Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Monte Bernardi, Chianti Classico Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2011
Michael Apstein
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January 12, 2016
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Some Tuscan producers refer to their wines made exclusively from Sangiovese grown in the Chianti Classico region as a Super Tuscan wine.  Others, such...
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Dry Creek Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Zinfandel 2013
Rich Cook
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January 12, 2016
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Clove and white pepper explode from the glass about three inches away from your nose, with brambly berry and black cherry notes lurking underneath. ...
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Smith & Hook, Central Coast (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rich Cook
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January 12, 2016
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Made in a crowd pleasing, quaffable style, this 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced from three warmer sites for fleshy blackberry and raspberry fruit flavors,...
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Patz & Hall, North Coast (California) 2012
Rich Cook
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January 12, 2016
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So, I’m on Facebook one day and I happen to see that one of my favorite wineries and winemakers is making a sparkling wine...
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Stony Hill Vineyard, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Linda Murphy
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January 12, 2016
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This legendary Chardonnay and Riesling producer has branched out to Cabernet Sauvignon and with great results.  The suave tannins and lush dark cherry and...
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Dutton-Goldfield, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Syrah 2013
Robert Whitley
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January 5, 2016
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 Dutton-Goldfield’s 2013 Cherry Ridge Vineyard Syrah is a textbook example of how to handle this important French grape variety and kickstart its popularity. Winemaker...
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Dutton Goldfield, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Zinfandel 2013
Rich Cook
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January 12, 2016
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Brambly is a term that can be confusing.  It seems that different reviewers have different meanings for it, so I’ll say that when I...
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Dutton Goldfield, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Syrah 2013
Rich Cook
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January 12, 2016
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Don’t let the name Cherry Ranch fool you — this wine is all about the blueberry and pepper.  It’s my kind of Syrah —...
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Morgan Winery, Monterey (California) 2014
Rich Cook
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January 12, 2016
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Take a cherry pie and a blueberry pie, remove the sugar and add a little pepper and herb, and you’ve got a good idea...
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Louis Baisinbert, Givry Premier Cru (Burgundy, France) 2013
Michael Apstein
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January 5, 2016
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Baisinbert made just two barrels of this charming red.  Wonderfully fragrant, it delivers bright raspberry-like fruitiness without a trace of heaviness or jamminess.  He...
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2012
Michael Apstein
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January 5, 2016
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Moulin-à-Vent, with its iconic windmill perched at the top of the hill, is the most revered of the ten crus of Beaujolais.  The cru...
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Sbragia Family Vineyards, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Linda Murphy
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January 5, 2016
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Ed Sbragia of Beringer fame produced this complex, ever-unfolding wine that benefits from additions of Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc.  Vibrant cassis, blackberry and...
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