prime locations, comes this powerful red that works both independently or with manly-man food like steak or short ribs. Protein! Beefcake!
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2006 “Redemption” Zinfandel, Sonoma
A no-nonsense party wine. I would go so far as to say this was a gummi bear riding a licorice stick down a boozy river.
Domaine William Fevre 2006 Chablis
Anyone who tells you that winter is not the right time for white wine clearly hasn’t enjoyed the many charms of Chablis on a crisp day. There’s something about the often …