Funcken Hausen Vineyards In the late 1800’s the Funcken Family were one of many German families to emigrate from Funckenhausen to Mendoza and, years later, Kurt Heinlein established Funckenhausen Vineyards, in the San Rafael appellation of South Mendoza. His grandson Alejandro with his grandfather continues the family tradition growing and producing very good drinking winesContinue reading “What Are You Drinking on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Nights?”
Tag Archives: Cabernet Sauvignon
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.”
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.”
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’.”
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”
Four Great Wines from Two Best Kept Secret Regions.
Allow me to introduce you to Vinaceous Wines, Margaret River and Frankland River: Vinaceous Wines was established in 2007 and is owned and operated by marketer Nick Stacy & winemaker Mike Kerrigan; part of the new movement of non-traditional wine producers – choosing to source grapes from the best vineyards in the premium maritime climateContinue reading “Four Great Wines from Two Best Kept Secret Regions.”
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.”
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.”
What do you get from a Cabernet sourced just outside the Napa boundary that displays, Napa swagger and high-elevation elegance at under $20?
Clay Shannon Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Without the cache of Napa, pricing for grapes per ton is about a third of what Napa Cabernet fetches. The upside to this is you get great Napa-style wines at a much-reduced price point. Lake County is high elevation, Estate Grown fruit, and is just adjacent to Napa, to theContinue reading “What do you get from a Cabernet sourced just outside the Napa boundary that displays, Napa swagger and high-elevation elegance at under $20? “