Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Robert Oatley, McLaren Vale (Australia) 2014
Paul Lukacs
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September 22, 2015
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Full of ripe fruit (from Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre, as you’d guess) with a dash of spice in the bouquet, this is a fun-filled...
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Halleck Vineyard, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2010
Rich Cook
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September 22, 2015
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There isn’t much 2010 Pinot Noir from California left on shelves anywhere, so this wine is a bit of a surprise as a current...
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Borgo Scopeto, Chianti Classico (Tuscany, Italy) 2013
Paul Lukacs
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September 22, 2015
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An almost brooding Chianti Classico, with dark cherry-scented fruit flavors, firm tannins, and a dry, dusty finish, this wine likely will soften and become...
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Kendall-Jackson, Santa Barbara County (California) Syrah 2013
Robert Whitley
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September 22, 2015
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Winemaker Randy Ullom does a consistently remarkable job with the Vintner’s Reserve line at K-J, crafting wines that have impressive dimension and outstanding balance...
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Erath, Dundee Hills (Oregon) Pinot Noir 2012
Rich Cook
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September 22, 2015
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I was surprised recently by a 2006 vintage of one of Erath’s vineyard designated Pinot Noirs — there was certainly no over the hill...
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Sokol Bloesser, Dundee Hills (Oregon) Pinot Noir 2012
Rich Cook
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September 22, 2015
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If you hear your "pinophile" friends singing the merits of the varieties earthy character, but can’t quite seem to get where they’re coming from,...
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Arnaldo Caprai, Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG (Umbria, Italy) 2009
Rich Cook
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September 22, 2015
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I had the pleasure of visiting Arnaldo Caprai in 2008 — it’s a first rate facility that almost single-handedly brought Sagrantino to the world...
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Qupe, Santa Barbara County (California) Syrah 2012
Robert Whitley
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September 22, 2015
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Qupe’s 2012 Santa Barbara County Syrah demonstrates the winery’s mastery of this grape variety. Elegant and firmly structured, it shows a hint of white...
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V. Sattui, Napa Valley (California) 2012
Robert Whitley
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September 22, 2015
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V. Sattui’s Bordeaux-style blend, Paradiso, is a superb example of the genre, especially as practiced in the Napa Valley. On the nose it exhibits...
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Halleck Vineyard, Sonoma Coast (California) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
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September 22, 2015
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This is a very limited production, one-and-done bottling as it’s a vineyard source that Halleck had just for the 2013 vintage.  So, it may...
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Rodney Strong, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rich Cook
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September 15, 2015
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You should expect to see this well-priced wine on restaurant lists everywhere soon.  It’s solidly proper Cabernet Sauvignon, showing blackberry, currants, soft fall spice...
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Hogue Cellars, Columbia Valley (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Robert Whitley
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September 15, 2015
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Those looking for an exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon that fits most budgets should seek out the Hogue Cellars Reserve from Washington’s Columbia Valley. The 2012...
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