Two Whites with the Salmon
The leaves are budding, the daffodils are open, and yesterday the bears strolled through our backyard. It's time to celebrate spring. For our first…
Wine Reviews
King Estate Pinot Gris: Clear Skies
King EstateSignature Collection Oregon Pinot Gris2007 Sweet and light, like a sunny spring day. This wine is nearly colorless, with a nose like almond…
Un Vin Charmant
Mâcon-LugnyLes Charmes2007 Last week I picked up a bottle of this white Burgundy for about nine dollars. I opened it tonight without great expectations,…
Nine Vines
Angove South AustraliaNine Vines Shiraz Viognier2007 Seeing this bottle on our shelves, a friend remarked, "Shiraz and Viognier. That's an odd combination, right?" Actually,…
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino
AltesinoBrunello di Montalcino 2001 (375 ml) This wine is brickish red, the color of a Hopper afternoon. The nose is heady and seductive, with…
The First of the Whites
Ferrari-CaranoFumé Blanc (Sauvignon Blanc)2007 On this late March afternoon, it's sunny and 43º outside, sunny and 72º inside. As an aperitif, we open a…
Early Bloomer
Casa PortaWinemaker Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenère2007 This Chilean wine is bright purplish-red and foams a little when it's swirled. Both signs indicate youth, so we…
Gattinara: Interesting, Once in a While
TravagliniGattinara2003 The town of Gattinara is in the north of Piedmont, almost in Switzerland, and its wine is made from nebbiolo grapes and packaged…
Acorn Zin on a Friday Night
Acorn Alegría Vineyards Zinfandel "Heritage Vines"2005 This wine is deep ruby, with a very interesting nose. It starts light, like blueberry, or maybe just…
Chateau Beauchene Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Chateau BeaucheneChâteauneuf-du-Pape "Grande Réserve"2005 This wine has a soft, earthy nose with smoke and chocolate. It's herbaceous on the palate, with anise and pine,…
Bogleman
BoglePhantom2005 In Phantom, Bogle creates a monster. A blend of Petite Sirah, old vine Zinfandel, and old vine Mourvedre, this inky red packs a…
A Dark Wine for a November Night
Clay StationPetite Sirah Lodi2005 This inky, full-bodied Sirah has a surprisingly cedary, herbal nose, while the palate offers lots of chocolate and dark fruits,…