Category: Wine Reviews

2009 Chateau Montelena, Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Calistoga, Napa Valley. A recent visit to Napa Valley included a visit to the famed and historic Chateau Montelena, one of the first wineries…

2010 Francois Chidaine, Montlouis Sur Loire, Clos Habert, Loire Valley, France. This beautiful and detailed Chenin Blanc is really an exceptional wine of quality and style with layered fruit and…

2012 La Spinetta, Il Rose di Casanova, Casanova Della Spinetta Toscano Rosato IGT, Terricciola, Italy. Giorgio Rivetti’s Tuscan Rose is made from 50% Sangiovese and 50% Prugnolo Gentile (also Sangiovese…

2009 Foradori, Granato, Teroldego, Vignetti Delle Dolomiti IGT, Italy. Elisabetta Foradori is crafting some amazing wines from her tiny estate near Trentino in the Dolomites, close to the Alto Adige…

2012 Donnhoff, Riesling Hollenpfad Trocken, Nahe Germany. Donnhoff’s outrageously good Hollenpfad Trocken is a suave and sexy Riesling that delivers everything on promise and on the palate. While not a…

2011 Rochioli, Valdigue, Estate Grown, Russian River Valley. Valdigue, the rare French vatical, formerly thought to be Gamay in California, is a fun and Beaujolais like red wine with pretty…

2012 Von Winning, Riesling, Deidesheimer Paradiesgarten, Trocken, Pfalz Germany. Von Winning’s dry Rieslings are a revelation and are easily some of Germany’s most interesting wines, especially the three Grosses Gewachs…

2012 Rochioli, Rose of Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Russian River Valley. Summer in the Russian River is not complete without securing a few bottles of Rochioli’s lovely fresh Rose, so…

2011 Chateau de Saint Cosme, Cotes du Rhone “Les Deux Albion” Red, Rhone Valley, France. Sadly, by the time I got around opening this wine, it has mostly sold out…

2012 Luli, Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands. Luli is made by Sarah Floyd MS and Jeff Pisoni, and is a great value brand for fresh style Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and…