Category: Wine Reviews
Kubota Manju (Junmai Daiginjo), Niigata Prefecture
When people often ask me how I “got into wine” I have a sense that they are expecting me to
Alfred Gratien Champagne, Epernay, France: Current Releases
The more good Champagne I have, the more it seems to me that you really get what you pay for.
Two Hands Wine, Barossa, Australia: Current Releases
One of the things I love about the wine world is the way in which it rewards people with vision,
2007 Rosemount Estate Show Reserve Chardonnay, Mudgee, Australia
In this day and age of farmers markets, boutique stores, and micro-breweries, it’s easy for the upwardly mobile wine lover
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
2004 E. Guigal “Chateau d’Ampuis” Côte-Rôtie, Northern Rhone, France
One of the greatest experiences that a wine lover can encounter is a wine that stops them in their tracks.
The Best South African Wines, Part II: Cape Wine 2008 Scores
I went to South Africa to learn about South African wine, and the primary way for me to do that
1999 Perrier Jouet “Cuvee la Belle Epoque” Brut Champagne, Epernay, France
As some of you know, there was a time when I didn’t really care for Champagne. But like so many
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
Sake: Drinking, Serving, Storing and Enjoying
As many of you know, I have a thing for sake, after being introduced to the high-end stuff when I
2007 York Creek Vineyards Touriga Nacional Rose, Sonoma County
One of my favorite punching bags in the world is the sorry state of California rosé. For some reason, winemakers
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
Notes and Selections from the Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting
There are good public wine tastings and there are bad public wine tastings. The difference between the good ones and
The Joy of Sake 2008 Tasting: October 23, San Francisco
I absolutely love the fact that we’ve reached a point in this country where I don’t need to explain why
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
