Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Casa Lapostolle, Rapel Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Paul Lukacs
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October 18, 2011
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 It’s hard to imagine a better red wine value than this Chilean Cabernet.  Deep and dark, with multi-layered flavors reminiscent of black fruits, dark...
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Joseph Drouhin, Côte-de-Beaune Villages (Burgundy, France) 2008
Paul Lukacs
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October 19, 2011
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 Soft and supple, with a sexy perfume that combines sweet cherry fruit with a dusty, earthiness, this is a classy Burgundy that may well...
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La Rochelle, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2008
Robert Whitley
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October 18, 2011
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 Despite the fact the alcohol by volume is pushing 15 percent, La Rochelle’s Russian River Pinot from this vintage exhibits more elegance than heft....
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Poggio alle Sughere, Morellino di Scansano (Tuscany, Italy) 2009
Michael Apstein
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October 18, 2011
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 This is one of three estates owned by Lionello Marchesi, an industrialist turned wine producer 30 years ago.  The Morellino di Scansano DOCG zone...
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Bertani, Valpolicella (Veneto, Italy) 2010
Michael Apstein
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October 18, 2011
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 Valpolicella, like its neighboring area, Soave, suffers from an image problem based on the many vapid wines that came from the area two decades...
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Château de Jau, Côtes du Roussillon Villages (Languedoc, France) 2008
Michael Apstein
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October 18, 2011
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 The usual Mediterranean suspects, Syrah (45%), Mourvèdre (30%), Carignan (15%), and Grenache, come together here to form a winning combination.  There’s a wild strawberry-like...
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Tormaresca, Salento IGT (Puglia, Italy) 2009
Michael Apstein
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October 18, 2011
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 Tormaresca is the Antinori property founded in 1998 in Puglia, the region that comprises the heel of Italy’s boot.  The wine, Torcicoda, is made...
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Lake Chalice, Marlborough (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Franz
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October 11, 2011
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 Delicious and very attractively priced, this is made from 14% Central Otago fruit.  It spent 12 months in French oak, and that sure seems...
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BenMarco, Mendoza (Argentina) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Paul Lukacs
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October 11, 2011
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 A very impressive, substantial red wine, marked by rich dark fruit flavors enhanced by echoes of savory spice, dark chocolate, and an intriguing minerality...
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Carol Shelton, Rockpile (Sonoma County, California) Petite Sirah 2008
Paul Lukacs
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October 11, 2011
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 A classic Petite, with vivid blueberry-scented fruit and a firm, well-defined tannic structure, this wine impresses most because of its superb length on the...
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Carrick, Central Otago (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Franz
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October 11, 2011
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 This wine is just a hair stronger than Carrick’s “Unravelled” Pinot, but I scored them at the same level when tasting them side-by-side.  This...
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Harts Desire Wines, Sonoma County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Paul Lukacs
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October 11, 2011
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 A delectable example of northern California’s most successful single grape variety, this wine, which comes from a small, boutique winery that I confess I...
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