Wine Reviews

An archive of all wine reviews

Carmel Road, Arroyo Seco (Monterey County, California) Pinot Noir 2011
Robert Whitley
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November 26, 2013
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This meaty Pinot from Monterey’s Arroyo Seco zone shows an earthy nose with hints of black cherry and plum. On the palate the fruit...
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Bulgariana, Thracian Valley (Bulgaria) 2008
Michael Franz
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November 26, 2013
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This is an impressively complex wine that offers special interest on multiple counts. It is sourced from Bulgaria, for starters, and includes 5% each...
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Bulgariana, Thracian Valley (Bulgaria) Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah 2009
Michael Franz
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November 26, 2013
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I have been waiting for more than a decade to see high-quality wines begin to flow from Bulgaria, and now I have finally found...
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Cascina Corte, Dogliani (Langhe, Piedmont, Italy) 2011
Michael Franz
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November 26, 2013
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This is a very well made, firm, serious, balanced rendition of Dolcetto from Piedmont’s Dogliani region.  The only strike against the wine is that...
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Cascina Corte, Dogliani (Langhe, Piedmont, Italy) 2009
Michael Franz
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November 26, 2013
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This terrific wine is somewhere very close to being as good as Dolcetto can be.  This variety is a specialty in the Dogliani sub-zone...
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Famille Perrin, Vacqueyras (Rhône Valley, France) 2011
Michael Franz
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November 26, 2013
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Extremely powerful, with terrific density and depth of fruit, this may be the single best release I’ve ever tasted from this Famille Perrin line...
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Santa Ema, Maipo Valley (Chile) Merlot 2010
Rich Cook
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November 26, 2013
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After 8 to 10 months in a combination of French and American oak, this Merlot satisfies with good complexity at a moderate price.  The...
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Mandolin Vintners, Monterey (California) Pinot Noir 2012
Rich Cook
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November 26, 2013
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Here is a simple, dry, budget priced Pinot Noir that’s worthy of the table.  It delivers aromas and flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry...
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Léo de la Gaffelière, Saint-Emilion (Bordeaux, France) 2011
Michael Apstein
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November 26, 2013
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Château La Gaffelière is one of the leading properties in Saint-Emilion, making sensational wine year in and year out.  As the competition at the...
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Château Gravelier, Bordeaux (France) 2010
Michael Apstein
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November 26, 2013
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Let me know when you find a better $10 red wine.  This Merlot dominant (70%) blend is an unbelievable bargain, delivering both fleshy fruit...
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Querciabella, IGT Maremma (Tuscany, Italy) 2010
Michael Apstein
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November 26, 2013
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Often when Tuscan winemakers blend Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese, Cabernet dominates the wine because it’s more powerful than the more nuanced Sangiovese.  Querciabella avoids...
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Luna Beberide, Bierzo (Spain) Mencia 2010
Michael Franz
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November 19, 2013
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This is a marvelously pure and fresh rendition of Mencia, showing quite modest oak influence and rather light tannin, but still plenty of structure...
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