Category: Wine Reviews

2005 Domaine de Chateau Gaillard Saumur, Loire Valley, France
The Loire Valley is perhaps one of the most underrated and unexplored (by most Americans) wine producing regions in France.

Obata Shuzo Manotsuru “Yososaku” Junmai Daiginjo, Niigata Prefecture
Sake brewing has a long and storied history in Japan, and because of the island nation’s relative isolation, many breweries

2004 Ridge Vineyards “Monte Bello” Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains
As Paul Draper was inducted into the Vintners Hall of Fame a couple of weeks ago in a ceremony at

The Best Grenache in California: Tasting Rhone Rangers 2008
Maybe I’m getting old, but I just didn’t have the energy to taste 300 wines last weekend when the Rhone

Cooper-Garrod Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains: Current Releases
One of the greatest joys in my life remains the feeling I get when stumbling upon a small winery whose

1974 Charles Krug “Vintage Selection – Lot F1” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
Do you want to know a little secret? I’m probably going to catch hell for telling you, especially from my
Italy’s Best Wines: Tasting the Tre Bicchieri Winners 2008
I pride myself on my broad tastes in wine. I like wine from everywhere, and don’t believe I have a
The World’s Best Burgundy? Tasting La Paulee de San Francisco
It’s not every day that I get to leave a wine tasting knowing that I’ve probably spit out a volume

Kapcsándy Family Winery, Napa: Current Releases
Napa has a way of turning modest dreams into major productions. Lou Kapcsándy and his wife Bobbie decided to retire

2001 Benanti “Pietramarina” Bianco Superiore, Etna DOC, Sicily
I try to avoid getting into discussions about terroir for the same reasons I avoid arguing about religion: no one

The Best Cabernet in Napa: Tasting Premiere Napa Valley 2008
One of my favorite events each year involves the opportunity to sample some of the best wines that Napa produces

Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo, Toyama Prefecture
Many of us drink wine as a portal to a sense of place and time — to be transported through

2004 Swanson Merlot, Oakville, Napa
People travel all sorts of roads to get to Napa Valley. Napa is a refuge for those who can afford

Spring Mountain Vineyard, Napa: Current Releases
Friends and acquaintances often ask for recommendations on where to go in Napa, and I always tailor my response to

The Best Zinfandel in California: Tasting at ZAP 2008
I never cease to be amazed at the power of Zinfandel. At the last major Pinot Tasting in San Francisco,

2006 Orin Swift Cellars “The Prisoner” Red Wine, Napa
I wish I knew how many wineries in Napa started as “just a guy who decided he wanted to make

Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles: Current Releases
It always comes as a surprise to some American wine lovers when they hear about French wineries deciding to open
WBW#41 Roundup Has Been Posted: Friuli White Wines
The white wines of northeastern Italy have never been on the radar for most Americans. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate only

Kikusui Funaguchi Ichiban Shibori Honzojo, Niigata Prefecture
I’ll admit it right off the bat: I’m a serious sake snob. I don’t mean that in the sense that