Wine Reviews and News for Passionate Wine Lovers

2006 Antica (Antinori) Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Atlas Peak) Very soft but powerful wine. This Napa (Italian) Cabernet had some nice old world qualities to it. It was not overpowering with fruit like the big bold Napa cabs.  It had ...

2008 Wilson Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon The Crusher Wilson Vineyard (USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg) Went to The Capital Grille in Orlando with my friend Tom Beal.  Some amazing customer service there.  More on that after the wine.  We had the Wilson Vineyard ...

2008 The Crossings Pinot Noir (New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough, Awatere Valley) Went to Smith & Wollensky and had this Pinot Noir. This is a new Zealand pinot. I felt this wine just just ok, but please read on. The color was ...

2006 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille (USA, Washington, Columbia Valley) Drank right at opening. Light purple and brownish on the edge. The nose was chocolate ganache and raspberries with vanilla and cedar. The nose petered away in about 20 min. ...

2003 Vina Requingua Cabernet Sauvignon Toro de Piedra (Chile, Central Valley, Curico Valley) Boysenberry, black currant and cinnamon with red pepper on the nose.  Not much fruit on the palate.  This wine was more of an earthy dark wine.  It has some ...

Fisher Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Unity (USA, California, Napa Valley) At the Capital Grille in Boca Raton for dinner and had this great Cab. The nose was very pleasant and soft with butter, caramel and a soft cherry. The palate was a very subdued with ...

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 ...

2006 Orin Swift Papillon (USA, California, Napa Valley) This is a nice wine with very good structure.  A friend brought this bottle to a dinner in LA.  The balance, structure and quality hit me instantly.  Dark fruits and lots of blueberry ...

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 ...

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.  ...

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 ...

Delectus Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 (USA, California, Napa Valley) Good wine but a touch overpriced at $60 per bottle.  The color was medium deep purple.  The nose was sharp and peppery with cigar and some bell pepper. This wine was sharp on the ...

2003 Terlato Vineyards Angels' Peak (USA, California, Napa Valley) Quality wine. Smooth and had good balance with medium complexity. I think the 2003 will round out in a few more years. The color was a dark purple.  The nose was more like a ...

2004 Ladera Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain (USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain) Soft and velvety with an explosion on the palate. Solid wine and is worth a try at 60 bucks a bottle.  Solid deep purple inky color. A few more ...

2004 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot (USA, California, Napa Valley) This Duckhorn Merlot 2004 was definitely more velvety and softer than the 05 and 03.  Nicely done on this one. Intense yet well balanced. Love the dark fruits and floral on the nose ...