2001 Borie de Maurel “Esprit d’ Automne” red blend, Minervois, France
I first encountered this wine in the “values” section of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. It happened to be stocked by
2001 Tandem Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Tandem is a relatively new label started by Greg Bjornstad and Greg La Follette, formerly of Flowers. They are committed
1995 Ovello Barbaresco Riserva, Piemonte, Italy
This is the secret forgotten wine. The frozen man of wine, stuck in a glacier and thawed out in someones
2000 Husch Special Reserve Chardonnay, Anderson Valley
If you cruise through the Anderson Valley either going or coming from the Sonoma coast, you’ll wind your way past
2000 Stuhlmuller Cabernet, Alexander Valley
There is a growing trend in California wine country that is resulting in lots of new small producers entering the
2003 Marquis-Philips “Holly’s Blend,” Verdelho, McLaren Vale, Australia
Whenever the tasting group I’m a member of does a blind tasting, the person who hosts always throws in a
2000 Rochioli Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River
Spring seems definitely to have sprung here in San Francisco, and cold, foggy Summer is right around the corner. So
The latest on Thomas Keller
An interesting article in the online version of this week’s NYMetro about Thomas Keller, the fire and delayed opening of
Restaurant Review: Rubicon, San Francisco
I’ll just get it right out of the way and say that Rubicon is, and has been for years, quite
2000 Ladera Cabernet, Howell Mountain, Napa
Inaugural vintages are so exciting. At least for me. Even if the people and the grapes involved have been making
Restaurant Review: Circolo, San Francisco
I tend to forget how difficult it is for a good restaurant to create a harmony of food, service, and
2000 Harrison Cabernet, Napa
I find it so refreshing to actually be able to put a face and a name to a wine. Forget
Rosenblum Cellars Open House – Saturday 5/15 and Sunday 5/16
Ryan of VineSugar just dropped me a note to remind me that this weekend is Rosenblum’s annual Spring Open House
1999 Cosentino Cabernet Franc, Napa
I know Cosentino wines mostly because of their blockbuster Zinfandels, Cigar Zin, and The Zin. They make a lot more
2000 Altamura Cabernet, Napa
The first thing you’ll notice about this wine, and perhaps something you’ll notice again and again as you curse while
Restaurant Review: Tartine Bakery, San Francisco
There’s something sinfully delicious about sitting at a sunny sidewalk table in the middle of a weekday eating a pastry.
Losing the wine flush: a cure for the red face
Ruth, like many Asian Americans, has at times been reluctant to drink wine because of her tendency to turn a
2002 J.M. Boillot Rully Premier Cru, “La Pucelle,” France
I have a friend and former colleague who is pretty fanatical about wines. He enjoys them all, but on a
2002 Three Thieves California Cabernet, Napa
The wine industry in California is undergoing a slow revolution. First it was synthetic corks, then screwcaps, now tetra-paks; varietals
