Michael Apstein
Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, Clos Vougeot (Burgundy, France) 2010
Although a famous Grand Cru, Clos Vougeot is the source of highly variable wines because of the vast number of growers who...
Maison Bouchard, Savigny-lès-Beaune (Burgundy, France) 2010
This is one of Bouchard’s charming négociant (as opposed to Domaine) wine from the lesser known village of...
Domaine Bouchard Père et Fils, Volnay 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) 2010
The portion of the Caillerets vineyard Bouchard owns, purchased in 1775 and labeled Ancienne Cuvée Carnot, was the...
Domaine Michel Lafarge, Côte de Beaune Villages (Burgundy, France) 2009
Lafarge, a world-renowned producer of Volnay, makes other wines, albeit in small quantities. They are so good they...
Negroamaro: Black & Bitter from Italy’s Heel
“Black and bitter.” It certainly wasn’t a name create by a public relations firm. To be fair,...
Bodegas Arrayán, Méntrida (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) 2009
Méntrida, a small DO in the large Castilla-La Mancha region, is starting to rediscover itself. Although...
Laurenz, Niederösterreich (Austria) Grüner Veltliner 2010
With over a third of Austrian vineyards planted with it, Grüner Veltliner is Austria’s signature grape. ...
Château de Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Rhône Valley, France) 2009
Beaucastel is one of the top properties in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Year after year, they produce a...
Borgo Scopeto, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
Borgo Scopeto, like Caparzo, its sister property in Montalcino, makes consistently fine wine. The 2008 Chianti...
Peregrine, Central Otago (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2009
Peregrine has fashioned a beautifully pure and pretty Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand’s premier regions...
Bodegas Parra Jimenez, La Mancha (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) Graciano 2010
Although Graciano has the reputation of making a tough and tannic wine, Parra Jimenez has tamed it nicely. ...