Monthly Archives: June 2024

Wines from Texas: C.L. Butaud New Releases

Posted on June 22, 2024 by don

Born in Texas, Randy Hester learned winemaking in Napa Valley before returning home to start a winery in Austin, Texas, named after his grandfather.  He purchases fruit from Texas’ prime vineyards and then crafts some very good wines.  The techniques … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Rosé, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , | Comments Off on Wines from Texas: C.L. Butaud New Releases

Stinson Vineyards of Virginia’s Monticello AVA: New Releases from the 2023 Vintage

Posted on June 19, 2024 by don

Nathan Vrooman and Rachel Stinson are the winemaking team at Stinson, sourcing fruit from the Stinson estate vineyard as well as other Virginia vineyards. The Stinson vineyard is an historic one by Virginia standards, having been first planted by Gabriele … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Rosé, Uncategorized, Virginia, White Wine, Wine Type | Comments Off on Stinson Vineyards of Virginia’s Monticello AVA: New Releases from the 2023 Vintage

The Sonoma County Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Wines of James and Kerry MacPhail’s Tongue Dancer Wines

Posted on June 15, 2024 by don

James and Kerry MacPhail established Tongue Dancer Wines in Healdsburg in 2012 with a focus on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.  They source grapes from premier vineyards located throughout Sonoma County, from the West Sonoma Coast and Petaluma Gap to Dry … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Countries and Regions, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Rosé, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Comments Off on The Sonoma County Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Wines of James and Kerry MacPhail’s Tongue Dancer Wines

David Bruce: Pinot Noir Crusader

Posted on June 13, 2024 by don

We’ve tasted David Bruce’s wines for many years, but it was only a couple of months ago that we had the opportunity to visit the winery as part of our preparations for our upcoming report on the Wines of the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Countries and Regions, Great Winemakers, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, White Wine, Wine Articles, Wine Type | Tagged | Comments Off on David Bruce: Pinot Noir Crusader

Empson: A Very Long Love Affair with Italian Wine

Posted on June 12, 2024 by don

New Zealand born rugby player Neil Empson started his career by buying and selling Ferraris, including the spectacular 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB (see below), which raced in the 1966 Monte Carlo Rally.  But 52 years ago he and his wife … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Italy, Red Wine, Rosé, Sparkling Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Articles, Wine Type | Comments Off on Empson: A Very Long Love Affair with Italian Wine

Champagne Réaut: Fine Champagnes from the Côte des Bar

Posted on June 11, 2024 by don

Alain and Thérèse Réaut inherited their family vineyards in the 1980s. The families had traditionally sold their grapes to the local cooperative (they still sell some to the cooperative Union Auboise). But Alain wanted to make his own Champagne, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Champagne, Countries and Regions, France, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Comments Off on Champagne Réaut: Fine Champagnes from the Côte des Bar

Testarossa: The 2022 Pinot Noirs from the Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta Rita Hills, Chalone and Arroyo Grande

Posted on June 10, 2024 by don

Testarossa sources Pinot Noir grapes from some of California’s most noteworthy vineyards in three contiguous, Central Coast counties:  Monterey, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara.  Most of the vineyards are exposed to the cooling influences of the Pacific Ocean.  Winemaker … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Countries and Regions, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Comments Off on Testarossa: The 2022 Pinot Noirs from the Santa Lucia Highlands, Sta Rita Hills, Chalone and Arroyo Grande

Roodekrantz: A Focus on Old Vine Chenin Blanc in South Africa

Posted on June 3, 2024 by don

Roodekrantz is a joint venture between winemaker Danie Morkel and the Marius Burger family established in 2015.  The laudable goal of this venture is to highlight and protect old vineyards in danger of being ripped out for more productive, younger … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, South Africa, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Comments Off on Roodekrantz: A Focus on Old Vine Chenin Blanc in South Africa