Wine Reviews and News for Passionate Wine Lovers

1998 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella (Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella) Flawless outstanding producer. I opened this wine up by accident and then went to my list to find it was about 450 bucks a bottle. Well... the good thing ...

2004 Staglin Family Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford) At the Ritz Carlton in Las Vegas with my friend Spike.  We are sipping this Staglin overlooking the beautiful Lake Las Vegas which adds to the great experience. This 2004 Staglin ...

2004 Michael-David Cabernet Sauvignon Rapture (USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi) Veggies on the nose with sour cherries, burnt log and cocoa.  Great deep purple color.  The palate is huge in complexity with chocolate, plum, cherries, and a good dose of cedar.  ...

2006 Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery Secolo  (USA, California, Sonoma County) Not a bad blend for 30 bucks. It's a blend of Cab Sav, Merlot, Cab Frank, Melbac, PV, and a little PS.  Color was a deep garnet color. The nose of ...

The new release 2007 Chateau Boswell Napa Cabernet. This Cabernet has been rated "Classic 96" points. I visited and did a tasting at this producers and I can say I totally agree with that rating. This wine is ...

2006 Spellbound Petite Sirah Lodi (USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi) Nice deep nose of black olive, pipe tobacco and leather with hints of rose and darker fruits. Little inky, cloudy in color. The palate is full bodied and medium on the fruit ...

2002 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Bosché Vineyard (USA, California, Napa Valley) The nose has dark fruits,cedar and floral scents. Very nice and was hinting toward old world. Decanted for 30 minutes and the dark fruits started to come out much more than ...

2006 Neyers Zinfandel High Valley Vineyards (USA, California, Napa Valley) Deep purple and more like a Cabernet. The nose has strong black currant, plum, green pepper and a little strong on the alcohol. Nice velvety zinfandel with a dark side. Lots of ...

2005 Parducci Pinot Noir (USA, California) Very buttery with black currant and black licorice. Softer pinot on the start with a strong cigar finish. Getting a little lacquer on the finish. Worth a try for 10 bones a bottle.

2003 Foris Merlot (USA, Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley) On American Airlines first class sipping this wine.  Chocolate and green pepper on the nose with a hint of sweet cherry. The palate is full flavored and well balanced with lilacs.  The floral ...

2006 Rusack Anacapa (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County) At Philip Wrigley's ranch on the north side of Avalon.  It is called El Rancho Escondido.  Found out they were secretly growing grapes there and sending them to Rusack in airplanes.  ...

2004 Von Strasser Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain (USA, California, Napa Valley, Diamond Mountain) Nice old world wine. The nose had blueberries and vanilla. Soft and velvety and this wine was going more toward a french Bordeaux  Deep purple on the color.  The ...

2006 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley) At Steve's Steakhouse in Catalina with an 06 Darioush. The initial feel on this wine was mixed.  The nose had nice character with vanilla, cherry and cigar box.  Color was a darker purple.  Right ...

Testarossa Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands In California for a tasting. Opened an 07 Testarossa thinking it was going to be too young. Not so. You drink this right away as it was good right at opening. Nice complex ...

2006 Frank Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley) At the Casino in Avalon for a jazz concert and having the Frank Family Cab.  I was looking forward to this wine. The nose was kind of flat and subdued.  Not much ...