Blog Index

James Laube

Farewell to a Friend: Barney Rhodes Dies at 88

Posted: 05:12 PM ET, 04/01/08

Barney Rhodes, a great wine connoisseur and owner of Bella Oaks Vineyard in Napa Valley, died today at age 88 after a brief illness. His wife, Belle, died last year.

Barney and Belle moved to Napa in the early 1960s and planted their first vineyard in Oakville, which later became known as Martha’s Vineyard, a Cabernet that became one of the most famous wines in America. Read more

James Molesworth

At the Other End of Patagonia: The Río Negro Province

Posted: 02:30 PM ET, 04/01/08

The Río Negro province in Patagonia is the home of the eastern extension of the river valley that is suddenly emerging as a quality wine producing area. Here the Río Neuquén joins the Río Limay to form the Río Negro, which then runs through a 15-mile-wide glacial bed whose soils are heavier than those on the western end of Neuquén, where I visited yesterday. Read more

James Suckling

My Incredible Personal Secret in Tuscany

Posted: 10:06 AM ET, 04/01/08

I have had some reservations about blogging what I am about to tell you. Some may believe it is unbelievable. Others may applaud such a fine specimen for being so highly sensitive and educated. But I really don’t care. I think it is time to tell the world the truth. Read more

Richard Betts

Geeze—What’s in a Nose?

Posted: 07:25 PM ET, 03/31/08

With a mix of curiosity, amusement and befuddlement I read the news this past week that Dutch winemaker Ilja Gort has insured his nose with Lloyd’s of London for approximately 8 million dollars.

The stated rationale was that his nose is essential for him to produce top-quality wines at his Château de la Garde in Bordeaux. Read more

James Laube

A Crash Course In Napa Valley Cabernet

Posted: 02:45 PM ET, 03/31/08

Last night I attended what amounted to a crash course in Napa Valley Cabernet. Four wineries and the same four vintages from each were poured at dinner at La Toque, Ken Frank’s sensational restaurant in Rutherford, Calif. The seven-course dinner was part of an auction lot from the Central Coast Wine Classic and hosted by its director, Archie McLaren. Read more

Harvey Steiman

Chefs Impress at Pebble Beach Inaugural

Posted: 12:59 PM ET, 03/31/08

One night Charlie Trotter from Chicago, Jean Joho of Everest, Douglas Keane of Cyrus and Michel Richard of Citronelle shared a kitchen to make dinner for 175. The next night, David Kinch of Manresa along with Josiah Citrin of Mélisse, Richard Reddington of Redd and Michael Mina from San Francisco cooked up a few things for 300. Read more

James Molesworth

Down to Patagonia: La Pampa and Neuquén

Posted: 10:50 AM ET, 03/31/08

My schedule in Mendoza resulted in more than a few missed meals, so the refueling on ojo de bife in Buenos Aires was critical, as it was soon time to gear up again. I was heading down to Patagonia, a region that in recent years has produced some tantalizing wines. Read more

James Suckling

The Jewels in 2007

Posted: 10:39 AM ET, 03/31/08

Tasting a vintage like 2007 from barrel can become tedious at times. It’s just one good wine after another, but nothing really exciting. It takes some time to uncover the jewels in a vintage like 2007. But every vintage has some bright spots -- those wines that make you understand why you are sticking it out tasting, and why you will remember the young vintage. Read more

Harvey Steiman

Pebble Beach Tees Up a Starry Food and Wine Event

Posted: 09:34 PM ET, 03/28/08

It seemed like every longtime attendee of the Masters of Food and Wine was asking each other what they thought on opening night Thursday of the new Pebble Beach Food and Wine event, its successor. The new event is bigger and more sprawling, and there were plenty of hot wineries pouring samples and famous chefs dishing up tasty creations. Read more

James Suckling

Quick Message from Bordeaux

Posted: 02:53 PM ET, 03/28/08

Despite all the bad weather, the Right Bank provided some good to outstanding wines today from barrel. And it appears that Pomerol is the best region of all in 2007. I still have to taste wines this weekend from Pessac-Leognan and other parts of the Graves – especially first growth Haut-Brion, which some say is excellent. Read more

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