Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Patz & Hall, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County) Pinot Noir 2012
Robert Whitley
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July 28, 2015
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Patz & Hall’s Pisoni Vineyard Pinot from the excellent 2012 vintage is the perfect marriage of brilliant winemaker and brilliant grape grower. Winemaker James...
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Sawtooth, Snake River Valley (Idaho) Tempranillo 2012
Paul Lukacs
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July 28, 2015
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Richer and more muscular than most renditions of Tempranillo, no matter where they come from, this Idaho wine offers dark fruit flavors and plenty...
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Renwood, Fiddletown (Amador County) Zinfandel 2012
Robert Whitley
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July 28, 2015
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Once upon a time Fiddletown was the epicenter of California Zinfandel. Other districts now have something to say about that and have far more...
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Wild Ridge, Sonoma Coast (California) Pinot Noir 2012
Robert Whitley
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July 28, 2015
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This Wild Ridge Sonoma Coast Pinot is something of a revelation. Rich and layered, it delivers enticing flavors of strawberry, raspberry and spice with...
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Mansfield-Dunne, Santa Lucia Highlands (Monterey County) Pinot Noir 2013
Robert Whitley
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July 28, 2015
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The Peterson Vineyard Pinot from Mansfield-Dunne, delicate and slightly pale, runs against the conventional wisdom on Pinot from the Santa Lucia Highlands. It’s anything...
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Nickel & Nickel, Oakville (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2012
Michael Apstein
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July 21, 2015
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The Nickel & Nickel Harris Vineyard Merlot, though similarly floral to their Suscol Ranch bottling, is firmer with more backbone and structure at this...
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Domaine Raspail Ay, Gigondas (Rhône Valley, France) 2012
Wayne Belding
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July 21, 2015
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At their best, southern Rhône red wines capture an enticing array of fruit, floral, earth, herb and spice nuances.  The 2012 Domaine Raspail-Ay Gigondas...
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Wakefield Estate / Taylors, Clare Valley (Australia) Shiraz 2014
Robert Whitley
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July 21, 2015
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Wakefield continues to offer tremendous bang for the buck, as this Shiraz from the Clare Valley demonstrates. Rich and layered, it exhibits gorgeous aromas...
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Franciscan Estate, Napa Valley (California) 2012
Rich Cook
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July 21, 2015
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As Napa Valley Left Bank Bordeaux styled blends go, this wine is still a great value.  Aromas of blackberry, dried cherry, cassis, brown spice...
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Ravenswood, Sonoma County (California) Zinfandel 2012
Wayne Belding
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July 21, 2015
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Ravenswood is synonymous with quality Zinfandel.  Founder Joel Peterson is legendary for his power-packed — but still complex and balanced — style of Zin. ...
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Grgich Hills Estate, Napa Valley (California) Merlot 2011
Michael Apstein
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July 21, 2015
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If all Merlot tasted like this one from Grgich Hills Estate, the varietal would not be lampooned but rather lionized.  This one manages to...
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Morgan Winery, Santa Lucia Highlands (California) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
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May 12, 2015
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Always a solid value SLH bottling, the 2013 features cherry, strawberry and faint raspberry fruit complimented by dry earth and bright cardamom spice aromas...
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