Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Santa Barbara Winery, Sta. Rita Hills (Santa Barbara County, California) Grenache 2012
Rich Cook
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March 15, 2016
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Cool climate Grenache is a delight when it’s handled like this bottling.  Lively cherry fruit, white pepper, blueberry and hints of tar, leaf and...
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V. Sattui Winery, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rich Cook
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March 15, 2016
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Collector alert!  For all you cult wine keepers, here is a wine to add to your cellar that will outperform wines at three times...
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Lawer Family Wines, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rich Cook
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March 15, 2016
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Lawer Family, whether under their family name, their previous Three Coins label, or their Hooker RFC label, isn’t that well known, but they certainly...
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Stargazer Barn, Willow Creek (Humboldt County, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rich Cook
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March 15, 2016
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Locals refer to this county as being "behind the redwood curtain" and for that reason, its wines are little known beyond their borders.  Wines...
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Michele Chiarlo, Barbera d’Asti (Piedmont, Italy) 2012
Wayne Belding
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March 8, 2016
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Barbera is often overlooked as a superb quality grape in Piemonte, where all the attention is focused on Nebbiolo.  The best Barberas, though, are...
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Ferghettina, Franciacorta (Lombardy, Italy) 2009
Wayne Belding
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March 8, 2016
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Ferghettina consistently produces Franciacorta wines of exceptional quality.  The best Franciacortas are brilliant, elegant and complex sparkling wines.  Ferghettina’s 2009 Extra Brut is made...
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V. Sattui, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) Cabernet Franc 2013
Rich Cook
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March 8, 2016
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I love winemaking with Cabernet Franc that doesn’t try to remove all of the green tones that make it such a useful grape for...
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La Chertosa, Sonoma Valley (California) Sangiovese 2014
Rich Cook
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March 8, 2016
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Sonoma County legend Sam Sebastiani is having a blast with the La Chertosa label, and he’s got a real winner in this return to...
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Lafond, Sta. Rita Hills (Santa Barbara, California) Pinot Noir 2012
Rich Cook
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March 8, 2016
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A very interesting Pinot Noir.  Aromas of dust and talc sit atop bright strawberry and cherry fruit, leading to a mouthful of rich mixed...
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Fog Crest, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
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March 8, 2016
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A rich, fully extracted style that maintains bright acidity to carry the deep fruit and spice.  Black cherry, cinnamon, mild damp earth and notes...
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River Road, Green Valley of Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2014
Rich Cook
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March 8, 2016
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This area is renowned for great Pinot Noir for good reason, and all those reasons show in this bottling.  Rich cool climate fruit aromas...
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Alma Sol Winery, Paso Robles (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Rich Cook
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March 8, 2016
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Bright aromas of cassis and blackberry fruit are balanced with soft dried herbs and fall spice, and they come together as flavors delivered on...
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