Larry Turley and winemaker Ehren Jordan are well known for their Zinfandels from Napa Valley vineyards. Their Zinfandels tend to be made in a big, ripe style. Their 2000 Atlas Peak Zinfandel weighs in at 15.7% alcohol — and I do get some heat (ok, quite a bit of heat, but it softens with decanting [...]
Archive for February, 2008
Turley 2000 Atlas Peak Zinfandel
Posted in California, tagged Ehren Jordan, Larry Turley, Turley, Zinfandel on February 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The absence of defects is not the presence of virtues — Sean Thackrey
Posted in California, Recommended, Wine Makers, tagged Orion, Pleiades, Sean Thackrey, Sirius on February 27, 2008 | 3 Comments »
We need more winemakers like Sean Thackrey — and we certainly need more people like him as well. People often like to pose the question — if you could invite anyone from any point in history to dinner, but could only invite so many people, who would you invite? Sean Thackery is one of my [...]
Brancaia Ilatraia 2003
Posted in Italy, tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Ilatraia, Italian Wine, Maremma, Sangiovese, Tuscan wine, Wine Spectator on February 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Sangiovese (30%) and Petit Verdot (10%). Nice raspberry, cherry and dark berry components with a little graphite, tar — and a bit of damp forest floor. Ample body with lush, silky tannins. 13.5% alcohol. 1,650 cases produced. 96 points and number 29 on the Wine Spectators [...]
Ash Hollow Gewurztraminer 2006
Posted in Recommended, Value Pick, Washington, Wine Makers, tagged Ash Hollow, Gewurtraminer, John Turner, Steve Clifton on February 23, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Ash Hollow is a small boutique winery in Washington state. It is an up-and-comer that produces great Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gewurztraminer. Ash Hollow is headed by managing partner John Turner and consulting winemaker/partner Steve Clifton. great-grandfather homesteaded a farm in Walla Walla County in 1870 which is still in existence and farmed [...]
Clos des Papes 2005 Châteauneuf du Pape — Wine Spectator #1 Top 100 2007
Posted in France, Recommended, Retailers and Websites, tagged Châteauneuf du Pape, CLOS DES PAPES 2005, Wine Exchange, WINE SPECTATOR WINE OF THE YEAR on February 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I have been looking for this for quite a while — yes, it was like $70 a bottle when released — but still the best deal around. The Wine Exchange just got an allocation — this will probably be the last of it — I am sure it will be sell out very quickly. You [...]
Marti Fabra Seleccio Vinyes Velles 2002
Posted in Recommended, Spain, tagged Grenache, Marti Fabra, Spanish wine review on February 21, 2008 | 1 Comment »
This is indeed from Spain, but could be easily mistaken for a great wine from Southern France. Some berry (a little jammy), a little kirsch, white pepper and chocolate on the nose. Beautiful balance and medium body with raspberry, some graphite, stunning minerality and some white pepper. Great mouthfeel with a clean and solid finish. [...]
2000 Chateau Lagrange
Posted in France, tagged Bordeaux, Chateau Lagrange, Wine review on February 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I thought it would be interesting to go back to a 2000 Bordeaux given that it was the last good Bordeaux vintage prior to the 2005. Old world Bordeaux on the nose, nice fruit though a bit lean — cherry, currant, licorice and a little toast and some vanilla — tannins have started to soften [...]
Robert Parker Interview
Posted in Reference, tagged Bordeaux, Robert Parker, Robert Parker Interview, Wine on February 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Another interesting interview with Parker — he discusses Mondo Vino and Globalization, Sideways, his rating system and Bordeaux. Interesting to listen to him discuss the 2000 vintage and subsequent vintages (01-04) — with the Wine Spectator just having given the 05 Bordeaux vintage 99 points.
2006 Cocodrillo Cabernet — Paul Hobbs
Posted in Argentina, Recommended, Value Pick, tagged Argentine Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Paul Hobbs, Wine review on February 20, 2008 | 1 Comment »
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec aged 9 months in French and American oak, 21% new. Beautiful purple in color. Blackberry, cassis with some graphite and mineral notes. Good depth, texture, balance and a lengthy finish. This is quite new world in style — and it’s a great value at about $16 [...]
Vina Antigua Sangiovese Bonarda 2005
Posted in Argentina, Value Pick, tagged Argentine Wine, Bonarda, Sangiovese, Vina Antigua on February 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I’m not sure I have ever had a wine for under $5 a bottle that I would recommend, but now I do! This wine is 50 percent Sangiovese and 50 percent Bonarda. Bonarda is truly a grape worthy of more attention. Not very complex — and confused me a bit with some Pinot characteristics — [...]
1998 Cigare Volant — Bonny Doon Vineyard
Posted in California, tagged Bonny Doon Vineyard, Cigare Volant, Randall Grahm on February 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
I worked at Bonny Doon Vineyard when I was in college — it was my dream job — I loved working there and I loved and admired Randall. I had never witnessed anyone throw caution to the wind such ease — and be so consumed with their passion — it was infectious and I thought [...]
Hugel 2004 Riesling
Posted in France, Value Pick, tagged Alsace, Hugel, Riesling on February 17, 2008 | 1 Comment »
I love Alsatian wines — they are some of the most interesting, exotic and complex white wines in the world — and wonderful food wines as well. Hugel is one of the largest producers and has been able to maintain high levels of standards as well. Hugel was established in 1639 — and is still [...]
Maryland Considers Direct Shipping – Urgent! Maryland HB 1260
Posted in Retailers and Websites, tagged Maryland Direct Shipping Legislation. Marlyland HB 1260, Maryland Shipping Legislation. Maryland HB 1260, Maryland Wine on February 15, 2008 | 1 Comment »
This news was just posted on the message boards of Robert Parker’s website and wanted to pass it along. Act quickly as this bill will be heard on Monday! Maryland, the home of the Baltimmore Orioles, great crab cakes and Robert Parker, Jr & The Wine Advocate is considering direct shipping legislation that would allow [...]
2005 Chateau Le Doyenne, Premiere Cotes de Bordeaux
Posted in France, Value Pick, tagged Bordeaux, Bordeaux 2005 vintage, Chateau Le Doyenne, French Wine, Merlot, Wine review on February 15, 2008 | 2 Comments »
There are a lot of wines from Bordeaux in this price point from 2005 that are getting a lot of good press. Chateau Le Doyenne is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Bright ruby in color. Some cherry, cedar and a little musty on the nose. This wine should be put down [...]
