Category: Wine Reviews
2001 Chase Zinfandel, Hayne Vineyard, Napa
Sixty acres of old-vine Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon have been handed down through the Chase family since before
2001 Gulfi Estate Vineyards Rosso “Nerojbleo” Nero D’ Avola, Sicily
As some readers know, I’m a pretty big fan of Italian wines, especially those of Tuscany and Piedmont. I’ve recently
2001 Westerly “Estate” Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley California
It’s unfortunate how sometimes the best way to describe something you like is a word or phrase that doesn’t normally
2002 Qupe “Bien Nacido Cuvee” White Meritage, Central Coast
After a recent review of a nice Edna Valley wine, let’s move south and west along the central coast to
2001 Cinnabar Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains
Cinnabar has been around since 1983, when owner Tom Mudd, a scientist and researcher, decided to take his interest in
2002 Londer Chardonnay, Kent Ritchie Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
So I seem to be on a little bit of a quest. An attempt to understand and experience a particular
1999 Ballantine Reserve Zinfandel, Napa
Wine is naturally a vehicle for history, so tied as it is to a place and a soil and a
2000 Domaine Alfred Pinot Noir, Chamisal Vineyard, Edna Valley
Edna Valley has been quietly establishing itself over the last decade as a place that can turn out fantastic wines,
2001 Londer Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
Londer Vineyards is another new label that is blossoming under the steady winemaking hand of Greg LaFolette of Flowers fame,
2002 Tandem Chardonnay, Ritchie Vineyard, Sonoma Coast
They say that great winemakers can make good wines from mediocre grapes, but let’s face it, the raw materials make
New York Times: Bordeaux 2000 Vintage, but under $25
The New York Times recently published a set of reviews for Bordeaux wines from the stellar 2000 vintage all under
2001 Borie de Maurel “Esprit d’ Automne” red blend, Minervois, France
I first encountered this wine in the “values” section of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. It happened to be stocked by
2001 Tandem Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Tandem is a relatively new label started by Greg Bjornstad and Greg La Follette, formerly of Flowers. They are committed
1995 Ovello Barbaresco Riserva, Piemonte, Italy
This is the secret forgotten wine. The frozen man of wine, stuck in a glacier and thawed out in someones
2000 Husch Special Reserve Chardonnay, Anderson Valley
If you cruise through the Anderson Valley either going or coming from the Sonoma coast, you’ll wind your way past
2000 Stuhlmuller Cabernet, Alexander Valley
There is a growing trend in California wine country that is resulting in lots of new small producers entering the
2003 Marquis-Philips “Holly’s Blend,” Verdelho, McLaren Vale, Australia
Whenever the tasting group I’m a member of does a blind tasting, the person who hosts always throws in a
2000 Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River
Spring seems definitely to have sprung here in San Francisco, and cold, foggy Summer is right around the corner. So
2000 Ladera Cabernet, Howell Mountain, Napa
Inaugural vintages are so exciting. At least for me. Even if the people and the grapes involved have been making