If I had my way carignan would be one of the major grapes of California. The reason? You get a perfectly ripe and lovely wine at reasonable alcohol levels. Jason... read more →
The Roussillon is rising. May I offer you one of the hits of the lovely Vivent de Vins Libres event. A head-turner of elegance from schist and marl. Destemmed. Perfumed.... read more →
When I was falling for wine I was a sucker for old world grenache. In the past decade getting that flavor and spicy, bloody aromas were so very difficult, even... read more →
I’ve been enjoying these wines for a while, tasting them in whatever country I could find them, and now they are in the United States. In Spanish they call vines... read more →
Derek Mossman Knapp started this project—reclaiming and celebrating the ancient vines of Chile—shortly after the 2010 earthquake. One of my favorites was Lot #46. Even though the Parker rag, Wine... read more →
From 500 meters up, at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains in the Rousillon AOC of southern France, comes a wine squarely in the inexpensive and (very, very) cheerful category.... read more →
Are you in the Cyril Fhal fan club? Why not? On his gneiss soils, he makes wine of pleasure and that extra element of depth. But, while this wine went... read more →
If you want to see an example of a little mouse on a wine, the kind that doesn’t interfere, check this out. It’s got a lot of velvet, tar and... read more →
Forgive this terrible packaging and also for repeating myself, but a wine that delivers this much is worth repeating. What lies beneath is worthy of simple Sunday dinners and a... read more →
The 100+-year-old vines are squarely in Minervois but as the wine is 100% carignan it wears the more broad designation Côtes du Brian. Falling in love with old vine carignan... read more →