Oct
19
Georges Vernay Terrasses de L’Empire Condrieu 2015
This is the second greatest Condrieu in the world, ceding dominance only to Vernay’s Coteaux de Vernon. Whereas most good Viognier is powerful and oily in texture in order to
Dec
6
Spotlight on the Swartland Revolution: A. A. Badenhorst White Wine 2010
Swartland has an unusual affinity for grapes. Reds prefer mediterranean varieties but whites succeed best with the distinctly South African blends of Chenin Blanc alongside a crazy mix of Rhone
Sep
14
Elyse L’Ingenue Naggiar Vineyard White Blend 2010
Made with fruit from the Sierra Hills, this Rhone inspired white blend from Elyse fits well within the new breed of surprising, atypical wines from California. Much easier to peg
Aug
1
Andre Perret Condrieu “Chery” 2012
This single vineyard Condrieu epitomizes that the very best Viognier grows in only the best plots of the tiny village of Condrieu in France. I mean Viognier with explosive aromatics
Nov
25
Torbreck “The Steading Blanc” Roussanne Marsanne Viognier 2009
White Rhone varieties have the potential for truly outstanding wine. This potential is not restricted to the Rhone valley. Sadly these grapes remain unfairly maligned. Torbreck is a producer from
Sep
30
Jean-Michel Stéphan Cote Rotie 2008
Terroir, wine’s most important ideal, floats somewhere between culture and science. No scientific evidence exists to support the notion that wine gains character from the mineral component in soils. Rather,
Jun
18
Le Vieux Pin Viognier-Roussanne 2009
My recent trip to the Okanagan has inspired me to give a few more B.C. bottles a fair shake. This white blend from Le Vieux Pin, made from Rhone Valley
Mar
14
Sadie Family Wines Palladius 2006
“100 points … perfect wine!” That’s what I might say about Eben Sadie’s Palladius were I the caricature of wine criticism that is James Suckling. But Sadie is decidedly anything
Jan
10
Spotlight on Languedoc-Roussillon: La Peira Deusyls 2005
In my last write up of La Peira I intimated that this winery was one of the stars of the Languedoc, but deferred my reasons for saying so. No longer.
Sep
14
Spotlight on Rhone Valley White Wine: Pax Venus 2007
Leave it to the perfectionists to make the better examples of California Rhone Whites. Pax, a highly respected syrah producer from Northern California, was once headed by the famed wine