Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Ceretto, Langhe (Piedmont, Italy) 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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December 6, 2011
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 Monsordo Bernardina is the Ceretto family estate vineyard in Alba, Piedmont.  The 2008 Monsordo, a blend of Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, was aged...
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Beringer Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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December 6, 2011
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 Beringer Winemaker Laurie Hook continues the tradition of the noted Napa Valley Private Reserve with the 2008 edition.  A blend of mainly Cabernet Sauvignon...
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Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais (Burgundy, France) 2011
Gerald D. Boyd
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December 6, 2011
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 It’s Nouveau time again and the “King of Beaujolais,” Georges Duboeuf has come through with another in a series of grapy juicy, new Beaujolais. ...
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Clayhouse Estate, Paso Robles (California) Tempranillo 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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December 6, 2011
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 Whereas the Clayhouse Malbec has continuity and distinctive varietal flavors, this Clayhouse 2009 Tempranillo is awkward and lacks varietal identity.  It has a medium-deep...
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Kenwood, Sonoma Valley (Sonoma County, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Marguerite Thomas
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December 6, 2011
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 On the back label there’s a quote from Jack London in which he describes riding through his beautiful ranch in Glen Ellen, and concludes...
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Clayhouse Estate, Paso Robles (California) Malbec 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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December 6, 2011
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 Clayhouse makes 100% Malbec from estate vineyards and ages the wine in European and French oak for 18 months.  The 2009 shows Malbec’s deep...
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Cellar No. 8, California (United States) 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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December 6, 2011
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 Cellar No. 8 is part of the old Asti Winery in northern Sonoma County.  The “8” is label language for Petite Sirah, Grenache, Merlot,...
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Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County (California) Syrah 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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December 6, 2011
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 This blend of 93% Syrah and 7% Petite Sirah was sourced from vineyards in Sonoma Valley and Russian River Valley and aged for 18...
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Antinori, Toscana Rosso IGT (Tuscany, Italy) Sangiovese 2009
Paul Lukacs
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December 6, 2011
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 It wasn’t that long ago that Antinori’s Santa Cristina reds almost always proved disappointing, being one-dimensional and generic.  They’ve changed significantly, and quality has...
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Chateau Ste Michelle, Columbia Valley (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Paul Lukacs
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December 6, 2011
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 A good example of Washington State Cabernet, this wine suffers slightly in comparison to the very best renditions because it tastes overtly sweet, with...
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Cline, Sonoma County (California) Syrah 2009
Michael Apstein
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November 29, 2011
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 Cline, best known for their Zinfandel, has made an impressive Syrah.  Less massive than their other Syrahs, Cline’s Sonoma County bottling weighs in at...
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Domaine la Tour Vieille, Collioure (Roussillon, France) 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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November 29, 2011
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 La Pinede is a very pleasant rose Syrah and Grenache with a brilliant pale pink color, bright cherry-berry aromas, good length and structure, 14.5%...
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