February 26, 2021
This wine is absolutely delicious. NOT “delicious for the price.” Delicious at any price which, when it’s rated 93 points by Wine Spectator, means a price of at least $30-$35. But wait! The wine will continue to evolve and improve in the bottle [...]
February 18, 2021
Yalumba is a well-known, highly respected Australian vintner that produces some mighty fine wine at some mighty fine prices. For the same reason that Chevy and other car makers produce a wide range of vehicles from the inexpensive to the other end of the scale, Yalumba began producing [...]
February 15, 2021
I like this wine and I believe you will, too. It doesn’t announce itself with a cudgel so much as a calling card. It’s complex and sophisticated, and well worth the $19.99 that seems to be the most recent pricing. My advice: [...]
February 5, 2021
Most of Cameron Hughes’ offerings are labeled as “Lots,” as in (for my money) “lotsa taste and lotsa value,” and all the labels look uninspiringly the same. Ahhhh, but the wine! Fact: I am today drinking Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon I bought from “Cam” five years ago. [...]
January 21, 2021
This is a delicious wine that tastes all the better because it’s such an amazing bargain. James Suckling rated the wine 92 points and had this to say: “Good freshness and focus for this obscure grape variety, more often used to produce rich[...]
January 13, 2021
It’s worthwhile to pick up review snippets on this wine, to learn what a range of tasters has had to say. “Intense nose of bramble fruits, licorice, leather and tobacco. Very nice palate, with smooth and elegant tannins, balanced residual sugar and lingering finish.” [...]
January 7, 2021
Chances are you know something about the Meyer family, assuming you’ve heard about or consumed a bottle of Silver Oak, the fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon wine created by Justin Meyer. The Meyers sold the Silver Oak label years ago, and started a new winery[...]
December 30, 2020
BBlended from Sangiovese, Syrah, and Merlot grapes, the 2016 Ruffino Il Ducale is a solid Super Tuscan. The winemaker describes it like this: “Ruby red color. The bouquet is very intense and pleasantly complex, with notes of cassis, cherry jam, plum, and vanilla. Syrah offers pleasant spicy notes, while the Sangiovese brings red and black fruit and herbs, and [...]
December 24, 2020
I have this wine in other years; it’s great stuff. This one tastes a bit different, however, perhaps because of the blend change; it went from 70% Grenache to 40%, with more Syrah and Carignan to keep it company. [...]