Made entirely from the Tinta de Toro strain of Tempranillo grown in a single, high-elevation vineyard with 80-year-old vines, this is an extraordinary wine. The yields are miniscule whereas the concentration of the resulting wine is impressive, yet it doesn’t come across as “thick” or physically heavy. Despite being aged entirely in new oak barrels, […]

The 2022 Sheldrake Point Wild Ferment Dry Riesling is a lovely Finger Lakes Riesling that will impress you with its combination of pure fruit and racy style. The aromas are vivid and bright, with floral and spice tones enhanced by citrus, ripe apple, peach, and tropical fruit elements. The flavors are lively and complex with […]

This stellar Brunello comes from a single vineyard in the northwest section of the DOCG, near their estate. In a word, it is fabulous. It has everything you’d expect from great young Brunello—minerals and dark savory fruitiness packaged in a firm, yet not hard, frame. The finish is seemingly endless. Impeccably balanced, the 15 percent […]

Michael Lundeen, a third-generation Oregonian, is passionate about crafting small-production sparkling wines using traditional Champagne methods. His meticulous approach ensures that each bottle receives the attention needed to deliver wines of exceptional elegance and complexity. This Brut is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, with a base wine composed of multiple vintages, […]

Albariño recently overtook Chardonnay in the number of acres planted in Uruguay, and this fresh wine shows why. Ten percent of the fruit gets the second-use French oak treatment, and another portion was macerated on the skins for four hours. Aromas are specifically varietal in character, showing pear, lemon, lime, white flowers, and a hint […]

Those who scoff at Beaujolais Nouveau have forgotten how to be amused and bemused. Some might remember when the 1988 Nouveau was jetted from Paris to New York City aboard the Concorde, then raced into the city by Deux Chevaux so that is would arrive on its magic day – the third Thursday in November. […]

Sparkling wines are growing in popularity thanks to the continuously improving quality and availability of sparkling wines. Mont Marçal Brut Cava is a great example of a delicious, quality sparkling available in the under-$35 price range. Mont Marçal makes their Cava in the traditional method – the same process used to make Champagne – but […]

This Pinot Noir is named after a diminutive 100-year-old native oak adjacent to the vineyard and is winemaker/owner Tim Slater’s symbol for sustainable farming. Over the last decade, Sarah’s has been remarkably successful with Pinot. Made entirely from the estate vineyard, this 2020 was aged for 11 months in neutral French oak, and it is […]

Made from biodynamically farmed Pinot Noir vines said to be 45+ years old, this Brut is quite unusual for Alsace. The wine was aged in wooden casks before being bottled to undergo a second fermentation. It was then aged en tirage for 18 months and is definitely Brut. The color is akin to pale onion […]

This offers interesting flavors – dark blackberries with a hint of chocolate with a little touch of caramel or butterscotch, perhaps from the cooperage, to go along with the dusty tannins. One of Prisoner Wine Company’s labels, it is an enjoyable as a food wine, but it could have a bit more complexity.91 Roger Morris

This very fine Aged Tawny Port shows lovely mature fruit aromas with equally enjoyable flavors of ripe and preserved fruits with toasted nuts (plus almond skins). The flavors flow smoothly across the palate then linger with great persistence. The analogy has been overused, but, yes a liquid, brandy-soaked fruit cake may be what this brings […]

You may not taste a lot of sparkling Malbec — I know I don’t — but there is a lot to like here. The meaty character of Malbec shows in a subtle way, and it is otherwise a very pleasant, flavorful Rose with the usual cherry and strawberry fruit. A fair amount of Pinot Noir […]