Roagna 2005 Dolcetto d’Alba, Piemonte
The name Dolcetto derives from dolcezza, meaning sweetness, and refers to the berries of the varietal, a quality that does not show up in the wines of its seven DOC zones. …
Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial Rosé, Champagne
Not, it’s not cheap. And no, you probably won’t be slurping down a case of it on your patio. But with grilled lamb chops, it’s delicious, and if firing up the …
Corte Agnello 2004 Corvina, Veronese IGT
You’ve probably had Corvina, the Veneto’s “little crow,” somewhere along the way, even though you may not have realized it. A light, easy-drinking Bardolino? Corvina and Rondinella. Valpolicella in all its …
Elvio Cogno 1999 Montegrillo Langhe Rosso
Elvio Cogno’s established his reputation in Piedmont long before he purchased his own property in Novello. His mark had been made at the renowned Marcarini estate in La Morra, bridging the …
Segura Viudas 2001 “Mas D’Aranyo Riserva” Tempranillo
One of those rare $10 bottles of wine that can deliver some substance along with style. Ripe currant flavors edge into toasted chocolate, and finely textured tannin support flavors of thyme …
B. Levet 2003 “La Chavaroche” Cote Rotie
Typical of the hot 2003 vintage, the nose here is all raisin-y black currants, cherry liqueur, and high-toned spice, as well as a pronounced black peppercorn bite. It actually reminds me, …
Of Bubbles and Guilt
As the holidays recede ever further into the distance, and as the Thanksgiving-to-New Years need to dull, the pain of all that happy-happy family time subsides, Champagne and other sparklers begin …
Hentley Farm 2007 Zinfandel, Barossa
Say “Zinfandel,” and most people will immediately think of California. But Australia is also home to some great examples of the grape variety. This one, from Barossa Valley, shows all the …
Bellum 2006 El Providencia, Yecla
Cigar smoke, cedar, and a beastly whiff are the aromatic introduction to this roundly tannic and full-bodied wine. Flavors veer to boysenberry-meets-IHOP and then back to a more classy kirsch. Not …
Sette Ponti 2005 Toscana “Crognolo,” Tuscany
The miraculously priced Luce 375s that the state has been selling may have gotten all the attention (and justifiably so–the 2001s are drinking beautifully right now), but that famous Mondavi – …
Saladini Pilastri 2004 Rosso Piceno, Marche
.Viticulture in the coastal area near Ancona predates Roman times, yet the wines of the Marche are still relatively unknown save for Fazzi-Battaglia’s “fish” bottle of Verdicchio. The Rosso is a …
Markham 2003 Zinfandel, Napa Valley
Soft & fleshy with a core of fresh raspberries and a grapey nose of black pepper. An excellent value for zin.
Alice Feiring wants to save you from Robert Parker.
The “Parkerization” of the wine world is a hotly debated trend in said world. Interestingly, it is also a method of protecting a steel surface from corrosion and increasing its resistance …
Argiolas 2004 “Perdera”, Isola dei Nuraghi
Monica is a varietal indigenous to Sardegna, believed to have been introduced, as was Cannonau, by Spanish monks in the 11th century.There are two DOC zones where it predominates. However, this …
Casa de la Ermita 2005 Dulce Monastrell
We’ve tried, but it turns out that the adage is true: Man cannot live on Port and Sauternes alone. Luckily, this unexpected sticky from Spain is here to save the (holi)day. …
Donhoff 2006 Riesling Oberhauser Leisten Kabinett, Nahe
From one of the best producers in the sadly overshadowed Nahe (one cannot live on Mosel alone, after all) comes this fabulously affordable 06. This one is all about intimation: It …