At least two heads of state showed up - President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada enjoyed light conversation while tasting through the Clos Roche Blanche wines. tasted a load of wine, including new vintages from familiar producers and a few things that were brand new to me. MORE >>

What happens when a reviewer tastes a good bottle, but some consumers buy what appears to be a completely different product? Guess again and behold the saga of Sierra Carche 2005. The wine on offer was the Sierra Carche 2005, a blend of Monastrell with Petit Verdot and Malbec from the off-the beaten path Spanish region of Jumilla. MORE >>

Jenny & François import these wines for the east coast, and they organized a tasting in a small and very comfortable setting that actually encouraged conversation, instead of merely offering a glass and a spit bucket. And converse we did - I spoke with Emmanuel for about an hour while tasting, and I learned a great deal about his wines. MORE >>

said a woman next to me, savoring a sip of 1993 Arnaldo Caprai Sagrantino DOCG, the last wine to be tasted in a vertical that lasted nearly ninety minutes. Leading the tasting was vivacious Marco Caprai, who introduced each wine and discussed the vintages including 2007, 2005, 2001, 2000, 1998, 1997, 1995 and 1993. MORE >>

So this 2007 Late Harvest Dusi Ranch is the only wine from Ridge I couldn't really get into this year. I'll just say it: I'm not a fan of late harvest zinfandel. On the bright side, Ridge has instituted a new membership log-in to streamline purchases online. Thank baby Jesus, too. MORE >>