Wine Reviews and News for Passionate Wine Lovers

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 ...

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 ...

2006 14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, Washington) Loads of butter, cherry and vanilla on the nose as well as some dark berries. Nice start and could not wait to jump into the tasting. The color was a real deep violet. The palate ...

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 ...

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.  ...

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 Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon (USA, California) A good friend asked me to rate this wine.  2-buck-chuck as they call it, it was very industrial.  Overall not much character.  The nose had lots of cherry and chocolate but it was hinting toward ...

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 ...