This charmer comes from just outside the border of Beaujolais in the Macon. From 400 meter elevation of granite, this lovely wine is raised in old barrels. Here’s a study... read more →
From a single namesake parcel of 50-year-old garnacha vines on decomposed granite soils in the town of Villena, Alicante. Fermented in steel, raised for 12 months in 2- to 4-year-old... read more →
An Italian couple, architects, moved to Cataluna from Piedmont and went about hunting old vines and working with the fruit. This field blend is my favorite of their offerings. Love... read more →
All of Fabio’s 2013s are worth seeking out. Remember the albillo (some sauvignon-like skunk), the malvar (which would get both my hardcore and geek stamps, with some interesting Band-Aid mint,... read more →
Jancis Robinson’s book Grapes documents chelva as an old Andalucian grape which is often called lairen. Allowed in the Madrid DO, it seems to be a hearty and disease-resistant variety,... read more →
Mike Roth has left Martian Ranch and that’s a good thing, because now he can develop into the vigneron he was meant to become. While he’s waiting for his vines... read more →
This is the third wine of Jeff Coutelou’s that I’ve recommended in two issues. A fan? I should say. This drinks a little tough and rough and shows alcohol, but... read more →
When tasted from a magnum, this wine was a full package of goodies: vibrancy, tannin, and fruit, and just what the doctor ordered for a medium- bodied wine of elegance.... read more →
When I poured the wine by candlelight and the yeasty smell hit the air, my friend asked, what is that, beer? “Beer made with grapes,” I quipped. There was something... read more →
Having worked at both Prieuré Roch and Domaine de Chassorney gives a fair idea of the lineage Nicolas Testard comes from. He’s got 11 hectares in Saint-Étienne-la-Varenne, about a 17-minute... read more →