Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Girard, Napa Valley (California) Zinfandel 2013
Rich Cook
|
June 7, 2016
|
Zinfandel still has some fine sites planted in Napa Valley, many on historic vineyards that are now surrounded by development.  This bottling rides the...
read more

Imagery, Pine Mountain / Cloverdale Peak (Sonoma County, California) Lagrein 2013
Rich Cook
|
June 7, 2016
|
Imagery is on a roll with Italian grape varieties, especially with the Lagrein.  Aromas of roasted coffee, leaf, black cherry and spice all present...
read more

Citra, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Italy) 2010
Rich Cook
|
June 7, 2016
|
This is an Italian goddess of a wine. Beautifully rich and deep, it’s a nose full of elegant red fruit, with complementary notes of...
read more

Driven, Amador County (Sierra Foothills, California) Barbera 2012
Rich Cook
|
June 7, 2016
|
Oodles of oak spice on top of ripe red fruit, with notes of leaf ride Barbera’s high natural acidity in this well structured big...
read more

Rancho Maria Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pet 2013
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
Imposing on account of its very dark color and concentrated pigmentation, this does indeed pack a punch on the palate, but it is a...
read more

Le Vigne Winery, Paso Robles (California) Sangiovese 2013
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
Off to a great start with subtle aromas of dried red cherries and pressed flowers, this wine follows through with flavors that really deliver...
read more

Rosa Regale, Brachetto d’Aqui (Piedmont, Italy) 2015
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
Someplace, somewhere, there is somebody who can say he doesn’t like this wine with a straight face, but I’ve never met him.  With vivid,...
read more

Lawer Estates, Knights Valley (Sonoma County, California) Syrah 2013
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
This is not a particularly expensive wine, but it sure looks like one, with very dark color and enough concentration to stain the glass...
read more

Domaine Carneros by Tattinger, Carneros (California) 2012
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
This vintage-dated Rosé sparkler from Taittinger’s outpost in California is a strong success at a reasonable price.  It shows impressive richness and depth of...
read more

Bodega Garzon, Uruguay (South America) Tannat 2014
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
Bodega Garzon is a remarkably ambitious vineyard and winery project, and a property that needs to be seen to be believed — and even...
read more

Castello Banfi, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG (Tuscany, Italy) 2011
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
This exceptionally well-made Brunello from the 2011 vintage shows perfectly ripened fruit that enables the wine to excel in all respects.  There’s not the...
read more

Trinchero, Napa Valley (California) 2012
Michael Franz
|
June 7, 2016
|
This well-named wine really delivers in all respects, showing impressively deep pigmentation, forceful but harmonious aromatics, deep flavors emphasizing dark fruit tones, and great...
read more