Monthly Archives: February 2012

Joseph Phelps 2008 Insignia, 2010 Sauvignon Blanc

Posted on February 26, 2012 by don

When we last sat down with lead winemaker Damian Parker at the Phelps winery off Silverado Trail in the Napa Valley, we tasted a 2005, 2006, and 2007 vertical of the iconic Phelps Insignia, one of the best wines made … Continue reading →

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Belfield: A South African Boutique Winery in Elgin

Posted on February 26, 2012 by don

South Africa is a country of old family wineries hundreds of years old and new boutique wineries only a decade or two old. An excellent example of the latter is Mike Kreft’s Belfield Estate, a boutique family winery located in … Continue reading →

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Apaltagua: Good Value Carmenère from Apalta

Posted on February 18, 2012 by don

With vineyards located in the special terroir of Apalta in the Colchagua Valley, the Apaltagua Winery produces good wines at remarkably low prices. Apalta is a semi-circle of hills bordered by the Tinguiririca River with vineyards dating back to the … Continue reading →

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Book Review: The Finest Wines of Rioja and Northwest Spain.

Posted on February 13, 2012 by don

This book is a part of the series of illustrated guides the University of California is publishing called Fine Wine Editions. The books follow an outline that will look familiar to the readers of the International Wine Review. The first … Continue reading →

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The Great Kim Jong-Il’s Wine Cellar Revealed

Posted on February 2, 2012 by don

The following report comes direct from Emile Joubert, correspondent for the incredibly veracious Wine Goggle, so we are 100% certain it’s true. “Four cases of South African wine have been found in the cellar belonging to recently deceased North Korean … Continue reading →

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