Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Bodegas Hornillos Ballesteros, Ribera del Duero (Spain) 2011
Michael Apstein
|
May 13, 2014
|
This Tempranillo-based wine is robust without being heavy because perky acidity keeps it fresh and lively.  Savory notes mingle with the dark fruity flavors. ...
read more

Domaine de Suremain, Mercurey (Burgundy, France) 2012
Michael Apstein
|
May 13, 2014
|
Domaine de Suremain is a top producer in Mercurey, a village in the Côte Chalonnaise where authentic Burgundy can be found at reasonable prices. ...
read more

Maison Joseph Drouhin, Rully (Burgundy, France) 2012
Michael Apstein
|
May 13, 2014
|
Warmer years like 2012 or 2009 benefit Burgundy appellations, such as Rully, in the Côte Chalonnaise whose wines can often come across as lean...
read more

Domaine Tollot-Beaut, Chorey-lès-Beaune (Burgundy, France) 2009
Michael Apstein
|
May 13, 2014
|
None of the 375 acres of vineyards in Chorey-lès-Beaune, a small village just north of Beaune (lès means near), are classified as premier cru...
read more

Bonny Doon, Central Coast (California) Syrah 2012
Michael Apstein
|
May 13, 2014
|
This is a ripe, full-bodied and wonderfully balanced expression of Syrah, focusing more of the black fruitiness of that variety rather than its peppery...
read more

Dashe Cellars, Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma County, California) Zinfandel 2011
Wayne Belding
|
May 13, 2014
|
Zinfandel styles can vary widely, but Dashe Cellars’ 2011 Dry Creek Valley Zin shows a balance and complexity that others might well emulate.  Deeply...
read more

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Horse Heaven Hills (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Michael Franz
|
May 6, 2014
|
A beautifully made wine that exhibits near-perfect balance between fruit and wood, this shows lovely dark fruit tones and quite complex secondary notes of...
read more

Cartlidge & Browne, North Coast (California) Zinfandel 2011
Rich Cook
|
May 6, 2014
|
A nice mix of raspberry and vanilla dominate this easy drinking, dry Zinfandel, and it’s nice to see this style coming out in an...
read more

Cartlidge & Browne, North Coast (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
Michael Franz
|
February 26, 2013
|
This wine is quite widely distributed, and though you could be excused for assuming that a wine you might encounter in a supermarket couldn’t...
read more

Cartlidge & Browne, North Coast (California) Pinot Noir 2010
February 26, 2013
|
The light, translucent ruby color indicates what to expect from this wine.  This is a lighter style of Pinot Noir with obvious fruit —...
read more

Château de Chamirey, Mercurey 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) 2011
Michael Apstein
|
May 6, 2014
|
Château de Chamirey is one of the top producers in Mercurey, probably the best village in the Côte Chalonnaise for red wine.   You can’t...
read more

Renato Ratti, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2009
Wayne Belding
|
May 6, 2014
|
Year after year, the Marcenasco bottling from the Renato Ratti estate offers superb examples of Barolo and particularly the sleek and elegant style of...
read more