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We’re putting the finishing touches on a book about Spanish wine, so over the last 12 months I’ve sampled quite a few different Spanish bottles from around the country.  Yecla is an interesting area in that it is among Spain’s smallest wine territories (home to just 11 wineries), yet it’s rather easy to find across …

Read More about 2014 Senorio de Barahonda Campo Arriba Yecla

Somebody asked me the other day, “what’s the difference in… oh say, this wine here that’s $12.99, and that one that’s $29.99?  Is that wine better because it’s more expensive? Does it taste better?” I responded to this young lady, “Some wines are more expensive than others because of the quality of the grapes, where …

Read More about 2014 David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Rosé season is upon us. If you didn’t serve a bottle with your Easter Sunday Supper, perhaps you will on Mother’s Day. For me, rosé “season” is year-round, and I always have at least one bottle chilling in my ‘fridge. It’s the perfect wine to serve with appetizers and salads, or while you wait for …

Read More about 2016 Kirkland Signature Cotes de Provence Rose

The Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is an ideal area for growing Pinot Noir. The Russian River provides a channel for the cool Pacific Ocean fog to move inland from the coast, creating ideal growing conditions for this finicky grape. Good quality pinots from this area are robust, fruit-forward, and more full-bodied than their …

Read More about 2014 Kenwood Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

Earlier this year, I reviewed a Michael David wine called Freakshow, and I mentioned that most of the wines from this winery are outfitted with bright & eye-catching labels.  “Petite Petit” is probably the winner of the Most Outgoing superlative (that or Best Dressed) in the Michael David Winery portfolio.  The Burgundian-esque bottle is so …

Read More about 2014 Michael David “Petite Petit” from Lodi

This Zinfandel has been in the wood boxes at Costco for a decent amount of time, and mostly overlooked by myself.  I tried the 2013 Artezin and was neither disappointed nor impressed, and so when I saw the 2014s (and subsequent 2015s) arrive, I was apathetic about it.  Here, folks, is a classic example of …

Read More about 2014 Artezin Old Vine Zinfandel Mendocino County

Readers were asking about this wine for some time before it finally appeared back in the clubs.  This is another solid, good-value Kirkland Signature label wine.  $8.49 for a Chianti Classico Riserva is hard to find elsewhere. There are eight sub-regions within Chianti, and the Classico region is considered by many to be the best area for …

Read More about 2013 Kirkland Signature Chianti Classico Riserva

Now that we are blessed with the occasional sunny and warm afternoon, I find myself starting to move towards the lighter reds and heavier whites.  I have always been a seasonal wine drinker, for the most part, sipping on whites throughout the summer and almost only drinking the big reds when it’s uncomfortably cold outside. …

Read More about 2014 Matchbook “The Arsonist” Chardonnay

When I first noticed this wine in my local Costco club, I read the name and immediately pictured Josh Brolin’s face. You may remember that he played an antagonist in the Revisionist Western Film by the Cohen Brothers, True Grit. I can’t say for sure if the wine and the movie are related, but I …

Read More about 2015 Parducci “True Grit” Mendocino Cabernet Sauvignon

This is an absolutely delicious Chardonnay from California’s Carneros region and a bottle that frequently makes an appearance at Costco priced around $29.99.  In a comparison with Total Wine, the price was about the same, and online it creeps into the $33-$35 range.  For anywhere in this price range, I think this one is definitely worth the …

Read More about 2015 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay