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2008 Kistler, Pinot Noir “Cuvee Natalie-Silver Belt Vineyard” Sonoma Coast. I’ve had a few Kistler’s over the years, but this was my first chance to try the Cuvee Natalie, and…

2010 Capiaux, Pinot Noir “Pisoni Vineyard” Santa Lucia Highlands. If a big wine can be reserved then Sean Capiaux has made it with this 2010 Pisoni Pinot, as it does…

n.v. Agrapart & Fils”Terroirs” Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs, Extra Brut Champagne, A Avize, France. Champagne Agrapart & Fils is maybe the most underrated, under the radar Champagne marque out…

2007 Kapcsandy, Estate Cuvee, State Lane Vineyard, Yountville, Napa Valley. This vineyard, planted and started by Helen Turley and her husband for Lou Kapcsandy has become one of the so…

2011 Weingut Selbach-Oster, Riesling “Zeltinger Schlossberg” Spatlese Trocken, Mosel, Germany. This groovy dry Riesling is my Thanksgiving pick, and I certainly endorse it completely for any occasion you might feel…

2011 Weingut Immich-Batterieberg, C.A.I. Riesling Kabinett Trocken, Mosel, Germany. This beautiful and starkly dry Riesling comes from the blue slate soils of the lower Mosel and is a modern style…

2010 Hippolyte Reverdy, Sancerre Rouge, Loire Valley. Soft, delicate and refined Pinot Noir from the Loire Valley with light and elegant flavors of rose petals, cherry and plum with smoky…

2011 Le Pigeoulet en Provence, Blanc Vin de Pays de Vaucluse, Rhone White, France. This is the best yet from Brunier’s Pigeoulet, and a super white wine made from Roussanne,…

2010 Domaine La Bastide Saint Dominique, Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge, Rhone Valley, France. This wonderfully expressive Chateauneuf has pure and rich flavors and is vigorous with firm and balanced structure.…

2011 Domaine Felines Jourdan, Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc White, France. It is strange and somewhat funny to write about such a summery wine in the cold rain of San Francisco,…