The Kerner grape was created in 1929 as a cross between Riesling and Trollinger (Schiava) by a German researcher attempting to strengthen Riesling’s resistance to late spring frosts. A bit of a failure in Germany, it reached... Read More
Graciano is the second grape of Rioja, adding deeper color to Tempranillo while also a bit softer, more easygoing texture. Here from Toledo it even darker than usual but somehow still fresh and mouthwatering, too. Blackberry and... Read More
As always, a benchmark interpretation of Virginia's most prominent red wine grape made in a rich but balanced and highly drinkable style. The 92 point review of the 2020 gives you a great idea of what to expect: Charming aromas... Read More
Organic/BioLower ABV Ridiculously delicious and our only complaint here is that we couldn't get all we wanted. Brilliant ripeness and fruit bound up in almost steely minearlity and finishing long, ripe, mineral and mouthwatering.... Read More
A terrific value Cabernet from Alexander Valley, north of Napa. Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with splashes of Malbec and Petit Verdot, this pairs rich blackberry and currant fruit with Alexander Valley’s signature... Read More
From a cool Paso site just 15 miles off the ocean and at 1,000 feet elevation, this is just lovely California Cabernet. There’s plenty of texture here – a sense of roundness and flesh – and dark currant and black... Read More
Lower ABV It’s so tempting to call this “baby Puligny Montrachet” that…well, what the heck. It’s baby Puligny Montrachet from a trio of vineyards that all abut the village AOC boundary. Like his... Read More
Thierry Sabon makes old-school wines, ones that emphasize the earthier, meatier, side of the Southern Rhone. Here his Grenache (65%), Syrah, Mouvedre and Cinsault red from the sandy soils of Lirac pumps out plenty of rich black... Read More
Organic/Bio From the sister winery of Radio-Couteau, County Line wines look to deliver that level of style and quality in a more immediately drinkable (and less expensive) format. Fermented in steel and aged in neutral (meaning... Read More
Rich raspberry and blueberry fruit with a touch of spice from judicious use of whole clusters and just a wee bit of French oak (15% of the cuvee aged in 2nd use barrels; the rest in concrete and steel). With air, a bit of tapenade... Read More
Organic/BioLower ABV On the “left bank” of Chablis, Cote de Lechet benefits from steep slopes (up to 38%), plenty of Kimmeridgian marl, excellent drainage and ample sunshine – all particularly welcome in 2021!... Read More
Organic/BioLower ABV Always the most intense, pure, and “Chablis” of the 1er Crus here and shining more brightly than ever in 2019. It’s from one of the warmer sites in Chablis and, like the Grand Crus, with... Read More
Organic/BioLower ABV The old vines planted by Amandine and Richard’s grandfather handled the tough 2021 season with aplomb. As usual, Montmains is the most open and generous of the Malandes 1er Crus with a touch of pear... Read More
The Gitton family got into the Sancerre business in 1945, back when making a wine living in the Loire meant driving your bottles into Paris and selling direct to bistros. They're bigger now, but just as traditional in how... Read More
Organic/BioLower ABV The slate soils here give this fully dry (Trocken) Riesling loads of stony minerality from front to back and side-to-side. If really rocky Sancerre is your thing, this is your Riesling. Heck, if wine is... Read More
One of the state's best fully dry Petit Manseng whites, this buffers the grape's intense acidity with aging in French oak (and some barrel fermentation, too). A stunning wine for table.
Lower ABV Utterly gulpable, but do slow down enough to pay attention to the delicious marriage of rich black fruit, sweet spice, and juicy freshness. Big yum here.... Read More
As you’d guess from the label, this is super-traditional Barbera, juicy and fresh with earthy spice and crushed violets on the zippy, mouthwatering, finish. Outstanding pizza, pasta, and burger wine.
Powerful enough to benefit from a decant today, this is Napa steak wine par excellence. Deep red currant and raspberry fruit with hints of violets, mocha and smoke, it unfurls in the glass nicely and has the firm grip to match... Read More
I’m personally disappointed I don’t have anywhere near the breadth of tasting experience of Etna wines I want. I’m working on it! Meanwhile, for what it’s worth, the Girolamo Russo wines are my favorite... Read More
Organic/Bio Grattamacco was one of the first estates to follow Sassicia into Bolgheri and was the first to plant Vermentino here in 1986. Bolgheri Vermentino is richer than the sharp, citrusy, wines of Sardenia and Corsica and... Read More
Organic/Bio Since I’m pretty sure an Australian winery didn’t mean to be making a Mel Torme reference, we’ll go with “Velvet Fox” as being their attempt to capture the luxurious mouthfeel of this... Read More
100% Cabernet Sauvignon from sites across Paso Robles with 10 months in French oak delivers a wine of excellent plushness and flesh. Dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit get a nice pop from the juicy texture and dollops of dark... Read More
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