Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Felton Road, Central Otago (New Zealand) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Apstein
|
May 31, 2011
|
 Central Otago, located on the southern end of New Zealand’s South Island, is one of the few places in the world where Pinot Noir...
read more

Maison Louis Latour, Marsannay Rouge (Burgundy, France) 2009
Michael Apstein
|
May 31, 2011
|
 The 2009 red Burgundies are sensational.  The extra warmth of the vintage helped the “lesser” appellations, such as Marsannay, even more than the most...
read more

Ghost Pines, Sonoma County/Napa County (California) Merlot 2008
Paul Lukacs
|
May 24, 2011
|
 More substantial than many California Merlots, this example is satisfyingly rich and impressively structured.  It has soft but clearly present tannins, and while its...
read more

Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Robert Whitley
|
May 24, 2011
|
 Once upon a time it wasn’t unheard of for Phelps to produce a Cabernet that could compete alongside its iconic red meritage, Insignia, despite...
read more

Calera, Mt. Harlan (California) Pinot Noir 2008
Robert Whitley
|
May 24, 2011
|
 This vineyard is a new one on me from the Calera stable, and I’m pleased to say it was a pleasant surprise, especially the...
read more

Charles Krug, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Robert Whitley
|
May 24, 2011
|
 Undoubtedly one of the greatest values in Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon today, the ’08 Charles Krug show the wonderful depth and richness of a...
read more

Valley of the Moon, Sonoma County (California) Syrah 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
|
May 24, 2011
|
 This Syrah is a multi-variety, multi-appellation blend, incorporating Syrah, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon from three appellations in Sonoma County, then aged for 18...
read more

Trapiche, Mendoza (Argentina) Malbec 2010
Michael Apstein
|
May 24, 2011
|
 With so much overdone Malbec on the market, this simple, straightforward one is a pleasure to recommend, especially at the price.  Although ripe and...
read more

Domaine Bart, Bourgogne (France) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Apstein
|
May 24, 2011
|
The 2009 vintage for red Burgundy is fabulous.  The wines at the lower end of the prestige ladder, such as Bourgogne Rouge, will be...
read more

Bella, Alexander Valley (California) Petite Sirah 2008
Paul Lukacs
|
May 24, 2011
|
 A classy example of Petite Sirah, full-bodied and intense, with firm tannins and vibrant fresh fruit flavors, all enhanced by a long, seemingly ever-evolving...
read more

La Crema, Monterey (California) Pinot Noir 2009
Gerald D. Boyd
|
May 24, 2011
|
 Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse’s forte is subtlety while capturing fresh fruit flavors.  For this Monterey Pinot, she cold soaked the grapes for five days to...
read more

Banfi, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) 2009
Michael Apstein
|
May 24, 2011
|
 Banfi, the great Brunello producer, is on a roll with its well-priced Chianti Classico bottlings.  The 2008 (previously reviewed) was easy to recommend and so...
read more