Archive

DJ Jazzy Jeff made an encore stop in the Studio Thursday, along with SWS/Crown wine manager Scott MacGruder and Maria from Esprit du Vin, the new marquee French division of Palm Bay International. Domaine Rochers Macon-Chaintre 2010.  Grade=Very Good.  Stone fruit and minerals show off some nice nuances of lemon custard.  Clean, light-bodied Chardonnay. Domaine [...]

Brother Lou’s encore performance this past Thursday in the Studio was some pretty incredible wines from Hartford/Hartford Court, plus a leftover from last week’s Schu-less stop: Hartford Court Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2010.  Grade=Outstanding+.  I had almost forgotten just how good the wines of Hartford can be as this delicious, full-bodied Chardonnay shows off elegant [...]

Dr. Gonzo, in all his #WineWednesday fury, unleashes agents of the Clos du Val portfolio: Taltarni Brut Tache Australia NV.  Grade=Good.  Good effervescence, toasty apple and lightly toasted brioche.  Finishes a bit flat though. Kato Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2010.  Grade=Very Good.  Nice gooseberry, passionfruit and cilantro notes, light-bodied with decent acidity. Clos du Val Chardonnay [...]

Toast of Kentucky’s Very Barry, running late from a long commute from down state, dropped in on the Deuce with 2 white Burgundies, this past #WineWednesday: Louis Chevallier Bourgogne Aligote 2009.  Grade=Very Good.  Barry actually opened this Monday night he confessed, and despite it having lost a shade of fruit, it was still showing wonderfully.  [...]

The venerable DJ Jazzy Jeff (the Kentucky version) dropped in to try the Deuce on three wines from Mendocino Fog: Mendocino Fog Chardonnay Mendocino County 2010.  Grade=Very Good.  For fans of the creamy oak/buttered toffee/apple pie style of Chardonnay, here ya go.  Pushes all the right buttons for you, and displays no flaws. Mendocino Fog [...]

Brother Lou dropped in for #WineWednesday with a mixed bag of wine tricks: Terlato Fizz 56 Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG NV.  Grade=Very Good.  Very pretty with strawberry, red raspberry and a touch of creamy vanilla.  Nice effervescence too. Garnet Chardonnay Sonoma Coast 2010.  Grade=Very Good.  Solid effort with yellow apple, butterscotch and buttered brioche notes. Garnet [...]

Mistress Lauren rolled into the studio yesterday with a nice little variety of wines from all over; a kind of around the world in 30 minutes: Manu Pinot Gris Marlborough 2009.  Grade=Outstanding.  Really nice with bright apple and pear notes, a touch of creamy lemon, finishing with nice minerality. Manu Pinot Noir Pinot Noir 2009.  [...]

In a new weekly segment, I would like to recap the past week, not just with the wines I have reviewed, but a little bit of everything going on here with the Deuce.  Everything can be a bit of a whirlwind in this business so it’s good to take a few minutes to reassess what [...]

This past #WineWednesday was supposed to boast a meeting with the magnanimous Mr. Schu, yet from what Brother Lou told me, Mr. Schu seems to have had another run-in with Critical Bill (veiled Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead reference right here!).  So Lou, ever the trooper, soldiered on solo, with no less [...]

Dr. Gonzo dropped in for a recap of some new deals, special offers and a mild-mannered rap session between winos.  We also tasted two Italian wines from the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio: Tormaresca Chardonnay Puglia 2010.  Grade=Very Good.  Nice, bright Chardonnay with a bit of lemon cream, green apple and mineral notes.  Finishes clean [...]