Summer is over and Oktoberfest season reminds me that it’s time to enjoy some of the finest wines made in the world–German Rieslings!  I’ve tasted and enjoyed many Rieslings, including 2006 Karlsmuhle Kabinett, 2006 Dr. Loosen Auslese,  2007 Schloss Lieser Riesling, 2007 Monchhof Kabinett and 2007 Max Richter Qba Riesling. Did you know that the Oktoberfest tradition [...]

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The 2006 Grappler has the taste of black raspberry, a hint of cherry sweet tannins upfront, and high alcohol on the nose (14.8%).  The raspberry and a hint of cranberry with a somewhat thin mouth feel, medium bodied, very dark wine with a short aftertaste. This wine was tasted over two nights. I’ve tasted several [...]

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This evening I sat on the deck drinking a glass of Vouvray. The crisp, cool taste with a hint of sweetness went well with the hot, muggy day I endured.  It reminded of last summer when my wife tasted her first Vouvray, a 2005 Francois Chidaine. She grumbled because I hadn’t introduced it to her [...]

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Earlier this year Italian authorities questioned whether some brunello producers in Montalcino were blending their wines rather than using 100 percent sangiovese grapes, as required.  Now two producers of vino nobile di Montepulciano Gattavecchi and Cooperative Vecchia Toscana are being scrutinized for possibly using grapes from outside the region. Italian standards say nobile must be [...]

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Jouan has two excellent parcels in the Clos Sorbe 1er Cru vineyard near the village of Morey-Saint-Denis. The vines in this vineyard average 40 to 45 years old.  This is 1er Cru that is clearly a level above in concentration, intensity, richness, and weight. A nice balance of red and dark fruit, with a complex [...]

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A couple of days ago I read an article that supports my last post. The article stated that during the September stock market meltdown an auction was held in Chicago where two wealthy men got into in a bidding war and paid a record price for single case of 1982 Chateau Lafite Rothschild. The final [...]

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As an investor in wine, your objectives might be different from an investor in securities or real estate, but your personal satisfaction should be greater and could provide better returns. In September 2004 a bottle of 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild sold for an average market price of $392. Today that same bottle costs you about [...]

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Francois Chidaine has strong feelings about viticulture and works his vines based on an old world standard. He does not want any mention of organic viticulture on his bottles, although he is certified organic.
This wine is rich and long with enough structure to balance the residual sugar in this styled Vouvray. It’s deep gold in color with a greenish tinge. [...]

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Rose on a hot summer day! It’s Labor Day weekend and I’m sitting outside tending to a smoker full of ribs and beef brisket on a beautiful end of summer day sipping a very nice 2007 Jana Rose. This wine is a very nice expression of a California Rose with fresh strawberries on the nose [...]

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In the early stages, this wine displays ripe dark fruit with sweet vanilla on the nose. After about an hour the wine has aromas of blackberry and ripe dark plum. The ripe fruit flavors carry through the structured mid palate and stand out again in the bright, ripe finish that is complemented by toasty oak and cocoa [...]

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