Dec
9
Francisco Mulinari L’Aietta Brunello di Montalcino 2012
Sangiovese struggles due to inconsistent producers and over-expansion of plantings, not inherent potential. The best of Sangiovese belong among the world’s greatest wines. But, too many Chiantis and Brunellos destroy
Nov
22
Old and Good: Barolo, Burgundy and … Champagne
Sometimes there are those nights where everything is on point. Accompanied by wonderfully executed food at Cinara, each of the following was in peak form: Bernard Moreau Chassagne-Montrachet 2014 Diebolt-Vallois
Nov
6
The Eyrie Vineyards “Original Vines” Pinot Noir 2014
The foundational Eyrie Vineyards first planted vines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley in 1965, against the advice of professors at UC Davis. It was the vineyard instrumental in convincing Drouhin to
Nov
4
Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Many hold the incorrect view that California produces similarly good wine year to year due to its interminable sun. This is incorrect. Vintage variation in California is as significant as
Oct
21
1978 Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande … and Other Wine
40 year old wine is always a journey, sometimes into dissapointment, always into variability, and occassionally into greatness. While this 1978 Pichon-Lalande was not at the apex of aged Bordeaux,
Oct
20
Rippon “Mature Vine” Pinot Noir 2013
Fall speaks to me of Bourgogne Rouge and thereabouts. Great Pinot Noir speaks in hues. Fall is a time to slow down and look back. Rippon has been making great
Sep
30
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Saint-Aubin Le Banc 2016
Pierre-Yves founded his domaine with family vineyards in 2006, after having spent about a decade as winemaker at his family’s domaine “Marc Colin”. In the mere decade since founding his
Sep
20
Eric Texier Domaine de Pergaud St-Julien en St-Alban Vieille Serine 2013
There’s natural wine, and then there are well-farmed grapes made without SO2 addition. This wine is in the latter camp. The tannin of the 70 year old Serine (an old
Sep
9
Jean-Louis Dutraive Fleurie 2016
Jean-Louis Dutraive runs one of the most important domaines in Beaujolais. Not only is he a leader in low-impact farming and semi-carbonic, low SO2 winemaking, but he is one of
Aug
23
Sandhi Chardonnay ‘Rita’s Crown’ Sta. Rita Hills 2012
What I dream of is an art of balance. This famous line of Henri Matisse emblazons each bottle of Raj Parr and Sashi Moorman’s Sandhi project. Sandhi revolutionized Chardonnay in