Tasting Archives - Page 4 of 10

2008 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano

August 31, 2014September 9, 2016

Barolo is one of the iconic wines in the world. Made from the noble Nebbiolo grape in Piedmont, Italy, it's known for being powerful, high acid, high tannin, high alcohol and very long lived. In fact, until recently, the idea of drinking Barolo young would've been sacrilege. The last decade... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Italy Sangiovese Tasting Wine

2010 Renieri Invetro

August 23, 2014September 9, 2016

Sometimes, I pick up a bottle of wine for a completely random reason. Like tonight. I bought this IGT Super Tuscan at Total Wine for one reason only, because it had a glass stopper instead of a regular cork. Oh, yeah, and it cost $14. The Vino-Lok system uses glass... Read More

France Pinot Noir Tasting Wine

2008 Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur Vosne-Romanee

August 17, 2014September 9, 2016

When it comes to my most beloved wines, red Burgundy is very high on the list. Nowhere else in the world does Pinot Noir achieve the magical, ethereal quality that it does in this part of France. All that magic though, comes at a price. The reputation of certain villages,... Read More

France Gamay Tasting Wine

2009 Domaine Diochon Moulin-a-Vent

August 12, 2014September 9, 2016

Why don't people drink more Beaujolais? Every time I open a bottle, I ask myself that very question. For roughly $25 you can get a great (not just good, not just tasty, but really damn nice) bottle of wine and tonight's Moulin-a-Vent (one of the 10 Beaujolais crus) proves my point exactly.... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot France Tasting Wine

2009 Le Baron de Brane, Margaux

July 28, 2014September 9, 2016

Let's talk for a second about Bordeaux. Some of the most expensive, highly demanded wines in the world come from this region. Unlike the rest of France where the vineyard is king, in Bordeaux, the Chateau that makes the wine is often the driving factor regarding price. Names like Mouton,... Read More

Italy Montepulciano Red Blends/Other Tasting Wine

2003 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

July 4, 2014September 9, 2016

I had never heard of Emidio Pepe when I bought this bottle of wine. I was talking to a shop owner, asking questions and looking for something "interesting" and he pulled out this bottle. I was confused. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo from 2003? My general rule was to drink Montepulciano nice and... Read More

Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot Italy Sangiovese Syrah/Shiraz Tasting Wine

2007 Castello Banfi Summus

June 29, 2014September 9, 2016

Right off the bat, I've got to say wow. Not to be too cheesy, but Banfi sure put the super in Super Tuscan when they made this wine. I'd been holding on to this bottle for a couple of years, ever since I went to a seminar with the winemaker.... Read More

France Grenache/Garnacha Syrah/Shiraz Tasting Wine

2010 E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone

June 29, 2014September 9, 2016

There are some regions, some grapes, some styles of wine that just naturally fit. That's the way I feel about the Rhone region of France. From the powerful and meaty Crozes-Hermitage in the North, to my favorite Chateneuf-du-Pape in the South, I find something about these wines extremely appealing. For... Read More

France Gamay Tasting Wine

2010 Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly

June 24, 2014September 9, 2016

Beaujolais. I've written of my love of Beaujolais before, but now we're getting to the heart of the matter. Beaujolais is a wine region in France, considered part of the Burgundy region though Gamay is the primary red grape used for winemaking (vs. Pinot Noir for the rest of the... Read More

Pinot Noir Tasting USA Wine

2012 Martin Ray Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

June 20, 2014September 9, 2016

I'm not one to drink a lot of value Pinots. Pinot Noir is a difficult grape to grow and unless treated well both in the vineyard and by the winemaker, doesn't make an impressive wine. This means there's not much to be had for less than $15 that I would... Read More