I was reading the latest Wine Advocate — and in one review Parker wrote that there is not a better value in California dry white wines than Beringer’s 2006 Alluvium. That is a pretty bold statement, and while Beringer does produce some nice wines, my perception is that they are not a leader in value. [...]
Archive for January, 2008
2006 Beringer Alluvium
Posted in California, tagged Alluvium, Beringer, Parker, White Wine, Wine Advocate on January 15, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Wine Trends and Styles
Posted in Reference, Wine Makers, tagged Adam Tolmach, Eric Asimov, Industry Trends, LA Times, New York Times, Ojai Vineyard, Robert Parker, Wine on January 14, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Trends and styles are always interesting to watch in any industry. We seem to get bored with everything sooner or later and need change, even if it is changing back to something that feel out of favor not so long ago. Obviously the fashion industry is the prime example of this, but you can see [...]
Mas Alta la Basetta 2004
Posted in Recommended, Spain, tagged Grenache, Priorat, Red Wine, Spain, Wine review on January 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This was one of the shining stars of Priorat in 04. I have only had the 04, and have yet to purchase any of the 05 that is just hitting that market. Violet, dark rapsberry, blueberry and some oak on the nose, not much of the grenache seems to come through — and the elements [...]
Alban 2003 Central Coast Syrah
Posted in California, tagged Alban, Central Coast, Syrah, Wine, Winery on January 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I am not sure where I purchased this wine from — and I can’t find it anywhere. It does not have the usual Alban label. I do like their viognier and they do tend to get a lot of good press in general — making a couple of appearances in the WS Top 100 the [...]
Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2006
Posted in France, Recommended, tagged Chateau D'Esclans, French, Provence, Rose, Whispering Angel, Wine on January 9, 2008 | 16 Comments »
There are many very good rosé wines from France, but my favorite from last year was the Chateau D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé 2006. This estate in the Cotes de Provence covers about 267 hectares. It is interesting to note that Provence produces 8% of the world’s rosé. Sascha Lichine is the proprietor and Patrick Leon [...]
New Argentine Releases at Great Prices
Posted in Argentina, Retailers and Websites, tagged Cabernet, Malbec, Michel Rolland, Wine, Wine Buyer, Wine Exchange, Wine review on January 8, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Wine Exchange has 2 very interesting new release from Argentina, at great prices (as is usually the case with winex.com). I just placed my order and am excited for their arrival. You also might want to check out — these wines will probably move pretty quickly. Clos de los Siete 2006 WA 92 $14.99 Another [...]
Vinedos y Bodegas Casa Castillo Syrah Valtosca Jumilla 2004
Posted in Spain, Value Pick, tagged Jumilla, Spain, Syrah, Top Wines for the Money, Valtosca, Wine, Wine Buyer, Wine review on January 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
96% Syrah and 4 percent Viognier. Deep, dark ruby/plum in color. Lots of tar, dark berry, oak, chocolate and coffee on the nose — and a little hot. Dark berry, chewy, powerful with good tannins — and a little candied fruit. Full bodied with great legs. Lots of fruit and quite forward. Tanzer and WS [...]
Shirvington Shiraz 2005
Posted in Australia, Recommended, Retailers and Websites, tagged Australia, Red Wine, Shiraz, Sparky Marquis, Wine Buyer, Wine review on January 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Shirvington 2002 Shiraz was my first experience with a wine that had been rated 99 points. The winemaker at the time at Shirvington was Sparky Marquis — and the wine was very sought after and was in great demand after Parker had rated it 99 points. I knew a merchant who had 6 bottles of [...]
Poggio Scalette 2001 Il Carbonaione
Posted in Italy, Recommended, Retailers and Websites, tagged Italy, Sangiovese, Wine Retailers and Websites on January 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In some ways it seems as though Italy has taken a back seat as Australia and Spain have gotten a lot of great press in the last 3-5 years. Now with the 2005 Bordeaux release, Italy has continued to fly under the radar. But in my mind, Italy was one of the first wine producing [...]
Yacochuya Malbec 2001
Posted in Argentina, Recommended, tagged Argentina, Malbec, Michel Roland, Top 25 Wines from 2007, Wine, Wine Buyer, Wine review on January 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This is one of the most memorable Malbecs I had in 2007 and plan to sit on my other 2 bottles for 6-8 more years. It is incredibly extracted and dense — like liquid velvet. This wine was produced with consultant Michel Roland. Rolland, known for opulent, modern-style wines such as those from his Pomerol [...]
D’Arenberg Dead Arm 2005
Posted in Australia, Recommended, tagged Australia, Shiraz, Top Wines for the Money, Wine Retailers and Websites on January 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
One of the best deals of 2008. It may only be early January, but this will be one of the great deals of the year. Wine Exchange in Los Angeles had this for under $40 a bottle — about $25 off a bottle. The also have the D’Harry’s Shiraz Grenache for under $10 — more [...]
Kalleske Shiraz
Posted in Australia, Recommended, tagged Australia, Shiraz, Top 25 Wines from 2007, Wine, Wine Buyer, Wine review, winemakers on January 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Another one of my favorite winemakers is Troy Kalleske. Every vintage I try to put away some Greenock Shiraz. It’s always very lush, forward, extracted and full-throttle — with all of the best attributes associated with top class Shiraz from Australia. The wines have been very consistent over the last 6 years, with perhaps 04 [...]
World Atlas of Wine (6th edition)
Posted in Reference, tagged Blogs, etc), References (Books, Websites on January 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I received the World Atlas of Wine as a Christmas present this year. I haven’t been able to keep my hands off of it. It’s a truly beautiful book that contains so much detailed information. The maps alone are extremely helpful — the authors say that the updated sixth edition took 2 years of concentrated [...]
LAN Rioja 2004
Posted in Recommended, Spain, tagged Rioja, Spain, Top 25 Wines from 2007, Wine, Wine Buyer, Wine review, Wine Spectator Top 100 on January 5, 2008 | 1 Comment »
This was my favorite Rioja from last year (Torre Muga 01 was a distant second) — and have been doing my best to slowly stockpile the 03 and now the 04. The 04 LAN is very approachable — seems to be more modern in style and don’t think I would ever pick it as a [...]
