Archive

I received some samples from L’Ecole No. 41 Winery some time back, and in my usual fashion, I am just now getting to them, just in time for the Wine Bloggers Conference in L’Ecole’s own backyard, in Walla Walla, Washington. I had the good fortune to visit the tasting room back in October during the [...]

The beauty of the Wine Bloggers Conference this year is that (besides me not being there) is that my wine blogging brethren will get to see what I have seen – how awesome Walla Walla Valley and Washington State wines are! I am “ever”green with envy right now, but still, I like the fact that [...]

I am beginning to think I need to go into rehab for being addicted to BBC America - I find myself overusing such Brit slang as “snogging,” “punters,” “bollocks” and “bloody hell” all the time, so it should be of no surprise to most folks who know me when I say that this week “I’m [...]

So several weeks back, the marketing guys our store works with proposed to do some instructional videos featuring my assistant Shannon, and myself, waxing briefly about one wine topic or another, trying to keep it under a few mintues. Maybe it’s my self-depricating tendencies but I watched the first four we have on the DEP’s [...]

Yesterday, good friend Kyle from Kevin Chaney & Co. came by with Louis Geirnaerdt from Axial Wines, a great new Spanish wine importer, to show off some of their Fall releases, all of which kicked serious ass!: Esperanza Verdejo Rueda 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Lovely, crisp and lively with notes of lemon zest, grapefruit, kiwi and mineral. [...]

My RNDC/Cumberland rep and former assistant Jen came by with some new wines from some familiar friends: Bonterra Riesling Lake County/Mendocino County 2009. Grade=Outstanding. This is surprisingly good Riesling, with just a slight sweetness (much like a Kabinett). Made from organic grapes (which according to good friend the Hosemaster, is in league with the Dodo), [...]

I recently received the new wines from Emblem – the new project from Michael Mondavi and his son, Rob – from Folio Fine Wine Partners. The task was to write a review of these wines for Father’s Day. The story of Emblem wines is very cool and timely; four generations of grape growers and winemakers, [...]

Another Wednesday, and another visit from Dr. Gonzo, breaking out some nice Chilean wines and a little white Sangria: Castillo de Molina Chardonnay Casablanca Valley 2008. Grade=Outstanding. Nice, soft, supple notes of stone fruit and tropical fruit aromas and flavors. Easy-to-drink. Finishes with a fleshy bit of pineapple and lemon. Castillo de Molina Sauvignon Blanc [...]

Our Cutting Edge rep Lauren, came by today with Lauren Ault from RWG (Rathbone Wine Group) for a flight of very nice Australian wines: Next of Kin Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Margaret River 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Crisp and lively with nice citrus notes, some hints of tropical fruit, and splashes of mineral. Next of Kin Chardonnay Margaret River [...]

To quote the Boomtown Rats, “I don’t like Mondays.” Even though today has been relatively sedate (despite some inventory chores doled out by the boss for today), the on-again-off-again rain is enough to make me want to go back to bed. I’ve been thinking about all of the crazy closeouts that have been offered to [...]