A California Rhône-styled red that easily could fool you into thinking it hailed from southern France, this wine...
David Girard, El Dorado (California) Mourvèdre 2009
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Paul Lukacs
What’s Next?
Fifty years ago, although wine certainly was being made elsewhere, fine wine--that is, wine valued for more than just calories...
California’s White Wine Doldrums
When was the last time that the word “refreshing” came to mind when drinking a glass of California white wine? ...
Davis Bynum, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
One of the better California Pinot Noirs I have tasted this year, this spicy but legitimately dry wine offers a multitude...
Ghost Pines, Sonoma County/Napa County (California) Merlot 2008
More substantial than many California Merlots, this example is satisfyingly rich and impressively structured. It has...
What Really Matters
Wine is a sensory pleasure. Of the five senses, smell and taste obviously come first in providing that pleasure. The...
Bella, Alexander Valley (California) Petite Sirah 2008
A classy example of Petite Sirah, full-bodied and intense, with firm tannins and vibrant fresh fruit flavors, all enhanced...
Rancho Zabaco, Sonoma County (California) Zinfandel 2008
Extremely reliable and very consistent. Ranco Zabaco’s “Heritage” Zinfandel impresses vintage after...
Silverado, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Very ripe and filled with sweet black fruit flavors, with impressive length, this wine feels soft and smooth on the...
White Port Cocktails
Ernest Cockburn once famously declared “the first duty” of any port wine “to be red.” Contemporary...
Coriole, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Shiraz 2008
A juicy but still well-balanced and appropriately structured wine, with red fruit flavors and a deliciously spicy...
En Route, Russian River Valley (California) Pinot Noir 2008
The initial impression conveyed by this wine is overwhelmingly one of bright, sweet cherry fruit flavor. With time in...