Yearly Archives: 2016

Dutton Goldfield: Outstanding 2014 Releases of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Sonoma County

Posted on December 24, 2016 by don

The year 2014 was a rich, ripe vintage in Sonoma County, resulting in some absolutely outstanding wines like the Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs we recently tasted from Dutton Goldfield. The highly successful Dutton Goldfield winery is the product of a … Continue reading →

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The Farm Winery: 2013-14 New Releases from Paso Robles

Posted on December 23, 2016 by mike

These six new 2013 and 2014  releases from The Farm Winery in Paso Robles are terrific.  We are enthusiastic about them because they reveal outstanding vineyard management and restrained winemaking.   As a group these wines offer fruit forward purity, … Continue reading →

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Holiday Toasts: Sparkling Rosés from Champagne and America

Posted on December 21, 2016 by don

Champagne and sparkling wines are festive by nature and perfect for holiday toasts. Lively and effervescent, they literally “sparkle”. Rosé Champagnes and sparkling wines are especially festive. They not only have bubbles; many have a touch more fruity sweetness and … Continue reading →

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A Magnificent Wine Dinner for the Holidays by Two Outstanding Chefs

Posted on December 16, 2016 by mike

Two outstanding chefs, Domenico Cornacchia of Assaggi Osteria (right) and Driss Zahidi of Evo Bistro (left)  joined forces last evening preparing a magnificent holiday dinner for their customers.  The dinner was held at Assaggi Osteria in McLean, VA. 

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New Releases from David Ramey’s Sidebar Cellars

Posted on November 18, 2016 by mike

Sidebar Cellars is a new venture by David Ramey, one of California’s finest winemakers.  Ramey Wine Cellars is best known for its outstanding  hand-crafted  premium wines (Chardonnays, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah).  These wines are in the medium-price range and consist … Continue reading →

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Stunning New Releases from Sicily’s Passopisciaro

Posted on November 13, 2016 by mike

Located on the volcanic slopes of Mt. Etna, Passopisciaro is an ancient vineyard which produces some of Sicily’s finest wines.   It is owned by Andrea Franchetti, who pioneered the development of wine on Mt. Etna at the turn of the … Continue reading →

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Gary Farrell Winery: More New 2014 Releases: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel

Posted on October 13, 2016 by mike

This is the second installment of our reviews of Gary Farrell’s new 2014 releases of single-vineyard Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs and two single vineyard Zinfandels.  Readers who missed the previous reviews can find them here.  The wines reviewed here are … Continue reading →

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Major New Releases from California’s Blue Rock Vineyard 2012-2014

Posted on October 11, 2016 by mike

Over the years we have observed enthusiastically  the steady development of this small winery in Alexander Valley.   Under the guidance of its founder and owner, Kenny Kahn, Blue Rock Vineyard has gone from strength to strength and today is among … Continue reading →

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Zenato Wine Dinner at Assaggi Osteria

Posted on September 30, 2016 by mike

Last evening we participated in a magnificent wine dinner with Zenato wines at Assaggi  Osteria  in McLean, Va.   Zenato is one of Italy’s finest Amarone producers and one which we highly rated in our Report #41 The Amarones of Valpolicella.  The … Continue reading →

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Testarossa Winery: New Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Releases

Posted on September 23, 2016 by mike

These new releases confirm once again that Testarossa Winery  is among California’s finest producers of premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.   As in previous years, it has released a bevy of outstanding handcrafted terroir-based wines from some of the top growers … Continue reading →

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