King Estate Domain Pinot Gris 2005
Talcum powder, chalkboard dust and dried mint glide atop luscious tropical notes. More glycerol here that is tempered by bracing acidity. Texturally, the 2005 King Estate Domain Pinot Gris is totally different from its siblings, with exuberant, juicy pineapple, bruised pear, and golden delicious apple at the core and a dollop of spice on the […]
Ferrari Brut NV
Crafted from 100% Chardonnay that is sustainably grown at high altitude, this sophisticated Trentodoc sparkler gives off delicate aromas of yellow apple, d’Anjou pear and smoke. It’s clean and focused, with brisk bubbles and lively citrus undertones—white grapefruit pith lends tension to fuller, yeastier notes of wet dough that gradually subsides into a persistent and […]
Dourthe Sauvignon Blanc Bordeaux La Grande Cuvée 2013
Often overlooked in the US, Bordeaux blanc can be a fantastic value, as is the case with this wine from Dourthe. Lean and wiry, perhaps in part, owing to vintage, Id love to taste a compare the 2013 to a warmer year. The primary expression is herbal, with a nose of gooseberry and boxwood and […]
Coquerel Le Petit Coquerel Sauvignon Blanc 2012
It’s easy to understand why Coquerel calls Sauvignon Blanc its flagship varietal—clearly the result of excellent fruit quality combined with the sheer talent of Bordeaux-born winemaker, Christine Barbe. The 2012 Le Petit Coquerel boasts a vibrant nose of gooseberries and lime zest, punctuated by spicy undertones reminiscent of juniper berries and white pepper. Lovely on […]
Coquerel Tempranillo 2011
A tad rustic on opening, the The 2011 Coquerel Tempranillo arrives on the scene with a bouquet of freshly turned soil and a hint of barnyard. However, after more than an hour of being open, layers of fruit rise to the surface, roasted strawberry and red cherry, along with a beguiling floral top note of […]
Jean-Luc Colombo Les Abeilles Côtes du Rhône 2012
The 2012 Les Abeilles from Jean-Luc Colombo is a blend of 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre and sports a nimble, savory nose tinged with bouquet garni, fennel, anise, and lilting purple flowers. It’s medium-bodied on the palate, with low tannins and firm, bright acidity. Crunchy red berries and a moderate finish. Not a […]
Trinchero Haystack Vineyard Malbec 2012
From Haystack Rock Vineyard, perched 2,200 feet above sea level, within the heart of the Atlas Peak AVA, a sub-appellation of Napa Valley. High altitude combined with poor, shallow soils creates vine stress, and in the case of this complex and alluring 2012 Malbec, yields firm tannins, high acidity and pronounced minerality on the finish. […]
Brooks Winery | David Burke Group ‘Unvarnished’ Pinot Noir 2014
This silken, perfumed Willamette Valley Pinot Noir—created especially for the David Burke restaurant group, a collaboration between Brooks Winery and corporate wine buyer, Natalie Dulaney—is lush, expressing ripe black cherry, rose petals and orange pomander ball, with a lovely top note of dust from an antique bureau. In the mouth, it’s ripe and round and […]
Willm Crémant d’Alsace Blanc de Noirs NV
Crafted from 100% Pinot Noir, this charming Crémant d’Alsace is the color of wheat fields at the height of summer. Pert bubbles and aromas of apple galette, quince and clementine. While not overly complex on the palate, it is clean and crisp, with bright acidity and lilting bubbles. A cheerful disposition and an excellent value […]