Fabulous tasting with Marco Puyo the other day from Vina San Pedro …. we were focused on the single varietal 1865. It was a very creatively designed presentation, with small dishes served with each of the four wines presented. The idea was to showcase the single varietal as well as the terroir where it grows. [...]
Bernard Portet’s Heritance Bernard Portet “There’s still a pioneer spirit in the Napa Valley,” proclaims Bernard Portet, Owner and Winemaker for Polaris Wines. Of course, this charming French-born co-founder of Clos du Val would know – especially since he had the exalted position of Chairman of the Napa Valley Wine Auction in [...]
So last night I had dinner with two incredible young winemakers from Concha Y Toro’s newer, boutique-oriented brands in Chile. On my left was Marcelo Papa of Concha Y Toro’s prestigious Marques de Casa Concha brand. He was named Chile’s “Winemaker of the Year” — twice! On my right was Marcio Ramirez of the Concha [...]
“Here’s your 4:30 am wake up call!” says an impossibly cheerful voice, rousing me from a melatonin-induced sleep. In the darkness of my hotel room I quickly dress … and think of the pickers who have been cutting Semillon grapes from their vines since 2am. I am in the Napa Valley this weekend to take [...]
Fabulous seeing Renae Hirsch again (photo from last year above) - she is the winemaker at Henry’s Drive (along with the other brands Pillar Box and Morse Code) in Australia. In previous years, I met with both Renae and Henry’s Drive owner Kim Longbottom (see here and here) yet today I have Kim mostly to myself and [...]
Johann Krige and Abrie Beeslaar in the Tasting Room Kanonkop … I had never quite understood the name until I visited this winery in South Africa and saw the giant cannon near the entrance. It turns out that in the 17th century (yes, “new world” wines can be that old!) the cannon would be fired [...]
“Have you tasted their Sauvignon Blanc? It rocks!” To be clear, we are speaking of the 2007 Sauvignon Blanc from the Arkenstone Vineyards estate in Howell Mountain. And “rock” is the appropriate word, for even though this is a California Sauvignon Blanc, the minerality is incredible. “Limestone soil?” I ask owner Susan Krausz over [...]
It’s always fun when the Napa Vintners association comes to New York — the owners and winemakers take a break from pouring at consumer and press functions, and are able to relax a bit and talk about their wines. I first met Shirley Roy a few years ago at a trade event … and had [...]
J. Lohr is a California producer of many different varietals, and increasingly, many different vineyards. I had the good fortune recently to receive a case of 2008 wines and must say all are of exceptional quality for the price. If I had to choose my two favorites, they would be the Chardonnay and the 2007 [...]
"So how does it feel to be a winemaker … and given special attention because of your sex? Or because of color …" I asked Ntsiki Biyela: South Africa Woman Winemaker of the Year. As I tasted through her wines, very impressed at the complexity of flavor and well balanced structure, I couldn’t help but [...]
Blackstone Merlot Sometimes I get so caught up in my studies of the Old World I discover it has been months since I’ve sipped wine from the new world, especially California. Winemaker Gary Sitton of Blackstone Winery in Sonoma sent me some of his new releases … The Pinot Noir 2007 ($20) is rich and [...]
Eric Titus Tonight I had dinner with Eric Titus of Titus Vineyards in the Napa Valley and talked about his Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc while tasting through several flights. The dinner was held at the illustrious Jean-George Vongerichten restaurant Perry Street, which is very hip and cool (think white on [...]
Quick! Imagine you are presented with a "blind flight" of Sauvignon Blanc wine (or Chardonnay for that matter). Do you think you can pick out a wine from New York’s Long Island against wines from Sancerre or New Zealand? Assume that all wines have the same color, and for the most part, a similar [...]
Ambassador Kathryn Hall … so the first time I met Kathryn Hall was at Per Se, where she announced that her California winery was becoming certified Organic. I remember tasting the Cabernet and finding it quite rich, layered and complex. Yet Wednesday night September 30 I was able to taste the 2006 HALL "Kathryn Hall" [...]
Ambassador Kathryn Hall … so the first time I met Kathryn Hall was at Per Se, where she announced that her California winery was becoming certified Organic. I remember tasting the Cabernet and finding it quite rich, layered and complex. Yet Wednesday night September 30 I was able to taste the 2006 HALL "Kathryn Hall" [...]
… so you can imagine how surprised I was when a business colleague gave me a bottle of Ehret Family Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa’s Knight’s Valley upon hearing I was a wine person. This is a delicious wine with exotic spice, black berries, plums, coffee, and a never-ending finish. Knights Valley [...]
Curious how to impress friends with your wine knowledge without breaking the bank? If you are reading this column, you already realize that high-priced wine does not necessarily mean “better” wine. Instead, you will earn respect by choosing a delicious,…
“Gorgeous mansion!” a woman says, accepting a tall flute of Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir from a server in a starched white jacket. We are standing in the hallway of the Honorable John Olsen, Australian Consul General, New York,…
“Gorgeous mansion!” a woman says, accepting a tall flute of Jacob’s Creek Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir from a server in a starched white jacket. We are standing in the hallway of the Honorable John Olsen, Australian Consul General, New York,…
Quick! What does Saint Emilion mean to you? In your mind, does it represent the healing saint of the same name? Does it signify a quaint, ancient, walled village in Bordeaux? Or, for you wine lovers, does it represent chateaux…
