A high-end, biodynamically-farmed wine that fulfills its obligation to its asking price even at a young age, this is a terrific...
Niner Wine Estates, Paso Robles (Central Coast, California) 2010
This wine was tasted blind by a panel at the San Diego International Wine Competition, sent forward to me with a score of...
V. Sattui Winery, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Here’s yet another complex, layered, classically-styled wine that belies the prediction that the cool, wet 2011...
Main & Geary, California (United States) Petite Sirah 2013
This is a big, juicy, crowd-pleasing rendition of Petite Sirah that could work nicely as a stand-alone sipper but also serve as...
Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
This is an utterly convincing Cabernet, both initially and persistently, with equal measures of purity and punch. ...
Pollak Vineyards, Monticello (Virginia) 2012
This excellent Meritage blend shows lots of appealing flavor with moderate weight and structure, making it a very...
Cru Wine Company, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Pinot Noir 2012
Appropriately light in color, this wine shows its varietal delicacy right away, but also proves quite expressive in aromatic...
Harmony Cellars, Paso Robles (California) 2010
Packed with power and flavor, this is a compelling wine in every respect. It shows impressively deep pigmentation,...
Seven Killer Champagnes to Finish Off the Year
I don’t know more than a handful of people who don’t love Champagne, yet I’m often surprised by how few people...
For Shopping Season, My Wine Gadget of the Year
I’m posting this blog on “Cyber Monday,” and unless you’ve spent the past four days since “Black...
Wine Service Tips for Thanksgiving Hosts
Some of you probably entertain frequently, but survey research shows that the vast majority of Americans host large dinner...
Famille Perrin, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Rhône Valley, France) 2011
Both 2009 and 2010 were terrific years in the southern Rhône, so I was prepared to see a major drop-off in quality in...