Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Abacela, Umpqua Valley (Oregon) Tempranillo 2009
Michael Apstein
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October 2, 2012
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Tempranillo, Spain’s leading premium red grape, is a recent addition to Oregon vineyards.  Judging from this example, growers will be planting more.  Juicy and...
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Talbott Vineyards, Monterey (California) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
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July 21, 2015
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Talbott continues its string of beautiful wines, even at their low end of the price spectrum, with this budget friendly bottle.  It’s on the...
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J. Lohr, Paso Robles (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Rich Cook
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July 21, 2015
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This vintage follows the previous two or three in showing the ripe side of Paso Robles Cabernet, with bold blackberry, plum and oak spice,...
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FEL, Anderson Valley (Mendocino County, California) Pinot Noir 2013
Rich Cook
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July 21, 2015
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I’m liking what I’m tasting out of Anderson Valley from the 2013 vintage.  FEL is a new label in the Cliff Lede stable focusing...
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Susana Balbo, Mendoza (Argentina) Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Michael Apstein
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July 14, 2015
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Susana Balbo is a leading Argentine producer — and this well-priced Cabernet Sauvignon confirms it.  It has a bit of everything — great aromatics,...
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Jordan Vineyard and Winery, Alexander Valley (Sonoma County, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Michael Apstein
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July 14, 2015
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I am an enthusiastic fan of Jordan’s Cabernets because the team there has, thankfully, resisted the California trend toward super ripe, super rich, bombastic...
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EnRoute, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2013
Michael Apstein
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July 14, 2015
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The Pinot Noirs from EnRoute (a winery started by the same talented people who founded Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce) just get...
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Decopas, Mendoza (Argentina) Malbec 2014
Rich Cook
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July 14, 2015
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This is an easy to drink, lighter bodied, spice- and cherry-driven Malbec that’s a simple dry quaffer and will accompany burgers and chops nicely...
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Laurel Glen, Sonoma Mountain (Sonoma County, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rich Cook
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July 14, 2015
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The Sonoma Mountain AVA has been around since the mid 1980’s, but I haven’t seen many appearances on labels until recently.  Laurel Glen has...
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Girl & Dragon, North Coast (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Rich Cook
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July 14, 2015
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Most California Cabernet at this price point is fairly innocuous and somewhat lacking in varietal character, so it’s fun to run across one that...
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Jayson, Sonoma Coast (California) Pinot Noir 2013
Michael Apstein
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July 14, 2015
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Jayson, Pahlmeyer’s second label, offers an introduction to the luxurious style for which Pahlmeyer has become known at a lower price.  The wines are...
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Bonny Doon Vineyard, Central Coast (California) 2011
Robert Whitley
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July 7, 2015
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Bonny Doon’s flagship wine is this iconic American Rhone-style blend, which put both Randall Grahm and Bonny Doon on the map. Still crazy good...
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