At last… a Cabernet that Napa Cab obsessives can drink everyday without opening up a new equity line on the house (if you can still get those nowadays?). Winemaker Cameron Hughes approaches wines a bit differently. He’s part of the growing trend of “traveling winemakers” who ... Read More »
Red
Reviews of red wines
Wine review: Tormaresca 2008 Neprica Puglia (Italy)
Bravo to this deliciously affordable Italian red wine, made from two grapes few have heard of — Negroamaro and Primitivo (the Italian equivalent to Zinfandel) — and the ubiquitous Cabernet Sauvignon. Neprica also hails from an obscure region in Italy, Puglia — the heel of the boot ... Read More »
Wine review: Il Poggione 2008 Rosso di Montalcino
When I look at wine lists in Italian restaurants, it’s tragic that the Chiantis are are so damn expensive. Even for the lowest “Chianti” classification (what’s this?). I simply refuse to pay $40 restaurant pricing for something worth $15. So the other night, feeling the urge ... Read More »
Wine review: Blackstone 2007 Rubric Sonoma Reserve
I’m rarely a fan of the lower level Blackstone wines, seeing them as bland, sweet and too commercial. And, like most Rhianna songs that get played too often on the radio, I grew tired of hearing about and seeing Blackstone Merlot like everywhere when there were so many others of
... Read More »Wine review: Snoqualmie Naked 2008 Merlot Columbia Valley
Snoqualmie is owned and operated by the fine folks who bring us Columbia Crest and Chateau Ste. Michelle wines in Washington State. Per their corporate mantra, this is a good value wine that’s well made but there’s one added benefit to this brand: Snoqualmie practices sustainable and organic ... Read More »
Wine review: Santa Christina 2009 Chianti Superiore
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 ... Read More »
Wine review: J Lohr 2008 Petite Sirah Tower Road Paso Robles
Proving that Petite Sirah is on the way up in the wine circles, J Lohr is confident enough in this grape’s popularity to produce a single-vineyard offering — from the warm growing region of Paso Robles.
... Read More »Wine review: Quivira 2008 Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley
Dry Creek Valley grows some of the best Zinfandel in California and Quivira lies in the middle of it all. When I visited their biodynamically-farmed vineyards in Sonoma County a few years ago, I was pretty awed with everything they produced.
... Read More »Wine reviews: La Crema 2009 Monterey Pinot Noir and 09 Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
Melissa Stackhouse, a fantastically talented Pinot and Chardonnay winemaker, was recently promoted at Kendall Jackson (who owns La Crema Winery) to Pinot Noir Winemaster for all of Jackson Family Wines. I’m not surprised since her gorgeous creations continue to overdeliver for the price. I’ll ... Read More »
Wine review: 181 2008 Merlot Lodi Valley (California)
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 ... Read More »
Wine review: Montecillo 2001 Rioja Gran Reserva
In Europe, gender equality in the wine world still hovers in the Middle Ages, but strong-willed females have made progress. In 1975, Maria Martinez, a warm-hearted yet tough survivor, began her wine career in Spain’s Rioja region. After only four years of working in the cellars, she earned her spot ... Read More »
Wine review: Glen Ellen 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Proprietor’s Reserve California
There are days when blind wine tastings (link) slap my ass and call me Sally. Like when a stereotypically derided wine brand like Glen Ellen actually represents well in the glass. It’s not a tempting bottle to reach for from the samples rack on a random weeknight, so blind was the *only* way ... Read More »