Elk Cove Roosevelt Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011
Fruit takes a back seat in the 2011 Elk Cove Roosevelt Vineyard Pinot Noir. This is a portrait in savoriness. Aromas of Spanish roof tile, sun dried tomato, cigar box and sage seamlessly merge into tart cranberries and dried cherry notes. Firm, dusty tannins hem in high-toned red fruit and taught acidity that terminates with […]
Scottish Beef Stew Topped with a Phyllo Dough Crust
My take on classic Scottish Beef Stew—the butteriness Phyllo dough crust adds a delicious dimension of flavor and texture. I’ve also substituted leeks for yellow onions and flat iron steak for beef chuck. The flat iron, while more expensive is ultimately more tender. And for me, this is the perfect sort of dish to serve […]
Château Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse 2000
A splendid Beauséjour Duffau-Lagarrosse. Opens with floral aromatics that descend to deeper notes of steeped blackberry, black cherry, charcoal, camphor and dried sage. Structured, powerful fore-to-mid palate tannin with acidity to match, this feels too young at this point, as though it’s not yet fully knit together. Medium-plus finish with herbal notes, and subtle minerality. […]
King Estate Signature Collection Pinot Noir 2013
The 2013 King Estate Pinot Noir is restrained, and is thinner and tighter than I would like. Sporting twining notes of earth, mocha and cocoa powder, a dab of red fruit. On the palate, it’s quite tart, with high-toned briary forest berries, pomegranate and twig tea—this subdued tone and pitch follows all the way through […]
Rutini Malbec 2012
Vinified on 80% new French oak and 20% new American oak for 12 months, the 2012 Rutini Malbec offers classic high-altitude notes of blueberries and black raspberries, along with a subtle top note of Madagascar vanilla. On the palate, abundantly bright acidity, and an intriguing slightly salty, slightly herbal countenance that shows mostly on a […]
J Vineyards Brut Rosé NV
J Vineyards is the only domestic sparkling wine producer I’ve seen with a Coquard press, which is de rigueur in Champagne, but not so across the pond. Their NV Brut Rosé is a spirited blend of 66% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and 1% Pinot Meunier, all from the Russian River Valley. The mousse is lively […]
Gallo Signature Series Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2013
An elegantly styled, full and fleshy Sonoma Chardonnay from Gallo’s Signature Line. The 2013 blossoms in the glass with aromas of bruised apple, yellow peach, caramel, acacia flowers and toasted hazelnut. High glycerol and admittedly high alcohol of 14.8%, but this is well integrated on the palate and nicely balanced by a burst of acidity, […]
Brooks Winery | McCrady’s Heritage Red 2014
Another spin-off label from an intensive 2-day blending session that took place at Brooks Winery earlier this year. This particular label is the inspired blend of Sommelier, Cappie Peete of McCrady’s in Charleston, SC. That’s right, if you want to sample this wine, you’ll have to visit the restaurant. And like the other wines that […]
Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2002
As the 2002 Lucien le Moine Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru develops in the glass it starts off with more classic notes of forest brambles, freshly turned tilth, dried rose petals and red fruit. The impression evolves, however, to darker black cherries and even a whiff of dark chocolate powder. On the palate, tart, high-toned red forest […]
Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir 2012
Almost Burgundian in expression, the 2012 Coquerel Terroir Pinot Noir offers aromas of crushed raspberries, dried cherries, allspice, caramelized brown sugar, earth and mushrooms. Bright acidity lends lift to a core that is sweetly outfitted in red fruit, with marked purity, low tannins, and acid that hits the sides of the tongue and pleasantly lingers. […]