Wine Reviews - Palate Press

5 min read

You've seen Sideways. You know Santa Barbara County. It's for Pinot Noir, right? Santa Ynez Valley vintner Fred Brander thinks that will change. "I think in 10 years, Santa Barbara County is going to be better known for Cab than Pinot," he says. "Because that's where the money is. Around

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

When first poured, the familiar Bordeaux-like aroma envelopes your senses. And sure enough, this wine is a blend of four of the main Bordeaux grapes – dominated, in this case, by cabernet sauvignon (77%). Both aroma and flavor exhibit refined red fruit against a backdrop of fine tannin. Well-balanced tannin, fruit and

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

Becky Sue Epstein

Wine Reviews

1 min read

Here’s a good reason to use that decanter you’ve been meaning to try. From the bottle, at first pour, this wine had aromas containing hints of mint, sweet tomato and spice. It felt bigger on the palate, and the sweet fruit opened up a little, alongside a touch of cedar. Cedary tannin was more

What We’re Drinking – 2013 Gary Farrell Chardonnay

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

The color is a lovely pale gold. The nose offers up a fruit tart, a pastry crust filled with baked pears and hints of citrus. Mouth feel is full and round. Flavors on the palate are more floral than on the nose, with honeysuckle joining sweet and tart apples, lemon,

A slightly battered Madcap Magnus label (Staffelter Hof)

The Unbearable Preconceptions of Riesling

Simon J Woolf

Feature Stories

3 min read

- “I hate Chardonnay – it's so buttery and sweet” - “I can't drink Spanish red wine – it's always too oaky” - “The alcohol level of this wine is 15% - It's going to be unbalanced and jammy” Preconceptions about wine are all around us, and whether they're formed

Travels with my wine

Gary Thomas

Feature Stories

5 min read

If you’re a wine lover (and I assume you are if you are reading these pages) this has probably happened to you: you travel to some far-flung locale, sample great wines, and want to bring some back. Once upon a time, of course, you could simply bring a few bottles

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard “La Source” Pinot Noir

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

The nose is fantastic, cherry, just-turned earth, sage, cardamom, and more with so much happening it’s possible to forget to drink. The same complexity shows the palate, with cherries, raspberries, rose petals, and spices, shifting from fruity to floral, with spice running throughout. Tannins are soft and slightly dusty. Mouth-feel

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Ghosthill Cellars “Prospector’s Reserve” Pinot Noir

David Honig

Wine Reviews

1 min read

Lovely cherry aromas on the nose, with floral hints. On the palate, deep cherry and raspberry lead on the palate, with a touch of cranberry adding a lilting brightness on the mid-palate. Tannins are fine. Red fruit lingers. This is a very well made and well balanced wine, which can

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What We’re Drinking – 2012 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

What We’re Drinking – 2013 Gary Farrell Chardonnay

The Unbearable Preconceptions of Riesling

Travels with my wine

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard “La Source” Pinot Noir

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Ghosthill Cellars “Prospector’s Reserve” Pinot Noir