The blender’s art is highly underrated in the wine world – particularly when trying to make a fine wine at a...
MJA Vineyards, Mendocino County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
MJA Vineyards Mendocino County Cabernet Sauvignon states unabashedly its significant alcohol content on the front label,...
Dandelion Vineyards, McLaren Vale (South Australia) 2021
I don’t know if the fanciful name is a nod to Wes Anderson’s great motion picture, but I would say that the...
Sister’s Run Wine Company, Barossa Valley (South Australia) Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2021
This hits the international markers for a GSM blend – red and black fruit, a little tar and some nice spice –...
Jeff Runquist, Alta Mesa, Lodi (California) Grenache 2021
I appreciate Jeff Runquist’s ability to go in his winemaking choices where the fruit leads him rather than exerting...
Le Vigne Winery, Paso Robles (Central Coast, California) Merlot 2019
Merlot, Paso Robles, and 13.9% alcohol: Three items here that you won’t often see grouped together on a wine...
Ragtag Wine Co., San Luis Obispo County (California) Syrah 2018
Spanish Springs Vineyard spends most of its nights under a moisturizing blanket of fog, but during the day it usually...
Benziger de Coelo, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2021
This is exactly what fans of the Sonoma Coast are looking for when it comes to Pinot Noir. A mix of red and black...
Hocking Hills Winery, Ohio (United States) Leon Millot 2021
One of the pleasures of working with wine competitions is seeing new things that are going on in the wine world at large,...
King Estate, Willamette Valley (Oregon) Chardonnay 2021
The house that Pinot Gris built does more than just Pinot Gris on the white side of the house. King Estate's budget...
Gratitude, Mentorship and Rising Tides
This past Sunday I took a little cruise with some folks to bid a final farewell to a long-time friend and colleague in the world...
Oak Creek Vineyards & Winery, Wilcox (Arizona) Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Arizona is an up-and-coming region in the wine world, one that seems to be coming into its own more and more with every...