Archive

Wendy Rock dropped in on the Whino’s Studio with A to Z/Rex Hill rep Ken Schuller with some new vintages of eternal favorites: A to Z Riesling Oregon 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Only slightly sweet, this semi-dry Riesling shows off ripe apple and pear, a bit of red berry, mineral and mint undertones, and well-balanced acidity. A [...]

Brother Lou paid us another visit with a bunch of wines we at the Studio had ashamedly forgotten: Civello White California 2009. Grade=Above Average. This blend of Verdelho, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay has some nice moments of fresh fruit aromas and lavors, and while the acidity is there, it sort of wafts in and out [...]

VS All Star Brian dropped in with a few new French wines and an impressive jewel from Napa: Domaine des Gerbeaux Macon-Villages AOC 2010. Grade=Outstanding. Remarkable value, this delicious white wine shows off nice notes of stone fruit, white spice and light cream. Finishes with nice acidity. Domaine des Gerbeaux Pouilly-Fuisse AOC 2009. Grade=Outstanding+. Rounder [...]

New wine mama and former DEP’s alum, Jesse, dropped in with two new wines from Constellation Brands, a subtle affirmation as to why Dave Matthews is a fairly mellow artist (all the wine he makes and drinks certainly prevents him from channeling his inner Kerry King): Dreaming Tree Crush Red Wine North Coast 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Very [...]

A few years ago, I met Catherine Timmns, at that time, the regional sales manager for Cosentino Winery. We at DEP’s (back then Liquor Direct) were humongous fans of Cosentino, and our senior wine guy, Alfonse and I (along with my wife, Jen) went to Napa, and visited Cosentino, a trip arranged by Catherine, cementing [...]

Brother Lou dropped in for another round of wine tasting, bringing along for the ride John Paul Berger, the new co-wine guru at RNDC/Barkley: Bouchard Chardonnay VDP 2008. Grade=Above Average. Here we have a French Chardonnay that is only starting to show its age; tart apple and pear notes with a touch of nutmeg, a [...]

In a double dip of the Whino’s Studio, Brother Lou and familiar wine matriarch, RNDC/Barkley wine manager Janis Hunt, dropped in with a few new wines and the revamped, relaunching of, in this blogger’s opinion, the proverbial “hot potato” of the wine world: 446 Chardonnay Monterey San Bernabe Vineyard 2010. Grade=Outstanding. Crisp, clean, and full [...]

Good friend and our rep for Riondo USA and JL Selections, Jill Leslie dropped by the studio to show off two new releases from Riondo: Riondo Prosecco DOC 2010. Grade=Outstanding. An impressive vintage Prosecco, this expressive sparkler shows off lots of vibrant effervescence, light apple mousse, fresh pears, lemon and lime zest and crisp minerality. [...]

Mistress Lauren from Cutting Edge dropped in with some ridiculous values from Global Vineyard Imports, a seemingly long-lost portfolio of incredible Chilean wines: William Cole “Albamar” Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley 2010. Grade=Outstanding. A remarkable value in Chilean SB, bright, crisp with wonderful acidity, hints of grapefruit, guava and lemon. Apaltagua Chardonnay Unoaked Casablanca Valley 2010. [...]

Once again, VS All-Star Gary Extraordinary dropped in the Whino’s Studio with Indigenous Selections’ very own Unsinkable Mollie Lewis, to highlight one of my favorite Montalcino producers, along with some incredible stuff from my hero, Giorgio Rivetti and his La Spinetta brand: Contratto Millesimato Brut 2007. Grade=Outstanding+. A beautiful sparkling wine from Giorgio Rivetti, 80% [...]