Wine Reviews and News for Passionate Wine Lovers

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 ...

2007 Rudd Sauvignon Blanc (USA, California, Napa Valley) Nice color toward the golden range. Lots of pear and oak on the nose with some pineapple. Tropical, fresh and crisp.  The tannins are just right and give this oaky honey flavor just ...

2006 Schug Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast) Sipping this wine while at the Wrigley family private ranch on the back side of Catalina Island. Nice complex wine. Thin on color. Floral nose with some cinnamon and vanilla. ...

2005 Bravante Vineyards Trio (USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain) Nose is more on the veggies side with green pepper and spices.  Also some black olives and a little floral.  The nose is a little flat and not much fruit.  The palate ...

2004 Fire Block Shiraz Old Vine (Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley) Good dark color and a nice dirty nose.  However it stops there.  This wine was a best seller at Total Wine so I thought I would bring it ...

2007 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley) Really nice pinot. The color was a thinner purple.  A step above the standards. Lots of berries on the start with spices and blackberry forward. The nose ...

2006 Montebelli Monteregio di Massa Maritima Fabula Riserva Vigneto dello Zampinaio (Italy, Tuscany, Monteregio di Massa Maritima) The color on this wine was a bright ruby red, medium. The nose is veggies with green pepper prominent, a little cherry and cinnamon.  The ...

2007 Caymus Conundrum  White  Wine (USA, California) Medium golden color. Great bouquet of  banana, mango and apricot. The palate has good fruit, very vibrant; pears, papaya, very tropical on the mouthfeel.  Feels a little sugary.  It is a soft wine on the ...

2006 Cambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley) Soft and sweet nose. The nose had an interesting carmel scotch to it with blackberry.  Little perfume. Little thin on color with hints of brown.  The palate was a ...

2005 San Luigi Chianti (Italy, Tuscany, Chianti) Color was purple hinting on the brownish side.  The nose was very floral with lilacs, roses and with hints of red fruit.  Very nice smell to this wine and initially felt serene. The palate was ...

2006 Greg Norman Estates Cabernet-Merlot (Australia, South Australia, Limestone Coast) Blackberry and very soft on the nose.  You can tell the tannins are present in the smell. The palate is velvety and balanced.  Softer on the start though.  Not a bang.  Has ...

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 ...

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 ...