A few months ago, Villa Maria Estate got a Vitamin B-12 shot in their marketing. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates — the sales and marketing powerhouse behind Ste. Michelle Winery, Columbia Crest and Erath — began importing and marketing New Zealand’s “biggest boutique winery.” ... Read More »
Almost perfect
Reviews of wines that are almost perfect quality.
Five American red and white wines over $30 worth the price
Current reports say wine prices won’t reach the offensive heights we’ve seen in the past ten years for quite a while, if ever again. Value is the new norm. Bad for the wineries who have enjoyed mega profits and success but good thing for us, right? Now, we can enjoy $60, $80, $100 for ... Read More »
Wine review: Wallace Brook 2008 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
This second label, brought to us by the famed Adelsheim Vineyard in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, couldn’t be better. Most of the time, a second label is where a winery tucks in their lesser grapes — those that didn’t make the cut for the flagship bottling, especially during ... Read More »
Wine review: Sea Smoke 2007 “Ten” Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
It’s rare that I review expensive wines. But occasionally one runs across my tongue that sends tingles through my nervous system that channel through my fingers. Happened recently when I popped open a Sea Smoke, a cult winery from the Santa Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County in southern California. ... Read More »
Wine review: Apothic Red Wine 2008 California
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.
... Read More »Wine review: Luchador 2007 Shiraz South Australia
I’d heard rumors about this wine before encountering it in my glass. Shazam, this is a BIG wine. Concentrated and inky (almost opaque) like a cup of espresso, except made with grapes. I think.
... Read More »Wine review: Vionta 2008 Albarino Rias Baixas
I’ve been a rabid fan of the refreshing Spanish white, albariño, since I visited the region a few years ago. Since it rains all the time in this grape’s homeland of Rias Baixas, situated in the northwestern corner of Spain (just above Portugal), vineyard managers must grow their grapes ... Read More »
Wine review: Laurenz V Gruner Veltliner “Singing” (Austria)
There simply isn’t a better warm weather pool wine than the under-rated, under-appreciated grüner veltliner grape. Yes, the name is a mouthful and annoying to say, but the industry has handily shortened it to “grooner”, after the way it’s pronounced. And the eager Austrians ... Read More »
Wine review: Durigutti 2007 Malbec Mendoza
Crafted by two young brothers in the “new world” fashion, this beautifully complex malbec has received exultant praise from the industry. And it’s well-deserved. Hector and Pablo Durigutti have many years ahead of them and I can’t imagine this wine getting much better. But ... Read More »