This wine, like their Xplorador Carménère (also reviewed this week) represents another marvelous example of...
Concha y Toro, Peumo (Rapel Valley, Chile) Carmenère 2009
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Michael Apstein
Concha y Toro, Central Valley (Chile) Carmenère 2010
Concha y Toro is a brilliant Chilean producer because they deliver value and quality at every price point, even $8, as in...
Cecchi, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
In keeping with the Cecchi style, this is a substantial, but traditional, Chianti Classico filled with black, more than...
Penfolds, South Australia (Australia) 2009
It’s incredible that Penfolds, with its vast line-up of wines from its flagship Grange at $400 a bottle to ones like...
Alamos, Mendoza (Argentina) Malbec 2009
Although robust and fruity like so many Malbecs, this one has more going on that makes it easy to recommend, especially...
Shafer, Stags Leap District (Napa Valley, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
The grapes for this wine come from Shafer’s famed Hillside Select vineyard and from another vineyard a couple miles...
Under the Radar: Long Island Merlot
Some wine areas are vaguely familiar but not well known or fashionable. Parts of Southern Italy, such as Puglia, fit this...
Altano, Douro (Portugal) 2008
Portugal’s Douro River has long been famous for Port. More and more, dry red table wines are emerging from...
Castello di Volpaia, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
Castello di Volpaia makes a wonderful array of wines from the Chianti region. This one has the quintessential bright...
Domaine Faiveley, Mercurey Premier Cru (Burgundy, France) 2008
The vineyard, Clos des Myglands, is owned entirely by Faiveley, unusual in Burgundy where vineyards usually are fragmented...
Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Walker Bay (South Africa) Pinot Noir 2008
Practically abutting the Atlantic Ocean and feeling its cooling effect, Walker Bay is the capital of Pinot Noir in South...
The Alchemy of Wine: A Reason to Cellar
In years past, when marginal weather often failed to ripen grapes adequately, winemakers rejoiced in the relatively rare years...