Raventós i Blanc 1497 ‘Blanc de Blanc 2020 This could just be the best Cava you will drink this year! Backed by 500-plus years of wine-growing experience, this is one of five sparkling releases from this family-owned winery. Throw in some serious family commitment, biodynamic wine-making methods, and a deep-rooted belief in the relationship betweenContinue reading “Could Be the Best Cava You Taste this Year.”
Author Archives: thewineguy
Three Great White Wines to Match the Perfect Weather.
I don’t know if any of you have noticed but over the past 5 or so years the standard of Sauvignon Blanc’s coming out of California, and Napa have been impressive, to say the least. Full-bodied wines with wonderful mouthfeels, and exceptional balance that will age out 5 plus years. I recently shared a bottleContinue reading “Three Great White Wines to Match the Perfect Weather.”
This Weeks Pick of the Bunch- World Class Riesling and Malbec.
Pewsey Vale 1961 Block Riesling 2020- with elegance and finesse! This is a single vineyard release sourced from their 1961 Block, and, you guessed it, planted in 1961. This block is home to the oldest vines the winery owns, and I suspect the oldest Riesling vines in Clare Valley, given the valley was the siteContinue reading “This Weeks Pick of the Bunch- World Class Riesling and Malbec.”
Paso Does It Again, and Something special from Italy.
41 Highlands Black Granite Red Blend 2020 This was Wine Enthusiast #1 Top 100 Best Buys and I have to agree, it’s great drinking and exceptional value- rare these days!! This is a blend of 45% Zinfandel, 20% Petite Sirah, 15% Malbec, 10% Syrah, 10% Merlot and reflects in the glass. This is what IContinue reading “Paso Does It Again, and Something special from Italy.”
Two Excellent Offerings from Jim Barry and one from Xanadu.
Assyrtiko 2019- Clare Valley, South Australia- Spectacular! Yes, you read correctly, Assyrtiko, the classic Greek varietal is being 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 appear atContinue reading “Two Excellent Offerings from Jim Barry and one from Xanadu.”
Hartford Court Winery- one of Sonoma’s Best- shines again.
Four Hearts Vineyards Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2020 This Chardonnay is a cuvée, which really means it’s a blend of, in this case, 4 different field selections, which are fermented separately with only the best barrels selected for final blending to produce this impressive Chardonnay. This is a big rich Chardonnay without being overly-oaked, orContinue reading “Hartford Court Winery- one of Sonoma’s Best- shines again.”
Ashes and Diamonds- is aimed squarely at Millennials and the young at heart.
Ashes and Diamonds is the creation of Kashy Khaledi, his background is in the music business – Capitol Records, and is the son of Darioush Khaledi -Darioush Winery. He brought together Dan Petroski -Larkmead (until the 2015 harvest) when Diana Snowden-Seysses- Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, and Snowden Vineyards took over, and Steve Matthiasson- Stag’s Leap andContinue reading “Ashes and Diamonds- is aimed squarely at Millennials and the young at heart.”
Something French and Something Australian- for your drinking pleasure.
Shatter Grenache 2021 Joel Gott teamed up with Charles Bieler to bring you ‘Shatter’ sourced from the hillside vineyards around the town of Maury, in Roussillon, not far from the Spanish border. It is a blend of 96% Grenache and 4% Syrah and co-fermented. The vines were planted over 60 years ago on pure blackContinue reading “Something French and Something Australian- for your drinking pleasure.”
A Red Wine for All Seasons- a Beckstoffer, a Rutherford and a Blackbird Arises.
Blackbird Vineyards ‘Arise’ Red Blend 2018 Named in dedication to the Paul McCartney/Beatles song. Unmistakable Napa on the nose with rich dark fruits and floral notes rising from the glass. A delightful richness on the palate will assuredly put a smile on your face. There is an abundance of black fruits and chocolate with secondaryContinue reading “A Red Wine for All Seasons- a Beckstoffer, a Rutherford and a Blackbird Arises.”
Australian Pinot Noir- Part 2
You have heard me speak passionately about Australian Pinot Noir, especially from Yarra Valley in Victoria, Mornington Peninsula in Victoria, and of course Tasmania. See an article I posted on December 19th This clip dropped into my email box today entitled ’15 minutes on Pinot Noir’ talking about some of the regions I mentionedContinue reading “Australian Pinot Noir- Part 2”
Vine to Table 