Category Archives: Countries and Regions

The Wines of Aivalis of Nemea

Posted on October 7, 2021 by don

Aivalis is a small artisanal winery  in Nemea, a tiny  appellation in the Peloponnese of Greece.   Established in 1997 by Hristos  Aivalis  (pictured left with his son Sotiri) produces some of the finest Agiorgitiko  in Greece today and is  a … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Greece, Red Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hanzell Vineyards: Sonoma’s Historic Chardonnay Winery

Posted on October 5, 2021 by don

In this article we review the current Chardonnay releases of Sonoma County’s historic Hanzell Vineyards.  In 1953 James Zellerbach planted Sonoma County’s first commercial Chardonnay vineyard in the foothills of the Mayacamas after returning from Europe where he managed the … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Countries and Regions, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Bodegas Ochoa of Navarra: Current Releases

Posted on September 27, 2021 by don

Bodegas Ochoa is a family run firm located in Olite, Ribera Alta, the center of the D.O. Navarra, and the ancient capital of the kingdom of Navarra. The Ochoa family has a long history of winemaking in Navarra; documents record … Continue reading →

Posted in Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Rosé, Spain, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged | Leave a comment

Kistler Chardonnay: A Review of the 2018 Portfolio

Posted on September 21, 2021 by don

Steve Kistler founded his eponymous, Sonoma winery in 1978 and produced his first vintage in 1979.  Although he was not the first Californian to make single vineyard Chardonnays, his carefully crafted wines from meticulously farmed (and seldom irrigated) vineyards fermented … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Tagged | Leave a comment

Value Wines from Argentina, Chile, Spain and California

Posted on September 14, 2021 by don

Most American consumers purchase wines that cost less than $20/bottle. In this article, we review inexpensive wines that we have recently tasted.  Many of them offer very good value.  They include wines as varied as Carménère and País from Chile, … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Chile, Countries and Regions, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Spain, Uncategorized, White Wine, Wine Type | Comments Off on Value Wines from Argentina, Chile, Spain and California

The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs of Ross Cobb: The 2018 Vintage

Posted on September 7, 2021 by don

Winemaker Ross Cobb, who founded Cobb Wines with his father David in 2001, is a product of his father’s Sonoma Coast ‘Coastlands Vineyard’, as much as the grapes that are grown there. His father planted the vineyard in 1989, looking … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Countries and Regions, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Comments Off on The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs of Ross Cobb: The 2018 Vintage

Passionate About Grenache

Posted on September 4, 2021 by don

The International Wine Review is passionate about Grenache, and we join others in celebrating International Grenache Day on the 3rd Friday of September.  Over the years, we have prepared three major reports on Grenache focused on the growing importance of … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, California, Countries and Regions, France, Red Wine, Spain, Uncategorized, Washington, Wine Type | Tagged | Comments Off on Passionate About Grenache

   Wrath Vineyards of Monterey:  2019 Releases

Posted on September 1, 2021 by mike

Wrath is a small artisanal winery located along the foothills of the Santa Lucia Highlands in the Monterey AVA.  It crafts  high quality premium Pinot Noir Chardonnay, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc from its own 72-acre San Saba Estate Vineyard and … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Uncategorized, White Wine | Comments Off on    Wrath Vineyards of Monterey:  2019 Releases

California’s Castello di Amorosa: Sangiovese and More

Posted on July 7, 2021 by don

Napa Valley tourists may be attracted to the Castello di Amorosa by the faux 13th century Tuscan castle with moat, torture chamber, and several hundred feet of elaborately carved underground wine caves.  A much better reason, in our opinion, is … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Countries and Regions, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged | Comments Off on California’s Castello di Amorosa: Sangiovese and More

Clarice 2019 Pinot Noirs from the Santa Lucia Highlands

Posted on July 3, 2021 by mike

Adam Lee continues on a roll with his Clarice wines.  The 2019 vintage produced somewhat riper and earthier wines than previously, but all three are first-rate and tasting great.  As in our review of the 2018 vintage, we found it … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Pinot Noir, Red Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Comments Off on Clarice 2019 Pinot Noirs from the Santa Lucia Highlands