Blogs
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Bruce Sanderson Decanted
Heading to Morey-St.-Denis to taste the 2008s at Domaine Taupenot-Merme
Posted: November 20, 2009 By Bruce Sanderson
A visit to Domaine Taupenot-Merme in Morey-St.-Denis on November 12th is my first opportunity to taste a range of wines from Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. Here I offer tasting notes on the domaine's lineup of Pinot Noirs.
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
Lakewood Vineyards and Rooster Hill show the contrast between established and new wineries in the Finger Lakes
Posted: November 19, 2009 By James Molesworth
My first visit on this trip was just a short drive up the west side of Seneca Lake from Watkins Glen. At Lakewood Vineyards, brothers Dave and Chris Stamp (along with Chris’ wife Liz) are the third generation to run this family winery, which represents where the Finger Lakes is today - trying to move away from hyrbids to vinifera production. Stops at Rooster Hill and Hermann J. Wiemer were also on the schedule.
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James Suckling Uncorked
How many more wines could I have tasted in my life if we drank wine with the first meal of the day?
Posted: November 19, 2009 By James Suckling
Wine Spectator senior editor James Suckling is in England, enjoying his favorite meal of the day, breakfast, but wondering: Why don't we drink wine with the first meal of the day?
Blogs
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Bruce Sanderson Decanted
Despite small yields in 2008, ripeness is good at Domaine Simon Bize
Posted: November 19, 2009 By Bruce Sanderson
While traveling in Burgundy, I visited with Patrick Bize of Domaine Simon Bize in Savigny-lès-Beaune and tasted his 2008 lineup. Most of Bize's sites lie on the north slope of Savigny's two hillsides; I provide tasting notes for his village wines and premiers crus below. The yields in 2008 were small here due to hail and rot, but the ripeness was good.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
Time for some more field work in New York's Finger Lakes region
Posted: November 18, 2009 By James Molesworth
For Wine Spectator senior editor James Molesworth, it's time to do a little field work in the Finger Lakes area of upstate New York. This will be his third visit to this growing wine region in the last year, following visits in October of 2008 and June of this year. He reports that Riesling as well as other grape varieties are improving.
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James Laube Unfined
A Washington wine makes a statement about quality and price
Posted: November 17, 2009 By James Laube
Wine Spectator senior editor James Laube says that this year’s Top 100 demonstrates the amazing range of quality now found throughout the world of wine.
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Bruce Sanderson Decanted
Tasting the 2008 lineup from Domaine Hubert Lamy
Posted: November 16, 2009 By Bruce Sanderson
While traveling in Burgundy, I visited grower Olivier Lamy of Domaine Hubert Lamy in St.-Aubin and tasted his 2008 lineup. This allowed me a sampling of mainly whites and a few reds from the southern part of the Côte de Beaune; I provide tasting notes below. We also toured some vineyards, providing a fascinating look at the complexity of the soils and terroirs of the appellation.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
A leading Chilean vintner refuses to slow down
Posted: November 16, 2009 By James Molesworth
At 60, Aurelio Montes could easily decide to slow down. After entering the business in 1972, he founded his own Viña Montes winery in 1988 and since then has built it into one of Chile’s premier wineries. But he’s not slowing down – at all. He's busy working the Asian market and has two project in California. But I sat down with the winemaker here at my office last week to get caught up on his latest efforts in Chile and Argentina, including the new vineyards he’s nursing along near the town of Zapallar, some new Malbec plantings in Chile and new bottlings from his Argentine brand Kaiken.
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2009 Harvest Winemakers' Blog
The 2009 vintage in Bordeaux at Châteaus Giscours, du Tertre and Haut-Bailly is one to get excited about
Posted: November 16, 2009 By Alexander Van Beek
Wine Spectator guest blogger Alexander Van Beek says that after watching the fermentations at Châteaus Giscours, du Tertre and Haut-Bailly, the 2009 vintage in Bordeaux could be a great one.
Blogs
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Bruce Sanderson Decanted
Burgundy's Maison Louis Jadot presents historical tasting to celebrate 150th anniversary
Posted: November 13, 2009 By Bruce Sanderson
Wine Spectator senior editor Bruce Sanderson celebrates the 150th anniversary of Louis Jadot with a tasting of 22 Burgundy reds and whites, one each from every decade dating back to the label's founding in 1859.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
An 18-year run caps the restaurant's quiet contribution to New York dining
Posted: November 13, 2009 By James Molesworth
Usually people run to restaurants when they just open. Critics jockey to be first with a review, despite a wait staff and kitchen that inevitably has kinks to work out. Diners want to say they’ve been there while the place is still "hot." Does anyone ever rush to get to a restaurant that’s closing? When Nancy and I saw the small notice in the paper earlier this week that Zoë was shuttering this coming weekend after an impressive 18-year run, it was sad news.
Blogs
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2009 Harvest Winemakers' Blog
The late-harvest Pinot Grigio has finally been picked
Posted: November 13, 2009 By Peter Cargasacchi
California grapegrower Peter Cargasacchi reports on his Wine Spectator blog that his late-harvest Pinot Grigio has been harvested and his last three barrels of Pinot Noir have been pressed.
Blogs
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James Laube Unfined
Young wines offer pure expressions of exotic berry flavors
Posted: November 12, 2009 By James Laube
Wednesday's tasting of Santa Barbara Syrahs, Grenaches and blends thereof, coupled with last week's tasting of similar wines from Paso Robles, reminded Wine Spectator senior editor James Laube of why young wines are so much fun to drink. The fresh berry flavors in young wines are fascinating: pure, rich, vivid and layered, and you often find such exotic flavors as boysenberry, huckleberry, wild raspberry and blackberry that you don’t easily find in other wines.
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Harvey Steiman At Large
It's not just about acidity
Posted: November 12, 2009 By Harvey Steiman
To choose the wines for the menu featuring the food of chef Michael Mina in Wine Spectator’s Nov. 30 issue, I asked his wine director, Rajat Parr, to select three possible wines for each dish. Parr says Mina’s food find their own balance and work seamlessly with well-balanced wines. This tasting demonstrated why it’s balance, not any specific elements in the wine and food, that make a great match.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
An Argentine winery sticks to tradition
Posted: November 12, 2009 By James Molesworth
When reviewing wines, it’s always important to make the distinction between quality and style. It’s a point that’s been covered here before, but one I don’t grow tired of talking about. It’s fitting that I sat down with Iduna Weinert here at my office today to talk about her family’s wines – Argentina’s Bodegas y Cavas Weinert is a great example of the need to distinguish between style and quality.
Blogs
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Bruce Sanderson Decanted
In Burgundy for the Hospices de Beaune auction and dinners, I previewed the 2008 vintage with Etienne de Montille
Posted: November 11, 2009 By Bruce Sanderson
Wine Spectator senior editor Bruce Sanderson tastes the 2008 lineup from Burgundy vintner and négociant Etienne de Montille.
Blogs
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James Suckling Uncorked
After watching the film Julie & Julia, memories of living in Paris come flooding back
Posted: November 11, 2009 By James Suckling
After watching the film Julie & Julia, Wine Spectator senior editor James Suckling reminisces on his time living in Paris in 1985.
Blogs
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Stirring the Lees with James Molesworth
The winery chooses to pick early, rather than late
Posted: November 11, 2009 By James Molesworth
Ricardo Rivadeneira’s Los Maquis winery is located in the heart of the Colchagua Valley, where wineries like Viña Montes, Casa Lapostolle, MontGras and Viñedos Emiliana are producing ripe, black fruit-filled reds from Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère and Syrah. But Los Maquis only shares a proximity to those wineries, rather than a winemaking philosophy or style. Los Maquis' philosophy is one of picking earlier, rather than later.
Blogs
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James Laube Unfined
What changes, if any, will wineries make to be greener?
Posted: November 10, 2009 By James Laube
As debate about green and carbon footprint issues gain or lose clout, will consumers insist on some changes, whether it’s in lighter bottles or locally grown wines?
Blogs
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Bruce Sanderson Decanted
Before heading to France for the Hospices de Beaune auction and dinners, I had dinner with Australia's Michael Twelftree
Posted: November 10, 2009 By Bruce Sanderson
Wine Spectator senior editor Bruce Sanderson had dinner with senior editor Kim Marcus and Australia's Michael Twelftree of Two Hands winery before heading to France for the Hospices de Beaune auction and dinners.
