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”
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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From the Unpublished Memoirs of Robert Lawrence Balzer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 If you … Continue reading “From the Unpublished Memoirs of Robert Lawrence Balzer”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”
A Sad Note
Parks Redwine, a walking encyclopedia of the post-Prohibition California wine era, and an international wine judge, died at his Atlanta home on June 2 after a lengthy illness. He was 70 and passed away a year to the day after his wife, Emily. I … Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading “A Sad Note”
What is it About Pinot Noir?
A Two-Part Investigation By Dan Berger Given all the hyperbole and exalted language that seems to have blossomed around the most pricey Pinot Noirs over the last decade, you would think that someone would by now have attempted to do something a… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – you may … Continue reading “What is it About Pinot Noir?”
Restaurant Wine Foibles
I have my issues with restaurant wine programs (oh, do I!), starting with the two most egregious problems: high prices and terrible selection. Not to mention far too many young wines. In so many lists you could argue that young wines dominate so g… Want to read more? If you’re already a subscriber, welcome back – … Continue reading “Restaurant Wine Foibles”