Although best known for its superb Cabernet and Chardonnay, Shafer also has a long and distinguished track record with...
Keenan, Spring Mountain District (Napa Valley, California) Cabernet Franc 2012
Keenan's Cabernet Franc makes a bold statement, as most wines made by Nils Venge do. It's something of a rarity to come across a...
La Crema, Willamette Valley (Oregon) Pinot Noir 2013
La Crema's venture into Oregon has yielded a meaty, earthy Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. The 2013 exhibits nuances of...
Poggio al Tesoro, Bolgheri DOC Superiore (Tuscany, Italy) 2011
Bolgheri is the hot spot for the so-called 'Super Tuscans' and this one from the Allegrini family, renowned for its success in...
Black Kite, Anderson Valley (Mendocino County, California) Pinot Noir 2012
This is a delicious though somewhat delicate Pinot from Black Kite's estate vineyard. In this vintage the Kite's Rest block has...
Criterion, Rioja (Spain) 2010
Criterion's 2010 Reserva is a good example of a modern Rioja. With excellent concentration of black cherry fruit and firm...
Geyser Peak, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Pinot Noir 2013
Geyer Peak's 'Pluto's Fury' is yet another impressive Pinot in the under-$30 range. This vintage exhibits notes of earth...
Wines for the Holiday Party
Although the holiday feasting season is upon us now through the end of the year, it is important to remember not every...
Edna Valley Vineyard, Central Coast (California) Pinot Noir 2014
The rise in the popularity of Pinot Noir since the movie Sideways has come with a price, and that's a problem. For the longest...
Black Kite, Anderson Valley (Mendocino County) Pinot Noir 2013
River Turn from this vintage impresses with its density and brooding earthiness. The fruit profile runs to the dark side, and...
Hitting the Sweet Spot
There is a widely quoted statistic that about 75 percent of all Champagne consumption in the United States occurs in the final...
Louis M. Martini, Sonoma County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Louis M. Martini is best known for its iconic Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet, but the wines a bit lower in the food chain bear...