I was in Katell Pleven’s office and saw the bottle, grabbed it, and was surprised when I finally tasted it in my kitchen. It’s not often that pinot gets the... read more →
In this issue I’m recommending two wines from this lower rent area in the Northern Rhône, lost after phylloxera and now being resurrected. This basic bottle comes from our friend... read more →
Two syrahs, similar granite soils, similar prices, somewhat similar charms, and similar use of stems. Differences? Personality of the winemaker? This one is a little bit brighter, a little more... read more →
When my brother was a kid he viewed cherry soda as the elixir of life. He should have been drinking this instead. 7.5% ABV. Keep it in mind for its... read more →
A great score from Zev. It’s a carbonic little refresher from the Auvergne from people I’ve yet to meet. Just so pretty (the wine and the label). What else to... read more →
Rafa! What a special man and a very fine winemaker. Everything made under the Viñedos Culturales label (his project, reviving old vineyards and methods of winemaking) is worth exploring but... read more →
Another Rafa wine, as above, but the polar opposite of the Los Cipreses with more savory on the outside than the in, strong yet silky. Destemmed, steel ferment, returned to... read more →
Pigato is often disrespected, yeasted into a sauvignon blanc-sameness and forgettable. But every once in a while the real thing comes along. When drinking it, be aware of the controversy.... read more →
Be on the outlook for more table wines from the sweet wine district of Coteaux du Layon. This one is a beauty, 80% sauvignon it’s tempered by gorgeous chenin and... read more →
When I tasted this with Marc last February, boy was it awkward, or maybe it was because I was rushing for a train. Over the year, the ugly duckling grew... read more →