Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

James Oatley Tic Tok, Mudgee (New South Wales, Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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June 14, 2011
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 The key to this fruity Cabernet was aging in used French oak then blending that component with a portion that was kept in stainless...
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Emiliana, Colchagua Valley (Chile) Carmenère 2010
Michael Apstein
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June 14, 2011
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 I never know whether it’s the organically grown grapes or the extra attention the winegrower must give to the vineyard when farming organically that...
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Frank Family Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) Zinfandel 2008
Paul Lukacs
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June 14, 2011
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 Impressively subtle, this is an unusual Zinfandel.  This wine displays all sorts of ripe, spicy flavors, but keeps them in check with a well-defined...
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San Fabiano, Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
Michael Franz
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June 14, 2011
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 The highest quality designation in Italian wine law is DOCG, short for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita.  DOCG status has been granted left...
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Stickybeak, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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June 14, 2011
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 Grapes from the Petaluma Gap and Russian River make up this juicy Pinot Noir carrying a Sonoma Coast appellation.  Aging for 10 months in...
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James Oatley Tic Tok, Mudgee (New South Wales, Australia) Shiraz 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
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June 14, 2011
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 The same oak and steel aging regimen used on the Tic Tok Cabernet (also reviewed this week) was also employed for this Mudgee Shiraz,...
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Penfolds, Coonawarra (South Australia, Australia) Shiraz 2008
Paul Lukacs
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June 14, 2011
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 Unlike most Shirazes from Australia, which tend to feel soft and taste somewhat sweet, this wine is quite firm, with hard tannins, and deep,...
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Jean-Paul Brun, Morgon (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2009
Michael Apstein
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June 14, 2011
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 The 2009 vintage in Beaujolais was fabulous, as it was in the rest of Burgundy for red wines.  Brun is small, dedicated producer who...
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Dutton Goldfield, Russian River Vallley (California) Pinot Noir 2009
Robert Whitley
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June 7, 2011
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 This is probably the most profound and interesting Dutton Ranch Pinot I can remember from Dutton Goldfield, and that’s not daming it with faint...
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Concannon, Livermore Valley (California) Petite Sirah 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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June 7, 2011
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  Livermore Valley and Concannon have a long history with Petite Sirah.  The Conservancy addition to the Concannon line aims to preserve the land...
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Cecchi, Maremma (Tuscany, Italy) Sangiovese 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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June 7, 2011
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 This is a simple no-oak red wine that prompts the question: “How much Sangiovese should you expect for nine bucks?”  The color is a medium...
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David Girard, El Dorado (California) Mourvèdre 2009
Paul Lukacs
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June 7, 2011
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 A California Rhône-styled red that easily could fool you into thinking it hailed from southern France, this wine displays juicy red and black fruit...
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