Wines are a lot like people — nobody is truly perfect — yet we love, admire and revere those we love. The positives continue to shine brighter each day — and we are inclined to forgive when they miss the mark. And people — like wine — are always evolving. You can get a sense [...]
Archive for February, 2008
Unti Petite Sirah 2004
Posted in California, Recommended, tagged Petite Sirah, Unti Vineyards, Wine review on February 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Shirvington Shiraz
Posted in Australia, Offers, Recommended, tagged Australian Wine, Shiraz, Shirvington on February 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
2003 and 2004 available — contact me if interested. 2003 Shirvington Shiraz Robert Parker, 96 points “The big, concentrated yet velvety-textured, magnificent 2003 Shiraz reveals a seamless integration of tannin, acidity, wood, and alcohol, it boasts aromas of blackberry liqueur intermixed with violets. The fragrant aromatics are followed by an explosively rich, full-bodied, unctuously-textured, compelling [...]
Marquis Philips Shiraz Integrity (2002, 2003)
Posted in Australia, Offers, Recommended, tagged Maquis Philips, Robert Parker, Shiraz Integrity, Wine Advocate 99 points on February 11, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I have some 2002 and 2003 Shiraz Integrity for sale or trade. Please contact me if interested (tom@personalwinebuyer.com). Parker notes 02 Vintage The virtually perfect, limited production (1,000 cases) cuvee of 2002 Shiraz Integrity is a 100% Shiraz fashioned from four specific vineyard blocks (surprisingly young vines of 4-6 years in age). It boasts terrific [...]
Robert Parker
Posted in Recommended, Reference, tagged Robert Parker, Wine Advocate on February 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Interesting piece on Robert Parker by Charlie Rose. I also enjoyed the biography, The Emperor of Wine: The Rise of Robert M Parker Jr and the Reign of American Taste — a very interesting read. Obviously, his rating system is the standard in the industry. Wine Spectator, Stephen Tanzer and others use the 100 point [...]
2002 Jaffurs Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard
Posted in California, Recommended, tagged Jaffurs Vineyard, Syrah, Wine, Wine review on February 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Jaffurs is one of the best producers of Rhone varietals in California. This wine was rated 89 points by Parker and, to be honest, I had some limited expectations based on the rating. Instead, this wine really made a lasting impression on me. Cherry, cassis, with some notes of licorice, violet and graphite — plush [...]
2005 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros
Posted in California, Recommended, Wine Makers, tagged Brian Loring, Loring Wine Company, Pinot Noir, Rancho Ontiveros on February 8, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
The Pinot Report rated this 95 points, the Wine Spectator 91. The man behind Loring is Brian Loring — who admits to being obsessed with Pinot Noir, stating that the only other beverage worth drinking is Champagne. He makes about a dozen different Pinots (average production is about 200 cases per Pinot) — and they [...]
Vanerwhat?!?!
Posted in Recommended, Reference, Retailers and Websites, tagged Gary Vanerychuck, Wine Library, Wine Library TV on February 8, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Who is Gary Vanerchuk? That is VAY NUR CHUCK……according to wikipedia: Gary Vaynerchuk was born in Babruysk, U.S.S.R. (today Belarus) on November 14, 1975 and came to America in 1978. He is the Director of Operations at the Wine Library store in Springfield Township, Union County, New Jersey. He has been featured in The Wall [...]
Who hates Bordeaux?
Posted in France, tagged Bordeaux, Eric Asimov, New York Times, The Pour, Wine Column on February 7, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
One of the better posts re wine that I have read lately — and the grape fur is flying…….see Eric Asimov’s post on the NYT The Pour.
Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2004
Posted in Italy, Recommended, tagged Chianti, Italian Wine, Nipozzano Riserva, Sangiovese, Tuscany on February 7, 2008 | 2 Comments »
This is a great Chianti at this price point (about $16-$18) and quite consistent as well. The Nipozzano has topped many a critics wine lists in recent vintages (including a spot in Wine Spectator’s Top 100) — and is something I almost every year. Rich and structured, this bold Chianti Rufina is a can’t miss [...]
Denner 2005 Ditch Digger GSM
Posted in California, Recommended, tagged Denner, Grenache Mourvedre, Paso Robles, Syrah, Wine review on February 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Denner is a relatively new player on the Paso Robles scene with a focus on Rhone varietals. The Grenache and Syrah really show nicely on the nose and palate as well. The nose was beautiful. Candied fruit, some pepper, leather, dark berry, espresso and asphalt. Great balance, nice fruit and lush without being overwhelming — [...]
Sale! 2005 Ambullneo “Bulldog” Santa Maria Pinot Noir (less than half the original price)!
Posted in California, Reference, Retailers and Websites, Value Pick, tagged Ambullneo, Pinot Noir, Wine review, Wine Sale on February 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This wine retails for $75 dollars — it is on sale at K&L for $34.99. I have not had the 05, but have had the 03 — and it is stunning. Assume the 05 is as well based on the review below from Parker. Available at K&L Wines — view sale offer for the 2005 [...]
Black Chook VMR 2006
Posted in Australia, tagged Australian Wine, Black Chook VMR, Marsanne, Rousanne, Viognier, White Wine on February 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This really is a can’t miss wine to pair with seafood or asian cuisine — I tend to get excited about any wine with Viognier/Marsanne/Roussanne components — as they tend to have substance on the palate and aromatic and exotic on the nose as well. The finest expressions do not need food or any additional [...]
Hot Wine Buys of 2008 (January)
Posted in Recommended, Retailers and Websites, Value Pick, tagged Best Wine Buys, BottleBuys.com, TwentyTwenty Wine Merchants, Wine Exchange, Wine Retailers, Winex.com on February 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
OK, so 2008 is only a month in the books — but there are some great deals and finds to note. To date, there have been 3 offers that top my wine list. Clos de Siete at Wine Exhange — $14.99 a bottle — I would consider this to be a great value if it [...]
2006 El Felino
Posted in Argentina, Recommended, Value Pick, Wine Makers, tagged Argentine Wine, El Felino, Malbec, Paul Hobbs, Vina Cobos on February 1, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Best known for his namesake wines from California, Paul Hobbs started his professional career at Mondavi as head Enologist of the Opus One team in 1981. He later moved to Simi and during that time he also became interested in Chile and Argentina. He got involved with Nicolas Catena and was eventually invited to lead [...]
