Old world alert! Jacqueline André sidesteps the trend towards 100% grenache, embraces concrete and thus manages finesse and elegance, even with 14.5% abv. Cellar the powerful 2010s and 2011s—they’ll be... read more →
When I tasted Xavier Weisskopf’s line up at the Bio show, I thought, where have these been? Apparently on the west coast! There they get to drink the gorgeous côt.... read more →
Another wine I’ve ignored for no good reason. The whites and reds are both solid and exciting, so get your hands on whatever you can. The Arcane? It’s chenin planted... read more →
Exhausted at the Dive’s end, I stopped at Mathieu’s table, expecting nothing but fatigue. Wrong! One sip of this wine from north of Sancerre, and I woke right up to... read more →
My note? “This one!!” Almond, wool and electricity. From Philippe’s 40–90 year old vines, his oldest. This 2009 had more sulfur than usual, and a little less acid (it was... read more →
From everyone’s favorite mustachioed vigneron comes Les Houx—the new name for Hermines d’Or. Tasted under the fluorescent lights of the Salon (oh, the glamour), this seemed Chablis-like. Salt on a... read more →
Found at the scruffy Vins Anonymes tasting. Didier is situated in the town of Saint-Lothian, about 8 miles south west of the fairy-town of Pupillin. His secrets are fierce agriculture... read more →
The Padovani twins, (who also make beautiful Brunello) scored big with their red and skin contact white table wines. The rosso, all sangiovese, is in the delightful camp, made more... read more →
D&R alert in 2011. Pricey, sure. Buy what you can. The white Crozes was like intense melon and ice. This Baties, was a little tough, but drunk two months later... read more →
This might be the best bargain in a domestic white ever. From unirrigated vines this is joyful granitic-coated fresh melon with juice and interest. A little more money gets you... read more →