Category: Red Wine
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
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
1996 Mystal Merlot, St. Helena
Lest anyone think that I like everything I drink, or even worse, every wine I choose is a good one,
Duckhorn Vineyards: Current Wine Releases
Duckhorn is one of those Napa valley staples that everyone seems to have heard about and associates with upper-echelon wines.
Silver Oak New Release
The first time I tasted Silver Oak, nearly 8 years ago was like a revelation for me. I think I
California’s Best Zinfandels: A Report From ZAP 2004
This past Saturday, along with 17,000 (or so it seemed) other industry insiders and wine hungry San Franciscans I attended
2001 Keller Estate Pinot Noir
I first discovered Keller wines at the Family Winemakers Industry Tasting this past November in San Francisco. I was impressed
2001 X Winery Napa Cabernet Sauvignon
Cool labels and fancy names for wineries do not always make for good wine. X Winery is staffed by a
2001 Martinelli Pinot Noir – Bondi Home Ranch
I’m gradually finding more and more wines that are made by Helen Turley, and and in the process, it’s clear
