Beautifully complex and balanced, this elegant Zinfandel reflects the mature, intricate flavors and textures that well...
Fairview, Coastal Region (South Africa) Merlot 2008
This wine’s sweet, juicy Merlot fruit in no way steals the whole show. There is also enough acidity and subtle...
ViƱa Robles, Paso Robles (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Rich and sinuous, this Cabernet feels and tastes as if an entire acre of red grapes had been pressed, and squeezed, and...
Fairview, Coastal Region (South Africa) Shiraz 2009
I am consistently impressed by the array of fairly priced and eminently drinkable wines being turned out by South...
Does Wine Have a Soul?
The words we use to describe wine are often ephemeral, with many of the adjectives we call on to express the...
The Oscar / Bacchus Awards 2012
Are you having friends over to watch the Academy Awards© on February 26? If so you might consider including...
In Praise of Italian Bubbles
For me, sparkling wine is not just for celebration, and not just for warm weather pleasure. I was recently reminded...
A Tequila Destination in Sonoma Wine Country
I was in Sonoma County a couple of weeks ago as one of the judges in a wine competition. My four-person panel...
Marguerite Thomas’ Producer and Wine of the Year for 2011
We will run our contributor' picks for Producer and Wine of the Year in this space almost every day as 2011 winds down, so...
Dashe Cellars, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Zinfandel 2009
If you like your Zinfandel to be not too lampshade-on-the-head/dance-on-the-table thrilling, then give this one a...
THE FOOD LOVERāS GUIDE TO WINE: AN ESSENTIAL ADDITION TO EVERY WINE LOVERāS LIBRARY
Here’s a good idea for what to give that food and wine aficionado on your gift list: A copy of The Food...
End of Prohibition Celebration
“Once, during Prohibition, I was forced to live for days on nothing but bread and water.” --WC Fields. Mr....