Clos Puy Arnaud La Cuvée Bistrot 2013
2013 was a difficult vintage for Bordeaux, though the whites fared better, as they are wont to do in such years. Because this is my first experience tasting anything from Clos Puy Arnaud, it’s hard to assess what the wine is like in a more favorable year. It’s quite thin, and the body more closely […]
King Estate Domaine Pinot Noir 2014
I had the chance to sample some of the 2014 vintage from barrel with King Estate’s former winemaker, Kevin Sommelet. 2014 was a warm year, and the estate’s Domaine label reflects this with an expressive nose abundantly perfumed by fleshy black cherries and plums, followed by deeper, woodsier aromas, worn leather, dried roses and pungent […]
Evening Land Seven Springs Estate Chardonnay 2014
Really lovely, the Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Chardonnay 2014 brings with it sense of refinement. Like a classically tailored blazer, its texture is soft but structured, underpinned by a layer fine tannins and bolstered by lithe and lovely notes of lemon zest and blanched almond, pencil shavings and orchard fruit. Under winemaker Sashi Moorman’s […]
King Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Domaine 2014
I had the chance to sample some of the 2014 vintage from barrel with King Estate’s former Burgundian winemaker, Kevin Sommelet. 2014 was a warm year, and the estate’s Domaine label reflects this with an expressive nose abundantly perfumed by fleshy black cherries and plums, followed by deeper, woodsier aromas, worn leather, dried roses, and […]
Clos du Jaugueyron Haut-Médoc 2012
The first impression is of minerality with black currents, blackberries, forest floor and sweet spice firmly seated beneath a fine layer of chalkboard dust. The 2012 Clos du Jaugueyron Haut-Medoc is slightly reserved, trussed in polished, slightly chalky tannins that give way to sweet black fruit at the core. There is perhaps a touch of […]
Evening Land Seven Springs ‘Anden’ Pinot Noir 2014
A knee-weakening Pinot Noir, Evening Land’s Seven Springs ‘Anden’ comes from fruit harvested in a single pass through a phylloxerated section of historic Seven Springs vineyard. The 2014 is whole cluster fermented and aged in 100% New oak—it would seem that there’s a method to winemaker Sashi Moorman’s madness in the rather unusual approach to […]
Rdv Vineyards Rendezvous 2011
My first Virginia wine, this particular bottle was a gift from a dear friend. First impression—it’s developed nicely, with brooding black cherries and plums lending weight to lighter aromas of cedar, earth, spice and pink peppercorn. The 2011 Rendezvous is a polished blend of 69% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Franc, and 8% Petit Verdot and certainly, it […]
Brooks Duex Vert Vineyard Melon de Bourgogne 2015
Brooks Melon de Bourgogne Duex Vert Vineyard 2015″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>Pleasantly surprised by Brooks’ 2015 Melon de Bourgogne, with it’s filigreed nose of ripe pear, honeysuckle and chalkboard dust. It’s not as lean and leesy as some of my favorite examples from Muscadet Sèvre et Maine (Melon de Bourgogne is the variety used in Muscadet). […]
Seed Malbec 2015
Beautifully delineated, the 2015 Seed Malbec is a small lot single-vineyard wine that is aged for 16 months in new French oak and, I’m happy to report, has a long life ahead of it. At this stage in its development, the nose is quite primary and is heavily laden in fresh blackberries, plums, and macerated […]
Leah Jørgensen Cellars Cabernet Franc 2015
Quite possibly the best example of Oregon Cabernet Franc I’ve ever tasted. Ruby robed with violet reflexes, Leah Jørgensen’s Cabernet Franc captivates the senses with aromas of mulberries, marionberries, incense, and anise. In the mouth it’s velvety and supple with cashmere-like tannins lending support to a red-fruited core. White pepper and hibiscus tea at the […]