This is a book about so much more than wine and winemaking. First and foremost it is an account of the development of...
Neil Ellis, Stellenbosch (South Africa) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Sumptuously colored deep, dark purple, this South African gem is equally opulent in its aromatic elements that bring to mind a...
Vento Di Mare, Terre Siciliane (Sicily, Italy) Nero d’Avola 2013
With its deep amethyst color and mouth-watering aromas (slightly floral, slightly fruity) the wine pulls you in even before...
A Wine Quiz for the Dog Days of Summer
It’s a lazy, late-summer day, too hot for reading some long drawn-out essay about wine, right? Instead, I urge you...
Chamonix, Franschhoek (South Africa) Pinot Noir 2014
If you aren’t yet familiar with the wines of Chamonix my recommendation is to sample some of this South African’s...
Sarah’s Vineyard, Santa Cruz Mountains (California) Pinot Noir 2014
Fruit carries the tune here, with a faint background chorus of spice and earthiness. It’s a friendly and flavorful...
Avignonesi, Rosso Di Montepulciano (Tuscany, Italy) Sangiovese 2014
With cherries and red berries galore, plus soft floral elements and a whisper of summery sage, this Tuscan wine shimmers...
Art and Anchovies, Knights and Sights
If you aren’t familiar with the wines of Collioure, don’t feel bad--few American wine lovers know anything about...
Caparzo, Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) 2010
There aren’t that many wines keep you smacking your lips long after the last drop has been swallowed, but this one...
Tyranny or Anarchy?
No, I’m not talking about the current political situation here. It’s food and wine pairing that’s caught my...
Famille Perrin, Rasteau (Rhône Valley, France) Grenache and Syrah 2013
From a complicated vintage (cold winter, blah spring, skimpy crop but of unexpectedly good quality) this extremely appealing...
Chateau la Nerthe, Chateauneuf-du-Pape (Rhône Valley, France) 2012
The 2012 vintage got off to a worrisome start, with winter freezes and strong mistral winds doing some damage in the vineyards,...