Reviews

Made from Clairette and Ugni Blanc, Laidiera Blanc is floral and fresh with pleasant acidity and minerality. White Bandols are tricky. They are not inexpensive and don’t usually fit into the crisp and citrusy category of a Sauvignon Blanc or buttery and creamy category of Chardonnay So where does that leave Bandol Blanc? Maybe more like a white Rhone–but it really its its own thing. These are wines of texture and weight with subtle aromatics. Hints of peach skin, apricot pit but not full-blo... Read More

I try every Bordeaux Blanc I can get my hands on, and this effort from Chateau Carbonnieux is one of the prettiest white wines I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting. Carved out of the Graves region of Bordeaux, Pessac-Leognan is known for developing some of the most elegant white wines in Bordeaux. This dry white shows a honeysuckle coating mouthfeel and a wonderful lasting lemon zest finish.

This intensely evocative Cabernet Sauvignon radiates deep plum and ruby-colored hues. The aromas are well defined with concentrated cassis and ripe black cherry, backed by mocha and toasted vanilla notes. On the palate, this full-bodied tannic Cabernet has firm mid-palate presence and loads of cellar-worthy potential. As the spectrum of flavors unfolds, the huckleberry and raspberry give way to a complex mocha, coffee, vanilla matrix —all balanced under the fruit notes, giving the wine a tingl... Read More

While traveling through Northern Spain, I was taken through the heart of Ribera del Duero. I was fortunate enough to meet up with Jose Alberto Casajus and while walking through his vineyards in Quintana del Pidio, he talked of not only his winemaking, which is off the charts, but also his legend of being the village baker. This 100% Tinta Fina (Tempranillo) is super silky, and shows refined tannins, juicy dark berries on the front and a stern backbone proving a long finish—an amazing blend of ... Read More

The St. Francois is blended from several vineyards with some coming from the premier cru sites of Robardelle and Mitans. I tried this particular wine early this year and it inspired me to expand my Burgundy portfolio tenfold. It was THAT GOOD! Monnot’s 100% Pinot Noir is destemmed prior to fermentation and aged for 24 months in French oak. Vibrant flavors of ripe red cherries and cranberry flow through soft, silky tannins and vivacious acids. The mid-palate offers a core of creamy vanilla bean... Read More

A 12% alcohol blend of 55% pinot noir, 30% chardonnay and 15% pinot meunier with about 15% reserve wines bottled, refermented and aged 30 months en tirage before disgorgement and finished brut. Gold-straw in color and fully sparkling; dry, medium-light-bodied with fresh acidity. A yeast-fruit-and-mineral nose gives way to a crisp, fresh palate featuring citrus and a bit of red fruit, accented by toasty yeast and a flinty minerality. Fresh and focused, it is best suited to be served as an aperiti... Read More