Ca’ Marcanda Gaja Bolgheri Camarcanda 2011
Garnet robed with a faintly orange rim, though still fresh and vibrant. Gaja’s Ca’Marcanda Ca’Marcanda is a deeply perfumed Bordeaux blend with the scent of wild lilacs, woodsmoke, espresso, and plums. From the stony Ca’Marcanda estate in the Bolgeri, this elegantly crafted red is silky and rich, with fully integrated oak. Dark, with a nice […]
Dönnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2012
Gorgeous, aromatic nose on the Felsenberg GG 2012—it is a different animal as compared with the Dellchen I reviewed earlier—it opens with notes of dried apricot, kerosene, white flowers and a top note of blanched almond. Full and lush on entry, with glycerol up-front leading into Asian pear, lemon drop, and chalk. While not as […]
Dönnhoff Hermannshöhle Riesling Grosses Gewachs 2012
Gorgeous, aromatic nose on the Hermannshöhle GG 2012—it is a different animal as compared with the Dellchen I reviewed yesterday—it opens with notes of dried apricot, kerosene, white flowers and a top note of blanched almond. Full and lush on entry, with glycerol up-front leading into Asian pear, lemon drop, and chalk. While not as […]
Point Lobos
Here, the air is thick with salt, you can feel it accumulating on your skin and clothes after little more than an hour. There is an other-worldliness to this place, rust-colored rocks almost martian in origin, fog and filtered light cast a luminous glow. Truly, Point Lobos has been one of the most enchanting places […]
Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent Blanc Sec 2012
A classic blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Sémillon, the 2012 Clos des Lunes Lune d’Argent Blanc Sec from Domaine de Chevalier is quite a steal at less than $20 per bottle. Fragrant floral notes are rounded out by rich aromas of shortbread cookie, pear, honeydew melon and a hint of freshly mown grass. Full-bodied […]
Forlorn Hope Another Rare Creature The Faufreluches Gewürztraminer 2012
Forlorn Hope is a producer that has received great press of late, the last couple of bottles I tried, I felt vaguely disappointed, given the reviews. Here at last, is a spot-on dry Gewurztraminer from the Russian River Valley, that is exceptionally floral and deliciously concentrated. Orange blossom, jasmine tea, Cox Pippins. Fermented on skins […]
2014 in Review
2014 was, for me, a monumental year. I have been very fortunate to have attended some fantastic industry tastings throughout much of the year. I’m also presently working my way through the WSET courses, studying wine and regions as much as my schedule allows. These wines were the highlights of my year, a tough list […]