Recent articles
Dutcher Crossing 2015 Kupferschmid Red Wine
Duckhorn 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain
Aruma 2018 Malbec
1991 Graham's Porto Vintage, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review
This wine, at age 30, is just about at peak. Beautiful wine. Inky purple, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with cherries and chocolate covered raisins. Full bodied. Sweet but not too. On the palate, chocolate covered cherries. Complex. Delicious. Long finish. Slightly noticeable alcohol. This should continue to drink well for at least another decade. Great on its own, with a cigar, this will also work well with a chocolate dessert.
2011 Torrin James Berry Vineyard, USA, California, Paso Robles, Wine Review
This is a blend of 52% Syrah and 48% Grenache from one of the great Rhone varietal vineyards of California (or anywhere). Inky purple in color, opaque and bright, ruby at the rim. The nose is great with black raspberries, black cherries, smoke, roasted herbs, and a bit of meatiness. Full bodied. Complex and seemingly at peak. Layers of black raspberry and black cherry fruit with underlying char and slight earthiness. Long finish. Delicious. This wine should continue to drink well for another ten to twelve years. A nice match for Indian or Thal food.
2009 Dehlinger 60% Petite Sirah/40% Zinfandel Guadagni Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek, Wine Review
Very nice showing for this. Seems to be just about at peak, of course, noting that Zinfandel matures earlier and Petite Sirah later. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has boysenberries, black cherries, raspberries along with some leather and minerality. Medium bodied. On the palate, this has a nice complexity. Also very tasty. Layers of fruit (black and red raspberries) with some underlying minerality. Nice finish. This should have another five to seven more years and probably more. It drinks well on its own and will work well with all but the lightest foods. A nice w
2018 Domaine de la Côte Sainte-Epine St. Joseph Blanc Vieilles Vignes, France, Rhone, Wine Review
This is a Marsanne/Roussanne blend from the northern Rhone were less than 10% of production is in white grapes. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is all about minerality with a slight waxy/apple note as well. Medium bodied.
2018 Carlisle Zinfandel Carlisle Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review
From Mike Officer's home vineyard, the Carlisle Zin is great in every vintage but in 2018 they continued to exceed expectations. A blend of mostly Zinfandel (86%) and 14% mixed "black" grapes including Alicante Bouschet and Cinsault from 91-year-old vines. Inky purple swirls with deep ruby hues make for a very attractive appearance. Opaque and bright. The nose is concentrated with raspberries, black cherries, slight pine and spice. A seamless texture that makes this so accessible even while being so young. On the palate, black raspberries, slight blueberries, black cherries with underl
2015 Jaffurs Petite Sirah Thompson Vineyard, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Wine Review
Another winner from Jaffurs although this is still quite young. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black raspberries, grilled meats, slight char and a whiff of violets. Full bodied. Very tight on the palate, it took some time to open. Once it did, plenty of black raspberries, some blueberries, with underlying roasted herbs. Good acidity. Long finish. This needs another five years and should drink well for ten to twelve after that. It drinks well on its own and will work well with pork or beef roast.














