Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

McManis, California (United States) Petite Sirah 2010
Gerald D. Boyd
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January 31, 2012
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 In recent years, a lot has been accomplished in the vineyard and the winery with Petite Sirah, making the wine more accessible and less...
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Château D’Issan, Margaux (Bordeaux, France) 2008
Michael Apstein
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January 31, 2012
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 The 2008 vintage in Bordeaux is destined to always be overshadowed by the much praised—and more expensive—2009 vintage, which means there are some excellent,...
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Marchesi dei Frescobaldi, Toscana IGT (Tuscany, Italy) 2009
Mary Ewing-Mulligan
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January 24, 2012
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 The Frescobaldi name is so prestigious, and the packaging of this wine is so classic, that you might expect this to be an Important...
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Provenza, Garda Classico (Veneto, Italy) 2009
Michael Apstein
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January 24, 2012
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 Although Lake Garda is best known for its Lugana DOC for white wines, it does have its eponymous DOC for reds.  A blend of...
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Colomé Estate, Calchaqui Valley (Salta, Argentina) Malbec 2009
Michael Apstein
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January 24, 2012
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 The Colomé website notes their vineyards are at an elevation between 2,300 and 3,111 meters (7,544 and 10,204 feet), the highest in the world. ...
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Toad Hollow, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Apstein
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January 24, 2012
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 Do not be deceived by either the light color or the 14.5 percent-stated alcohol.  Pinot Noir frequently produces lightly colored wines that retain plenty...
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Montjardin, Navarra (Spain) 2010
Paul Lukacs
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January 24, 2012
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 A juicy, lively red, this wine tastes fresh and bright.  It should pair well with everything from burgers to pizza, and represents real value. ...
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Sierra Cantabria, Rioja (Spain) 2009
Paul Lukacs
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January 24, 2012
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 A medium-weight Rioja, with earthy undertones that give it intriguing complexity, but at the same time plenty of modern-styled fresh fruit (think dark cherries)...
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Faustino VII, Rioja (Spain) 2009
Paul Lukacs
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January 24, 2012
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 A very traditionally-styled Rioja (with an appropriately traditional-looking label), this is a light-bodied red that tastes as much of sweet, spicy oak as of...
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Roth, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Paul Lukacs
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January 24, 2012
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 A pretty, though fairly one-dimensional California Pinot Noir, with bright cherry fruit that dominates the sensory impression both aromatically and on the palate.  The...
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Penolds, South Australia (Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Paul Lukacs
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January 24, 2012
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 A forceful but not over-the-top Cabernet, with the varietal’s tell-tale cassis fruit flavor, secondary notes that echo dark chocolate and sweet vanilla, firm but...
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J Vineyards, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Tina Caputo
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January 17, 2012
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 I’m a big fan of Pinots with red fruit character, and this is a lovely example.  It has aromas of cherries and raspberries, along...
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