Castello Banfi Brachetto d’Acqui Rosa Regale 2016
I wager that Banfi sent me this coquettish Brachetto d’Acqui in the hopes that I’d review it in time for Valentines day. Vivid magenta with a translucent rim, a fine mousse—which I appreciate—and considerable olfactive charm. Ripe, ripe black cherries, crushed raspberries, pungent decaying rose petals, earth, and an alluring pinch of spice. There is […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum Chardonnay 2014
A pinnacle Oregon Chardonnay, the 2014 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Summum hails from a single block at the heart of the Seven Springs vineyard where the soil is thin and a stony basalt outcropping can be seen. The vines, all Dijon clones, were planted in 1984, and are naturally low yielding. Summum is stunningly […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay 2014
Finely wrought and delicate, the 2014 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard La Source Chardonnay shows off beautiful tapicity. If you’re not convinced of Oregon’s Chardonnay Renaissance, than do seek out a bottle from Evening Land. Orchard fruit, mandarin orange, and an ethereal top note that drifts from iodine to acacia flowers to mint. Stylish and […]
Paul Barre Château La Grave 2011
I would like to revisit this wine, perhaps from a less challenging vintage. As such the 2011 Paul Barre Château La Grave is somewhat austere, requiring ample time to open. Initially reserved aromas of black cherries, plums, and red currant are followed underbrush and earth. The attack is soft, giving way to fine, powdery tannins […]
Cave Dog Napa Valley 2014
It was only a matter of time before our paths crossed. In truth, I’ve been intensely curious about Michael Havens’ wines for years, but my curiosity has been changed by the Havens Winery in 2008. Now he’s got a new project is delicious. Cave Dog is a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, […]
Château Les Charmes-Godard Francs Blanc 2014
I’ll admit, I’m always happy to have a Nicolas Thienpont wine in my glass. The Thienpont family are associated with other great Bordeaux properties including Puygueraud, Pavie Macquin and one of my personal favorites, Vieux Château Certan. The 2014 Les Charmes Godard is slightly austere, with pronounced herbaceousness. Smoky minerality swirls around boxwood, cherimoya and […]
Tire Pé DieM 2012
When I receive samples, I make a point of waiting to research the wines until after I’ve tasted them. First impression—that it’s primarily Cab Franc possibly from the Loire was incorrect—turns out the Tire Pé DieM 2012 is 100% Merlot, organically grown in clay and limestone soils. The profile is light and primary. Cherry clafoutis, […]
Poggio Al Tesoro Vermentino Bolgheri Solosole 2015
Refreshing as Vermentino often is, the 2015 Poggio Al Tesoro Solosole is brimming with canned pear, star fruit, white flowers, cucumber, and granulated honey notes. The palate is lean, chalky, and linear with an arc of nervy acidity that hits first, a tidal burst that gives way to sea foam, lime stone, kaolin clay, and […]
San Simeon Monterey Chardonnay 2014
The frame is not as nimble as I might expect for a Monterey Chardonnay, which is generally a cooler climate AVA. The weight is in fact unctuous, fat, and even slightly oily, much like a light Sauternes—its legs cling to the sides of the glass. Aromatically, the primary expression is one of stone fruit, spice, […]
Château Le Crock Saint-Estèphe 2011
A nicely-styled Saint-Estephe—from the Cuvelier family, owners of Leoville Poyferre—in a modest vintage year. The 2011 Château Le Crock opens with lush, inviting aromas of black currant, smoky black cherries, pen ink, leather, and earth. There are no hard edges on the palate, black fruit luxuriates against a framework of well-structured tannins, moderate acidity, and […]