Feb
27
Giacomo Fenocchio “Bussia” Barolo 2011
Barolo is a wine I buy regularly. For the quality it may be the best value truly apex terroir-driven red left in Europe. In contrast, my drinking habits for Barolo
Oct
9
Borgo del Tiglio Collio Rosso 2009
Friuli is quintessentially European. Its indigenous grapes hail from the various empires that have ruled it over the centuries: French, Austro-Hungarian, Venetian. The region only became a permanent part of
Oct
7
Schiopetto Collio Friulano 2014
Mario Schiopetto was the Biondi Santi of Friuli. Since the founding of the estate in 1965, Schiopetto has been at the vanguard of the modernization of white wine production in
Jul
22
Collemattoni Rosso di Montalcino 2015
Brunello di Montalcino can be problematic from a sustainability perspective in that many growers farm conventionally and monoculture is the norm. Organic growing is few and far between, but the
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
Jul
2
An Amphitheatre of Elegance in Chianti Classico: Monteraponi
Chianti Classico has the capacity for great terroir-driven wines. There is huge variability among the region’s hills and valleys, forests and fields, heat and chill. Soil types include schist, clay,
Apr
27
Ciabot Berton: Barolo from a La Morra Traditionalist
Ciabot Berton are new entrants into British Columbia’s wine market. A recent tasting provided an opportunity to explore a range of blended and single vineyard Barolos from various recent vintages.
Apr
16
Costanti Brunello di Montalcino 2011
Costanti is in the upper ranks of Brunello in my books. The reason is their vintage typicity and deft ability to produce elegant Sangiovese. Most of the recent lauded vintages
Mar
25
Braida Bricco dell’Uccellone Barbera d’Asti 2011
Barbera has been troubled for some years. The trouble began with the success of Braida’s single vineyard bottling Bricco dell’ Uccellone in 1982, which reshaped the image of Barbera by
Mar
18
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino 2011
There is an understandable trend away from large producers. Today’s world is filled with large corporate interests that seem to represent nothing relatable to consumers 40 and under. But in