Ab Simon: Bordeaux Savior

By Dan Berger Bordeaux may never be the same. I’m not speaking of the wine – one of the world’s most important vinous commodities, as well as one of the wine world’s most identifiable status-imbuing baubles. No, I’m speaking of Bordeaux the reg… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you … Continue reading “Ab Simon: Bordeaux Savior”

Tasting Notes

Exceptional 2021 Reustle Prayer Rock Syrah, Umpqua Valley ($39): This may well be the finest Syrah produced in the United States over the last decade. Purists say an aroma of black pepper (rotundone) is one of the key elements in cooler-climate (o… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”

Aussie Time!

By Dan Berger Wine buyers who are intelligent and aware and seek excellent value in premium wines should be eager buyers of some of Australia’s better-known wines. f not now, but soon. It may not yet be widely evident in some U.S. major markets, but… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading “Aussie Time!”

En Zed Pee Enn

In a recent issue of Decanter magazine from London, an interesting article points out that New Zealand Pinot Noir has become all the rage Down Under. I noticed this fact nearly 20 years ago during a trip to the southern hemisphere. It became clear th… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading “En Zed Pee Enn”

Bargain

Bargain 2016 Dopf & Irion Crustaces, Alsace ($13): Anyone who really likes dry wine with sufficient crispness to work with unadorned shellfish should adore this wine, which sort of reminds me a little of Muscadet. It is fresh, charmingly aust… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Bargain”

Bargain

2018 The Larsen Projekt Grenache Rosé, Dry Rosé, Dry Creek Valley ($20): most of our learning long-term readers know of my passion for almost completely dry (drry) pink wine,  and this wine really delivers the Completely fascinating aromatic with th… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If … Continue reading “Bargain”

From the Unpublished Memoirs of Robert Lawrence Balzer

From 1961 Once in a blue moon, one encounters a golden wine from California that approaches the pulse-quickening majesty of the great French Montrachet. Ken Hansen, the taciturn Boniface of the famed Scandia Restaurant in Los Angeles, approached m… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you … Continue reading “From the Unpublished Memoirs of Robert Lawrence Balzer”

Wine of the Week

2016 Eberle Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, “Vineyard Selection” ($24): it seems like I am forever seeking Cabernet Sauvignons that smell like the grape and deliver some of the structure I believe is necessary for it to work with food. Many high-fal… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login … Continue reading “Wine of the Week”

A New Designation for New Zealand

Wine consumers soon may be confronted with a new designation on labels from New Zealand’s Marlborough region. Already one of the world’s most recognizable and reliable wine regions, it had been in peril of losing that identity as many Sauvignon Bl… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login … Continue reading “A New Designation for New Zealand”

Tasting Notes

Exceptional 2016 Smith Story Riesling, Rheingau(!) ($20): Eric Story of Santa Rosa (Smith Story Wines; https://smithstorywinecellars.vinespring.com) makes some of the most stylish wines in California as well as this wine he makes in Germany. On hi… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may login here. If you aren’t a subscriber, … Continue reading “Tasting Notes”