Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

La Crema, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2013
Michael Apstein
|
October 20, 2015
|
This Russian River Pinot Noir is fresh and vibrant with supple tannins, which create a suave texture.  Savory elements balance the fresh fruit notes. ...
read more

Ferrari-Carano, Anderson Valley (Mendocino County, California) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
|
October 20, 2015
|
I suspect that some of the fruit for this wine comes from the Lazy Creek area in Anderson Valley — Don and Rhonda Carano...
read more

Silverado Vineyards, Coombsville (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2012
Robert Whitley
|
October 20, 2015
|
Silverado’s Mt. George Vineyard in the recently designated Coombsville sub-appellation in the Napa Valley is treasure trove of fine wine. The 2012 Merlot is...
read more

Rutherford Hill, Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2012
Robert Whitley
|
October 20, 2015
|
Rutherford Hill has a long and distinguished history with Merlot going back to the days of ace winemaker Jerry Luper. This vintage exhibits impressive...
read more

Domaine Drouhin, Dundee Hills (Oregon) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
|
October 20, 2015
|
This wine is currently showing its youth, as you might expect from its pedigree.  A touch of grapefruit zest on the nose covers black...
read more

Colene Clemens, Chehalem Mountains (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Pinot Noir 2012
Rich Cook
|
October 20, 2015
|
Here is a nice find from one of Oregon’s lesser-known appellations.  It’s very dusty and leafy, with tart strawberry and cranberry fruit.  On the...
read more

Migration, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
|
October 20, 2015
|
Full bodied, this is an expressive Pinot Noir with bold black cherry, spice, damp earth and a bit of cola. It needs some time...
read more

Selvapiana, Chianti Rufina Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2010
Wayne Belding
|
October 13, 2015
|
Selvapiana’s Riserva Bucerchiale is 100% Sangiovese from 40+ year old vines in the Chianti Rufina district, just north of Chianti Classico. This is a...
read more

Stéphane Aviron, Côte de Brouilly (Beaujolais, France) 2013
Michael Apstein
|
October 13, 2015
|
If your tastes run to firmer rather than floral Beaujolais, turn to Aviron’s 2013 Côte de Brouilly.  Also made from old vine fruit, it’s...
read more

Stéphane Aviron, Fleurie (Beaujolais, France) 2013
Michael Apstein
|
October 13, 2015
|
There’s no better way to learn about the differences between the cru of Beaujolais than by tasting the wines of Stéphane Aviron, one of...
read more

Domaine Humbert Frères, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru (Burgundy, France) 2011
Michael Apstein
|
October 13, 2015
|
The “frères” running this Gevrey-Chambertin-based domaine are brothers Frédéric and Emmanuel Humbert.  Though not as revered as the 2010 vintage, 2011 nonetheless produced some...
read more

Bergström, Chehalem Mountains (Willamette Valley, Oregon) Pinot Noir 2012
Wayne Belding
|
October 13, 2015
|
The Silice Vineyard is a new name from an old source of Bergström Pinot Noirs.  Formerly bottled as the de Lancellotti Vineyard, the Silice...
read more