From the Editor Since 1996 when we began this publication, we always listed wines in our Tasting Notes as Exceptional or Highly Recommended. A few wines that were Recommended often were excellent for the price, and we always had a Bargain of the Week… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Dan Berger
More Tasting Notes
Exceptional 2023 Corison Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford ($195): This classic wine has a Rutherford-area aroma and perfect structure for aging at least 20 years. From the Corison website: “In 2023, winter and spring rains broke a 3-year drought in the… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you … Continue reading “More Tasting Notes”
Bored Eau?
By Dan Berger The Bordeaux wine trade is facing a crisis like a few other wine categories, and the solutions seemingly rest with their creditors. The quality of the vintage of 2025 was considered to be very high, which was validated by most reports e… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading “Bored Eau?”
Chablis by Any Other Name
By Dan Berger Many French wines are changing as a result of two unrelated issues that have left several wine districts at a crossroads. And some producers have no idea whether to turn right or left—or go straight ahead. On the one hand we have the si… Want to read more? If you’re already a … Continue reading “Chablis by Any Other Name”
Soda Consumption
A small privately held Texas-based company called Instant Hydration just released a study that shows that South Dakotans annually consume more soft drinks per capita (194 liters, or 51.5 gallons–0r a gallon a week) than do the residents of any other… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login … Continue reading “Soda Consumption”
Flash: Bargain
2022 Second Cheapest Wine (Grocery Outlet stores) Merlot, Oak Knoll District: This medium-weight red is as nearly perfect an example of a Napa Valley Merlot as I have tasted in years. It has attractive berry fruit, defined varietal complexity, and al… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login … Continue reading “Flash: Bargain”
Pinot Syrah
By Dan Berger I was musing the other day about what sort of wine blends might make an amusing wine. What I do not find amusing are those ubiquitous red wine blends that the label does not identify any of the varieties used in it. As far as I’m concer… Want to read more? If … Continue reading “Pinot Syrah”
Do You know Wine?
By Dan Berger So, you think you know something about wine? I thought I did. And then I thought more about the subject, which is so broad that even some longtime residents of areas that produce fine wine have no idea about their own local history. Or … Want to read more? If you’re already … Continue reading “Do You know Wine?”
Tasting Notes
Exceptional 2025 Groom Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills ($19): This brilliant version of a unique SB displays the remarkable properties of a superb grape that is intelligently planted in one of the coolest regions in Australia, which is just outside … Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”
Syrah-Shiraz
By Dan Berger The longer I think critically about one grape variety, and then the more I try different versions of the same varietal grape from different regions, the more I rethink my first ideas about it/them. A little additional cogitation sometim… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may … Continue reading “Syrah-Shiraz”