Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

The Lucky Country, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Shiraz 2010
W. Blake Gray
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April 10, 2012
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 From Michael Twelftree, the winemaker at Two Hands, comes a wine that provides what you want in this price range:  Black cherry fruit, good...
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Two Hands, Barossa Valley (South Australia) Shiraz 2010
W. Blake Gray
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April 10, 2012
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 If you like big-shouldered, ripe black cherry fruit, you’ll like this much more than I did.  This wine achieves what it sets out to...
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Bodegas Peñalba Herraiz, Ribera del Duero (Castilla y León, Spain) 2009
Michael Franz
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April 10, 2012
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 One of the best values that I’ve tasted during the past year, this wine can also grab your attention on the strength of sheer...
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Morgan, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County, California) Chardonnay 2010
Michael Apstein
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April 3, 2012
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 Morgan has hit the bull’s eye with this gorgeous Chardonnay.  A wonderful bundle of creamy, toasty and subtle fruity nuances, this Chardonnay has finesse...
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Potel-Aviron, Julienas (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2010
Michael Apstein
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April 3, 2012
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 As with the rest of Burgundy, Beaujolais had two great back-to-back vintages in 2009 and 2010.  And, as with the rest of Burgundy, the...
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Potel-Aviron, Beaujolais Villages (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2009
Michael Apstein
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April 3, 2012
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 Stéphane Aviron describes his 2009 Beaujolais as “sunny wines” because of the warmth of the vintage.  Anyone who thinks that all Beaujolais is just...
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Alain Burguet, Gevrey-Chambertin (Burgundy, France) 2009
Michael Apstein
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April 3, 2012
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 Here’s an example of how the French appellation system breaks down.  This village wine delivers more elegance and complexity than many producers’ wines from...
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Casa Lapostolle, Rapel Valley (Chile) Carménère 2010
Michael Apstein
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April 3, 2012
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 Founded in part by the Marnier Lapostolle family (of Grand Marnier fame) Casa Lapostolle was one of the early Franco-Chilean endeavors.  They remain one...
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Nickel & Nickel, Oakville – Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2009
Michael Franz
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April 3, 2012
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 If you suffer from the post-Sideways affliction of regarding Merlot as an unserious wine, this is the bottle that will cure you.  Its supreme...
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Turkey Flat, Barossa Valley (South Australia) 2010
Michael Franz
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April 3, 2012
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 A blend of 53% Shiraz, 31% Grenache and 16% Mourvédre, this is open and generous but also built for two decades–no kidding–of potential improvement. ...
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Chapel Hill, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Grenache 2010
Michael Franz
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April 3, 2012
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 If you love grilled meat with a spicy rub, you should tune into the fact that a serious rendition of Garnacha from Spain or...
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El Primario, Tierra de Castilla (Castilla y León, Spain) 2008
Michael Franz
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April 3, 2012
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 This is a modest-looking wine with a modest designation (rather than appellation–it is actually the Spanish equivalent of what would be a Vin de...
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