Blog Index

James Molesworth

Friendly Rivals in Apalta, and the Terroir Hunter

Posted: 04:31 PM ET, 03/18/08

Viña Montes and Casa Lapostolle are neighbors in the prime Apalta sub-valley, located in the larger Colchagua Valley. The two wineries are among the leaders of Chile’s wine industry and they’re friendly rivals.

Both put the finishing touches on their new showpiece winery facilities just in time for the 2005 vintage, which turned out to produce the best wines yet at each estate. Read more

James Laube

Flashy 2006 Zinfandels from Carlisle

Posted: 04:23 PM ET, 03/18/08

It’s always exciting when a great winemaker outdoes himself, which is exactly what Mike Officer has done with his 2006 Carlisle Zinfandels.

These wines, which Tim Fish and I tasted in one of our regular weekly blind tastings, are sensational, earning a sprint don’t run endorsement. Read more

Richard Betts

Flip It Over!

Posted: 01:37 PM ET, 03/18/08

When it comes to selecting a wine you don’t know much about, I offer this advice, especially when it comes to imported wines: start with the back-side.

Frequently, someone who lives in a different part of the country than I do asks me for a wine recommendation. Read more

Bruce Sanderson

Fine Bubbles, Fantasy Price

Posted: 03:45 PM ET, 03/17/08

Champagne Krug is about to release the most expensive Champagne ever. Its Brut Blanc de Noirs Clos d’Ambonnay 1995 has a suggested retail price of $3,000 to $3,500.

In January, I made my regular visit to Burgundy. On my way back to Paris, I stopped in Champagne to visit Olivier Krug, Henri’s son and now the director of the house, and to learn more about the project. Read more

James Laube

A Word of Caution when Tasting with Winemakers

Posted: 03:06 PM ET, 03/17/08

Blog commenter Chris Buddress asked if I share my thoughts, notes and scores with the winemaker in a situation similar to my visit last week with Jayson Woodbridge of Hundred Acre, and if so, how did he respond? (He also asked about my yet-to-be-released hot list that he should keep his eyes open for. Read more

James Suckling

Catching the Wave in Mexico’s Baja California

Posted: 02:21 PM ET, 03/17/08

Just got back from wine country in Baja California, Mexico. The drive to wine country in Mexico is about 4 hours south from Los Angeles, if you don’t get caught in traffic. I drove down last weekend in a white Jeep Commander with a couple of friends, included movie director/writer James Orr and John Gray, a chef with three restaurants in Cancun, Mexico. Read more

James Molesworth

Two Days to the Valley

Posted: 10:04 AM ET, 03/17/08

Well, it took me two days to get to Chile's Limarí Valley. Yes, it’s a remote spot, but a day waylaid after a missed connection in Miami resulted in my having to miss out on my first two scheduled appointments. After finally landing in Santiago though, I was greeted with a rapidly warming and sunny morning, as well as a two-hour helicopter ride north, covering over 250 miles, to Limarí. Read more

James Laube

Buying Birth-Year Wines Is Just One Option

Posted: 03:48 PM ET, 03/14/08

Buying birth-year wines for your children is not something I recommend. Sure, it’s a thoughtful, loving gesture that your son or daughter may well appreciate when that special occasion comes along years from now, when he or she graduates from college or marries. Read more

Harvey Steiman

This and That from Washington State

Posted: 11:17 AM ET, 03/14/08

Tidbits picked up along the Washington wine trail, where I have logged about 400 miles this week:

Quilceda Creek, once basically a single-wine winery (one of the state's flagship Cabernet Sauvignons), has added another bottling to its portfolio. Read more

James Laube

End of the Salmon Run for 2008?

Posted: 05:44 PM ET, 03/13/08

Few salmon, and now no salmon season?

Today’s item is a little off-topic, but not completely. This isn’t an angler’s blog, but salmon from the Pacific Ocean is a big part of Northern California cuisine and from the looks of it, this year is going to be at least a dud if not a disaster. Read more

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