Yearly Archives: 2015

Blue Rock Vineyard: 2012 Best Barrel Releases from Alexander Valley

Posted on December 30, 2015 by mike

Kenny Kahn, the owner of this small artisanal winery, is  one of a small group of producers in Alexander Valley in Sonoma County who are deeply committed to producing authentic high quality estate wines. Blue Rock currently has 46 acres … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Blue Rock Vineyard: 2012 Best Barrel Releases from Alexander Valley

Testing the Coravin on Top Tuscan Wines: It Works!

Posted on December 10, 2015 by don

Over a year ago, we met up with Greg Lambrecht, inventor of the Coravin. Trained as a nuclear and mechnical engineer at MIT and a drinker of fine wines, Greg was frustrated with the limitations of the wide variety of … Continue reading →

Posted in Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Testing the Coravin on Top Tuscan Wines: It Works!

New Casa Silva Releases from Chile’s Colchagua Valley

Posted on December 9, 2015 by don

The oldest winery in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, Viña Casa Silva is also one of its most innovative, especially when it comes to Chile’s signature grape Carménère. We visited Casa Silva while preparing our report on The Chilean Wine Revolution, so … Continue reading →

Posted in Chile, Countries and Regions, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on New Casa Silva Releases from Chile’s Colchagua Valley

The Brut Nature Cavas of Mestres

Posted on December 3, 2015 by don

The family owned (since the 1600’s!) Heretat Mestres is one of Spain’s premiere Cava producers. It makes refined sparkling wines from the traditional grapes of Sant Sadurni d’Anoia in the Penedès (see map below), giving them extended aging on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Spain, Sparkling Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , | Comments Off on The Brut Nature Cavas of Mestres

Authentic American Sparkling Wine from Illinois

Posted on November 23, 2015 by don

Mark and Teri Wenzel make America’s most authentic sparkling wine at their Illinois Sparkling Co. They source American hybrid grapes from vineyards on the banks of the Illinois River and with the advice of French sparkling wine expert Didier Jacquet … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Sparkling Wine, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Authentic American Sparkling Wine from Illinois

Vie: New Releases from California 2012-2014

Posted on November 19, 2015 by mike

Vie, a small urban winery located in San Francisco, was started in 2004 by winemaker Bryan Kane with the support of a small group of friends. It crafts Rhone style wines and Zinfandel from grapes sourced from outstanding vineyards throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Uncategorized | Comments Off on Vie: New Releases from California 2012-2014

New 2013-14 Releases from Francis Ford Coppola

Posted on November 17, 2015 by mike

Here are a bevy of new releases by Francis Ford Coppola Winery in Sonoma County.  They include fresh tasting crisp whites, a unique rosé and robust flavorful reds.  The grapes for the wines are sourced from vineyards in Sonoma County … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged | Comments Off on New 2013-14 Releases from Francis Ford Coppola

Vertical Tasting of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon: 1973-1983

Posted on November 17, 2015 by mike

We recently had the opportunity to taste a vertical of the Cabernet Sauvignons produced by Napa Valley’s Diamond Creek Winery from the 1973 to 1983 vintages. Thanks to Roy Wagner, who purchased and cellared these wines for almost 40 years, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Vertical Tasting of Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon: 1973-1983

Capiaux Cellars: Delicious 2013 Pinot Noirs from California’s Premiere Vineyards

Posted on November 14, 2015 by mike

Capiaux Cellars is among the finest producers of handcrafted single vineyard Pinot Noir in California.   The winery was founded in 1994 by owner and winemaker Sean Capiaux who has had rich experience making wine at Jordan,  Pine Ridge and Peter … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Pinot Noir | Tagged | Comments Off on Capiaux Cellars: Delicious 2013 Pinot Noirs from California’s Premiere Vineyards

Campania’s Top-Rated Aglianico Producers and Their Wines

Posted on November 4, 2015 by don

Aglianico is one of the most revered wines of Campania. In this article we review several Aglianico single varietals and blends. Aglianico is the principal grape of the DOCG Taurasi, which is grown in the province of Avellino (see map). … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Italy, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Campania’s Top-Rated Aglianico Producers and Their Wines