Category: Wine Reviews

2023 Domaine Taupenot-Merme, Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France.I had been a fan of Taupenot-Merme for a while, but had never seen their Aligoté or this Passetoutgrain, so it…

2023 Kobza Wines, Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Massa Estate, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County.Another wonderful surprise at the Big Sur Food & Wine Festival was Ryan Kobza’s newest addition to his…

2022 Domaine Terra Vita Vinum, Anjou Gamay “Ronceray Rouge” Loire Valley, France.One of the nicest surprises in the last quarter of the year for red wines, this unique Anjou, a…

2025 Rustiqué Wines, Riesling, Tondre Grapefield, Santa Lucia Highlands.Again the latest set releases from Chad Silacci at Rustiqué Wines, located on the northwestern edge of the Santa Lucia Highlands, are…

2025 MarBeso, Aligoté, Sta Rita Hills AVA, Santa Barbara County.The beautifully stylish and Burgundy like, slightly reductive, Sta Rita Hills Aligoté from Marbeso (Kiss of the Sea) and winemaker Colin…

2023 Côte du Denis by Odonata, Aglianico, Barr Vineyard, Paso Robles.I recently, twice, was at Odonata checking in on winemaker Denis Hoey’s latest wines and fell in love with his…

n.v. Domaine Dame Jeanne “Champêtre” Pét-Nat, Molesme, Burgundy, France.One of my favorite new sparklers, is this Domaine Dame Jeanne “Champêtre” Pét-Nat which is from the northern reaches of Burgundy and…

2023 Domaine Jocelyne et Yves Lafoy, Saint-Joseph Rouge “Préambule” Northern Rhône, France.This Lafoy Préambule Saint-Joseph Rouge 2023 is dark purple/garnet hued in the glass with fine florals and bramble on…

2024 Domaine Samuel Billaud, Chablis AOC, White Burgundy, France.The beautifully balanced and perfumed 2024 Chablis from Samuel Billaud is an absolute stunner of a wine with incredible purity, terroir driven…

2022 Bruna Grimaldi, Barolo DOCG “Camilla” Piemonte, Italy.The bright ruby 2022 Camilla Barolo from Bruna Grimaldi is really up front, lush in ripe fruit and a wine to enjoy early…