Clos du Val, one of the pioneer Napa Valley wineries, fortunately has never varied from it style that values finesse over...
Clos du Val, Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2010
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Michael Apstein
Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Syrah 2011
Chateau Ste Michelle has the uncanny ability to consistently turn out character-filled wines at excellent prices. This...
Frei Brothers, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2011
This bright Pinot Noir showcases the ripe sweet fruit of the Russian River Valley. Concentrated, but not over the top into...
Jean Claude Boisset, Beaune 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) 2011
Jean Claude Boisset has reinvented itself over the last decade, going from a Burgundy négociant focusing on quantity to...
Franciacorta: A Stylish Sparkler from Italy
Most wine geeks are not familiar with Franciacorta, so it’s understandable that this terrific Italian bubbly is not on the...
Alex Gambal, Beaune 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) 2011
The Gambal team, led by winemaker Geraldine Godot who joined Gambal in 2009, has captured the “flavor without...
Red Rock Winery, California (United States) Pinot Noir 2012
This wine exemplifies why we need to regulate the term “Reserve.” Red Rock Winery produces 40,000 cases of...
Clos du Val, Carneros (Napa Valley, California) Pinot Noir 2010
Clos du Val, thankfully, has resisted the trend toward overripe, boisterous wines. With this lacey and pure Pinot Noir,...
d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Shiraz 2011
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the cutesy names the Australians attach to their wines, there is no overlooking the quality...
Gérard Bertrand, Pic Saint Loup (Coteaux du Languedoc, France) 2011
Pic Saint Loup, one of the top areas within the Languedoc, is in line to receive its own appellation because its wines have the...
d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Shiraz 2010
d’Arenberg has turned up the power here while simultaneously increasing the polish of this Shiraz. A luxurious wine,...
d’Arenberg, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Shiraz / Viognier 2009
By blending a touch of Viognier with the Shiraz, as in the custom in France’s Côte Rôtie, d’Arenberg has...