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Chateau L’Hospitalet, La Clape (Languedoc-Rousillon, France) 2009
Robert Whitley
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January 10, 2012
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This is my first exceptional value wine of 2012. It’s what’s known as a GSM blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre. This wine exhibits...
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MacPhail Family Vineyards, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Apstein
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January 10, 2012
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 Judging from his lineup of Pinot Noir, James MacPhail is a winemaker to watch.  This one, from the Sangiacomo Vineyard near the coast, is...
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MacPhail Family Vineyards, Anderson Valley (Mendocino County, California) Pinot Noir 2009
Michael Apstein
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January 10, 2012
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 James MacPhail runs a small winery that focuses on Pinot Noir.  He owns no vineyards, but that doesn’t prevent him from making top-notch wine. ...
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Domaine Couly-Dutheil, Chinon (Loire Valley, France) 2009
Michael Apstein
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January 10, 2012
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 La Coulée, one of the prime vineyards in Chinon, has multiple owners.  To distinguish his from the rest, Couly-Dutheil, arguably Chinon’s top producer, labels...
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Chateau du Chatelard, Fleurie (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2010
W. Blake Gray
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January 10, 2012
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 While fairly dense and, at 13% alcohol, ripe for the area, this is still a characteristic Fleurie with a lightness of body, pretty floral...
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Chateau du Chatelard, Beaujolais Blanc (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2010
W. Blake Gray
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January 10, 2012
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 Georges DuBoeuf recently acquired this chateau, and though it makes a Morgon, a Moulin-à-Vent and a very good Fleurie, the white wine is the...
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Georges DuBoeuf, Julienas (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2010
W. Blake Gray
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January 10, 2012
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 This chateau with a 15-acre vineyard has been making wine since the 18th century.  This is a rich wine for Beaujolais, with black and...
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Terra Valentine, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Michael Franz
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January 3, 2012
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 This is a terrific, moderately-priced Cabernet from Terra Valentine, which makes superb vineyard-designated wines that I’ve been impressed with for many years.  What is...
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Pacific Rim, Columbia Valley (Washington) 2010
Gerald D. Boyd
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January 3, 2012
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 The 2010 Sweet Riesling is finished with 7% residual sweetness and is best as an aperitif wine.  The color is a brilliant light gold,...
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Domaine d’Uby, Cotes de Gascogne (Gascony, France) Colombard – Ugni Blanc 2010
Gerald D. Boyd
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January 3, 2012
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  UBY is a blend of Colombard and Ugni Blanc (a.k.a. Trebbiano), two local regional grapes that never made it big as wine grapes...
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Domaine du Château de Chorey, Bourgogne Rouge (Burgundy, France) 2009
Michael Apstein
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January 3, 2012
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 A vintage like 2009, bathed in perfect weather during the entire growing season and through harvest, was especially beneficial to the lesser appellations that...
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Les Fiefs de Lagrange, St. Julien (Bordeaux, France) 2008
Michael Apstein
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December 27, 2011
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  Les Fiefs, the second wine of Château Lagrange, is a consistently great bargain.  The 2008 is no exception.  Always fruitier and more approachable...
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