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 […]
Château d’Yquem 1998
What can be said about d’Yquem can only be expressed in poetry, even in a modest vintage like 1998. It is an inner sanctum, a fragrant garden, a poignant release that is both profound and glorious. Descriptors cannot do it justice, sensual and honey-drenched layers of apricots, vanilla bean, creme brûlée and almond pastry. Viscous […]
Louis M. Martini Moscato Amabile NV
Served in a tumbler, rather than a stem, this convivial Moscato from Louis Martini sees a long, cool fermentation that is arrested before the wine ferments to dryness—and closely resembles it’s northern Italian cousin, Moscato d’Asti. Slightly sweet and lightly effervescent, with notes of honey and pear, Moscato makes for a great pairing with a […]
Pieropan Soave Classico 2014
A lovely, spirited Soave Classico from the Veneto region, utterly fresh and bright with notes of Meyer lemon zest, white flowers, dried honey, and almond extract. Aged on fine lees in concrete, the effect of which is largely textural, lending minerally undertones of wet pomace, and slight autolytic character. A nice lingering finish. Clean and […]
Piccini Vino Spumante Extra Dry NV
A straightforward Prosecco made in the Charmat method from the Treviso province. Piccini’s Vino Spumante Extra Dry is bright and lively with notes of freshly cut yellow apples and cheery meadow flowers. On the palate, fine bubbles and a dash of citrus race across a lovely acid spine. It’s very pleasant and very quaffable. A […]
Ravines Wine Cellars Dry Riesling 2013
The 2013 Ravines Dry Riesling boasts a sweet nose of acacia honey, lemon budino pudding, and golden delicious apples—a bit deceptive given the palate, which is lean and nervy, a shock of electric acidity. Lightening-like step leaders dance across the tongue, branching and splitting into lemongrass, petrol and briny oyster shell, all of which neatly […]
Château Belleuve Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2000
Earlier this year, I was invited to attend a dinner showcasing several vintages of Vieux Château Certan. François Thienpont was on-hand to explain the wines, and I felt lucky indeed to be seated next to him throughout the evening. Château Bellevue is managed by his brother, Nicolas and vigneron, Stephane Derenoncourt. A blend of 80% Merlot […]