Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008. Sustainable production and a willingness to invest in the future ensures that this approach will continue to deliver fine wines which fully reflect the fruit of the variety and the terroir of the land. Today, I stopped in to buy a Sauvignon Blanc for the evening. Today, I chose a good one. MORE >>

» The Book Kick-Off Season January 24, 2008 Forget the Super Bowl, book season was kicked off with a wine gathering at my house to intro the aforementioned mistake-riddled galley. 5- 2004 Olivier Cousin Pur Breton $15 Grapes: Cabernet Franc Anjou, Loire (one of the nights winners! What I was in charge of? Many thanks! hate this. MORE >>

Emilion and a Chateau Le Puy September 28, 2008 The last visit of the day was Chateau Le Puy where I saw the Druid stones on its peaceful property. So I eyed the 2004 Jean Paul Brun Vielle Vignes for 45 euro. could taste the firmness and some nutmeg from the clay terroir. Report from Sonoma. Emilion and Pomerol. Was it me? MORE >>

And as Peter explained, Selosse's idea when he created the solera (and Selosse was the one to begin this practice in Champagne) was to eliminate the effect of vintage and to amplify the effect of the terroir. Peter discusses Selosse and terroir a bit more in this post. It was pretty amazing, and I want to share a bit about it. MORE >>

There is a lot of talk about "vins de terroir" and "minerality" and "sensitive crystallization" (although this last sounds like New Age crap to me) and I was quite excited. The 2008 Albarino ** from an estate vineyard in Soledad was tight and racy. The 2004 was fresher, earthier and riper and more complex. MORE >>