Wine Reviews

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

One of my favorite California producers for many years, Ampelos is about as “green” as they come, which puts them in the upper echelon of quality wines and a quiet gem to be sought out. The grapes were hand harvested and allowed to start a natural fermentation. The wine is unfined, unfiltered and 100% Pinot Noir. Flavors of dark cherries and raspberry sing into a rich cola and brown molasses core. Notes of wild red berries meld with medium acids and minimal tannins. The finish offers hints o... Read More