While researching Naked Wine, I wandered into the Ardeche and spent the night carousing with the band of winemakers up there. Among them, Andre Calek, Sylvain Bock, Gerald Oustric and... read more →
This historically has only been made for Japan, but I scored it at the fab Parisian shop, La Caves des Papilles. Nouveau or Primeur or whatever you want to call... 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 →
In this issue I’m recommending two wines from this lower rent area in the Northern Rhône, lost after phylloxera and now being resurrected. This basic bottle comes from our friend... read more →
Two syrahs, similar granite soils, similar prices, somewhat similar charms, and similar use of stems. Differences? Personality of the winemaker? This one is a little bit brighter, a little more... read more →
In every vintage, Eric is the man, but in 2012, nature worked with him 11.8% ABV? The 2012s are just popping up on the market right now, rush out and... read more →
One label, two faces. I admit not being a fan of viognier, but tempered by the roussanne, it manages to avoid cloying perfume and segues into an ethereal florality. A... read more →
All of Texier’s hard work at Brézème has come together in 2012, so much so that he bottled without sulfur. It’s a beauty, and there’s plenty of finesse in this... read more →
I’m always on the lookout for a good old-fashioned grenache, and I might have one here. The grapes have a short semi-carbonic maceration, then aged for nine months in concrete... read more →
When I was out at Les Marchand Wine Bar in Santa Barbara, tasting through wines from the Jurassic Vineyard we all indulged in this one, and drank and drank even... read more →