Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Cakebread Cellars, Howell Mountain (Napa Valley) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Robert Whitley
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February 12, 2013
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This massive mountain cabernet from Cakebread’s Dancing Bear Ranch on Howell Mountain was voted best-of-class cabernet sauvignon at Winemaker Challenge IV, where it also...
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Santa Rita, Valle del Maipo (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Marguerite Thomas
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February 5, 2013
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With lots of ripe boysenberry and cassis elements, plus spice and a dash of that mouth-watering herbal element often found in good Chilean Cabernet,...
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19 Crimes, Australia (Australia) 2012
Marguerite Thomas
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February 5, 2013
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The story line this winery is pushing involves a variety of crimes–19, to be exact–committed by British “rogues” who were sentenced to live in...
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Wrath, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Syrah 2010
Rebecca Murphy
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February 5, 2013
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The aromas promise big, black brooding fruit with smoky, spicy, herbal nuances, but in the mouth it is surprisingly supple and vivacious. Yes, the...
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Brancaia, Rosso Toscana (Italy) 2010
Marguerite Thomas
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February 5, 2013
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2010 was a relatively cool year which is reflected in the wine’s exceptionally bright and fresh fruit flavors and faint herbal notes. Well structured,...
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Decoy, Sonoma County (California) Zinfandel 2010
Marguerite Thomas
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February 5, 2013
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Why do Zin lovers appreciate good wine such as Duckhorn’s? Let me count the ways: there’s the spiciness, the generous juiciness of red and...
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Cosentino Winery, Lodi (California) Zinfandel 2011
February 5, 2013
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This wine has overwhelming oak expressed in nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, caraway, and cedar notes. The oak is hard to overcome, and finding the brambly...
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Domaine du Murinais, Crozes-Hermitage (Rhône Valley, France) 2008
February 5, 2013
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 This wine is a good example of Crozes-Hermitage. The color is a deep ruby-garnet. The nose has intense white pepper and violet with greengage,...
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Ray’s Station, North Coast (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
February 5, 2013
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This wine has moderate ruby color that seems light for a Cabernet Sauvignon. The aromas of red currant, cherry, and blackberry translate to the...
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Ray’s Station, North Coast (California) Merlot 2009
February 5, 2013
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This wine is light ruby color. Aromas and flavors are of stewed plum, ripe cherry, and red berry fruits. But, the dominant factor is...
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Azienda Agricola Pira Luigi, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2008
February 5, 2013
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 This wine is from a southwest-facing cru of Serralunga d’Alba, and what is considered one of the best vineyards of the commune. The site...
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Gary Farrell Winery, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2010
Linda Murphy
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January 29, 2013
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There are myriad fruity Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs–boasting cherries, berries, and all other sorts of red/black fruits–yet there are fewer Pinots from the...
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