Category: Boutique Wines
2002 Bressan “Special Bottling” Pinot Nero, Friuli, Italy
I’m not entirely sure why some of the best wines in the world are made by people who are more
1996 J. Rochioli “West Block” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
To paraphrase Shakespeare, there are wineries that are born great, those that achieve greatness, and those that have greatness thrust
2006 Jean-Paul Thevenet “Vielles Vignes” Morgon, Beaujolais, France
The wine industry spends a lot of time and energy fighting for the attention of global consumers. In particular, they’ve
2006 Williams Selyem “Hirsch Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
We don’t have a Cru classification in California (we just have mailing lists and release prices) but there are a
2006 Handley Cellars “Hein Vineyard” Pinot Blanc, Anderson Valley
California’s Anderson Valley remains one of its least known and most under-appreciated wine regions. In particular I believe it to
2004 La Stoppa “Ageno” White Blend, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Most people faced a with the choice of merely a specific color of wine to drink will consider their stated
Cadaretta Winery, Walla Walla, WA: Current Releases
I make it my habit to pay attention to new, small wineries. Generally that means seeking them out at public
2006 Blackbird Vineyards “Illustration” Proprietary Red Wine, Oak Knoll District, Napa
As you likely know, I make it my business to keep my eye on new California wineries, especially in Napa
Ehlers Estate, Napa: Current Releases
Who ever heard of a non-profit winery? The first time the folks at Ehlers Estate told me they were, I
Sadie Family Wines, Swartland, South Africa: Current Releases
I went to South Africa to learn about its wines. This meant understanding first hand what the country’s wine regions
The Best South African Wines: Tasting the 2008 Cape Winemakers Guild
During my week in South Africa, I had a lot of educational experiences that involved serious spates of tasting, but
Tasting the Red Wines of Simonsberg Ward, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa! I’ve come down to the Cape Winelands to dive deep into South African wine
1996 Walter Hansel Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
One of the greatest, though imminently forgivable, crimes perpetrated by a large number of even the most knowledgeable wine lovers
2005 Gargiulo Vineyards “G Major Seven Study – 575 OVX Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville, Napa
There’s something really cool about seeing a young winery start to hit its stride. I’ve only seen a few newborn
Freeman Vineyard and Winery, Sebastopol, CA: Current Releases
Say what you want about the state of America, I know of no other place where it remains so imminently
1997 Staglin Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford
From the late 1800’s to the first half of the twentieth century California represented a land of opportunity for many.
2003 Meyer Family Cellars “Bonny’s Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Oakville
Heritage plays out in many ways in the Napa Valley. There are only a few remaining families that have been
2005 Hughes-Wellman Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, Napa Valley
Good wine is rarely made by accident. So much can go wrong in the winemaking process that to get something
La Brancaia, Chianti, Italy: Current Releases
Tuscany will always hold a special place in my heart. If not for the dreamlike quality of the rolling Chianti
