In the spring of 2008 I learned that the winemaking prodigy behind Pax Wine Cellars, monsieur Pax Mahle, was leaving the eponymously named venture and striking out on his own, once again. Tags: Cellar Selection 2004 3 stars Russian River Valley Sonoma Rumor had it that disagreements with co-owner(?) MORE >>

But I'll have made a sincere effort to create something new and strange and different, which may be the best you can hope for in the New World." --Randall Grahm, April 2009 It's also why I ponied up $95 last night to go to a Bonny Doon wine tasting at City Winery and meet "the original Rhone deranger" himself. Neither was a "wow" wine. MORE >>

FYI, my last bottles were drunk in the Rhone at George the Greek in 2004, pick up THE BOOK Which brings me to other night when I was barside at Balthazar comforting a friend. I'm sure THEY ask you, THEY are surely asking me: what have you been drinking that is exciting. Then I get an email from a friend about that 1947 Louis Martini. MORE >>

Moving to the Rhone valley in France I tried some wines from Eric Texier. Domaine de la Janasse has several wines I was hoping to try but having skipped this table early on I was only able to taste the 2007 Janasse Cotes du Rhone Blanc. Eric Texier of The Rhone had some reds in addition to the whites I mentioned earlier. MORE >>

Rather it was a 2004 (I think) Recanati Reserve Cabernet Franc. It is used in blends (often with Rhone varietals such as grenache & Syrah) to add color to red wines. This was the 5th year that this event was held and there seem to be more wines each year.  Merlot, Cab, Syrah - been there done that. very exciting and UNUSUAL blend. MORE >>