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Wine review: Dry Creek 2009 Dry Chenin Blanc and 2006 Mariner

Taylor Eason — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:16:50 +0000

Dry Creek Vineyards isn't one of those jump up and down, shouting "look at me!" wineries. They thankfully haven't gone down the animal-on-the-label road nor have they succumbed to posting promotional drivel on Facebook and Twitter. They're thoughtful, consistent and course-stayers like the tortoise in the fable. Dry Creek's tasty juice remains solid year after year, their marketing conservative, and their prices stay pretty reasonable. Not to mention that they're still family-owned (since 1972), a marvelous feat in an industry that keeps consolidating as the recession crushes sales.

Wine review: Apothic Red Wine 2008 California

Taylor Eason — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:13:04 +0000

One word: Delicious. If you're one for lovin' on sweet-ish, juicy smackin', full-bodied reds, RUN, don't walk, to pick up this bottle.

Wine review: Kim Crawford 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

Taylor Eason — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:03:39 +0000

Overwhelming flavors, reminiscent of sucking on a key lime. Grapefruit and green herbs rush up the nose and onto the tongue. The acidity is almost too present -- the wine isn't as balanced or as smooth as other vintages.

Wine review: Los Alamos 2009 Malbec Mendoza

Taylor Eason — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 14:49:44 +0000

A darling of the critics for a few years now, this Los Alamos Malbec from Argentina's Mendoza region has one great thing going for it: It costs under $12, sometimes even under $10.

Wine review for World Cup: Indaba 2009 Chenin Blanc South Africa

Taylor Eason — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 20:18:31 +0000

Perhaps you're looking for a refreshing white wine to guzzle with World Cup matches? This South African Chenin Blanc (aka "Steen") scores well in the extreme value department, as well as the deliciousness.

Wine reviews: 2006 Dead Letter Office Shiraz and Pillar Box White 2008

Taylor Eason — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 15:34:52 +0000

Unless you're a rabid fan of wine critic Robert Parker (who loves them), you may not know these wines...but you should. Made by a winery called Henry's Drive in Australia, owner Kim Longbottom paid a visit last week (as many Aussies are wont to do in their wintry off season) to show off her most recent vintage. She and her husband Mark founded Henry's Drive in 1992, borne out of a passion for the grapes in Southeast Australia's Padthaway region. Her husband tragically passed away 18 months ago from leukemia, but Kim's dedication to the winery they established together lives on.

Corporate wineries: The best of the worst

Taylor Eason — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 23:13:59 +0000

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with wines produced by massive corporations, but as I've harped on before, the little guys generally make better wine, displaying more heart and soul. Both attempt to produce income but corporations exist solely to do so. So I already have a prejudice against them... their practices make my fave beverage so... so... crass. Which is why my sneaky husband recently (and unbeknownst to me) set up a blind tasting of my most harshly judged, corporately-produced wines. My report:

Sam’s Club releases its own wine label: Infinite 2008 Spanish Red

Taylor Eason — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:35:01 +0000

I suppose it was bound to happen. That partytrain known as wine sales had to arrive in Generica, stopping at the Sam's Club station. Like the last guy at a party to realize his fly is open, Sam Walton's masterminding crew has released its own private wine retail label. I should've expected it... I should've sensed it in the air. But the moment the press release entered my inbox offering up a sample of this new Spanish red blend, I HAD to try it.

Wine review: Errazuriz 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Aconcagua Valley

Taylor Eason — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:00:56 +0000

Chile is just now getting to the point where they produce good cabernets. I've enjoyed their white wines for as long as I can remember but their reds always wallowed in green pepper and asparagus... and not in a good way with dollop of hollandaise. Errazuriz, a winery founded in 1870 by Don Maximiano Errazuriz, has established themselves internationally as a quality-driven business. They also farm their vineyards sustainably, taking care of the soil for the coming generations.

Wine review: Cupcake Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough

Taylor Eason — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 14:40:13 +0000

I've always despised this brand's name, conjuring thoughts of the forums, test cases and focus groups that must've gone into its development. Even Adam Richardson, winemaker for Cupcake, sheepishly admitted to me the name wasn't "inspired" by much. But I begrudgingly admit their wines are popular, even tasty, with a soft, drinkable-ness and romance associated with America's love of cupcakes. It seems to work.

Wine review: Bogle 2008 Pinot Noir California

Taylor Eason — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 15:00:35 +0000

Tasty, inexpensive pinot noir made by a hands-on, family-owned winery.

Spring has sprung: Wines reviews to get you drinking

Taylor Eason — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:36:14 +0000

Spring has sprung. The newly back-from-vacation birds are chirping… the honeybees are busy, and all the animals are horny. Makes me want a drink… or a cigarette, but I don't smoke. Then, naturally, my mind turns to wine, my favorite beverage. This time of year, as warmth slowly creeps back into the days, I can’t help but shun the heavy reds and pair the weather with something a little more refreshing… mostly rich whites and light-bodied reds.

Brazin 2007 Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi

Taylor Eason — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 14:30:05 +0000

Not everyone can craft really tasty zinfandel. Sometimes, this varietal wine can be overly alcoholic, with fumes wafting up your nose. Other times, it's too intense and brash like a pushy whore wearing too much makeup. Not this one.

Wine review: Clayhouse 2007 Adobe Red Paso Robles

Taylor Eason — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:22:26 +0000

Founded in 2003, Clayhouse is a boutique winery located in California’s south-central Paso Robles wine region. Since 1990, the Middleton family has farmed a gigantic 1,700-acre estate where they grow 20 different grapes, from petite sirah to sauvignon blanc. Clayhouse put some damn fine drinking in this bottle. Drink alone or with someone.

Wine review: Jean Bousquet 2007 Malbec Mendoza

Taylor Eason — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:27:50 +0000

One winery who sniffed out the organic trend before it happened: Domaine Jean Bouquet in Argentina. Third-generation French winemaker Jean Bousquet moved to Mendoza's Tupungato Valley in 1997, planting the vineyard in a climate that didn't require chemicals and pesticides to thrive. They grow a little bit of everything, from the indigenous Torrontes grape to Merlot to this delicious

Parducci 2008 Pinot Grigio California + Humboldt Fog Cheese

Taylor Eason — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:26:55 +0000

Pinot grigio might be a bit "pedestrian" for wine snobs out there, basically because of the cheap crap from Italy. This fruity yet tart, organically-farmed number from California might turn heads. Pair it with Humboldt Fog cheese and it's

Wine review: 337 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Lodi

Taylor Eason — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:12:07 +0000

Ok, so the name sucks, but the wine doesn't. This juicy, perfumey wine is named after France's 337 cabernet sauvignon clone. In the world of grapes, “clone” is a term used for naturally-occurring (sometimes mutating) genetic subtypes of the same grape variety.

Paul Jaboulet Aîné 2007 Parallèle 45

Taylor Eason — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:00:30 +0000

Made by a French, family-owned winery in the Rhône region, this is a deliciously affordable blend of sustainably-farmed grenache and syrah

Irony 2006 Pinot Noir Monterey

Taylor Eason — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:49:08 +0000

This family-owned winery is located in Napa Valley, but thankfully they look outside of its great-for-cabernet-and-merlot soil to the cooler climate of Monterey County for its pinot noirs. (Read more about Monterey County wines here.)

Segura Viudas Aria Brut Cava

Taylor Eason — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:28:15 +0000

Affordable decadence defines Spanish Cavas. Bubbles without the trouble; tastiness without the tawdry price. But Spanish Cava can be a mystery. Weird grape names, little hype. If the bottle doesn't read "Champagne"many people overlook this sparkling segment, even if it costs less than $15. But that's simply a