Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Giuseppe Nada, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) 2010
Michael Franz
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May 21, 2013
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Enrico Nada is a rising young star making a range of impressive wines and a downright stunning Barbaresco from a steep, perfectly exposed Cru...
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Laurent Miquel, Faugères (Languedoc-Roussilon, France) 2010
Marguerite Thomas
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May 21, 2013
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This wine (a blend of Syrah 80%, Grenache 20%) offers further proof that Laurent Miquel is one of Southern France’s most reliable wine producers....
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Renato Ratti, Dolcetto d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) 2012
Michael Franz
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May 21, 2013
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By almost all accounts from vintners in Piedmont, Dolcetto is actually even more difficult to produce well than the famously challenging Nebbiolo variety behind...
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Conterno Fantino, Barbera D’Alba (Piedmont, Italy) 2011
Michael Franz
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May 21, 2013
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Conterno Fantino is among the most respected producers of Barolo, and the Ginestra bottling is particularly prized, but this wine demonstrates the house’s excellence...
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Bodegas Los Astrales, Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León, Spain) 2009
Michael Franz
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May 21, 2013
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Importer Aurelio Cabestrero has the (indisputably) strongest collection of wines from Ribera del Duero of any US-based importer, and the wines are just as...
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Bodegas Pujanza, Rioja (Spain) 2009
Michael Franz
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May 21, 2013
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Pujanza is a first-rate Rioja producer, and this high-end wine sourced from a particular vineyard offers an indication of just how good the Bodega’s...
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Neyen, Colchagua Valley (Chile) 2008
Michael Franz
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May 21, 2013
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This high-end blend of 80% Carmenère and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon shows yet again that Carmenère can threaten the world’s established noble varieties when handled...
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Kuleto Estate, Napa Valley (California) 2009
Marguerite Thomas
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May 21, 2013
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Serious and sensual, Frog Prince is an amalgam of co-fermented lots of wine including the dominant Cabernet Sauvignon (67%), Malbec (14%), Cabernet Franc (8%),...
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Silverado Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2009
Marguerite Thomas
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May 21, 2013
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It would be a challenge to find a better Merlot than Silverado’s 2009 vintage. Enjoy the waves of smooth, beautifully ripened fruit accented with...
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Sandler, Bennett Valley (California) Syrah 2010
W. Blake Gray
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May 21, 2013
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One of the most interesting wines in California; too bad there were only 170 cases made. It’s just 11.6% alcohol, a throwback to the...
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Sandler, Chalone (Central Coast, California) Grenache 2010
W. Blake Gray
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May 21, 2013
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Made from all whole clusters, you smell and taste the stems, along with an interesting minty, herbal note at the beginning. The tannins announce...
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August West, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Pinot Noir 2011
W. Blake Gray
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May 21, 2013
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 Fresh and bright, this wine delivers plenty of ripe cherry fruit with enough tannin to keep it interesting. A simple delight. 14.6% alcohol.

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