http://www.winespectator.com/RSS/blog_rss/0,4234,,00.xml Wine Spectator Online - Blog Posts en-us Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:05:27 EDT Copyright 2005, Wine Spectator Online wsonline@mshanken.com Chateau Montelena is a marquee name among Napa Valley Cabernets, but from a bygone era. The winery, which had been 1, was 1. It still has fans who admire its sturdy, distinctive, ageworthy style, but most of them are old-guard collectors. For years, from the 1970s through the 1990s, 1 Cabernet from its Montelena Estate in Calistoga was a cornerstone in many Cabernet collections. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1995,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Laube<wsonline@mshanken.com> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:53:21 EDT The topic of price vs. quality in wine keeps coming up, and not just among savvy wine drinkers looking for the most bang for their buck when they buy a bottle. Last week, Steven D. Levitt, an economics professor, made a pretty bold assertion in his Freakanomics blog for the New York Times . http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1994,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Harvey Steiman<wsonline@mshanken.com> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:42:31 EDT Normally, yet another small-production wine (even one with outstanding quality) would be just another entry to an already crowded playing field. Add in the fact that the wine comes from the still-overlooked South Africa, and most folks probably wouldn't even raise an eyebrow. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1983,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Molesworth<wsonline@mshanken.com> Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:51:31 EDT Batman or ABBA? Contrasting cinema styles did battle last week when two potential blockbusters opened in movie theaters. I was amused this past weekend to hear about all the excitement and anticipation for the newest Batman film, The Dark Knight , which seemed to win out with movie fans (and their money), although the feel-good musical Mamma Mia! drew well, too. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1993,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Laube<wsonline@mshanken.com> Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:11:16 EDT I was thinking about this yesterday when I was getting over my jet lag at a friend's pool in Tuscany. We had had a light lunch with a couple of bottles of Champagne and some whites, and I brought up the subject of the weather this summer. I've heard so people here say that the summer hasn't been very warm. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1992,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Suckling<wsonline@mshanken.com> Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:12:03 EDT In light of our recent 1, I'd like to share a few of my recent wine service experiences. I was in Buffalo and Ontario earlier this month and dined at two upscale restaurants. On both occasions there were fundamental flaws in the wine service. In Buffalo, I asked to see the wine list while we were having a drink at the bar. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1991,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Bruce Sanderson<wsonline@mshanken.com> Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:13:00 EDT One of my best friends has been staying in my house in Tuscany since I left for the West Coast on business about a week ago, and I found out that he has been cherry-picking some of my best bottles from my cellar. I just know about one night when he pulled the corks on a 1997 1 Torrione, 1997 1 single-vineyard Barolo and a 1997 1 Brunello di Montalcino Cerretalto. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1990,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Suckling<wsonline@mshanken.com> Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:34:58 EDT First of all, my apologies, fellow bloggers and blog readers. I've been so busy with babysitting the vineyards and blending the 2007 juice that I forgot to blog. This is probably a good time to sign off and focus on the work, since technically this blog is supposed to be about me traveling around the globe and Over Indulging. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1988,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Maynard Keenan<wsonline@mshanken.com> Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:14:12 EDT Usually, when I buy a case or half-case of wine, I drink a bottle or two from the stash in the first year to get a handle on the wine, then open the rest when I expect they have reached maturity. Somehow I managed to keep my hands off the half-case of 1 Syrah En Cerise 2000 I had bought when it came out, so I had all six bottles to pour for guests last week when my wife and I celebrated our 40th anniversary with 30 friends and family. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1989,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Harvey Steiman<wsonline@mshanken.com> Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:54:03 EDT You might think it's easy to name a wine brand. I know many people right now who are wrestling with what to call their new wine. Some have common last names already in use, and therefore can't use them. Others are seeking a deeper, more meaningful expression or extension of their ego, passion or mission, and that makes finding the perfect name a challenge. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1987,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Laube<wsonline@mshanken.com> Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:51:13 EDT The 2005 1 Syrah Atlantis Fe 203 1A saved my evening in Las Vegas a couple of nights ago. It started out pretty well, with a private party in the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms. My friend Tim Ozgener of C.A.O. cigars had invited me for cocktails and a cigar before a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert that he had organized in the Rain club of the hotel. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1986,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Suckling<wsonline@mshanken.com> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:43:31 EDT President Bush is scheduled to visit Napa Valley on Thursday to tour California and assess damages caused by this summer's wildfires. Here's a piece of friendly, non-partisan advice: embrace California wine, or for that matter, American wine and include all the states. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1985,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Laube<wsonline@mshanken.com> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:50:28 EDT Olivier Krug was in New York last week and invited me for a preview taste of the new 1998 vintage Brut Champagne. It will be released in a few months, likely hitting retail shelves and restaurants by September with a retail price of $290. "&#91;1998&#93; was an interesting year," said Krug, fresh off his Paris flight. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1984,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS Bruce Sanderson<wsonline@mshanken.com> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:11:24 EDT In 1, Wine Spectator conducted a poll via our website that netted some very interesting consumer feedback in regard to today's level and style of restaurant wine service. While we still see occasional wine lists entered into our program that omit vintages, have spelling mistakes or use the antiquated "captain's list" format, these are now in the distinct minority, whereas just 10 years ago they seemed to proliferate. http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1979,00.html?CMP=OTC-RSS James Molesworth<wsonline@mshanken.com> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:48:34 EDT