It fails to name the auction house where Kurniawan was the consignor of wines in 2008 where Laurent Ponsot dramatically stopped the sale in the room even though it has been widely reported. Rudy Kurniawan, aka “Dr. Conti” aka “Mr. Mike Steinberger posted the 25-page indictment signed by US Attorney Preet Bharara to his blog.

drank the 2002 in Portland on the day that I met my good friend Peter Liem , back in August of 2008. Been so busy lately with work that I just haven't had time to write here. But I want to share some recent "Whoa," wine and food that really knocked me out. 1999 Clos Rougeard Saumur Bréze , Louis/Dressner Imports, price unknown. More, please.

Tannat A 2008. “My 82 year old granny lives here,” says dark haired Juan Andres Marichal, pointing to a simple, one  story house near the tiny family winery. Many years ago she would cook three meals a day for the workers.”. The winery itself is small too … in the old days, the family would sell the grapes, yet in 1938. Good with meat.

Tannat Cab Frank Reserva 2008. Tannat 2008 Riserva de la Familia. "Welcome!" says attractive dark haired Federico Domingo, Export Manager for Bodegas Castillo Viejo as we squeeze into his tiny car. He is here to escort us to the winery and introduce us to the winemaker Alexander Etcheverry and his wines. Alexander joins his.

Tannat reserve 2008. "What exciting wines!" is my first reaction to meeting Marcelo Irurtia, who is in charge of vineyard management for his family's 100 year old winery, and Maria Silvia Bianchi, who is in charge of exportation. Second, they are unusual -- when people think of Uruguay they do not often think of Viognier or Gewurztraminer.

After pre-judging the Bordeaux 2011 vintage prior to tasting, Parker dials back the damning commentary writing in his report that it was “much better than I first thought,” likening it to 2008 and 2001. SIPPED: Jesus as store manager in the image above? LARGELY SPIT: Bordeaux 11. DrinksBusiness.com ]. DailyBeast ].

Pizzorno Tannat Riserva 2008 100% tannat 1 year barrique oak 1 year bottle. Pizzorno tinto reserve 2008. “Welcome!” says vivacious Ana Pizzorno, with a bright smile and flashing dark eyes as she picks me up at the Montevideo airport. to designer sunglasses. Did I mention she was also the mother of two teen-aged children? Around $13.

the Sartori di Verona Amorone della Valpolicella 2008 was full bodied and elegant with a mineral/earth character. fabulous experience today tasting the wines of Sartori di Verona at SD26, a fine Italian restaurant in Manhattan, where these excellent wines were paired with five courses. Take our first wine, Ferdi Garganega.

While wine shopping a couple of weeks ago, I came across a wine with a very unique enclosure. It's called a Zork. The wine was a California Dry Creek Valley Zin from The Other Guys (TOG). The Other Guys (TOG) is the next page in the 100-year history of one of California’s oldest wine families. don't know where to start on the aromas.

That day they were featuring Bogle wines, so I picked up a 2008 Petite Sirah( $9 ) and a 2009 Old Vine Zin( $10 ). A few weeks ago, while out shopping, I passed by a local wine shop that I haven't been to in quite a few years. The '08 Petite Sirah was a little tamer with a little more fruit aroma and taste. That was a great move.

And Peter's wine was special in that it was bottled in December of 2008 - it has aged for over three years in bottle. L083532" means that the wine was bottled in 2008 on the 353rd day of that year - December 18th (it was a leap year), from bottling line number 2. little cloudy, almost. Was something special about this bottle?

As of 2008, the second label of Lynch-Bages will be called, "Echo de Lynch-Bages". Very soon I will visit Chateau Cordeillan Bages! As much as I'm looking forward to the food and wine pairing, I'm looking to tasting the new vintage of Lynch-Bages (and hopefully some older vintages as well, and will share my notes with you). Viticulture.

We also tried the Canubi 2008 and Coste di Rose 07 which was faded garnet and very perfumed nose with a succuent slightly floral finish. so Vinitaly started out with a gorgeous day and lots of high energy. After sorting everything out in the press room it was time to attend the. 46th edition of Vinitaly. It started with.a

The blanc de blancs grand cru [cuvée 2008] has depth and minerality, a stony core that pleasantly lingers. The 2008 Barbarescos are delectable treats. It’s the time of year when distributors and/or importers have annual (or semi-annual) portfolio tastings. Below are a few impressions and photos. Really, a WOW! Quite fun. alcohol.

From organic vineyards in Carneros, Napa, California, light ruby colors with red fruit, jammy and gamey aromas while the palate holds spicy cinnamon, black cherry, raspberry and hints of toasty oak with smooth texture and nice finish. Here are the numbers: $35, 14.2% alcohol and 91 points from Wine Enthusiast.

That was made clear by how she talked about Anyela's and what had been accomplished since their opening in 2008. Then again, 2010 was a very good year for the FLX Rieslings and Finger Lakes white wines, but today I was interested in the red wines offered by Anyela's especially their 2008 Cab Franc. Entrance sign off W. Lake Rd.

2008 Leonetti Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Walla Walla Valley ( about $65 ) USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley. Sure enough, Eric posted the wines served, complete with tasting notes. For the full menu (pdf) , click here. Appetizers: crostini. USA, Virginia, Central Region, Monticello. Halibut course and salad course. Find it.

Asimov also tweeted a link to this 2008 Men’s Vogue piece by Jay McInerney on “ billionaire winos.” The story of Rudy Kurniawan’s arrest on charges of selling counterfeit wine has been all over the news since the FBI arrested him on Thursday. He tallied $16 million in American Express bills between 2006 – 2011.

My wine was a Seghesio Langhe Nebbiolo 2008 ( $20 ). Sometimes you can open, pour and taste a wine and not expect anything other than just a drinkable table wine and get much more. That happened today when Shirley asked for a Marsala to use in a new Chicken Marsala recipe she was trying. That was my way of fortifying the wine. Recommended.

All the Chianti pairings were spot on, yet my favorite was the Fontodi Chianti Classico 2008 paired with the duck breast with cherries. "Fabulous lunch today at Morrells!" said a fellow guest, where chef Jake Klein paired several courses with different vintages and styles of Chianti Classico. Classico and Marco Pallanti of Castello Di Ama.

My first choice was a 2007 Gigondas , but upon pouring I could see that this bottle had turned and instead I settled for my second choice of a 2008 Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino ( $30 ). Sometimes Shirley just picks the wrong time to do one of her signature dishes. Tonight it was her Southern style BBQ pork ribs. Highly recommend.

2008 Mas des Dams La Dame AOC Languedoc (18.00). Today was the first day of the Languedoc Roussillon Study & Certificate Program offered by the French Wine Society with support from Sud de France. Twenty lucky students (most of whom I knew through my travels) crowded into the Maison de la Région Languedoc -Roussillon. I will try.

From the French AOP of Languedoc, here is a blend of Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Cinsault. Full bodied red, deep garnet colors, with aromas of dark fruit, blackberry, raspberry and spices, and some barnyard, dry on the tongue with medium plus tannins, more spice hints and a decent finish. SRP $10 and 12% alcohol.

have found 2008 to be an exceptional year across the board, with more variation and less concentration in 2009. 2008 Botanica * Robust blue-purple in the glass, with a Smörgåsbord (?) 2008 Antica Terra A more riveting, if ultimately less profound, companion to the Botanica. 2008 Shea Cellars Estate At 14.8% Listed as 13.8%

After all, Hong Kong scrapped wine duty in only in 2008 ; before that it was higher than the mainland, where the duties total about 50 percent of the imported price. Sun Xitai, a 62-year-old businessman in China has been sentenced to life in prison. His crime? You can get the whole story in an interesting post on Bordeaux Undiscovered.

reviewed the 2008 vintage a year ago and I was sold on Albariño since. I have often mentioned that my favorite white wine is Riesling, especially those from the New York Finger Lakes region. Another that I discovered in the past year that rivals those favorites is the Albariño wines from the Rias Baixas region of Spain.

The handpicked fruit from the excellent 2008 vintage (warm days, cool nights) are from estate vineyards and consist of 83% Merlot, 12% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1124 the seeds of a house of wine were planted. This also adds richness and texture. 14% Alcohol and $35 SRP

That’s what this Liberty School 2008 Cab is all about. This Cabernet is super soft and very fruit forward with aromas of ripe red fruits, blackberry and forest floor, paired with a palate of berry flavors, chocolate, bing cherry, and a touch of oak. For over three decades, Liberty School has been among the best values in California wine.

This bottle comes entirely from 2008 and is a blend of equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Well, of the last few months anyway. There have been a few truly memorable drinks and eatsin the past months that I never found a way to write about here. So I'll compile them in a best-of-the-unposted list from the last part of 2011.

He replied that while the 2008 was very classic and fresh, he preferred the 2009. In the vineyard, he said, there was so much perfect fruit in 2009 while in 2008, some selection had to be done. It’s no secret in Burgundy and beyond that Faiveley has been on a roll. He grew up in Nuits-St.-Georges It’s pretty sexy stuff.

We try the Grand cru Mailly champagne (90% pinot noir, 10% chardonnay) 2008 extra brut - it has an aroma of vanilla with a touch of honey and vanilla, as well as its no dossage counterpart. During his time in the family business Raymond Boulard & Fils (founded in 1980) Francis became increasingly interested in viticulture.

This Riserva is made only from grapes grown on the Gabbiano Estate in the heart of Tuscany. Only the oldest and best Sangiovese vines on the property are used. Rich and intense ruby colors paint a picture of full body, texture and complexity. Dry and luscious with a blend of 95% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot.

The 2008 is in a place now where the meatiness and richness of the fruit is strong, but so is the sense of stoney minerality. Some recipes and techniques I like to keep to myself. have to have something to impress you with if you come over for dinner, right? But some are so simple and so great that it becomes my civic duty to share. Boiling.

Tonight was time to uncork a 2008 North Coast Zinfandel( $12 ) to serve with an outstanding beef stew prepared by my daughter Pam. In May of 2009 I reviewed a Chardonnay from California that I named as the best Chardonnay I have ever tasted, a Clos Du Bois Calcaire. Most notably the blended Marlstone and Briarstone Cabernet Sauvignon.

Allow me to geek out: This particular blanc de noirs comes from pinot noir in his father’s vineyard, hand-harvested at low (for Champagne) yields of three tons per acre, all from the 2008 vintage, fermented with indigenous yeasts and then rests on the lees for 16 months, and is bottled with no dosage! “Will you wear a wool hat?,”

His three year plan, turned into nine, and he eventually moved to Numanthia in Spain in 2008. The 2008 was expressly fresh fruit, while the 2009 was slightly warmer vintage like 06, 03 with a level of intensity, and lots of character). Numanthia was founded in 1998, and in 2006 the partners sold to Moet Hennessey. SRP $200

2008 Julien Labet Côtes du Jura , $36, Imported by Fruit of the Vines. I've been having a hard time with red wine lately. Okay, I never have a problem with mature Burgundy, or mature red wine in general. White wine is so much more versatile with food, so much easier to drink on its own. There could be many reasons for my bias.

taste both the 2008 and 2007, with the 2008 “Five” not yet released and the 2007 drinking very nicely! “Welcome!” says Gus C.G. Allen, an owner of Constantia Glen winery in Constantia, South Africa. We are here at Constantia Glen to experience one of the “newer” wineries in Constantia, though the property dates back to 1685. News S.

The Sangiovese grapes used were sourced from select estate vineyards and the 2008 vintage was an excellent one. The Castello di Gabbiano was founded in 1124 and. as the story goes, in the 12th century The Gabbiano Knight (or Cavaliere in Italian) protected these Tuscan Vineyards from foreign invaders.

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. “A French insurance company owns a Chateau?” the woman’s voice says, incredulous. Sunday: Dinner in a Chateau. absolutely loved this wine with its notes of Prince Edward cherry tobacco and truffle.

Back at the tasting table, we finish with the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 2008, lip-smackingly delicious with the aroma and palate of ripe sweet fruit … think of tiny framboise on Valentine’s day, with sweet vanilla from French oak barrels. Gevrey-Chambertin wines are exclusively red, and made predominantly from Pinot Noir grapes. Gallois.

tried the 2008 which is a fabulous vintage and incredibly well balanced with racy acidity and that delicious cherry. “Your grandfather actaually used that press!” I can’t help but exclaim, looking at the large, crude, roughly hewn 12th century wine press in the equally antiquated looking cellar. Yet it is true. Absolutely magnificent. link].

Dino Torti Forza Inter Pino Nero Oltrepo Pavese 2008 Italy Also soft pressed, complex aromas of almonds, fruits and flowers, flavors of nutty, apple and pear, dry but satisfying. I'd like to thank Kristen and her good friends for helping me taste this flight of wine picks for Thanksgiving. Great deal at $10. Nice long layered finish. SRP $40.

Flor de Garnatxa 2008 Garnatxa Blanca Celler la Bollidora, D.O. "20 wines!" exclaimed a fellow particpant at today's Master Class tasting of Catalunya wines led by Josep Roca, Co-Proprietor, Sommelier, and Wine Director of the (Catalunya based) Michelin 3-star restaurant El Celler. The menu follows. November 8, 2011, 6:30 p.m. Penedès.

Kit's Kiler Cab 2008. News Wine reviews craggy range chardonnay 2010 craggy range sauvignon blanc 2010 kit's killer cab 2008 terrezas de los anges reserva malbec 2009 the climber 2010Some excellent wines this week, an assortment of reds and whites from around the globe. Terrezas de los Andes. Reserva Malbec 2009. The Climber 2010.

Now the California wine conversation was interesting, because we were just served two wines, a Merryvale Chardonnay 2008 and a Domaine Roumieu Bonnes Mares 2000. Of course, everyone loved the Roumieu -- the 2008 Merryvale raised eyebrows as some asked "is this new vintage 'fine wine' and what is a good definition of fine wine.'".

And it’s especially important to keep the staff wine savvy, now that they were honored with the 2007 & 2008 Wine Enthusiast Award of Distinction and 2008 & 2009 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Today Helene came to London Lennie's in New York to describe her white and red Bordeaux to the staff. London Lennie’s. Hours.

Saint-Romain blanc, Cuvée Joseph Menault 2008. Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru, Cuvée Albert Grivault 2008. Wine lovers in New York are gearing up for the The 151st Wine Auction of the Hospices de Beaune will take place November 20, 2011 in Beaune. All were absolutely fantastic! you can read more about below. Magical Journey". ROUGE. BLANC.

Over a multi course lunch guests tried many of the library wines, including the Gloria Ferrer 25th anniversary Cuvee, the 2000 Carneros Cuvee, the Pinot Noir 2008, and many others. Bob Iantosca, Executive Winemaker. We went to California for wine instead of gold!" can read here, and Jose set up Gloria Ferrer in Sonoma in 1982.

Chateau Lynch-Bages: 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and Echo de Lynch-Bages 2008. An absolutely fabulous, one of a kind event at today’s Wine Media Guild lunch, as member sponsor Mark Golodetz arranged for three fabulous speakers from three fabulous Pauillac Chateaux to share stories of their estates, and of course their wine.

2008 Hanzell Estate Sonoma Pinot Noir Briny, musky, with notes of damp earth and mild but fresh spice aromas with bright fresh and sweet grape notes on top. Crosby Roamann USA 3 stars Sonoma Napa Valley 2008Harvest is progressing nicely, if slowly, here in Napa Valley. Our 2011 St. We'll be picking the Oak Knoll District Merlot next.

Donna Chiara Aglianico IGT 2008 No oak touches this one, aged 6 months in bottle, light, fruit aromas, a palate of sour raspberry, glycerine, blackberry, and sour cherries linger on the finish. The winery is located in Montefalcione, a small town in Avellino, where her family has been since 1885. Campania.

Sunday October 9th kicked off the fourth annual Regional Wine Week, an event started in 2008 by Jeff Siegel ( The Wine Curmudgeon ) and Dave McIntyre ( Dave McIntyre's WineLine ) and hosted by DrinkLocalWine.com. This one was a 2008 for Sheldrake Point Winery. DLW) During Regional Wine Week, writers across the U.S. You Betcha!

Morande Edicion Limitada Pinot Noir 2008 15 months in half new barrel make this Pinot sing aromatically! Pablo Morande first planted vines in Casablanca Chile in 1982 where he introduced Chardonnay, Riesling and in 1986 the first Sauvignon Blanc. He did this in a time and place where no one would have believed he would succeed. alcohol.

For the wine, I opened a Boutari Kretikos Red Wine 2008. After a few near record high temperatures for late September, it has finally (again) cooled down a bit and I began to get a little anxious to open up some of my red wines. The 15 acre hillside vineyard with limestone and chalky soils is 500 to 700 feet above the Cretean Sea. Greek win

bought several bottles in early 2008 and loved when it was released, but found subsequent bottles to be too oaky. was a different taster in early 2008, and the wine changed too. Imagine having to review this wine for a magazine or some sort of publication, having to score it based on one experience in 2008. Starkly different.

Music has the magical ability to transport you to a particular time and place. I'm sure more than a few of you would agree that wine holds the same magic, and for me this particular wine charmed me right back to childhood. or to be more exact. Twizzlers (my favorite afternoon double feature treat!). Macari Wines are on Long Island's North Fork

Even a simple Rully Montmorin 2008 was juicy and delicious, yet I especially liked the Chassagne Montrachet Cailleret 2008. Today at the Winebow portfolio tasting I had the good fortune to meet Jean-Michel Chartron, owner and winemaker of Domaine Jean Chartron in Puligny-Montrachet. Australia Burgundy News jean-michael chartron

Since I was always a fan of his wines, it was hurtful when Joe started leaving caustic comments on this blog in late 2008, a practice that he continued for about a year. Whenever my wife sees that a wine’s back label is from importer Louis/Dressner, she gets excited about the wine to follow. Jean-Paul Brun. Bernard Baudry.

My favorites were Domaine Lucie & Auguste Lignier Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2009 with its full, rich, concentrated flavors (and also the Lucie/Lignier Gevrey Chambertin "Les Seuvrees" 2009) along with the Domaine Fougeray de Beauclair Bonnes Mares Grand Cru 2008. "What a treat!". Still, all were fabulous.

The wine, Heron Hill Winery Semi-Dry Riesling 2008. ( $14 ) Aromas of pink grapefruit, almost ripe nectarine, honeysuckle with some citrus and mineral notes. " Forward and inviting style, with apricot and peach flavors followed by a crisp finish is Herons Hill's most popular Riesling. What does that all mean. Well to me, one excellent wine.

And nothing better to pair with the food then a 2008 Ravines Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc ( $18 ) that I just brought home from our recent Keuka Lake Wine Tour. It's Saturday night and just sitting here waiting for the rains from Hurricane Irene to start coming down. My friends in the D.C. Very nice finish.

Mark was smiling widely tasting both the Dr. Frank and the Salmon Run Chardonnay while I could just not believe the 2008 Dr. Konstantin Frank Meritage. Mark of course was won over by the HH classic Chard while I enjoyed both the classic and Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir and I was not leaving home without the 2008 Blaufrankisch.

The non-vintage Extra-Brut we drank was based on wines from 2007 and 2006, but because of the ripe richness of the wine, I guessed it was based on 2008. This wine is based on 2008, and it's vibrant and graceful, very pure and fresh. But as with so very many other things, my friends, I was wrong. These oysters were pretty perfect.

News 009 Jacob's Creek Reserve Pinot Noir from the Adelaide Hills and finally jacob's creek their 2008 Jacob's Creek Reserve Barossa Shiraz 2008 their 2009 Jacob's Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon their Jacob's Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2009. their Jacob's Creek Reserve Barossa Dry Riesling 2010

With this we drank two different Inflorescence Brut Blanc de Noirs , the 2008 and 2009. preferred the 2008 with its rich, resonant fruit and complex depth, its baseline of minerality. The 09 might be more of a wine to drink young, and the 2008 seems to be a great candidate for the cellar. It retails for about $85.

did pass on a few nice California reds though and stayed with the Finger Lakes and a Salmon Run Meritage 2008 ( $11 ), a blend of 54% Cabernet Franc, 39.5% Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change. Seemed to be stuck on Finger Lakes white wines all summer. Merlot.

Here is a SuperTuscan blend of 85% Sangiovese with 15% Cabernet Sauvignon that is fermented in steel tanks for 15 days then barrel aged for 6-8 months in French oak, and finally in bottle for 3-6 months. cassis and smoke on the finish. This delicious bargain is $21 SRP

If not a believer, then pour yourself a 2008 Red Newt Gewurztraminer.( Tonight started out like any normal night around my house. Day off, pleasant weather and a great night for grilling on the patio. Shirley prepared a chicken breast marinated in Italian dressing and roasted carrots and yams. Love it, when I make a great wine choice.

Two Malbecs followed, Killka Malbec 2008 and the Reserve Malbec, with the Reserve having a fuller mouthfeel and more intense concentration of fruit. By 2008, Killka had earned the International Gold Medal in the “art and culture” category in the Best of Wine Tourism Competition, presented by Great Wine Capitals Network.

We are talking about the influence of French oak on the 2008 Pinot Noir, and as is the case when wine geeks get together, the conversation turns to toast (not the kind you have at breakfast) and the importance of being on the same page with your cooperage. There is 30% new French oak here, yet it blends seamlessly with the wine.

2008 Selected Vineyards, Central Coast Merlot( $10 ). Winemakers Notes : The 2008 Merlot, Selected Vineyards is a luscious wine with soft edges and rich flavors. It's been a lot of fun traveling the world through wine this past month. This is something I wanted to do for the year and I will continue as long as I can find the wines.

can drink 3 different bottles of 2008 Chevillon Les Saint Georges (and I hope that I am so lucky), and drink them at different ages, but if I'm drinking them at different ages I can never drink them at the same time. One of them is the idea that Fino and Manzanilla Sherry doesn't last and should be consumed while young and fresh. Anyway.as

Very hot day today in Central New York, so Sunday dinner turned out to be a couple of organic or free range hot dogs and a tomato/cucumber salad. Decided to try a white wine from Turkey, that Shirley bought last March at 67Wine in Manhattan. An Angora Sultana de Denizli from Turkey( $12 ). Needless to say, this was my first Turkish wine.

Wine from Algeria! Who would'a thunk. Ok, for some reason I may have missed this in Geography class. When I think of Algeria, I think of desert, sand, sun and boiling hot! Just right for growing red grapes, right? Well think again young man(that's me) and go back to school(wikipedia.com). Enormous daily ranges in temperature are recorded.

And the winner was: a Hosmer Winery Cabernet Franc 2008( $18 ). Got home from work on this very humid night and just wanted a nicely chilled white wine to sip on while playing on the PC. For some reason, the door on the wine fridge was open and both levels where reading 64F, so I was forced into pulling out one of my reds.

The reds were all fabulous, yet my personal fav ws the 2008 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which is heavily influenced by sun drenched days which gives the wine its ripeness. Jim Collins. As you may know, coastal regions in California are considered 'cool climate,' and 'cool climate' wines are premium quality. Salute!

The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is their first vintage Aromas were herbal, grassy with straw and a hint of lime. On our last visit to NYC, I was able to visit my new favorite NYC wine store, 67Wines at 179 Columbus Ave and 68th. Shirley found this shop a few months ago on her last visit to NYC with Pam. She had six wines shipped home.

Very fun and social event today at the glorious BPSO (Banque Populaire du Sud Ouest) where Smith Haut Lafitte and other wineries got together to taste the last three vintages (2010, 2009, 2008). Tout La Monde was there to comment on the newer vintages and also taste some classic wines in this fabulous space overlooking the river.

Returning again to the Madrid region, the Bernabeleva 2008 Navaherreros Tinto ($22), which impressed the group with its light color but full flavors. A group of friends that know each other through their sons’ school has a tasting every so often. We started with a manzanilla pasada, Pastrana vineyard, from Hidalgo La Gitana ($28).

Following a tasting of Médoc and Sauternes Grand Cru Classé wines from the 2005 and 2008 vintages there was a “9-star” dinner created by a trio of three-star chefs: Alain PASSARD (L’Arpège, Paris), Anne-Sophie PIC (Maison Pic, Valence), and Yannick ALLENO (Le Meurice, Paris). Fabulous opening dinner at Haut-Brion last night for the press.

SIPPED: white Burgundy, 2008 edition. SIPPED: bling. Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, celebrated the team’s NBA victory by ordering a $90,000 of Ace of Spades Champagne. No word on the exact size of the “huge&# bottle, but I’m sure it was drained faster than you could say Salamanzar. MSN ]. SIPPED: mo money.

Two Malbecs followed, Killka Malbec 2008 and the Reserve Malbec, with the Reserve having a fuller mouthfeel and more intense concentration of fruit. By 2008, Killka had earned the International Gold Medal in the “art and culture” category in the Best of Wine Tourism Competition, presented by Great Wine Capitals Network.

2008 Heitz Cellar Grignolino. So there you are, in your local wine shop on a Saturday afternoon, craving something out of the ordinary. It’s a bright sunny day and you are thinking something bright and light for dinner, a red wine that will celebrate the flavors of spring and summer. minute later, he returns with a bottle and a smile.

Indeed, the Live-ex aanalysis describes the 2008 and 2006 as 'remarkable value for money under 300 pounds per case.'. Bought by the Lurton family in 1922, and managed by Henri Lurton since 1992, the estate's wines are constantly high-scoring but it remains one of the cheaspest second growth's on the market.

would be inclined to a young and fruity pinot noir to go with the tuna and outdoor dining; maybe a 2008 from Oregon? Last night the Obamas played host to Angela Merkel for a “State Dinner&# (even though she is the head of government, not state–gasp!) in the Rose Garden. Oddly, the wine pairings were not announced! June 7, 2011.

We are talking about the influence of French oak on the 2008 Pinot Noir, and as is the case when wine geeks get together, the conversation turns to toast (not the kind you have at breakfast) and the importance of being on the same page with your cooperage. There is 30% new French oak here, yet it blends seamlessly with the wine.

Richard Bampfield, MW, led some fabulous tutored tastings, including Chateau Sociando-Mallet concentrating on the 2008, 2009 and 2010 vintages, the three which are currently of the greatest commercial importance.(yet Masterclasses. Very energetic presentation with some real vintage gems. Watch for these wines in the months and years to come.

The first was a Thalassitis White Dry Wine 2008 from the Gaia Estate. For a few days, I did not think I would be writing any post on Greek white wines from the isle of Santorini. My wife bought (with my credit card) me one in New York City last month and I had been sent three from the Brand Action Team and Constance Chamberlain in NYC.

Director's Cut 2008 Cinema. Wine reviews 2009 francis coppola diamond collection 2009 claret 2009 francis coppola votre sante pinot noir black swan 2010 south eastern australian moscato director's cut 2008 cinema director's cut 2009 russian river valley chardonnayDirector's Cut 2009 Russian River Valley Chardonnay. Pair with salads.

It’s not made every vintage; in 2008, there was no cepas vellas. A couple of weeks ago, Robert Parker went to Spain to collect a medal for his contributions to Spanish wine. However one views his impact on Spanish wine, it’s worth noting that it was only the second time he had been to democratic Spain. Yeasty! Gulpable! Boo hoo!

The 2008 Jacques Puffeney Trousseau Arbois Les Berangères , $32, Imported by Neal Rosenthal Wine Merchant, if this bottle is any indication, is a great version of this wine. Common wisdom holds that it's very difficult to pair wine with asparagus. I'm not sure why this is so. I've tried many pairings and feel like I've done my due diligence.

brought a Chablis, the 2008 Gilbert Picq Chablis 1er Cru Vogros , $29, Polaner Imports. love the Picq wines and this is my favorite of them, and 2008 is an excellent vintage in Chablis. My friend brought a bottle of 2008 Yvon Métras Fleurie , price unknown. This guy is a relatively new friend. Beaujolais Coudert Yvon Métras

The 2008 vintage of Henschke Hill of Grace has not yet been released. Now with five years of testing and bottle age, Henschke is pleased with the evolution and will convert half of the 2008 production of Hill of Grace to Vino-Lok. We will find out in the next year or so with the release of the 2008 Hill of Grace.

Chehalem 2008 Ribbon Ridge Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir (Ideal Winemaker Wine). Chehalem 2008 Willamette Valley 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir (Ideal Restaurant Wine). Merry Edwards 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Ideal Restaurant Wine). Merry Edwards 2008 Russian River Valley Coopersmith Pinot Noir (Ideal Winemaker Wine).

The cheese course, featuring Roncal with compressed fennel and apricot membrillo, was paired with three more reds, and all three were favorites: La Forge, Corbieres-Boutenac AOP 2008, Le Viala, Minevois La Liviniere 2007, and L'Hospitalaitas, Coteaux du Languedoc La Clape AOP 2008. almost dainty. All three fabulous wines.

liked the Cote du Ventoux Rouge 2009 (60% syrah, 30% grenache, 20% others) with its blueberry flavors, yet went wild for the white Muscat d Beaumes de Venise 2008. Imagine yourself in Ampuis in 1781. This is a tiny town in the Northern Rhone, famous for its red wine made from Syrah and white from Viognier. The soil is clay, granite, and sand.

From the Agrigento region of Sicily and made with 100% Nero d'Avola, this fine red is aged for 3 months in cement tanks followed by 4 months in bottle before release. Deep ruby red colors are clear with medium intensity, on the nose clean, medium intensity with characteristics of fruit spice and floral notes.

Muscadet has had recent parallels to Goldilocks: The wine region near the mouth of the Loire River was hit by a reduced harvest in 2008, an abundant harvest in 2009, and a just right harvest in 2010 that has superb quality too. Outside of hipster wine circles, Muscadet is not so well known among younger wine drinkers. wine picks

Liv-Ex also remarks on his downgrades of the 2008s: Following the en primeur tastings two years ago, the general feeling amongst the trade and the critics was that the 2008 vintage was solid, if unspectacular. say apparently because it is behind the eRobertParker.com paywall and there’s nary a mention of it on wine discussion boards.