Wine Review and Rating Information

Below is a list of wines reviewed and in my collection. Please select one of the links below to learn more information about each wine including tasting notes.

Wine Reviews and Ratings
89/100 $$$ Mendocino Wine Company Sketchbook Cabernet Sonoma, California: Cabernet Sauvignon
89/100 $$ Yalumba Yalumba 'Y Series' Viognier South Australia: Viognier
92/100 $$$$ Piper-Heidsieck Rose Sauvage Reims: Rose Sauvage Champagne
90/100 $$$ Simi Russian River Reserve Chardonnay Russian River Valley, California: Chardonnay
89/100 $$$$ La Crema Russian River Chardonnay Russian River Valley, California: Chardonnay
87/100 $$ Mirassou Napa Valley, California: Pinot Noir
87/100 $ Campos Reales Tempranillo Spain: Tempranillo
86/100 $ Reflection Languedoc: Pinot Noir
89/100 $ Chateau La Roche Saint Jean Bordeaux: Sauvignon Blanc
88/100 $ Terre del Neptune Picpoul de Pinet Languedoc: Picpoul de Pinet
83/100 $ Crane Lake Napa Valley, California: Sauvignon Blanc
95/100 $$$$ Kamen Estate Wines Kamen Sonoma, California: Cabernet Sauvignon
96/100 $$$$ Larkmead Vineyards Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California: Cabernet Sauvignon
93/100 $$$$ E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Southern Rhône Valley: Châteauneuf-du-Pape
87/100 $$ Cono Sur Rapel Valley: Pinot Noir
87/100 $$ Bodega Catena Zapata Alamos Argentina: Malbec

 

» Daily Wine Picks

Tortoise Creek Sauvignon Blanc Vin de Pays d'Oc 2007 Flavors of green apple, herbs and pepper fill this lively white, with ripe tropical fruit notes on the finish. Drink now. 7,500 cases made.

Viña Garcés Silva Sauvignon Blanc Leyda Valley Amayna 2006 Very stylish, with a creamy mouthfeel that lets lemon verbena, honeysuckle, mineral and fleur de sel notes weave through the lengthy finish. Drink now. 6,200 cases made.

Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2006 Aromas of cola, dried currant and blueberry, sage and fresh earth give this a complex mix of flavors. Delicate and balanced, with subtle flavor nuances that are sharply focused on the finish. Drink now through 2011. 3,028 cases made.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir Columbia Valley 2006 Light and supple, with pretty plum and dried blueberry flavors that ride gently over a velvety frame. Drink now through 2011. 8,000 cases made.

Firriato Nero d'Avola Sicilia Chiaramonte 2006 Shows plum and flowers on the nose. Full-bodied, with lots of berries, toasty oak, coffee and chocolate. Long and flavorful. Drink now through 2011. 68,330 cases made.

Darioush Chardonnay Napa Valley Signature 2006 A well-executed mix of tight, focused pear, melon, spice and apricot flavors framed by light toasty, cedary oak, ending with a long, persistent finish that gains subtle flavor nuances. Drink now through 2011. 1,880 cases made.

Domaine Calvel Corbières 2005 Very fresh and minerally-tasting, with crisp red plum, spice and cherry flavors. Finishes with fig and dark olive. Drink now through 2011. 1,000 cases imported.

Alexandria Nicole Viognier Columbia Valley 2006 Fresh and juicy, a lively mouthful of lychee, pear and gentle spices that linger on the polished finish. Drink now. 1,203 cases made.

Rochioli Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2006 Starts with subtle smoky pear, fig and citrus flavors and builds complexity, picking up rich mineral, marshmallow and light hazelnut flavors. Elegant and stylish. Drink now through 2011. 2,150 cases made.

Oriel Côtes du Rhône Courant 2005 Mature, but still going strong, with fig, currant paste, coffee and dark tar notes on a fleshy, muscular frame. A bit burly in the end, but will have some fans. Syrah. Made by Louis Barruol of St.-Cosme. Drink now. 1,921 cases made.