Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Cinquain, Paso Robles (California) 2012
Rich Cook
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May 31, 2016
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Plenty of complexity in this stylized Paso Robles rendition of a Bordeaux blend.  Bright aromas of saddle and allspice complement mixed black fruit, and...
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Dandelion Vineyards, McLaren Vale (South Australia) Shiraz 2015
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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Dandelion Vineyards has emerged in recent years as the lion (or lioness) that roared in U.S. wine competitions. Wines like this explain that circumstance...
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Bolla, Veronese IGT (Italy) 2011
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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This is Bolla’s idea of a "Super Veronese," which is patterned after Super Tuscan blends that combine indigenous grapes with Bordeaux grape varieties. The...
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Clos Pegase, Carneros (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2013
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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Merlot in general takes a back seat to cabernet sauvignon, particularly in the Napa Valley, yet merlot can soar at times and eclipse the...
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Mystic Hills, Monterey County (California) 2012
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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 Made in a typical style for California’s Central Coast, the 2012 Unforgiven is ripe and juicy, with layers of black fruit and a touch...
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Giesen, Marlborough (New Zealand) 2012
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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Giesen’s pinot noirs often play second fiddle to its exceptional sauvignons, but the reality is the pinots from this cool region on New Zealand’s...
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D & L Carinalli, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2014
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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 This estate grown Russian River pinot noir from Carinalli is a stunner for the price. On the nose if offers aromas of black cherry...
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Cycles Gladiator, California (United States) Petite Sirah 2014
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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 This wine is a cross between the old-fashioned mouth-puckering petite sirah of yesterday and the juicy, bright petite sirah that is more common today....
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Imagery Estate Winery, Pine Mountain – Cloverdale (California) Teroldego 2013
Robert Whitley
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May 29, 2016
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 Sonoma County’s Imagery Estate is deft when it comes to traditional Italian grape varieties, such is this Teroldego. This grape is historically grown in...
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New Clairvaux Vineyard, Tehama County (California) Barbera 2014
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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 New Clairvaux flips barbera on its head. Typically a grape variety that makes a high-acid wine that can be tart when young, the Poor...
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Cirque du Vin, Paso Robles (California) 2012
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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 An eclectic blend to be sure — syrah, petite sirah, zinfandel, merlot, malbec and tannat — but delicious nonetheless. Cirque du Vin serves up...
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Brutocao, Mendocino County (California) Merlot 2013
Robert Whitley
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May 31, 2016
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 Brutocao’s Bliss Vineyard merlot from the 2014 vintage delivers impressive weight and depth, with layered plum and black cherry fruit and a hint of...
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