thewineguy

Faustino V Reserva 2018- one of the first families of Rioja.

Bodegas Faustino was one of the first families of Rioja, and was established by the Martinez family in 1861. Today, it is managed by the 6th-generation daughters. The wine gained worldwide attention in the 1960’s, representing the marriage of Rembrandt art and an iconic bottle design, which facilitates decades of ageing potential. It is aContinue reading “Faustino V Reserva 2018- one of the first families of Rioja.”

Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013- This is one of the best, most consistent Cabernets from Australia.

I recently reviewed a bottle of 2008, and it was holding up beautifully, so I decided to pull a 2013 and see how it had evolved. I always approach a Bin 407 (and all Penfolds) with intense anticipation, especially if it has some age under its belt. The 2013 vintage is no exception, being aContinue reading “Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013- This is one of the best, most consistent Cabernets from Australia. “

Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019

2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the historic Pasqua Winery, located in Verona, in northeastern Italy. Innovation is at the core of their philosophy, as well as focusing on sustainable practices with an eye on the future. In 2024, they received the Innovator of the Year award for 2023 by Wine Enthusiast magazine. They areContinue reading “Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019”

La Chablisienne Le Finage Chablis 2023

The grapes for this wine are sourced from four appellations- Grand Cru, 1er Cru, Chablis, and Petit Chablis, spanning 200 winegrowers’ families- collectively known as La Chablisienne, and established in 1923. The name Finage is a French term meaning “to represent the whole region.” This all goes to say that it is an accurate representationContinue reading “La Chablisienne Le Finage Chablis 2023”

Penfolds Bin 8 Cabernet Shiraz 2011- uniquely Australian and excellent drinking.

This blend of Cabernet and Shiraz is quintessentially Australian and has been compared to a genie in a bottle. This is a 62% Cabernet and 38% Shiraz blend sourced from some of the best vineyards in South Australia, including Robe, Bordertown, Coonawarra, the Barossa Valley, and the Riverland. Each region offers its unique perspective onContinue reading “Penfolds Bin 8 Cabernet Shiraz 2011- uniquely Australian and excellent drinking.”

Tait Family ‘The Ball Buster’ Shiraz 2022- a consistently good drop.

This wine has an impressively consistent track record, with 20 consecutive vintages scoring 90 points or more. 2022 was a fantastic vintage, and this release scored 91 points. If you’re wondering about the name, it was originally intended to be more delicate and elegant and was going to be named after Bruno, the winemaker’s wife.Continue reading “Tait Family ‘The Ball Buster’ Shiraz 2022- a consistently good drop.”

Dry Creek Vineyard Sea Quelle 2021- exceptional drinking.

David Stare, the winery founder’s passion for wine, was fueled by living in Germany for a spell and a 2-week trip to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Upon returning to the US in 1970, he read a Wall Street Journal article about California’s bright future for making excellent wines. That was enough for him toContinue reading “Dry Creek Vineyard Sea Quelle 2021- exceptional drinking.”

Is it Primitivo or is it Zinfandel (or Zin as it’s come to be known as)?

Origins- Croatia. Primitivo originally comes from an indigenous Croatian grape called crljenak kaštelansk (Kjell-nak Cas-tell-lansky)- try and pronounce that after your second glass. Before emerging as a single varietal, it was mainly used as a blending grape to increase the overall alcohol content. It’s not uncommon to be up around 16% from both Italy andContinue reading “Is it Primitivo or is it Zinfandel (or Zin as it’s come to be known as)?”

Dry Creek Vineyard Sea Quelle 2021- exceptional drinking.

David Stare, the winery founder’s passion for wine, fueled by living in Germany for a spell and a 2-week trip to Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Upon returning to the US in 1970, he read a Wall Street Journal article about California’s bright future for making excellent wines. That was enough for him to packContinue reading “Dry Creek Vineyard Sea Quelle 2021- exceptional drinking.”

Penfolds Grange 1999

While this doesn’t come near its predecessor, the 1998 (one of the greatest vintages of all time), it is, nevertheless, a Penfolds Grange in all its majestic glory. This didn’t become Australia’s Icon Wine for no reason. This is 100% Shiraz, which possesses beautiful, elegant structure with impeccable balance and immense depth and complexity. WeContinue reading “Penfolds Grange 1999”