Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Yorkville Cellars, Yorkville Highlands (Mendocino County) Carmenere 2012
Rich Cook
|
June 24, 2014
|
There aren’t many bottlings of this grape coming out of California, and this wine comes from a very remote region in the state to...
read more

Kenwood Vineyards, Sonoma Mountain (California) Merlot 2011
Robert Whitley
|
June 24, 2014
|
Kenwood’s Jack London Vineyard on Sonoma Mountain has long been a source for outstanding wine grapes. This Merlot from the troubled 2011 vintage is...
read more

J. Lohr, Paso Robles (Central Coast, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Michael Franz
|
June 17, 2014
|
This is a lot of Cabernet for $35. The wine shows deep pigmentation and excellent density, with expressive aromas and flavors that speak of...
read more

Estate 1856, Sonoma County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Michael Franz
|
June 17, 2014
|
A very appealing Cabernet that shows lots of juicy, ripe fruit, this also displays some interesting herbal complexities and a nice whiff of woodsmoke....
read more

Francis Coppola Reserve, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2012
Michael Franz
|
June 17, 2014
|
Spicy and savory rather than merely sweet, this is a standout California Pinot that proves enduringly interesting to smell and taste. Both the aromas...
read more

Midsummer Cellars, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Robert Whitley
|
June 17, 2014
|
It goes without saying that Bordeaux is Bordeaux and red wine made from the traditional Bordeaux grapes in California is not. Except when it...
read more

Hooker RFC, Knight’s Valley (Sonoma County, California) Syrah 2011
Michael Franz
|
June 17, 2014
|
 Made entirely from Syrah, this shows a lot of oak charring on both the nose and the palate, and yet the sheer strength of...
read more

14 Hands Winery, Horse Heaven Hills (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Robert Whitley
|
June 17, 2014
|
This beauty from 14 Hands is another example of Washington’s growing stature with Cabernet Sauvignon. Loaded with complex red and black fruit aromas, hints...
read more

Fazeli Cellars, Temecula Valley (California) 2008
Robert Whitley
|
June 17, 2014
|
Temecula Valley is vastly underrated as a wine producing region because most of the production is sold out the winery door in ever more...
read more

Dutcher Crossing Winery, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) 2012
Michael Franz
|
June 14, 2017
|
 A Rhône-style blend of 51% Grenache, 32% Mourvedre, 8% Cinsault, 4.5% Counoise and 4.5% Syrah, this shows lots of alluring smoky, spicy topnotes that...
read more

Cougar Crest Estate Winery, Walla Walla Valley (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Robert Whitley
|
June 17, 2014
|
This elegant Cabernet from eastern Washington is a keeper, as in a Cab that will improve as it evolves over a number of years...
read more

Houdini, Rutherford (Napa Valley, California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Michael Franz
|
June 17, 2014
|
 This delicious Napa Cab over-delivers for its $40 price tag, showing excellent aromatic complexity and a host of subtle flavor notes.  An appealing (and...
read more