Category: Red Wine

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.

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

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

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

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

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

2002 Pietratorcia “Scheria” Rosso, Isola d’Ischia, Italy
The phrase “wine country” generally evokes a wide variety of mental images, largely derived from each person’s individual experience in

2005 Storrs Winery Petite Sirah, Santa Cruz Mountains
I don’t know who said it, but in the last few years I’ve heard it uttered that the Santa Cruz

Jack Tastes Old…Wines
The generosity and collegiality of wine lovers remains one of the tiny miracles of wine for me. I am constantly

2004 Caymus “Special Selection” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
To say some wines need no introduction is both a truism and also a disservice. There are indeed some wines,

2003 Meyer Family Cellars Syrah, Mendocino
There are some California appellations that need no introduction, others that will ring a bell for experienced wine lovers, and

1997 Colgin “Herb Lamb Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
There are several tiers of wines that can legitimately and confidently wear the name tag: HELLO MY NAME IS: Cult

2005 Kindred Wines “Amber Ridge Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The Northern California wine scene is like a giant spreading metropolis. I think I read a few days ago that

2001 Raphael Cabernet Sauvignon, North Fork of Long Island, NY
Like many wine lovers, I enjoy exploring the wine regions of the world from the comfort of my own kitchen

2005 René Noël Legrand “La Chaintrée” Cabernet Franc, Saumur Champigny, Loire Valley, France
Lots of people I know have a “house wine” — some bottle that they buy in much larger quantities than

1970 Chateau Gazin Pomerol, Bordeaux, France
It shows a particular breed of idiocy that the American public has turned its nose up at a grape as

2005 Bodegas Colomé “Estate” Malbec, Salta, Argentina
Once upon a time, I went to Argentina looking for the good wine. Frankly I couldn’t understand what all the

2003 Girard Winery “Artistry” Bordeaux Blend, Napa
You can often tell just how much someone loves Napa wine from their familiarity with the sub-appellations or American Viticultural