Zin Tasting 25 Feb 2025, 2:27 am

A dozen Sonoma County winemakers get together on a regular basis to double-blind taste a dozen wines of the same type. We report on these tastings periodically. One such tasting held on Feb. 18, which I did not attend, was of 2022 Zinfandels. Two win... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading "Zin Tasting"

Tasting Notes: 23 Feb 2025, 2:09 am

Exceptional 2021 Regaleali Nero d’Avola, Sicilia ($16): Remarkably bright fruit of cranberry, blackberry, and a hint of violets are the main features of the aroma of this classic red wine from Sicily. The key to the wine is in its perfect balance wit... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back - you … Continue reading "Tasting Notes:"

A Story of Maturity and Youth 20 Feb 2025, 6:40 pm

I was chatting 20 years ago with a winemaker, a man who makes a superior Cabernet in the Napa Valley. It is acclaimed, a wine that tends in most vintages to be on the oaky/vanillan side when it is young. The alcohol is usually above 14%, occasionally... Want to read more? If you're already a … Continue reading "A Story of Maturity and Youth"

Where Has the Paradigm Gone? 20 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm

For as long as I can remember, the Cabernet paradigm was paramount. We sought it in every Cabernet, and we got it in the early Clos du Vals, the Stag’s Leaps, the Diamond Creeks, the Montelenas, the Freemark Abbeys, and the Mayacamases. And notably i... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back … Continue reading "Where Has the Paradigm Gone?"

A Note from Daniel Roberts 20 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm

The retirement several weeks ago of viticulturist and soil scientist Daniel Roberts PhD may have been overlooked by most wine critics, but this highly regarded individual provided us with more expertise than most winemakers could ever imagine. Those ... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back - you may login here. If you … Continue reading "A Note from Daniel Roberts"

Natural Wines’ Changing Stripes 20 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm

As we all know, there is absolutely no definition for the phrase “natural wine.” Although it has plenty of adherents, the vague definition of it involves utter simplicity in turning grape juice into wine. Nothing “unnatural” may be done to it to defi... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back - you … Continue reading "Natural Wines’ Changing Stripes"

White Medoc? 20 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm

Throughout the history of the Bordeaux district, the Médoc was by law home only to red wines. Now a ruling by France's appellations authority, the INAO, says that the Médoc, just north of Bordeaux city, will now encompass white wines as well! The ide... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back - … Continue reading "White Medoc?"

A Cabernet Franc Lover 20 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm

Steven Kent Mirassou so strongly believes in the future of Cabernet Franc in California that he has placed an increasingly stronger emphasis on making it, reducing his interest in Cabernet Sauvignon. And to tailor his Livermore Valley CabFrancs to be... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back - you may login here. If … Continue reading "A Cabernet Franc Lover"

Saving Cabernet   20 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm

By Dan Berger Napa Valley Cabernet (and blends) and red Bordeaux owe their international eminence to how Cabernet grows so beautifully in both regions, especially because of how stunningly some of the red wines from both districts seem to age and tak... Want to read more? If you're already a subscriber, welcome back - you may … Continue reading "Saving Cabernet  "

Aging of Wine in the New Millennium 20 Feb 2025, 6:39 pm

By Dan Berger Readers of this publication tend to be far more hopeful about the benefits of aging almost all red wines for an appropriate time frame. Even some whites and rosés tend to improve with some time in the bottle and the majority of readers ... Want to read more? If you're already a … Continue reading "Aging of Wine in the New Millennium"