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Wine review: North by Northwest 2010 Riesling Horse Heaven Hills

Taylor Eason — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:00:52 +0000

I admire when a winery steps outside the annoying conservative boundaries of the wine industry. Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon fame (an interview with him), The Three Thieves and their ground-breaking Bandit wine in a small box and chalk up another win to the folks at Oregon's King Estate (reviews of their other wines), who created this Washington State-based project, North by Northwest. These guys have the chutzpah to do things differently.

Wine review: Vietti 2007 Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne

Taylor Eason — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 01:29:37 +0000

Barbera is an unfortunately overlooked red grape/wine from the Piedmont region of Italy. But it's SO tasty. Plenty of fruit but also high acidity, making it a quintessential food pairing experience. You'll find Barberas from the Asti sub region, which often have often a more feminine style (due to the soil structure in that region) and the Alba sub region, producing the yin, masculine version. Barberas from Asti, as a general rule, appeal more to my taste. And this Asti from Vietti kinda rocked my world.

Wine review: Castello d’Albola 2007 Chianti Classico

Taylor Eason — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 17:30:09 +0000

Chianti is one of the classic food wines of Italy. In this wine-soaked country, regional foods are designed to pair with regional wines. [Read about my foodie trip to Italy). They're crafty that way. Like Garanimals back in the day. In Tuscany, the locals sip Chianti, Chianti Classico and Chianti Classico Reserva (what's the difference?) with red sauces, long-simmered bean dishes and slow-roasted meats. The higher acidity of the Sangiovese grape complements the high acidity of tomato sauces but also contrasts with the delicious fat of the meat dishes. Matches made in foodie heaven.

Wine reviews: King Estate 2009 Domaine Pinot Gris and 2008 Pinot Noir

Taylor Eason — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:50:18 +0000

King Estate specializes in Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, and that's what I've been sipping on these past eight years since I met them. Still family-owned -- like most wineries in Oregon -- they've expanded their horizons with their other, more affordable (and still tasty) Acrobat Pinot Noir and Gris. I really admire what these guys have been doing.

Wine review: Buried Cane 2009 Whiteline Chardonnay (No Oak)

Taylor Eason — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 14:11:49 +0000

There's a bit of a backlash with oaky/buttery California Chardonnays now. A newfound love of the unadorned version -- labeled "Unoaked”, “Virgin”, “Naked” or “Stainless Steel” -- can be witnessed on retail shelves and on restaurant wine lists. The taste difference between oak-aged and/or fermented Chardonnay and those that don’t see wood can normally be summed up in one word: minerality. Washington State's Buried Cane is on to something.

Wine review: Carmel Road 2009 Riesling Monterey and Carmel Road 2009 Pinot Gris Monterey

Taylor Eason — Sun, 29 May 2011 14:48:14 +0000

I wished I lived on Carmel Road, 'cause maybe I could stop by any random Tuesday night and swap some tomatoes for wine. Yes, I would gladly give up homegrown tomatoes -- perhaps my favorite thing on earth besides wine -- for their wine. Based in cool climate Monterey, Carmel Road winery excels at everything that excels in cooler weather - Pinot Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay. And for under $20 per bottle. Perhaps it helps to have a successful parent company -- Kendall Jackson Wine Estates - looking out for them, but winemaker Ivan Giotenov has his eye on the ever moving vinous ball. And consumer tastes.

Wine review: Santa Christina 2009 Chianti Superiore

Taylor Eason — Tue, 10 May 2011 14:21:33 +0000

Tuscany is home to Chianti, likely the most famous wine region on the planet. The straw baskets have been discarded for sleek bottles and modern winemaking went mainstream here about 20-25 years ago. Santa Cristina, made by Italy's Antinori wine family, is most definitely part of this modern revolution yet still maintains a traditional Chianti style.

Five refreshing white wines for spring and summer

Taylor Eason — Tue, 03 May 2011 14:25:07 +0000

Warmth is finally peeking out from underneath the underbelly of winter, escaping to where people wear shorts and sandals. When the mercury rises to this level, it's difficult to slurp red wine, so I recommend these five inexpensive white and sparkling wines that should quench the thirst tugging at your tongue.

Wine review: 181 2008 Merlot Lodi Valley (California)

Taylor Eason — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:53:59 +0000

Located southeast of Sacramento near California’s eastern edge, Lodi Valley isn’t romantic, sophisticated wine "country" (yet), but it’s got the hip enviro edge. Lodi is so serious about the health of its land, growers there formed a trade group, Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission (LWWC), which in 1992 laid down its environmental imperatives in a farming manifesto, "Lodi Rules for Sustainable Winegrowing." Thus the 181 Merlot was produced from grapes exposed to less pesticides.

Wine review: Mulderbosch 2008 Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch (South Africa)

Taylor Eason — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:03:05 +0000

In new world regions like South Africa, Chenin Blanc transforms. They often call this white grape "Steen" in South Africa. And the Mulderbosch Chenin was mistaken for a White Burgundy at a recent blind tasting... embarrassing all the certified sommeliers in attendance.

Wine review: Hess 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Allomi Vineyard Napa

Taylor Eason — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 15:10:12 +0000

Hess Collection is more known for its rich and extracted red wines (especially Cabs), but they a make mean white. The Allomi Vineyard sits at the base of Howell Mountain in a remote area of Napa Valley, spending its days in tourist-free peace. It's an enviable spot. Can you say secret, trespassing picnic?

Wine review: The Climber 2009 Sauvignon Blanc California

Taylor Eason — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 15:26:18 +0000

The Clif Family -- yes, the same people who make the cand...er... "nutrition" bars -- started making wine in 2004 after moving to Napa Valley. Like their bars, they source from sustainably and organically-grown vineyards (link) in northern California. Winemakers Sarah Gott and Bruce Regalia do an outstanding job with all the Clif wines, especially whites like this one.

Affordable wine reviews: Elios Mediterranean Red and White

Taylor Eason — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 15:23:29 +0000

It's probably a smart idea for the producers of these wines not to tout that the grapes hail from Greece. Although this region pretty much invented wine, Greece hasn't exactly sustained a stellar reputation in recent years. But maybe Elios can break that cycle.

Sparkling wine review: Domaine Carneros 2006 Brut Cuvee

Taylor Eason — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:01:53 +0000

As the American outpost of the famed French Champagne house Taittinger, vintage after vintage, Domaine Carneros the best way to drink Champagne-ish on a craft beer budget. Great value for the money.

Foppiano 2008 Petite Sirah Russian River Valley

Taylor Eason — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:34:08 +0000

Petite Sirah, the re-emerged bastard French wine child from royal pedigree, is called Durif in many parts of the world. It was engineered in the late 1800s by a French guy named — you guessed it — Durif. He cross-pollinated the venerated syrah grape with an obscure French peasant grape called Peloursin and created a highly marketable, mildew-resistant variety. Foppiano Vineyards has been growing and bottling Petite Sirah since the early 1970's, so they've had a few years to get it right.

Wine review: Martini Prosecco DOC

Taylor Eason — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:59:13 +0000

Prosecco, the name of a perfumey grape as well as a lightly fizzy, refreshing sparkling wine from Italy, can be absolutely beautiful but also complete crap. Shopping by name or specific region is imperative and Martini and Rossi is always consistent (you might have heard of their sweet Asti Spumante? Not the same thing).

Wine review: Mettler 2007 “Epicenter” Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi

Taylor Eason — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:26:18 +0000

The Mettler Family's grapegrowing roots date back to the 1770's, so they've had a couple of years to get the farming formula in California's Lodi region right. Their 2007 Epicenter Zin is not a wine for those seeking light-hearted red wine. Burly, muscular, concentrated flavors don every drop.

Wine review: Milbrandt 2007 Traditions Merlot Columbia Valley

Taylor Eason — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 14:04:52 +0000

Gawd... this is yet another fabulous example of delicious Washington State Merlot. Butch and Jerry Milbrandt came from a long line of families who "worked the land" and they planted grapevines in 1997. But it wasn't until 2007 that they launched a brand with their name on it. And what beautiful Merlot they made in their first attempt.

Wine review: Hugel 2006 Pinot Gris Classic Alsace

Taylor Eason — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:15:43 +0000

Unlike many labels that lure you in with clever labels (this one is designed by Ralph Steadman), the juice inside this bottle isn't plonk. The Hugel family brand from France's Alsace region is known for its quality, 370 year history and dedication to the land.

Wine review: Four Vines 2007 Syrah Paso Robles

Taylor Eason — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:06:50 +0000

Known for its Zinfandels and Naked Chardonnay, Four Vines Winery is capable of so much more. Creative and fun, these guys boast wines named Biker and Heretic, and the aforementioned "Naked" line, indicating its lack of oak usage in the Chardonnay. Sourced from Paso Robles, where warm weather rules and Four Vines resides, this juicy, full-bodied syrah reaches ripeness levels resembling blackberry, black raspberry and blueberry pie.