It is a quaint vineyard and after a tour of the ferementation vessels we have our tasting in the cellar, surrounded by oak barrels. Federico speaks English well and conducts the tasting. Below are some notes from the tasting. Tannat Cab Frank Reserva 2008. Tannat 2008 Riserva de la Familia. "Welcome!" El Preciado.

Now here are some tasting notes. 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. The brand of these two wines is Km.0 Gerwurtraminer 11 - Km.O.

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. tasting sized poursSIPPED: Jesus as store manager in the image above? LARGELY SPIT: Bordeaux 11. DailyBeast ].

Ana and Carlos travel often to London and New York and other markets to hand sell their wines at various in-store tastings and private dinners. And here are some notes from the tasting. Pizzorno Tannat Riserva 2008 100% tannat 1 year barrique oak 1 year bottle. Pizzorno tinto reserve 2008. “Welcome!” Around $13.

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. What made the tasting lunch so special was the passion of owner Andrea Sartori, who came across as a very traditionally-minded Italian of the classic world.

That day they were featuring Bogle wines, so I picked up a 2008 Petite Sirah( $9 ) and a 2009 Old Vine Zin( $10 ). The '08 Petite Sirah was a little tamer with a little more fruit aroma and taste. Taste like much more expensive Zins. Since the first time I tasted Bogle wines, they have been a favorite of mine.

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). It had been the first wine I bought at auction and I've tasted through the various vintages here in New York. 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. ran into Davide Paterlini who invited me to a fabulous 2 30 tasting narated by sommelier Massimo Castellani who was incredibly dramatic and impressive. 46th edition of Vinitaly. It started with.a

It’s the time of year when distributors and/or importers have annual (or semi-annual) portfolio tastings. Yesterday was the Polaner Selections tasting and I dropped by for a while in the second half. The blanc de blancs grand cru [cuvée 2008] has depth and minerality, a stony core that pleasantly lingers. Really, a WOW!

So, it was a very short tour, but a very enjoyable day and I got to taste some very nice wines from one of the youngest wineries in the Finger Lakes. That was made clear by how she talked about Anyela's and what had been accomplished since their opening in 2008. On this day, I tasted only a few whites. Entrance sign off W.

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

Eric Asimov writes in the NYT about the arrest and recalls the go-go days, when Rudy Kurniawan apparently used his tasting ability to make him an arbiter on what on the table was fake and what was not. Asimov also tweeted a link to this 2008 Men’s Vogue piece by Jay McInerney on “ billionaire winos.” wine collecting

Sometimes you can open, pour and taste a wine and not expect anything other than just a drinkable table wine and get much more. My wine was a Seghesio Langhe Nebbiolo 2008 ( $20 ). Very complex in the mouth with taste of cherry, licorice, plum and currant, but still very soft and dry. That was my way of fortifying the wine.

One of the most spectacular things about the Languedoc is the dramatic topography and different soils, and we really tasted this in the grapes. 2008 Mas des Dams La Dame AOC Languedoc (18.00). You can taste the stone in the wine. very successful first day. I will try. Very spicy and dramatic and filled with a sense of place.

was going to taste all three and then post a review on one of the three, but decided instead, to review all of them in one post. Both wines tasted with the pork dinner were nice, but the Zios was much more pleasant and paired much better. reviewed the 2008 vintage a year ago and I was sold on Albariño since.

Although we tasted all 2009s, I asked Erwan which vintage he preferred, the 2009s, which have been derided by some contrarian-minded Burghounds as underwhelming in favor of the 2008s. He replied that while the 2008 was very classic and fresh, he preferred the 2009. So when Erwan took over in 2005, he was careful not to rock the boat.

Drive up to the home/winery of winemaker Francis Boulard -- who makes some of the finest Champagne I have ever tasted -- and you will see a modest farmhouse, colorful children’s toys in the large driveway, and … a trampoline. Finally, the tasting. One of the problems with being biodynamic in Champagne is the cold, wet, rainy weather.

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. Tonight was time to uncork a 2008 North Coast Zinfandel( $12 ) to serve with an outstanding beef stew prepared by my daughter Pam. Most notably the blended Marlstone and Briarstone Cabernet Sauvignon.

I recently tweeted that I’d be leading a tasting of hipster wines. The tasting on Manhattan’s Upper East Side came and went and I didn’t wear a woolen cap, flannel shirt, or use empty 40-ounce cans of PBR as decanters. But we did taste some fine and fun wines, if quirky and hard to find (though not in Brooklyn).

His three year plan, turned into nine, and he eventually moved to Numanthia in Spain in 2008. When you taste Port wine for the first two years, I can assure you it’s not a very pleasant sensation, because of the alcohol, because of the amount of tannins, because of the fruitiness that seem overwhelming. Can be aged for 30 years.

Upstairs in the glass enclosed tasting room we taste the Sauvignon Blanc 2011. feature of these mica-rich soils is their ability to impart a wonderful minerality to the wine which I can really taste in every sip. taste both the 2008 and 2007, with the 2008 “Five” not yet released and the 2007 drinking very nicely!

And the berries looked delicious – I could not wait to see how they would taste! Gravity: The Taste Test. 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. One simply used personal taste as a guide. The Tasting.

We have just driven through the charming, historic village of Gevrey-Chambertin to arrive at Mr. Gallois’s home and cellar, where a child’s bicycle is parked near the front door and two enthusiastic-looking music and video producers eagerly taste wine atop a barrel in the charming tasting room, minutes later exiting with several cases.

In 2004 he was able to buy out other family members so that he could make the wine he wants to make, and after my tasting today must concur it was fabulous. and the first thing to keep in mind is that tasting Joliet’s wine is tasting history. “Your grandfather actaually used that press!” Yet it is true. Absolutely magnificent.

I'd like to thank Kristen and her good friends for helping me taste this flight of wine picks for Thanksgiving. 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. Great deal at $10. Nice long layered finish.

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. Flor de Garnatxa 2008 Garnatxa Blanca Celler la Bollidora, D.O. "20 wines!" 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.

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. You can see some of the wines tasted below. London Lennie’s. 63-88 Woodhaven Blvd. Rego Park, NY 11374. Tel : (718) 894-8084.

Last night (Monday, October 24th, 2011) I attended a tasting at Christie's, the auction house, of some of the wines that will be offered -- you can see the list below. Wines at the Christie's Tasting. Saint-Romain blanc, Cuvée Joseph Menault 2008. Meursault-Charmes 1er Cru, Cuvée Albert Grivault 2008. Magical Journey".

Some of the wines tasted: Chateau Clerc-Milon: 1994, 2004, 2005, 2006. Chateau Lynch-Bages: 1996, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2006 and Echo de Lynch-Bages 2008. The venue, a private room at Felidia in New York City, where outside the large window one could see trees swaying in the rain and wind.

The wine in stainless steel barrel tastes bright and ripe, but the new and once used oak adds this complexity that is lost from either lot alone. The fruit here is tasting very nice, showing some senescence and ripe blackberry. Crosby Roamann USA 3 stars Sonoma Napa Valley 2008Our 2011 St. In Rutherford our newly contracted 1.27

photo above by Alan Watts from Eat Italian Last week Ilaria Petitto from Donna Chiara Winery guided us through an evening of tastings from the Campania region of Italy at Il Gattopardo , a fantastic Campanian restaurant in NYC owned by the legendary Gianfranco Sorrentino. Medium to full body, cherries, prunes, spice, glycerine, raspberry.

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.

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.

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. Even a simple Rully Montmorin 2008 was juicy and delicious, yet I especially liked the Chassagne Montrachet Cailleret 2008. Australia Burgundy News jean-michael chartro

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.

We did have to miss a few, but we did get to tastes some outstanding wines, have a fantastic lunch, meet and talk with some very knowledgeable wine people and view one of the most scenic lakes in the region. We did get in to do a little shopping while a make shift tasting area was being moved back indoors. at least for now).

say carefully, because careless deep frying results in greasy food, over or undercooked food, or food that tastes more of the fryer than of itself. From what I've tasted, this one is the most special, from vines that are over 40 years old. This wine is based on 2008, and it's vibrant and graceful, very pure and fresh.

Perhaps one of the greatest strengths of the new technology is the ability to host 'tasting webinars' for wine education. For example, many journalists, upon tasting a wine, would love to have the winemaker right there to answer questions about yeast, terroir, the way different plots are mixed, and vintage conditions.

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% The finish was nice and long, spicy, dry with a taste of currant. Grilled a few NY strip steaks this past week-end and looked forward to opening a nice red wine for change. Merlot.

If not a believer, then pour yourself a 2008 Red Newt Gewurztraminer.( 16 ) Aromas of peach, lychee and melon and a hint of honeysuckle with a little mineral and a nice smooth mouthfeel with taste of peach and some clementine orange. Tonight started out like any normal night around my house. Love it, when I make a great wine choice.

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.

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. Tastings Valdespino Peter Liem Sherry Equipo NavazosThis actually might be true of many Fino and Manzanillas. Anyway.as

Nice medium body with a thick mouthfeel and taste of tropical fruits and a little lemon. 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.

Today Mr. Collins was visiting NYC and we had a chance to meet and taste some 08s and 09s, which are currently now in supermarkets, wine stores, and restaurants throughout the country. The hope and reality is that these lectures make a difference in how the workers prune the vines, and that this translates to how the wine tastes.

The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc is their first vintage Aromas were herbal, grassy with straw and a hint of lime. Taste was again herbal, slate, asparagus and again just a hint of citrus notes. very short dry peppery finish and with a little tropical floral like taste. Definitely more body than Sauv/Blancs I tasted.

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.

A group of friends that know each other through their sons’ school has a tasting every so often. I’ve been fortunate enough to lead the smart and fun group in about ten tastings over the past couple of years. Our oldest wine of the tasting was the La Rioja Alta 2001, Vina Ardanza Reserva Especial.

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). Que about the Commanderie de Bordeaux.

SIPPED: white Burgundy, 2008 edition. tasting sized poursSIPPED: 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.

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.

The 2011 London International Wine Fair was fabulous, an extremely well-orchestrated event with many simultaneous tastings, presentations, and lectures that took place in theaters, 'Access Points,' and even 'freestyle' in high-topped chairs within the display of a geographic region or winery. Masterclasses. More Excitement. The "Access Zone".

The first was a Thalassitis White Dry Wine 2008 from the Gaia Estate. little different then the Thalassitis in the aromas and taste. For a few days, I did not think I would be writing any post on Greek white wines from the isle of Santorini. first opened the one I bought and followed with one that was sent. Surprise, Surprise.

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.

He told me at their recent portfolio tasting (at T. had a chance to taste a few of the wines at the walk-around tasting. 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. Yeasty! Gulpable!

He has been in the wine business for a long while now and he has the opportunity to taste an awful lot of wine, new vintages and old. It's the product of years of professional and personal drinking, thinking, tasting, visiting, and discussing. brought a Chablis, the 2008 Gilbert Picq Chablis 1er Cru Vogros , $29, Polaner Imports.

While everyone else was enjoying the delicious wine at the Top of the List Tasting, I was attending three fabulous seminars with the luminaries in the wine world. Chehalem 2008 Ribbon Ridge Ridgecrest Vineyards Pinot Noir (Ideal Winemaker Wine). Chehalem 2008 Willamette Valley 3 Vineyard Pinot Noir (Ideal Restaurant Wine).

market we had a chance to taste his entire portfolio, and also discover the fascinating personality of Gerard who is a seasoned vigneron (since age 10, more about that later) and also the extremely charming and polished face behind the brand. And according to Gerard, the 2008 is the best example of this wine (reason #2). almost dainty.

Today I had the chance to taste many wines, including the 2009 and 2007 Cotes du Rhone white (made from mostly viognier) selling for $14 that is incredibly fresh and delicious, with racy apricot on the palate and a long finish. The residual sugar was 120 grams per litre yet it did not taste that sweet. They are available in the U.S.

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. tasted some of the 2010s from Domaine de la Pepiere, Guy Bossard and Jo Landron in the Loire in February.

Apparently the latest issue of Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate came out yesterday with Parker’s reviews for the 2010 barrel samples and in-bottle tastings of 2008s. But Parker has given the general comment that 2010 ranks as one of “the three greatest Bordeaux vintages I have tasted in my career&# alongside 2009 and 2005.

We taste through the wines. Joey thinks people think of this as a classic CA syrah In the tasting room, Joey says this wine sells ten to one. Bedrock Wines 2008 Hudson Vineyard Syrah 8% Viognier New Puncheons - lifted nose of ripe blue fruit with slight vanilla overtones, extremely elegant. Talk about a cool seminar! Delicious!

Here are five current releases I would cellar for 15 years that will bring a whole lot of bang for much less buck: Domaine Baudry, La Croix Boisée, 2008. Isole e Olena, Ceparello 2006 , about $60: I had the chance to try this wine at a tasting last year and thought it was terrific. And around $30 a bottle? It sells for under $30.

Very interesting tasting of Australian wines Susan Barros organized today for the first Wine Australia Tasting of 2011 -- Unusual Varietals and Classic Blends. have to say that after tasting these wines, I rushed to the office to break out my James Halliday "Wine Atlas of Australia!" How do the wines taste? Shiraz Blend.

2008 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Chardonnay. Bodegas Roda Reserva 2006. color: medium + intensity/opaque with garnet miniscus. nose: med+ cherry tobacco, brandied cherries, earth, fresh ground cinammon, palate: med+ intensity, dry, acid is med+ and juicy, tannin med and very well balanced, finish med+. Drink now to 2025. light gold color.

Typically, when wine brands come to New York they offer the trade a walk around tasting, and sometimes a lecture about the wine. Have you thought about Austrian culture? The wines were fabulous. Really fabulous wines, and a very well orchestrated event. Austria News exterhazy winery of austria

After a few beer nights, I finally was able to open, taste and drink two remaining red wines I have received from Cinnabar Winery; the 2008 Sextant Vineyards Syrah and the 2006 Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon. We did the Syrah first with a light dinner of breaded chicken fingers with a mix of steak and sweet potato fries.

At the dinner I tasted a red called J'en Veux for the first time. Considering the lineup of whites as a whole, I think that they might be as good as any lineup of white wines that I've tasted from the Jura. Anyway, we drank Les Chalasses from 2004 and 2008, and I thought they were both excellent wines. And indeed it was.

The first was the 2008 Jimsomare ** from the middle of Monte Bello in the Santa Cruz Mountains, pictured below, that weighed in at 14.7%. found less elegance in the DCV selections than the equivalent Paso Robles wines from 2007 and 2008. stars USA 2009 Ridge Vineyards Sonoma Santa Cruz Mtns 2008Here's why.

Felt real smooth in the mouth with taste of dark plums, cherry, some anise and spice. Tonight was one of them nights when Shirley did not feel like cooking, I was not hungry and the NCAA Basketball National Championship was being played. game I have not missed in 38 years. This one was another blend called Mercury Rising.

Not being a wine connoisseur, I love it when I open a new wine and just fall in love with what I found or what, in this case, was sent to me for tasting. Tonight I opened the 2008 Sorcerer's Stone, a blend of Zinfandel 85%, Petite Sirah 10% and Teroldego 5% and right off the bat a relationship began. California Zinfandel red blend

Jancis Robinson floated a novel idea on her website last week: what if critics, who descend on Bordeaux shortly to taste 2010 barrel samples, withheld their scores until the Bordeaux trade had finished their pre-sale campaign (known as en primeur )? Bordeaux wine writing

This wine was part of a tasting at the Level ll Intermediate Certificate WSET class in Wine & Spirits at the International Wine Center. Racking Every 3 to 5 months subject to tasting. This Sauternes is aromatically complex and the flavors are less sweet than the aromas would suggest. Bottling At the Château.

This time of year there are a load of trade tastings, and even if like me, you only go to a few of them, you hear things. It is absolutely delicious, and it doesn't smell or taste anything like Sagesse - as Franck Pascal said, " The addition of still red wine really changes the character of Sagesse." That's right.3 cases.

Porterhouse was the elegant venue for a tutored tasting of La Follette wine lead by winemaker Greg La Follette (formerly of Flowers, de Loach) who recently launched a new winery last year called La Follette. The other two were very nice - the Manchester Ridge 2008 and the 09 Sangiacomo Vineyard. Greg La Follette of La Follette Wines.

Many of them are generous enough to help me in the Master of Wine program by sending me boxes of wine, with each bottle covered in paper bags so I can't know what I'm tasting until I am done with my notes. so imagine my surprise when I received two bottles labeled "3A" and"3B" and tasted them blind simultaneously.

Both producers described their properties and we tasted some fabulous wines. My favorite of the Rainer Wess wines was the Riesling Achleiten 2008, which had a smokey minerality that came out of the dark granite soil. We tried the 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon on its own, and I liked it a lot. Both producers were so energetic and fun.

The other day I had the opportunity to taste wines representing all 7 of the Grand Cru climats of Chablis, something that I had never before done in one sitting. The Union des Grand Crus de Chablis put on a tasting at The Modern , and 13 producers were in attendance pouring their Grand Cru wines. They are more typical of Chablis."

2008 Macari Cabernet Franc (USA, New York, Long Island, North Fork). color: purple medium + intensity, tears fast to form and fall. nose: med + intensity, spice, purple flowers, ripe boysenberries, black tea, dried raspberry leaf, palate: dry, acid med+ tannin medium +. body is med, alc est 13.5 finish is med+. Wine reviews

The seminar and tasting for New York journalists was held March 8 and included a larger representation of cool climate VQA Chardonnays featuring 54 wines from 31 Canadian wineries located in British Columbia and Ontario. Wines included: Angels Gate Winery Mountainview 2008. Burrowing Owl Estate Winery 2008. Exultet Estates 2009.

Matthieu, the jovial, thirty-something son of Bernard who has been with the domaine since 2000, led us in a tasting of the more-or-less current releases and a few back vintages as well. The tannins are fine; the wine in 2009 exhibits fine tannins while the 2008 could benefit from more bottle age (or a good decant).

I stopped into the Jenny and François spring portfolio tasting the other day to taste some of the new releases. When I go to these things, which I honestly don't often do anymore, I no longer try to taste everything. tasted the new releases from Champagne Jacques Lassaigne , the excellent producer in Montgueux.

So far the Discover Rhone festivities have been a non-stop adventure of Master Classes, tastings, fabulous lunches and dinners, and evening events and parties. It was very surprising to see the drastic difference between the 2008 and the 2009, with the 2009 being the better vintage. The second day was Hermitage. Gigondas was fabulous!

Following my interview with Jean-Marie Fourrier, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to attend a Domaine Fourrier tasting that featured several wines from the 2008 and 2009 vintages. Equally instructive is tasting the same wines from 2008 and 2009. 2008 Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin Aux Echézeaux.

The wine: Avia Pinot Noir 2008. The wine was smooth with taste of strawberry and some blackberry and a small hint of rose petal. The Avia Pinot Noir at it's low price is much better than many I've tasted at 4 or 5 time the price. However, there are times he opens a gem. The region: Slovenia. Brda means "hills" in Slovenian.

Also tasted Kongsgaard 2008 Napa Valley Chardonnay * nectar of the gods. Compared to the 2007 Bonneau du Martay Corton Charlemagne (also tasted) - road tar, just really super French, light, with a pale green note, and very dry body, admittedly not doing it justice here - the Kongsgaard kicks ass. Dark garnet.

Last year I reviewed a 2007 Petite Sirah from Concannon Vineyard , so I was delighted to recently receive the 2008 vintage. could not wait to open the 2008 Petite Sirah. Felt good in the mouth with soft tannins and taste of cherry, black plums and some toasty oak. The color was a very dark purple. The wine was perfect.

Tasting Notes week of February 7, 2011. 2008 Mazzocco Zinfandel Stone Ranch Alexander Valley. Wine reviews 2008 Mazzocco Zinfandel Stone Ranch Alexander Valleycolor: purple, med intensity. nose: med+ intensity, chocolate syrup, fino sherry, brown sugar, dry, acid med + trannin med + body med alc est 14.5 finish med +.

Wine domaines, truffle hunting and cooking, truffle feast, and olive oil mill visit and tasting. We might taste a white Lirac from Mordoreé, an aged Chateau Beaucastel from Chateauneuf du Pape. Serge is as well known for his Sommelier skills as his cooking – he was French Sommelier of the year in 2008). link]. link].

had the opportunity to meet vignerons and taste over 300 wines last week in situ. also blind tasted 70 Loire wines at the NY offices of Wine & Spirits a couple of weeks before I left. Add to that a refreshing level of acidity in the wines and there’s a lot to interest a foodie too since the wines pair so well with food.

She disgorged a bottle of the NV Brut for us, based on the great 2008 vintage. Then we tasted her vintage wines, beginning with the utterly delicious 2002 Brut Nature Grand Cru. do not remember the vintage that the rosé we tasted is based on, but it was aromatically alluring, spicy, well balanced, and so very drinkable.

2008 J Vineyards & Winery Pinot Noir (USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley). 2008 Star Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley). USA Wine reviews 2007 Dierberg Chardonnay 2008 Star Lane Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. These wines would pair very well with lobster. 26 views).

The Cellartracker founder comments on the post to say he has emails from 2008 contradicting several points in the apology post. tasting sized pours wine scienceSPIT: repurposed content. Snooth scrapes Cellartracker content, the Vintank blog suggests. The Snooth co-founder admits the content has “ slipped through &# their Ph.D.

Many of the wines in his tasting, “lacked personality and depth, and some were jammy, hideously oaky confections that were indistinguishable from other, similarly afflicted New World wines.&# Behold a savory and delicious carmenere: the Clos Ouvert Loconmilla 2008. Although the wine lists 14.5% wine picks

I’ve never tried the DuMOL Russian River Chard (about $50; find this wine ), but several tasting notes on CellarTracker describe it as big and oaky. Dumol Chardonnay “Russian River” 2008. Poet’s Leap Riesling “Botrytis” 2008 ( find this wine ). But what’s in the glass? Chardonnay and lobster? Check. Lemon Sorbet.

When I wrote my Year In Review , I named the Atwater Estates Riesling 2008 as my best white wine for 2010. That choice was not easy when you consider all the fantastic Finger Lakes Riesling tasted during the past year. One of these is the 2009 Dry Riesling from the Swedish Hill Winery on the Cayuga Lake wine trail.

Icewine is not usually the first beverage to consider to pair with oysters, yet our lunch kicked off withGlacier Bay Oyster with Inniskillin sparkling Vidal Icewine 2008. Afterwards, we had an icewine tasting with Bruce Nicholson, who was responsible for the vintages during 2006 and afterwards. Inniskillin Winemaker Bruce Nicholson.

If you've never heard of these wines or never tasted one, you are most certainly not alone. Here are the wines we drank in the order in which we drank them, along with a few notes: 2008 Roger Coulon Coteaux Champenois Blanc , $40-50, Rosenthal Wine Merchant. Tastes just like one too. My favorite wine of the tasting.