Venice, Italy, is always, well—Venetian: fascinating, mysterious, noble, and exquisite even when fog shrouds the city. Here on Giudecca, one of the eight interconnected islands in the Venetian lagoon, the luxury hotel Molino Stucky rises gracefully from the sea. The-read more-
L’Ecole has been producing Merlot since 1983 and after all of these years, they still have the “touch.” With the addition of 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon the nose is spicy showing a palate of dark-read more-
The L'Ecole No. 41 2008 Estate Luminesce is from Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. Pale straw in color, this blend of 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc offers a nose of grapefruit and lychee with a touch of-read more-
Wonderful nose with coffee, cherries, oak. Cherries, chocolate, blackberries and tar on the palate. Long dry finish, with fruit, plum skins, and toasted coconut. Extraordinary. I would put this up against any $75 big name Australian Shiraz and have another-read more-
Very bright acids and tart red fruit, strawberries, cranberries, and rhubarb, in leather, spiced with black pepper. Firm tannins and bright acids suggest good cellar life, but this is a great food wine right now, with a terrific QPR. WHO:-read more-
There was a great buzz in the shop, years ago, on the arrival of an award-winning sparkling wine. The initial allocation was stacked in a prime spot, the company had provided point-of-sale with the award emblazoned next to a very-read more-
A classic Bordeaux-style white blend of 69% Sémillon, 26% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Muscadelle. I believe this was the first time I had ever tasted Washington State wine with Muscadelle. The nose on this white wine was of honeysuckle and-read more-
This is a soft, juicy, Rioja with berry and vanilla flavors wrapped gently in leather and a touch of tobacco. The finish falls off quickly, but this is a very reasonably priced Rioja Reserva, and at $12 a bottle why-read more-