Quick Update: The Santa Rosa store of Grocery Outlet is offering the 2016 Orleans Hill Syrah for about half its suggested retail price of $11. Very good value. The wine: Lighter weight in both color. But the entry and mid-palate fruit are charmin… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t a … Continue reading “Grocery Outlet Sale: Issue 14 Addendum”
Volume XXIII – Issue 14
That Old Black Pepper Has Me in its Spell
By Dan Berger Rotundone is the somewhat esoteric chemical that certain varieties of grapes develop, notably Syrah and especially in very cool climates or in very cool vintages, and particularly in both. We have written about Rotundone since 200… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you … Continue reading “That Old Black Pepper Has Me in its Spell”
Robert Lawrence Balzer Memoir
My First Professional Wine Judging Another chapter in the 99-year life of the Los Angeles Times wine writer. My First Wine Competition, 1947 It was the first year, post-WW II, for the now famous Los Angeles County Fair Wine Judging in Pomon… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may … Continue reading “Robert Lawrence Balzer Memoir”
Tasting Notes: Anecdotal Format
Note: All wines below are available, either directly from the producer or online. Additionally, all imports and many domestics are nationally distributed. Exceptional 2015 Latah Creek Carmenere, Wahluke Slope ($18; absolute bargain!) Chile i… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t a subscriber, sign up here to … Continue reading “Tasting Notes: Anecdotal Format”
News of Note
Rollie Heitz, son of the late Joe Heitz, is closing his successful Napa Valley winery, Midsummer Cellars, and is moving to Umbria in central Italy to resume making wine. In an interview recently, Heitz said he and his wife, Sally, have looked for … Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – … Continue reading “News of Note”
Wine of the Week
2015 Hexamer Grauburgunder “Vom Porphyr,” Trocken, Nahe ($19): If you ever wanted to embarrass a wine expert you know (especially those who often are pathetically egotistic about their wine knowledge), this is the perfect wine and you need not do any… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login … Continue reading “Wine of the Week”
Bargain of the Week
2017 Franz Etz Grüner Veltliner, Austria ($13/1 liter): Grüner (as this wine’s front label calls itself, without the Veltliner) is a minerally grape that can make a very dry white wine. From its native Austria, it seems to be prized when it is richly… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – … Continue reading “Bargain of the Week”