Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Shirvington, McLaren Vale (South Australia, Australia) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Marguerite Thomas
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October 5, 2010
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 This particular vintage of Shirvington’s splendid Cabernet makes me think of the recently deceased Tony Curtis.  (Stay with me here).  Like the actor in...
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Conspire, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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October 5, 2010
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 Conspire is what Winemaker/Proprietor Amy Aiken likes to call her “Anything But Cabernet” wine.  For this bright and fruity Pinot Noir she went to...
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Bota Box, California (United States) Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Marguerite Thomas
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September 28, 2010
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 This Cabernet is proof that California is starting to produce downright palatable wines in contemporary eco-friendly bag-in-box packaging.  Most of the better ones I’ve...
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Figuero, Ribera del Duero (Castilla y Leon, Spain) 2008
Paul Lukacs
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September 28, 2010
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 The entry-level Ribera del Duero from Figuero, this youthful red comes from ten to twenty year-old Tempranillo vines, and has been aged in barrel...
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MacMurray Ranch, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2008
Tina Caputo
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September 28, 2010
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 With a pleasantly earthy aroma, this Pinot’s bouquet has notes of ripe, black fruit.  It has rich, ripe blackberry and black cherry flavors, with...
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Da Vinci, Chianti (Tuscany, Italy) 2008
Mary Ewing-Mulligan
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September 14, 2010
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 Over the years, I have been underwhelmed by the Chianti wines produced by the Cantine Leonardo da Vinci, but this new release pleasantly surprised...
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Bella, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Zinfandel 2008
W. Blake Gray
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September 21, 2010
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 From a vineyard planted in the early 1990s, this is a brambly, somewhat savory wine with raspberry and black currant fruit and a little...
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Hamilton Russell Vineyards, Hemel-En-Aarde Valley (South Africa) Pinot Noir 2008
Paul Lukacs
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September 21, 2010
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 Very Burgundian, meaning light-bodied but flavorful, with a supple, silky texture on the palate, this wine offers a great deal of character and personality. ...
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Biltmore Estate, North Carolina (United States) 2008
Tina Caputo
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September 14, 2010
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 What, you’ve never heard of a sparkling wine from North Carolina? This one — made with 88% North Carolina fruit — might make you...
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Wrath, Monterey (Monterey County, California) Pinot Noir 2008
Marguerite Thomas
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September 14, 2010
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 Rare is the California Pinot Noir that exploits the lean, wild side of this unique grape rather than the plump lushness typical of Pinot...
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Ty Caton, Sonoma Valley (Sonoma County, California) Merlot 2008
Paul Lukacs
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September 7, 2010
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 Merlot often gets a bum rap (and not just in the movies).  When well-made, from grapes grown in appropriate locales, the wine can be...
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Paringa, South Australia (Australia) Merlot 2008
Gerald D. Boyd
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September 7, 2010
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 When you think of Australian red wines, Merlot is not a variety that comes to mind.  This 2008 Paringa Merlot from Riverland helps explain...
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