Michael Apstein, Author at Wine Review Online

Renwood Winery, Fiddletown (Amador County, California) Zinfandel 2011

by Michael Apstein | Nov 6, 2013

With their Fiddletown bottling, Renwood Winery has produced a lush and simultaneously, briary Zinfandel, filled with dark fruit...

by Michael Apstein | Nov 6, 2013

This concentrated and bold -- 15% stated alcohol -- Cabernet does manage to contain itself. The breeding of Napa Valley is...

by Michael Apstein | Nov 6, 2013

Will Berliner is either a visionary or has beginner’s luck. An American married to an Australian and settled in...

by Michael Apstein | Nov 6, 2013

The name says it all. This blend of Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon delivers subtly sweet, almost jammy,...

by Michael Apstein | Nov 6, 2013

Cono Sur has done it again with their top-of-the-line, “20 Barrels” bottling. Their 20 Barrels Pinot Noir...

by Michael Apstein | Nov 6, 2013

Chateau Ste Michelle has pumped up this Merlot by adding Syrah (15%) to the blend thereby creating a plumy ripe wine. ...

by Michael Apstein | Oct 30, 2013

Thankfully, Clos du Val retains their hallmark style of restraint and elegance with their 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon. And...

by Michael Apstein | Oct 30, 2013

This unusual blend of Zinfandel (86%) with a touch of white grapes (Roussanne, 2%) and a grape I’d never heard of (Souzao,...

by Michael Apstein | Oct 30, 2013

Sweet cherry-like flavors dominate in this Central Coast Pinot Noir. Lots of spice from oak aging and a whiff of savory...

by Michael Apstein | Oct 30, 2013

There’s nothing petite about wines made from Petite Sirah. This robust red, actually purple, wine delivers jammy...

by Michael Apstein | Oct 30, 2013

Cono Sur’s “20 Barrels” bottling represents their best lots -- a reserve bottling, essentially. This...

by Michael Apstein | Oct 30, 2013

This fruit-focused Pinot Noir manages to avoid the sweetness trap so many fruit-focused wines fall into. Subtle savory...