Sep
9
Domaine Leflaive Puligny-Montrachet 2011
For many the greatest white wine producer in Burgundy and the world, Domaine Leflaive is an icon of biodynamic wine-making and low-impact farming and living. Anne-Claude Leflaive, who sadly died
Sep
3
FX Pichler “M” Riesling Reserve 2013
FX Pichler is one of the greatest white wine estates in the world. They are ambassadors of the Wachau as one of the world’s most important terroirs. With sites like
Aug
25
Vouette & Sorbee ‘Textures’ Champagne
The sad sack wine grape of Champagne is undoubtedly Pinot Blanc. Rarely seeing more than a miniscule percentage in a blend, those wines made from a majority of it are
Aug
6
Egly-Ouriet Champagne V.P. (2015 disgorgement)
One of the great grower-producers in Champagne, Egly-Ouriet, has no fear of oak. One of his top wines, the Vieillissement Prolonge, sees extended elevage and lees ageing, producing a wine
Jul
27
Mount Eden Vineyards Pinot Noir 2013
Mount Eden is a perennial favourite of mine. They are one of the original estate of California, tracing their origins back to Paul Masson’s winery founded in 1900. Vines at
Jun
23
Niepoort Batuta 2004
Niepoort is not only my favourite producer of dry wines in the Douro, but they are among my favourite in the world. Their true beauty arises from bottle age. So,
Jun
1
Priorat: Globalization, Terroir, and The New Wines of Spain
A contradiction lies deep in the heart of wine’s globalization. The standard narrative is that globalization leads to homogenization of wine style and increasing monopolization of distribution. The counter-narrative has
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
5
Radio-Coteau Dusty Lane Sonoma Coast Syrah 2012
In the last 5 or so years the -real- Sonoma Coast has catapulted from little known underplanted region to the most fashionable region in California. Fortunately, the quality deserves the
Feb
13
Paolo Bea Pagliaro Montefalco Sagrantino 2008
It has been some time since I have reviewed a wine from Paolo Bea. This does not align with the frequency with which I drink them. I have been drinking