May
24
Reflections on Mid-2000’s Burgundy
The inimitable Pinot Noirs of Burgundy require regular revisiting. The typical comments about Burgundy’s unevenness misconstrue why the region is always among the best in the world for terroir-driven wine.
Mar
16
Spotlight on Napa Valley: Spottswoode Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Napa is a challenging place for wine lovers today. The wines are almost inimitably expensive, save Bordeaux. The once storied valley is replete with overripe wines. But, times are changing.
Nov
14
Of Proteus and Chardonnay
Chardonnay is somewhat like a faceless man – it takes on character of site and cellar with uncanny ease. There may be no core essence to Chardonnay but it holds
Oct
14
Willi Schaefer Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett 2015
To get this much flavour from a wine with 8.5% ABV that is perceptibly dry is a remarkable achievement. It seems somehow that the Mosel has fallen out of favour
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
Oct
1
Two Great Wines of Sancerre: Domaine Vacheron Chambrates 2013 and Pascal Cotat La Grande Cote 2010
How does wine stay interesting? Forever in motion, the immense bio-chemical complexity of wine means you can continue to learn after years of experience. Do not let preconceived notions define
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
23
Domaine Belluard Les Alpes 2014
Wine from the Savoie rarely makes it into the B.C. market. Those that do are generally interesting but not exciting. With Belluard, however, you not only get a very high
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