Category: Wine Reviews
Report from the World Wine Market Tasting: Disappointed
And I thought Rhone Rangers was a little rough this year…. I was sorely disappointed by my first visit to
2001 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Patz & Hall is a classic example of the best small production winemaking that is going on in Napa Valley.
2001 Domain Chandon Pinot Meunier, Carneros
I was chatting on IM the other day with a colleague at work, and in the midst of a conversation,
1999 Contucci “Pietra Rossa” Vino Nobile de Montepulciano, Tuscany
Azienda Agricola Contucci sits atop the medieval hilltown of Montepulciano. Their modest shop is found by winding your way up
2001 Suhr Luchtel “Mosaique” Red Table Wine, Napa
Surh Luchtel. Say it quickly and it sounds like “stealth.” Or sort of. Anyway it’s close enough for me to
2001 D’Arenberg “Laughing Magpie” Shiraz/Viognier
I think this wine is stalking me. Not quite as badly as the Yellow Tail Shiraz (which is everywhere and
2001 Campion Pinot Noir, Edna Valley
It’s always fun to experience infrequently perceived flavors and aromas. Wine is full of surprises and Campion has provided an
2000 Grapeleaf Cellars Syrah, Sonoma
Grapeleaf Cellars is a very small winery and custom crush facility in Berkeley, California. I’m not sure if it has
2001 Turkey Flat Shiraz, Barossa, Australia
I’ve already written about my favorite wine from a recent blind tasting of several international Syrah’s, but it was not
1995 Providence Vineyards “Marangai,” Matakana, New Zealand
I don’t often cellar wines for long periods of time, but occasionally I’ll leave a bottle to sit for 6
1994 Dehlinger Gold Ridge Vineyard Syrah, Russian River Valley
Tonight I went to a wine tasting that a winemaker friend of mine puts on occasionally. Generally we pick a
2000 Mi Sueño Cellars Chardonnay, Los Carneros
It is good to have dreams. For Rolando Herrera, since he first set foot in the wine cellars at Stags
1999 Tyrrells “Vat 47” Pinot Chardonnay, Hunters Valley, Australia
A visit several years ago to Tyrrell’s was my introduction to the wines of Australia’s Hunter Valley, and the beginning
1999 St. Supery Merlot, Napa
On occasion I come across a bottle in the cellar and I have no memory of where it came from.
1998 Ferrari-Carano Tresor Reserve, Red Blend, Sonoma
I first had this wine at a random dinner party, where it was brought to me in a glass by
2000 Hartford Court “Velvet Sisters Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley
I love wines with a story, and I also love wineries that have a sense of humor. “The Velvet Sisters”
2001 Sagelands Vineyard “Four Corners” Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington
I have been searching for some lower priced wines that I can serve at a large birthday party and at
2000 Viader Red Blend, Napa Valley
These last couple of weeks I have been lucky enough to enjoy a number of wines in the upper end
2001 Peter Michael Estate Red Meritage, Les Pavots, Knights Valley
Oh, the bounty of the 2001 Harvest. In case you were asleep or just hadn’t noticed, 2001 was a fantastic
