grapelive.com

2011 Castalia, Pinot Noir “Rochioli Vineyard” Russian River Valley. Rochioli’s long time serving cellar-master, Terry Bering has been making Pinot since 1985 and helps craft all the glorious Rochioli wines,…

2009 Samsara, Syrah “Melville Vineyard” Sta. Rita Hills. This is absolutely my kind of Syrah, this stuff hit magic notes with me, and what a value for the quality, a…

2009 Novy (by Siduri) Syrah “Rosella’s Vineyard” Santa Lucia Highlands. This richly textured Syrah is full and darkly robust with deep color and flavors that fill the palate. The nose…

2011 Zepaltas, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley. While 2011 doesn’t look to be going down in the history books as a classic vintage for Northern California, there are some great…

2010 Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine Pere & Fils, Savigny-les-Beaune “Les Vergelesses” Premier Cru Red Burgundy, France. Dubreuil-Fontaine’s 2010 wines are all showing well and are very pure, with their Savigny-les-Beaune Les Vergelesses…

2010 Domaine Roulot, Bourgogne Blanc, White Burgundy, France. This pretty and lively Chardonnay really hit the spot, I wish I could have got more of it myself, and I almost…

2006 Poderi Aldo Conterno “Il Favot” Langhe Nebbiolo DOC, Piedmonte, Italy. Just by chance I noticed this bottle open at a friend’s, it is so nice to have enthusiast friends,…

2010 Calera, Pinot Noir “Jensen Vineyard” Mount Harlan. The Thirty-Fifth Anniversary Vintage of Calera, 2010 editions are all stunning wines and are the perfect celebration of Josh Jensen and his…

2011 Arnot-Roberts, Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains. The Pacific Ocean influenced Arnot-Roberts Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay is a totally unique terroir driven wine that highlights a huge sense of place and…

2010 Domaine Robert-Denogent, Pouilly-Fuisse “La Croix” Vieilles Vignes, France. This wine sizzles with intensity and vibrancy, and for me it is like a Grand Cru Chablis in character with laser…