Jul
9
Tenuta di Trinoro Le Cupole Trinoro 2014
Andrea Franchetti’s project Tenuta di Trinoro helped redefine the potential for Bordeaux Blends in Tuscany. In particular, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot do very well at Franchetti’s site, which allows
Dec
14
Concha y Toro Don Melchor 2012
With top Napa Cab mostly out of reach, particularly for Canadians buying with our weakened dollar, top South American wines are increasingly attractive. In particular, the consistently excellent Don Melchor
Oct
28
Mas de Daumas Gassac 2012
Some wines are sui generis. They are extremely rare and carry such distinctive characteristics that trained tasters can call the wines blind more often than not. Mas de Daumas Gassac
Jul
23
Montes Alpha “M’ 2005
I virtually never drink Chilean wines. I happened to have this bottle in my cellar from many years ago – Montes’ top Bordeaux-style blend dominated by 80% Cab Sauv with
May
8
A California Grand Cru: Visiting Ridge’s Monte Bello Vineyard
Abe Schoener is right. The greatest legacy of changing sentiments in the “new” California is increased focus on California’s best vineyards – its premier and grand crus. One of the
May
7
Scholium Project Gardens of Babylon 2013
An ever evolving enterprise, Abe Schoener’s Scholium Project represents the soul of American innovation. Schoener has been making a huge range of quirky wines as far back as the mid
May
16
Arnot-Roberts Cabernet Sauvignon Bugay Vineyard Sonoma County 2010
There is a new trend in California Cabernet – high acid, lower alcohol, less overt oak. These wines are not objectively better just because of the style. That’s one of
May
3
Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2011
Rolling along with California Cabernets I love, Spottswoode is at the top of the list. Owned and run by mother and daughter team Mary and Beth Novak, this is one
May
2
Philip Togni Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
I rarely buy California Cabernet. However, there are exceptions that I buy regularly. California’s classic contrast – wine you run from juxtaposed to wine you can’t get enough of. Philip
Feb
8
Spotlight on Chianti Classico: Querciabella 2010
I commenced this spotlight with the goal of discovering the ‘terroir’ of Chianti Classico, the distinction between its various crus, and its potential to become driven by the distinctiveness of