In 2004 when I was the Time magazine wine correspondent, I visited winemakers/farmers/artists Kim Engle and Debra Birmingham, who were then in a very different vinous place. In 2006, a... read more →
When the vintage is stellar, we get the aforementioned cabernet franc, but in lesser years, Kim and Debra blend it with some gamay noir (which they believe is actually valdigue),... read more →
The way Hardy (Dirty) Wallace talks of this vineyard it might as well be his spiritual home, and the love has always come through in the bottle. In 2013, the... read more →
I’m on a Pablo Chevrot roll. I visited him back in 2010 and could feel he was going to find his way into working more naturally. He did, and here’s... read more →
Every year, Steve Edmunds manages to make great wine and this 2013, a 1⁄2 grenache blend, is a pure example. The fruit here comes from the Unti vineyard in Sonoma.... read more →
Quick! What other famous vigneron is in Ludes? You’re right! Béreche! Now try something new and fancy from that town. The Mémoire is based on a little solera system of... read more →
Ms. Sabre, a brave soul in Burgundy, has had some tough times and some tough vintages, but in 2013 the wines are really lovely. If you don’t know her yet,... read more →
Almost everything Celine and Laurent produce out there in southern Burgundy gets the AF approval. Very structured, with zingy acid, long and lively all wrapped up in a medium-bodied package.
Trollinger—known as schiava and vernatsch in Italy—is a nifty grape that drinks easy as well as serious. This liter is just the right size, any less would leave us wanting.... read more →
Hello, little beauty. In the old days they would have called this baby Barbaresco, as that is just what it will be when the vines get more age on them.... read more →