Jay Miller, a critic at the Wine Advocate, described it as “Inky purple, the wine offers an array of scents which jump from the glass… structured wine with gobs of flavor, terrific intensity… It will provide pleasure through 2025.&# The importer, Well Oiled Wine presented the wine to my office in the Spring of 2008. MORE >>

Because I am not a wine critic, but write a more or less personnel blog and only post what I find in wines that I like, I am surprised, but feel honored that I was chosen to write my opinion on their wines. It can also be disappointing when the wine received is one that I don't normally drink or one that I have a hard time with. MORE >>

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. The Liv-Ex blog provides his top scored wines. Related: “ Traditional Rioja, the anti-en primeurs wine &#. Bordeaux MORE >>

But his biggest experiment is with his 2008 wine called Le Cigare Volant, a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Dry-farming is really critical if you want to make a wine that expresses a sense of place. Randall Grahm is one of America’s most fascinating winemakers and winery owners. But Grahm has had a change of heart. MORE >>

Two weeks ago Sam Sifton, the new NY Times restaurant critic reviewed the new addition to the Daniel Bouloud empire , DBGB. And the 2008 Domaine de la Pépière Clos des Briords , $16, Louis/Dressner Selections, was a great pairing. I'm Sorry: I did a careless and irresponsible thing, and I want to say that I'm sorry. MORE >>