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.”
Tag Archives: wine-tasting
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”
Anne Annie Vineyards Pinot Noir 2023
This is the Willamette Valley with elegance and appeal at a price point that won’t break the bank. Grapes are sourced and hand-selected from two vineyards- Anne Amie Estate & Twelve Oaks Estate, with impressive results. They are located in the rolling hills of the Yamhill-Carlton District and on the steep hillsides of the ChehalemContinue reading “Anne Annie Vineyards Pinot Noir 2023”
Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019- 100 Years in the making.
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. TheyContinue reading “Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019- 100 Years in the making.”
Two Burgundies I tasted this week- delicious, and won’t break the bank.
Domaine Dominique Guyon ‘Les Dames de Vergy’ 2022Dominique founded his Domaine in 1980 with approximately 55 acres in Hautes Côtes. It is separate from the well-known family Estate Domaine Antonin Guyon, his grandfather founded, and which he also manages. The Les Dames de Vergy vineyard lies just outside of Nuits-Saint-Georges, which goes a long wayContinue reading “Two Burgundies I tasted this week- delicious, and won’t break the bank.”
Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2020 – excellent release from volcanic soil.
The vineyards for this impressive wine are perched on the southern side of the largest volcano in Europe- Mount Etna, planted on black soils at an altitude of 600 – 750 meters. Diego and Alberto Cusumano hold just over 500 hectares of Estate Vineyards, producing 3 million bottles annually- not bad for a vineyard establishedContinue reading “Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2020 – excellent release from volcanic soil.”
What are you opening for International Pinot Day?
Dalrymple Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015 – Piper River, Tasmania. Let me say from the start that this is an amazing wine, deeply complex, elegant, exquisite layers of fruit, showing exceptional balance and acidity with celebrated appeal. I cannot think of a better wine to celebrate International Pinot Day than to open a bottle of 2015-Continue reading “What are you opening for International Pinot Day?”
Langmeil Three Gardens Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro 2022- Iconic Barossa Producer.
Barossa was established as a small trading village in 1842, the same year Langmeil Winery was founded, making it the oldest winery in the region. The Lindner family, owners of the iconic Langmeil Winery, has been a part of Barossa culture for six generations, with an unwavering commitment to producing high-quality wines. Their name isContinue reading “Langmeil Three Gardens Grenache, Shiraz, Mataro 2022- Iconic Barossa Producer.”
Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso 2020- in a word, delicious.
Bertani, a name synonymous with Amarone’s brings you this Ripasso Valpolicella. A Ripasso is considered a ‘baby Amarone’ given its juice is passed over the skins of Amarone grapes, adding richness with increased depth and complexity while still retaining the freshness and vibrancy, so characteristic of Valpolicella. This is an excellent example. This is aContinue reading “Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso 2020- in a word, delicious.”
Newton Cabernet 2017 – RIP
Peter Newton was one of the cofounders of Stirling Vineyards in 1964 before starting Newton Vineyard with his wife, Su Hua in 1977 on approximately 1 square mile on Spring Mountain. The winery grew into 560 acres with stunning mountain top views and immaculate English Gardens that surrounded the pagoda-inspired winery. Most of the 560-acreContinue reading “Newton Cabernet 2017 – RIP”
Vine to Table 