I don’t have enough experience with Chinon to say that Couly-Dutheil is the area’s best producer. But I...
Couly-Duthei, Chinon (Loire Valley, France) 2011
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Michael Apstein
Gascón, Mendoza (Argentina) 2011
The name says it all. Made from a blend of Malbec, Bonarda, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s a big juicy fruit...
Bodegas Ramírez de la Piscina, Rioja (Spain) 2008
This must be one of the most enjoyable $15 wines I’ve tasted recently. It’s a classical and traditional Rioja...
Chianti Classico’s Gran Selezione: Grand Idea or Grand Mistake?
Chianti Classico producers have been hitting home runs with recent vintages. But they are on the verge of striking out with...
Donatella Cinelli Colombini, Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
The 2008 vintage in Brunello was variable, but did produce some excellent wines. And this is one of them. ...
Castello di Uzzano, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) 2010
A rather weighty Chianti Classico, the Castello di Uzzano actually delivers slightly tarry notes and other non-fruit...
San Felice, Chianti Classico Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
Made entirely from Sangiovese, San Felice’s 2008 Il Grigio is a terrific value. San Felice’s location in...
Vintage Matters…and So Does Ownership
Bruno Eynard, the man in charge at Château Lagrange, the St. Julien estate in Bordeaux classified as a 3rd growth in the...
Taylor Fladgate, Porto (Portugal) 2009
Taylor’s 2009 vintage Port is stunningly good. The 2009 vintage Ports in general are riper because of the warmth of...
Croft, Porto (Portugal) 2009
Of the trio of 2009 vintage Ports from the family owned Fladgate Partnership, Taylor Fladgate, Fonseca and Croft, Croft’s...
Fonseca, Porto (Portugal) 2009
Fonseca vintage Ports are typically slightly riper and less taut than Taylor’s because of the location of their major...
Descendientes de J. Palacios, Bierzo (Spain) 2010
Ricardo Perez and his uncle, Alvaro Palacios, whose last name is synonymous with great Spanish wine, are putting Bierzo and its...