Category: Wine Reviews

2021 Château Thivin, Côte de Brouilly, Cru Beaujolais, France.Thivin’s latest Côte de Brouilly from the 2021 vintage is youthfully wound up still and almost comes across with a Chinon like…

2020 Domaine Jean Collet, Chablis Premier Cru, Montmains, White Burgundy, France.Each one of the three Collet Chablis wines I tried recently were outstanding bottles, but totally different and distinct in…

2022 Russell Joyce, Gamay Noir, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County.Having led the modern Gamay rush in the region, Russell Joyce’s true Gamay Noir offerings take a back seat to none…

nv Sami-Odi Wines, Syrah “Little V” Barossa Valley, Australia.The wildly rare Sami-Odi wines almost never get out of the country, so I was thrilled to get a chance to try…

2021 Arnot-Roberts, Falanghina, Dry Creek Valley AVA, Sonoma County.Arnot-Roberts’ Falanghina, which they have been doing since the 2016 vintage, is a beautiful version of this Southern Italian white grape with…

2021 Leo Steen, Casa Verde Red Wine, Redwood Valley.The Casa Verde Red by Leo Hansen at Leo Steen wines is sort of like Cru Beaujolais meets Cotes du Rhone, it…

2019 La Spinetta, Barbera D’Asti Superiore DOCG “Ca’ Di Pian” Piedmonte, Italy.Beautifully dark and compelling in the glass, the 2019 La Spinetta Ca’ Di Pian, Top of the Hill, Barbera…

2018 Poderi Colla, Barbaresco DOCG, Tenuta Roncaglia, Piedmonte, Italy.The heavenly Tenuta Roncaglia Barbaresco by Poderi Colla, still an under the radar producer, is showing lots of promise and even in…

2019 Odonata Wines, Malbec, Pedregal Vineyard, Paicines AVA, San Benito County.The beautiful and opulent blueberry and currant fruit laced dark garnet Malbec from Dennis Hoey at Odonata is a limited…

2021 I. Brand & Family Winery, Chenin Blanc, Massa Estate Vineyard, Carmel Valley AVA, Monterey County.Chenin’s rebirth in California is rewarding to watch in real time, especially with these 2021…