Category: Perfect 10s

The Emerging Glory of New Zealand Chardonnay
Struggling for attention amidst the ocean of Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc that saturates the world of wine, some of New Zealand’s

The Majesty of Time: 25 Years of Corison’s Kronos Cabernet
For many of my readers, Cathy Corison needs of Corison Vineyards no introduction (see Tasting Integrity: 25 Years of Corison

The Flavor of Family: Tasting the Wines of the Primum Familiae Vini
The Primum Familie Vini is an organization uniting 12 prestigious, multi-generational, family-owned European wine companies. Each one makes one (or

Tasting the Swartland Revolution
When I first went to South Africa in 2008 for the Cape Wine convention, I knew next to nothing about

Ridge Vineyards: An American Wine Icon at 60
In 1968, a young Paul Draper was just beginning his career as a winemaker. After a brief stint making some

The Elegance of Age: Tasting South Africa’s Oldest Vines
Old vines make better wines. Like so many broad generalizations in the wine industry, that’s a verifiably false statement. Plenty

Striving for Perfection and Finding Truth: Tasting 20 Years of Vérité
The year was 1995. Jess Jackson and his wife Barbara Banke were riding high on the wave of success that

The Wines That Helped Me Survive 2020
I am not a fan of journalism-by-list. We can thank Buzzfeed, SEO fanaticism, and the shortening attention span of America

Krug: A Quintessence of Champagne
When, in 1989, Olivier Krug became the sixth generation of his family to work at the Champagne house that bears

Tasting Integrity: 25 Years of Corison Napa Cabernet
“This is how integrity tastes,” I found myself concluding as I tasted through 25 years of Cathy Corison’s efforts to

The Glory of 2013 Napa Cabernet: Tasting Premiere Napa Valley
Each year, the Napa Valley Vintners Association pulls out all the stops to host its annual fundraising event known as

MORIC: The Apogee of Blaufränkisch
“I am hardcore,” says Roland Velich, describing his winemaking while lounging in the mid-century modern comfort of his living room,

The Beauty of 2011 Burgundy: Highlights from La Paulee de San Francisco
I don’t drink nearly enough Burgundy. But that’s not saying much. Most wine lovers without trust funds or best-friend-sommeliers might

The Legendary Wines of Napa: Tasting Notes
Last weekend I had the singular pleasure of co-leading a tasting with the title Legends of Napa Valley. I wrote

1988 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti La Tache Grand Cru, Burgundy
You don’t get very far in a journey towards being a wine lover without hearing the words “Romanée-Conti” spoken with

1983 Schloss Schonborn Rudesheimer Bichofsberg Riesling Spatlese, Rheingau, Germany
Wine is the closest we come to alchemy. And ironically, the most magical transmutation that takes place within wine is
1957 R. Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Blanco, Rioja, Spain
There are few wineries in Spain whose names conjure the heritage and prestige evoked by R. Lopez de Heredia. Don

J.L. Chave, Mauve en Ardeche, France: Current Releases
Some places in this world are simply hallowed ground when it comes to winemaking. Of course every deep-rooted and honest