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May 2007
Straight From the Barrel
Posted: 12:26 PM ET, May 31, 2007
The first time I recall drinking wine from a barrel, as opposed to tasting a barrel sample and spitting it out, was on a trip to Spain’s Ribera del Duero district to interview Alejandro Fernandez of Pesquera.
At the time, Fernandez’s Tempranillo-based reds were among the hottest wines in Spain and quickly gaining popularity in the U. Read more
Keeping a Dream Alive
Posted: 02:35 PM ET, May 30, 2007
Michael Bonaccorsi’s untimely death in 2004 seemingly ended a most promising career.
The 43-year-old master sommelier-turned-winemaker had just begun to realize his potential with a string of excellent vintages when a heart attack claimed his life. Read more
A Napa Castle to Visit
Posted: 04:12 PM ET, May 29, 2007
If you’re heading to Auction Napa Valley next week, or you're planning on visiting the area this summer, it would be well worth your while to visit Daryl Sattui's new $30 million, 121,000-square-foot Castello di Amorosa.
Sattui's been around for years. Read more
Another Reason Bordeaux Is Unique
Posted: 01:16 PM ET, May 24, 2007
The subject of Bordeaux has crept into many conversations lately, and it seems to me that one thing that makes Bordeaux unique is that when the wines are young, and sold as futures, you can buy as much as you want.
Forget about the prices, which, for most of us, seem absurd in recent years. Read more
Winemaker Lance Baer Dies at Age 38
Posted: 06:00 PM ET, May 22, 2007
Lance Baer, the owner-winemaker of Baer Winery in Woodinville, Wash., died early today due to complications from liver failure.
Baer, 38, had been in Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland for the last two-and-a-half weeks, undergoing treatment for his liver ailment. Read more
Raising the Stakes on Albariño
Posted: 04:16 PM ET, May 22, 2007
The owners of Paragon Vineyard in Edna Valley and the Tangent brand are hedging their bet on alternative white grapes, which is a good thing.
This week the Niven family announced they had carved out 55 acres of Paragon to plant Albariño. Read more
First Taste of Levy McClellan 2004
Posted: 05:05 PM ET, May 21, 2007
Earlier this year I wrote about a hot new wine, with a super winemaker pedigree and a supersonic price. Last week, I got to try the 2004 Levy McClellan Cabernet, and its sister vintage, the 2005, with the makers.
The wines are awfully good. Read more
Can't Finish a Bottle? Freeze it
Posted: 02:36 PM ET, May 18, 2007
My friend Richard, who’s new to wine but catching up fast, asked me about how long you can keep an open bottle, which is an important consideration if you’ve spent a lot of money on a wine and don’t drink it all in one sitting.
I simply cork reds and drink them the next day. Read more
2005 California Pinot Noir Revisited
Posted: 10:50 AM ET, May 17, 2007
Tuesday's blog about 2005 California Pinots generated quite a response. Thanks to all of you for sharing your opinions. I'd like to reiterate one point that I made and clarify a second one.
Every vintage has its pros and cons. For me, the weak seam in 2005 is that plenty of the wines I’ve tasted are herbal and underripe. Read more
Green Spots in 2005 Pinots
Posted: 01:30 PM ET, May 15, 2007
I’ve tasted dozens of 2005 California Pinot Noirs in the past couple of weeks, and the weak seams of this vintage have become more evident.
While I’ve found many exciting 2005s to recommend, it’s apparent that not everyone had as much success as the top producers. Read more
Roll Out the Barrel Samples
Posted: 12:17 PM ET, May 14, 2007
Tomorrow I'll begin tasting barrel samples of California Cabernet Sauvignon from 2006. The two-day tasting will be fun but grueling, with lots of intense, inky young wines. When it’s over, I'll go home with purple-stained teeth and a craving for an ice-cold beer. Read more
Mother Knows Best
Posted: 12:47 PM ET, May 11, 2007
My friend's thumbs were working feverishly, punching in a text message on her blackberry as the waiter poured the sparkling wine.
We joked about how technology followed us everywhere, yet my friend admitted that she couldn’t type well, and one of the men at dinner confessed he couldn’t type at all. Read more
The Stage Is Set for 2007
Posted: 12:07 PM ET, May 10, 2007
I'm back in Napa Valley after a great road trip and fantastic tasting in Chicago on Tuesday. When I opened my e-mail this morning, I was greeted by a note from Scott McLeod, winemaker for Rubicon Estate and Edizione Pennino—and our fearless forecaster. Read more
The Toughest 90 in America?
Posted: 12:01 PM ET, May 09, 2007
Late Monday night in Chicago—after dinner at Japonais, which was excellent (especially the sushi entrées)—I checked into my room and flipped on the TV. I pushed a few buttons and ended up watching Extreme Bull Riding, on ESPN (I think), for a few minutes. Read more
Sweet Home Chicago
Posted: 12:27 PM ET, May 08, 2007
Today I’m in Chicago for tonight’s Grand Tour tasting. It’s at the Hyatt Regency and the weather is beautiful, headed into the 80s, they say, with clear blue skies and no wind. Should be perfect for an evening of wine tasting—a clear, fast track. Read more
Two Hot Wine Country Restaurants
Posted: 11:05 AM ET, May 03, 2007
Those traveling to Napa this summer should make a point of dining at La Toque, while Sonoma visitors should try Cyrus.
Cyrus (www.cyrusrestaurant.com) is an upscale restaurant near Healdsburg Plaza. I had my first meal there last week, and chef Douglas Keane's culinary wizardry exceeded my expectations. Read more
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