Now I get to pick my favorites from 2011. There were also some very nice Cabernet Francs from the Finger Lakes and surprisingly my pick for Best Red Wine is from the Finger Lakes. blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. should be back on track after the holiday season. MORE >>

The reception, lunch, and tasting was held at the very elegant winery of Bouchard Finlayson, which is described as “a boutique winery” yet looks like a Bel-Air mansion or a 5-star hotel in Beverly Hills – take your pick. He offers three handcrafted wines – sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, and a syrah based blend called ‘Serenity.’ link]. MORE >>

Clairette and Ugni blanc have become the dominate grape varieties with some smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Mouvedre and Syrah. blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Cinsault, 15% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon Aromas are still kinky. Wine from Algeria! Who would'a thunk. Uh Oh, where's the grapes? MORE >>

Some caramel notes, but also a bunch of freshly picked white honeysuckle. It was a red fruit mash at first - I would have guessed a Grenache heavy wine from further south had I tasted it blind. Been busy and not able to write as often, but please don't think that means I've been starving and not drinking anything interesting. MORE >>

Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) still reign, yet you will find Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Vijura, Graciano, Moscatel, and others. Ana Laguna & Pilar Garcia-Granero. "Before there was wine, there was a thing called happiness." Navarra. Terroir of Navarra. They are: Baja Montana (highest and wettest, with the latest vintage). MORE >>