Category: Wine Reviews
2002 Castle Rock Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
I really enjoy blind tastings — it’s amazing how much a known name can really prejudice anyone’s reading of a
2000 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Oregon and southern Washington are the same latitude as Bordeax and parts of Burgundy. Many think that this allows these
2002 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
I was first introduced to Paul Hobbs through his Cabernet, and have been a fan ever since. His wines are
2003 Beaujolais Cuvee JB Domaine Du Vissoux
I feel like this wine put me squarely back in the 1980’s — a young boy sitting at a table
2000 Ferrari-Carano “Eldorado Noir” Black Muscat, Sonoma
I’ve mentioned before that I’m not a fan of dessert wines. I find the majority of them far too sweet
2001 Silverado Vineyards Cabernet, Napa Valley
I’m usually suspicious of wineries that have massive, Tuscan inspired architectural tasting rooms perched on the brink of prime real
1999 Haut Beausejour St. Estephe, Bordeaux, France
Further evidence that name and terrior are not everything, and you have to be careful when buying Bordeaux, lest you
2002 The Prisoner, Red Table Wine, Orin Swift Cellars, Napa
I have a thing for funky wine labels, and I enjoy various winemakers attempts to break out of the boring
2001 Pahlmeyer “Jayson” Chardonnay
If Chardonnays lifted weights, this one would be able to bench press way over its body weight. It’s a massive,
2002 Pascal Jolivet Sancerre, Loire, France
There’s nothing like Sancerre (known anywhere else it grows as Sauvignon Blanc) to go with oysters and other shellfish. I
1999 Chateau Les Ormes-Sorbet, Medoc, France
I just got back from a long weekend in Paris, with much to write about here (some restaurant, hotel, and
2000 Iron Horse Estate Pinot Noir, Sonoma Green Valley
Iron Horse embodies everything I like about Sonoma county. Leaving aside the Sonoma vs. Napa debate for future flogging, suffice
2001 Scott Harvey Syrah
If I had to pick one wine that has consistently blown away everyone I have served it to in the
2003 Mionetto Novello Marca Trevigiana, Italy
I bought this wine on a whim, after reading a review of it in one of my favorite wine newsletters
2001 Martella “Hammer” Syrah
If I was going to name a wine “Hammer” I would damn well make sure that it had the oomph
2001 Edmeades Mendocino Zinfandel
Further proof that Mr. Robert Parker is not all he’s cracked up to be. I’ve mentioned elsewhere that his palate
1997 Bonny Doon Le Cigare Volant
I was first introduced to Le Cigare Volant by the 1995 vintage, and while I enjoyed the wine, it became
2001 Ramey Claret, Napa Valley
I first encountered Ramey wines at the Family Winemakers Tasting event at Fort Mason in San Francisco. I wandered over
2000 Stuhlmuller Vineyards Alexander Valley Cabernet
If you ever needed proof that all those news reports about 2000 being a lousy year for red grapes in
