But his biggest experiment is with his 2008 wine called Le Cigare Volant, a blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Syrah. Like any tool, it has to be well understood and mastered to be useful. Randall Grahm is one of America’s most fascinating winemakers and winery owners. But Grahm has had a change of heart. Absolutely. MORE >>

It is a very well organized tool for teaching yourself and others how to identify the signature scents and flavors in a wine, basically helping you to develop your olfactory (scent) memory. The wine is a blend of Syrah, Carignan, and Grenache from Corbieres!" Le Nez du Vin is an exceptional training tool! Quick! Wine, of course. MORE >>

Please put aside the fact that I've compiled this list because I'm a tool of the marketing gestalt that controls Napa Valley.) Most of the cults aren't even bottled yet when they are purchased as futures, and this fact might give you the "blues." You aren't alone. This list is by no means complete, and it may very well be inaccurate. MORE >>

Michaud also had a 2003 Chalone Syrah that I also really thought was great.  A beautifully structured elegant & velvety Syrah with a WOW bouquet (elegantly put if I do say so myself). But I bring it up as it seems to be yet another marketing tool that many people are using to help their wines stand out from the crowd.  MORE >>

We also throw in a couple tools to help remember the good stuff. The red varietals that define this region, syrah, carignan, grenache, mouvedre and to some extent merlot and cabernet sauvignon are always blended together is some way shape or form depending on the appellation or sub-appellation. So the Alphabet City Wine Co. Cheers MORE >>