Today she drives us the short distance to the Pichon-Longueville vineyards where we meet Jean-Rene Matiger, the technical manager who has been at Chateau Pichon Longueville since 1985. Christian Seely led a very interesting test, in which we tasted two groups of base wine: Group 1 was 2008 Merlot, and Group 2 was Cabernet Franc. MORE >>

Do I ever recall getting sentimental about Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot? The earth moved for him in 1985 when he discovered biodynamics and studied Alex Podolinski (who I can find little about--so please send info) and started to practice in 1987--making him one of the very earliest practitioners in France. story due. disaster. Taste?" MORE >>

Here are some rapid fire observations from this portion: Pichon-Lalande has a higher proportion of merlot in the final blend; coincidentally, it slightly rounder than its cabernet dominant neighbor, which may be why some who use anachronistically ascribe gender to wine attributes consider it the more “feminine&# of the duo. MORE >>

Tua Rita is the home winery of couple Rita Tua and Virgilio Bisti bought their estate vineyard in Suvereto in 1984 and planted cabernet sauvignon and merlot, with another seven hectares planted later. They started making wine in 1985, but only bottled and sold wine starting in 1992. MORE >>

have tasted Monte Bello cabernets from 1976, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2004, and I am constantly amazed by the wine's ability to age gracefully. According to the professional wine critics, 2004 was a very good vintage for California cabernets, merlots, and blends. These wines require patience. Margaux.) MORE >>