Hirotake Ooka settled in the northern Rhône after various wine stages, hooking up with friends and influences including Thierry Allemand. Now he’s settled in the new hipster central, St. Peray,... read more →
Rene-Jean Dard (of Dard & Ribo) has kindred spirit Herve Souhait make his negoce line whites in Saint Peray. This is a glou-glou with verve, silky syrah. Semi-carbonic, raised in... read more →
I feel a syrah party coming on. Same winemaker as Foufoune, different soils. Drinkable pleasure, with a slightly lighter weight and higher tone.
From a vineyard on the west bank of the Rhône, one that never saw chemical intervention on its blue marl and sandstone soils. This is a serious and angular wine,... read more →
I’m a long time lover of the Balthazar wines, both pere et fils. This is Franck’s first venture into no sulfur and a big success it is. From baby vines... read more →
From an island off Tuscany which sounds dreamy but my reaction to it was even better. The more affordable Chiaretto, sangiovese, gentle, light as air, wildly enjoyable and complex.
A little bit amarone and a little bit rock n’ roll (as in Laureano Serres’). A touch of sugar and cola and twig and definitely compelling.
I stood in Jean Marie’s globular vines and felt the angry wind he must farm. I got it. There’s wildness in this wine even though it’s only 12.5%. From schist... read more →
Lovers of Clos Roche Blanche Sauvignon? Listen up! This wine is a close genetic relative. Underneath the melon there is cool, green grass. And the CRB is getting rarer and... read more →
Hank is one of the best winemakers in California today and for some reason all of his wines are always more delicious the next day. Delicious—cinnamon and honey, perfumed with... read more →