thewineguy

Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank.

Mac and Billy Cellars M Cabernet 2021 – Paso Robles. This blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 5% Petite Sirah comes from a collaboration of McPrice “Mac” Myers and Billy Grant- two heavy hitters from the Paso region, who believe in sun, soil, and grit to make great wine. “M is aContinue reading “Two California Cabernets you can afford to drink at Christmas without breaking the bank. “

Frankland Estate Wines- another undiscovered gem from West Australia.

Huon Hooke believes ‘Frankland Estate has emerged as one of the great vineyards in Australia’ Imagine leaving Perth and driving south east for 3.5 hours with nothing but scrub through ‘towns’ you cannot pronounce eventually travelling through Kojonup, population 878, about the only major town in outback WA. You think your lost, in the middleContinue reading “Frankland Estate Wines- another undiscovered gem from West Australia.”

It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?

Is the third Wednesday in November which would be the 15th. Somehow it got shifted to the 17th … something about a conflict with Beaujolais Nouveau Day, although that is always on the third Thursday of November. Confusion aside for a minute … The Crljenak Kaštelanski grape, which translates to “the red from Kaštela”Continue reading “It’s National Zinfandel Day tomorrow, or is it?”

Two California Gems.

Nick Goldschmidt, the winemaker is truly an international winemaker. Born in New Zealand, and raised in Australia, he became, arguably the first ‘flying winemaker’. He starts his year making wine in Barossa, in South Australia, them flying to California to make wine, then on to Argentina to round the year out. His schedule is aContinue reading “Two California Gems.”

A White Malbec and a ‘Super Tuscan’ worthy of an invitation to your next dinner party.

Artesano De Argento White Malbec 2022 ‘Young Winemaker of the Year’ Juan Pablo Murgia introduces the US to ‘Artesano White Malbec’ made from 100%, Organic grapes sourced from a single vineyard, situated in the foothills of the Andes, in Mandoza, Argentina. Made in the ‘Blanc de Noir’ technique with no skin contact and harvestedContinue reading “A White Malbec and a ‘Super Tuscan’ worthy of an invitation to your next dinner party.”

Four Wines that define the term ‘Highly Allocated’.

Jim Barry Assyrtiko 2019- Clare Valley, South Australia- Spectacular! Yes, you read correctly, Assyrtiko, the classic Greek varietal is now grown in Australia, since August 2012 no less. When you think about it, the climate in Clare Valley and surrounding wine regions is most definitely Mediterranean so it makes sense that it was bound to appearContinue reading “Four Wines that define the term ‘Highly Allocated’.”

Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.

In my day job I get to taste some really interesting wines, some great, some OK, and some that just make me smile from the first sip. These are three of them. Paul Hobbs is the man behind this impressive Chardonnay made from predominately estate-grown fruit totally from Sonoma Coast and Sonoma County- two wineContinue reading “Just a couple of really interesting wines I’ve tasted recently.”

Wakefield Winery- St Andrews Releases

The vineyard is named after the historical property established in 1892 after the family acquired the property in 1996, with the first vintage released in 1999. It is worth noting that these flagship wines are only released on outstanding vintages. The St Andrews Vineyard Releases are nearly impossible to get in the US. MakeContinue reading “Wakefield Winery- St Andrews Releases”

August 14th is National Left Handers Day, lets celebrate …

with Two Mollydooker Wines. For those of you that don’t know Mollydooker is Aussie slang for left-handed people. One Red and One White from Mollydooker Winery. I have had the pleasure of not only drinking these wines from the first vintage almost 20 years ago, but also meeting, talking about wine, and of course drinkingContinue reading “August 14th is National Left Handers Day, lets celebrate …”

Two Beauties from the South of France.

Gérard Bertrand An 560 Cotes Du Roussillon Villages GSC 2020 So much has been written about Gérard Bertrand, me included, so I will not go over the previous ground. From humble beginnings as a 5-year-old helping to pick grapes rising to be one of France’s best Rugby Football players to cutting his career short toContinue reading “Two Beauties from the South of France.”