Wine Reviews and News for Passionate Wine Lovers

2005 Tintara Shiraz (Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale) In Redondo Beach LA for meetings and ate at Baleen in the Portofino hotel.  Great meal and had the Tinara Shiraz in a flight of 4.  This one was clearly the best with ...

2007 Francis Coppola / Niebaum-Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon Black Label Claret (USA, California) Had this wine at Flemming's in Scottsdale AZ.  The color was a dark purple. The nose was nice and complex. Bold fresh and floral on the nose. The palate was ...

2006 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley) OK...  the 06 was very disappointing.  Duckhorn Merlot has been one of my favorite Merlot until the 06.  This wine got thin and industrial with little character. I put my 04 and 05 reviews ...

Do you like Screaming Eagle?  Then you will love this wine at the price.  Wine maker Heidi Barrett brings this wine to you as one of the better Napa cult wines.  I call this the little brother of Screaming Eagle.  ...

2005 Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon USA, California, Napa Valley, Oakville Had this 2005 Plumpjack at a steak house in Miami. Great wine with a bone in rib eye. Color was a nice deep purple. The nose was a nice balance of fruit ...

2004 E. Guigal Chateauneuf-du-Pape (France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape) Just had the 2004. Love the nose on this because it is different.  Kind of like baby wipes with carnations definitely a baby diaper and flowers.  Little eucalyptus.  Very earthy.  The palate ...

2004 Concannon Vineyard Petite Sirah Limited Release  (USA, California, Central Coast) Color was very deep red/purple.  Can't even see through it.  The nose at open had blackberry,  a little cherry and alcohol, and a very unique smell that smells like a perm ...

Palmaz Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Gaston (USA, California, Napa Valley) My second tasting of Palmaz but this is a 2002.  Quality from the start. Nice soft and balanced wine, I emphasize soft. No one flavor or characteristic comes out which made this feel ...

2005 Darioush Cabernet Sauvignon Signature (USA, California, Napa Valley) Bought this wine at Christens restaurant in Radondo Beach CA. Opened and poured right away.  The nose was very soft and balanced with raspberry and cinnamon, also some strong coffee.  Very pleasant on the ...

2005 The Hess Collection Cabernet Sauvignon Allomi (USA, California, Napa Valley) Smooth wine. Deep red-purple color. Out of the bottle the nose was a little tight and hot. Immediately got chocolate and cinnamon with some fresh peppers. Palate was similar, with lots ...

Sipping Staglin Cabernet with Gary Vaynerchuk 1998 In Ft Lauderdale today with Gary Vaynerchuk for meetings.  We opened up a 1998 Staglin and I was a little surprised how earthy the 98 was.  As Gary said, "really Stinky",  that's kind of in ...

Red Rock Merlot 2005,  82 points Simple would be the word for this wine. Definitely not overbearing.  I'm being sarcastic because this is by far a table wine at best.  New world, tank feel. The nose has cedar, plum, with some ...

McManis Family Vineyards Merlot (USA, California) The color was a thin light purple.  The nose was just ok with darker fruits and tobacco.  The alcohol was very prevalent.  This wine was very short with just a little fruit on the palate, cherry ...

2006 Beringer Stone Cellars Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley) Not bad for 8 bones. This wine had some depth to it, but overall it was not dynamic or exciting.  Got hints of sour cherry and darker fruits on the start.  The nose ...

2004 Terlato Vineyards Dry Creek (USA, California, Napa Valley) I also tasted the 2003 Angels peak. I thought the 2003 needed more time.  Just tried the 2004 Dry Creek and felt this one was a little better than the Angels peak although ...