Jean-Luc routinely treats his Cotes-du-Rhone wines with the same respect and attention to detail he gives to his top crus,...
J. Lohr, Monterey (California) Valdiguie 2011
Valdiguie was once widely and incorrectly marketed as gamay, the red grape variety seen in the Beaujolais district of Burgundy....
Jean-Luc Colombo, Coutes-du-Rhone (France) 2011
This southern Rhone blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre is a bit of a masterpiece considering the price. It exhibits...
Esporao, Alentejo DOC (Portugal) 2009
Esporao 2009 Reserva is a suggestion from a somewhat forgotten corner of wine’s global landscape. We drink sweet,...
Dutton Goldfield, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Pinot Noir 2011
Dutton Goldfield Freestone Hill Vineyard Pinot is for those big spenders who just love mind-bending Russian River Valley...
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County) Merlot 2010
Alexander Valley Vineyards 2010 Estate Merlot ably demonstrates the synergy the merlot grape seems to have with the varied...
Roth Estate, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County) Merlot 2010
This latest Roth Estate Merlot is typical of Merlot from the warm Alexander Valley, where Cabernet Sauvignon is king. That's not...
Freemark Abbey, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
For the price this is a very attractive Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. For one thing, the Freemark Abbey Cabs age very well and...
Chateau Paul Mas, Coteaux du Languedoc (France) 2011
The various domains of Paul Mas throughout the south of France, in the Languedoc region that extends from Montpelier to the...
Touring Bordeaux
Bordeaux, arguably the epicenter of the modern wine universe, wasn't always a hot destination for wine tourism. Unlike the...
Gundlach Bundschu, Sonoma Valley (California) Merlot 2010
Gundlach Bundschu is an oldie but goodie, having been one of the earliest wineries to open in California in the late 1800s. The...
Wine On Ice
Having just weathered a warm and muggy Labor Day grilling experience, I have a few thoughts on keeping your wines cool and...