Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Castillo de Monjardin, Navarra (Spain) Tempranillo 2010
Michael Franz
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March 6, 2012
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 This wine could be more complex, but it could hardly be more delicious, as the relatively simple fruit is perfectly ripened and balanced.  (For...
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Merry Edwards, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Apstein
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March 6, 2012
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 Named after her husband, Ken Coopersmith, this Pinot Noir has a family resemblance to the Merry Edwards’s Meredith Estate bottling, showing richness and power...
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Tasca d’Almerita, Contea di Sclafani (Sicily, Italy) 2008
Michael Apstein
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February 28, 2012
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 This impressive sparkling wine makes you shake your head in wonderment.   Here is a locale (the DOC of Contea di Sclafani is halfway between...
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Dry Creek Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Marguerite Thomas
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February 28, 2012
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 Dry Creek Vineyard’s Cabernet is always dependable, always satisfying. Stylistically it’s refined rather than rustic, with lively, bright fruit notes, medium tannins, and a...
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Fairview, Coastal Region (South Africa) Merlot 2008
Marguerite Thomas
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February 28, 2012
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 This wine’s sweet, juicy Merlot fruit in no way steals the whole show.  There is also enough acidity and subtle tannic structure to make...
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Viña Robles, Paso Robles (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Marguerite Thomas
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February 28, 2012
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 Rich and sinuous, this Cabernet feels and tastes as if an entire acre of red grapes had been pressed, and squeezed, and condensed into...
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Fairview, Coastal Region (South Africa) Shiraz 2009
Marguerite Thomas
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February 28, 2012
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 I am consistently impressed by the array of fairly priced and eminently drinkable wines being turned out by South Africa’s Fairview Estate.  This Shiraz,...
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Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma County (California) 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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February 28, 2012
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 The Count, a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Zinfandel, is an homage to Count Agoston Haraszthy, founder of Buena Vista in 1857.  Aged for...
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Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma County (California) Zinfandel 2010
Gerald D. Boyd
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February 28, 2012
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 This 100% Zinfandel was aged for 14 months in a mix of French, Hungarian and American oak, about 10% new.  It has a very...
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Buena Vista Winery, Sonoma County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Gerald D. Boyd
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February 28, 2012
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 The historic Buena Vista Winery, in the town of Sonoma, has made a dramatic comeback thanks to the new owner, Boisset Family Estates.  Jean-Charles...
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Regaleali, Sicilia IGT (Sicily, Italy) 2009
Michael Apstein
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February 28, 2012
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 Despite the absence of Nero d’Avola on the label as in previous vintages, Regaleali’s Lamúri d’Almerita is still made exclusively from that grape.  The...
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Dashe, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) Zinfandel 2009
Marguerite Thomas
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February 28, 2012
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 Beautifully complex and balanced, this elegant Zinfandel reflects the mature, intricate flavors and textures that well tended old vines are capable of producing.  It’s...
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