2009 Guarachi Pinot Noir

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Pop and decant, for an hour of air will be well rewarded. The nose is pretty, showing cherry, strawberry, cola, ocean spray and some leafy herbs. Red fruits on the palate are darker and a bit more tart, with raspberry and cranberry joining black cherry, cola, marjoram and sage. Tannins

Getting to grips with grappa

Michelle Locke
Feature Stories
4 min read
In Friuli, the Nonino family makes grappa in a sophisticated spirit Earthy, rustic, fiery -- grappa's got a reputation as a real party animal, white lightning, Italian style. But did you know there are elegant, single-varietal grappas that can hold their own at the fanciest of soirées? Or grappa cocktails

2011 Scott Harvey Mountain Selection Zinfandel

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Soft, gentle, and balanced, this is a great ribs and coleslaw wine. Raspberry, blackberry, and allspice show on the nose. Lots of raspberry show on the palate, ranging from fresh tart berries to sweet berries in cream. It has a touch of vanilla and a pantry full of spice, including

2011 Jana Old Vine Zinfandel

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Old vines and fresh spices. Fresh blackberry, black pepper, and loads of cloves waft up from the glass. Blackberries are more jammy on the palate. Black pepper shows more and cloves less, and vanilla shows on the mid-palate. Tannins offer a gentle grip. The finish has plenty of spice. Drink

I’ll have some Roussillon, hold the Rivesaltes

W. Blake Gray
Features
4 min read
Today I take pleasure in upending one of the most common wine story tropes: the "disappearing underappreciated wine" story. These stories play the emotions like a zither: loss, urgency to act, the opportunity to be one of a special group of people who appreciate exotic beauty. I've written a bunch

Mezcal Vago Mexicano

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
The nose is rich and earthy, with aromas of black dirt and smoke. There's plenty of spice on the palate, cinnamon, nutmeg,  chipotle, and the tiniest hint of unsweetened chocolate. Double-distilled in a clay still in a tiny batch of just 128 liters, it is smooth and nearly bite-free. Smoke

Vinho Verde: The Grass is Always Greener

Simon J Woolf
Feature Stories
3 min read
Confession time: Years ago, I used to think I was sophisticated because not only did I know that Port and Mateus Rosé came from Portugal, I also knew and loved Vinho Verde. What could be better at the height of summer than something crisp, white and ever so slightly frizzante?

2010 Columbia Winery “Lapis” Red Wine

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
A very nice Syrah-driven red blend from one of the patriarchs of Washington Wine. Blackberry leads on the nose, with a background of black cherry. It also shows black pepper and and a touch of tar. Syrah dominates on the palate, with blackberry and pepper. Other varietals show in black