If you think pinot noir from South America is inevitably too rich, too extracted and too ripe, you really need to get yourself a bottle of this subtle, balanced gem from Bodega Chacra, founded by Piero Incisa, scion of the family who brought you a little Tuscan wine called… Sassicaia.
After I realized that this was a screwcap that looked like a metal capsule covering a cork, I twisted off the cap and found that this Alois Legeder wine is much more than clever marketing for the bottle. When the wine is cold it has delicate aromas: florals, minerals, chalk,
Two weeks ago I returned home from The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, held at the Meadowood Napa in St. Helena the week prior to Premiere Napa Valley. I’m kicking myself for not accepting the invitation to stay for Premiere – the Napa Valley Vintner’s annual “bake sale,” as NVV
The color is inky dark with maroon edges. The nose is lightly jammy blackcurrant with a background of vanilla and eucalyptus. The palate is more harsh than the nose. Blackcurrant leads, along with some vegetal tobacco leaf as well a higher tones of mint and eucalyptus. It does not show
Walking through the rows at Seven Springs Vineyards, her auburnish hair flowing in the South African breeze, winemaker Riana van der Merwe inspects grapes hanging from trestled limbs and contemplates their future. Like the canes to the wire, her future is intertwined with theirs. Together they are attempting to showcase
Roses and cedar aromas, nice mouth-filling classic Chianti flavors on palate. Fruity but balanced. Nicely integrated tannins with fruit in a moderate finish. Drink with plain grilled meat. Recommended. BSE WHO: Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi Castello di Nippozzano WHAT: Sangiovese WHERE: Chianti, Tuscany, Italy WHEN: 2008 HOW MUCH: around $20 (media
A baby that shows every sign of being a great grownup when it fully matures. Deep purple with a seductive nose of blackcurrants, chocolate, and rosemary. Great gobs of blackberry fruit and pistachios on the palate, with balanced tannins. Finishes beautifully and languorously. This has not yet been released at
How many of us haven't, at some point, fantasized about leaving it all to go run a winery? This dream always seems to entail lunch shared with friends and family, a light dish accompanied by a bottle of one’s own red wine, eaten al fresco and overlooking breathtaking views of