Most of us would say yes, and that's probably because his practices in the vineyard and in the cellar reflect the values that are encapsulated within the grower Champagne ethos. Unless I am misunderstanding the definition of grower Champagne, Roederer's wines are grower wines, except for the NV Brut. have, and it's all pretty silly. MORE >>

Definitely a good party wine. Last March I posted a press release on a new collection of artisan wines in an innovative attractive new package. An international wine collection with six brands and ten items packaged in a new exciting premium 3L wine cask from the Octavin Home Wine Bar ™. The Chardonnay was not impressive. MORE >>

was in Jerez in October , and one night I had dinner at La Carbona with Peter Liem and Eduardo Ojeda, the cellar master at La Guita and Valdespino. It is a new release called La Bout du Clos, a wine made entirely from that same vineyard in Ambonnay, from the 2004 vintage. Well, of the last few months anyway. And more Sherry. MORE >>

The Marques de Concha Casa, at $20, was definitely the best of the three, although the Casillero del Diablo was a great buy. This is the third of the Carmenere wines I tasted this month. As I stated in my previous two articles, Carmenere is one of the wines I've pushed aside in the past, but have placed on a list to re-examine in 2010. MORE >>

might include 2008 in the same category as 2007, or 2004 - classic vintages, vintages with the typical array of problems. This one will definitely have a place in my cellar. Fourrier's importer Neal Rosenthal organized the event. Equally instructive is tasting the same wines from 2008 and 2009. So different from the 2009. MORE >>