Corks and Caftans

I purchased my case of CR’s latest Shiraz from J.J. Buckley Fine Wines out of Oakland, California as soon as I became aware that it had been released. I missed out on stocking up on the ’06—discovering I loved it far too late to get a second bottle. I had no regrets of course following [...]

The final Pinot Noir tasting from Willamette Valley Vineyards just wrapped up. I chose an order that started with the Whole Cluster—a popular, accessible Beaujolais Nouveau-like Pinot Noir with finesse and fruit purity. The Founder’s Reserve marked the middle tasting, with a stunningly silky white chocolate and red berry flavor profile. The final bottle, the Elton [...]

In all the Christmas chaos, I completely forgot that a big box of Chris Ringland’s latest Shiraz was due to arrive. I usually swing by Carey’s place of work to pick up my wine shipments—but, after sadly leaving this one unclaimed, Carey took it upon herself and successfully navigated an icy, 40-foot long wheelchair ramp [...]

I was introduced to a great wine at Purdy’s Friday evening wine tasting—actually there were a few great wines, all very different. I started with an affordable Washington State chardonnay from Barnard Griffin with great acid, minerals, and a shock of expressive fruit, moved to an apple, honey, and apricot-laden Vidal Ice dessert wine from [...]

Almost a month has passed since the last time I was in Vermont for work. Things have certainly changed—the leaves have almost peaked, cold air has rolled in, and my parents are days away from leaving it all behind and retreating south with the birds. Last night was sadly the final edition of the VT [...]

This is a great little wine. And by “little” I mean light and elegant. Don’t be deceived by the brooding, nearly opaque, purple-rimmed bark this wine flaunts in the glass, it has far less bite. If I was coloring by numbers I would expect bright, transparent, mixed red tones. So far I am confused—we are [...]

The 2007 Super Tuscan arrived in my first shipment as a new member of D.E.W.N. (distinctive esoteric wine network), or the Bonny Doon wine club, and I was immediately intrigued. I have always been drawn to wineries and winemakers that bypass the tired Chardonnay/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon love triangle and use grapes that may not be as [...]

Back to Spain. For the amount of Spanish wine Carey and I drink, there are surprisingly few represented on the blog. For me, Spain is a source of great values, great complexity, and great fruit. From my favorite inexpensive everyday Garnacha (Las Rocas), to one of my all-time favorite Crianzas from Ribera Del Duero (Pagos [...]

After coming off of the exquisitely supple and finely layered Three Gardens Rhone Blend from Langmeil, our last Australian review, Winner’s Tank is a bit of a dramatic reversal. Expressed far more powerfully than Three Gardens, this Shiraz flaunts its power in the glass, displaying a rim of electric purple and an almost stagnant inky [...]

This is our first tasting of a Justin Zinfandel, and most likely the last, unless a 2008 is released through the wine club. Until this evening, I had no idea that Justin’s Zin is sourced from a small plot; only 2 acres. The result is only a few hundred cases, which, after the wine club [...]

In an era of obtrusive government, the wizards of smart in Washington almost aborted a life-long, meaningful relationship between me, Carey, and Bonny Doon. A visit from our UPS man (who we know far better than our own neighbors), a mandatory I.D. check, and an excited signature were all that stood between me and my [...]

Have I mentioned this collection before? I feel like I have. I’m getting deja vu here. Well, in any event, it’s my single favorite collection of items that has ever been paraded down a catwalk. I would own it in its entirety and give up (almost) all others. It’s classic, American, sweet with a little [...]