Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Borgo Scopeto, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
Michael Apstein
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July 10, 2012
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  Borgo Scopeto, like Caparzo, its sister property in Montalcino, makes consistently fine wine.  The 2008 Chianti Classico, a blend of mostly (90%) Sangiovese...
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Peregrine, Central Otago (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Apstein
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July 10, 2012
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 Peregrine has fashioned a beautifully pure and pretty Pinot Noir from one of New Zealand’s premier regions (Martinborough’s another) for that varietal.  Concentrated, yet...
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Paitin, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) 2009
Michael Franz
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July 10, 2012
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 This wine was initially a bit reticent in terms of aroma, but swirling over time brought out lots of lovely floral and spice nuances...
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Giacosa Fratelli, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) 2009
Michael Franz
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July 10, 2012
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 Very dark color and a sexy, smoky bouquet announce the seriousness of this wine before it ever even hits one’s tongue, and once it...
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Cascina Morassino, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) 2009
Michael Franz
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July 10, 2012
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 This generous wine is stuffed with deep flavors recalling both red and black fruits backed with a serious but balanced dose of spicy oak. ...
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Montaribaldi, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) 2009
Michael Franz
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July 10, 2012
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 This producer has a relatively low profile in the USA but has performed superbly for at least three consecutive vintages.  This bottling shows impressively...
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Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) 2008
Paul Lukacs
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July 3, 2012
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 A beautifully balanced Bordeaux-styled wine, showing brighter fruit than its French compatriot, but none of the irritating sweetness that characterizes so many of its...
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Alysian, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Pinot Noir 2009
Robert Whitley
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July 10, 2012
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Winemaker Gary Farrell has long eschewed power for finesse, a stylistic decision that has enabled him to compile a long track record of elegant...
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Handley Cellars, Anderson Valley (Mendocino Co., California) 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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July 3, 2012
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 The RSM Vineyard was planted at elevations between 800 and 1,000 feet in 1999 and 2001, giving the wine an intensity not normally found...
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Handley Cellars, Mendocino (Mendocino County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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July 3, 2012
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 Half of the fruit for this juicy Pinot came Potter Valley, an inland valley at 1,000 feet elevation, the other half came from the...
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Bodegas Parra Jimenez, La Mancha (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain) Graciano 2010
Michael Apstein
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July 3, 2012
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 Although Graciano has the reputation of making a tough and tannic wine, Parra Jimenez has tamed it nicely.  It’s a dense wine with an...
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Bodegas Piqueras, Almansa (Castilla La Mancha, Spain) Monastrell 2010
Michael Apstein
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July 3, 2012
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 Bodegas Piqueras is the major producer of bottled (as opposed to bulk) wine in Almansa, a less well known DO in Castilla – La...
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