Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Elias Mora, Toro (Castilla y León, Spain) 2011
Michael Franz
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April 1, 2014
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A lovely rendering of Tempranillo, this shows excellent balance that is rooted in perfect ripening of the fruit.  Although the wine is generously flavored...
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Nello Olivo Wines, El Dorado County (California) Toscanello 2011
Rich Cook
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April 1, 2014
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This wine is a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and it delivers aromas of cherry, raspberry, vanilla and fall spice.  The palate...
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Antonelli San Marco, Sagrantino di Montefalco (Umbria, Italy) 2008
Michael Apstein
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April 1, 2014
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Antonelli’s viticultural and winemaking techniques result in a more elegant Sagrantino, often a wine with ferocious tannins.  This Sagrantino is, indeed, less extracted and...
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Decoy, Sonoma County (California) Merlot 2012
Marguerite Thomas
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April 1, 2014
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A wine that’s tender and soothing, this Merlot will offer quiet comfort rather than blast you with exuberance.  Among its many rewards are delicate...
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Cetani Vineyards, San Benito County (California) Cabernet Franc 2011
Rich Cook
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April 1, 2014
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A mineral driven Cabernet Franc, with notes of dried blackberry, cherry, toasty oak and roasted coffee in both aroma and flavor — in a...
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Flocchini Wines, Sonoma Coast (California) Syrah 2011
Rich Cook
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April 1, 2014
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Lovely cool climate Syrah, showing bright black cherry, tobacco, tar, pepper and violet aromatics.  Bright acidity translates the aromas directly into flavors, with a...
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Votré Santé, California (United States) 2012
Rich Cook
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April 1, 2014
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A very correct Rhône-ish, GSM styled wine at a bargain price.  The nose brings blackberry, black cherry, tar, pepper and notes of leaf and...
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Jean Paul Brun, Beaujolais (Burgundy, France) 2012
Michael Apstein
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April 1, 2014
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Brun’s Beaujolais, bottled under the Terres Dorées label, redefine that appellation.  The vast majority of Beaujolais — I’m not speaking of Beaujolais-Village and certainly...
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Frog’s Leap, Rutherford (Napa Valley, California) Merlot 2011
Linda Murphy
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March 25, 2014
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The winery’s top-tier Merlot (there is a lower-priced Napa Valley version that is also quite good) is produced from mostly estate-grown grapes.  The wine...
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Nickel & Nickel, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Syrah 2010
Marguerite Thomas
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March 4, 2014
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Irrepressibly youthful and charming, everything about this wine grabs out for the taster’s attention.  The oak is so big and burly that one can’t...
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Navarro Vineyards, Mendocino (California) Zinfandel 2012
Rich Cook
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March 25, 2014
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My favorite style of Zinfandel is coming back into vogue after a long stretch of overly sweet, high-octane wines that will impress but are...
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Selvapiana, Chianti Rufina Riserva (Tuscany, Italy) 2009
Wayne Belding
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March 25, 2014
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This splendid Chianti is still available and Sangiovese lovers should seek it out. Bucerchiale is 100% Sangiovese from 40+ year old vines and, in...
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