Into Wine

2015 Fontodi Chianti Classico, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

From one of the best producers of Chianti and in Tuscany, this wine was showing great.  It kept improving all night long.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has dusty cherries with some tea leaves and...

2017 Tablas Creek Grenache Blanc, USA, California, Paso Robles

Grenache Blanc doesn't get enough respect.  That may be because in Europe, it doesn't do as well and is used as a blending grape, seldom on its own.  In California, however, there are many examples...

2015 Santo Wines Assyrtiko Grande Reserve Santorini, Greece, Wine Review

Greece is making some really good wines these days, both red and white.  It seems the whites are finding more shelf space in wine stores though.  This white, made from the Assyrtiko grape is very...

2016 William & Mary Cabernet Sauvignon Shifflett Ranch, USA, California, Napa, Oak Knoll District,...

My first time trying this wine.  William Segui works closely with Thomas Rivers Brown at Rivers Marie, Outpost and other TRB projects but this wine is he and his wife's own project.  The vineyard has...

Wine Reviews

NV Emilio Lustau Manzanilla Papirusa, Spain, Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Sherry, Wine Review

Sherries are some of the best value in the wine world but they are a specific tasted.  I love them.  This wine sells for under $20 and is excellent if treated right.  Light golden in color.  The nose...

2016 Laurent Habrard Crozes-Hermitage, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Purple/ruby in color. The nose is nice with black raspberries, slight raspberries, a bit of minerality and spice. On the palate, this is mid-weight. Drinking well right now. Light tannins. Good...

2011 Château d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Yquem might be the single greatest wine in the world.  Yes, those are bold words, but it is arguably true.  This bottle was wonderful indeed.  Paired with Mango roses in a Rose water and honey sauce,...

2014 Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza, Spain, Rioja, Wine Review

It had been a long time since I tried this ubiquitous Rioja wine. It is still very good and an excellent value at around $15. Purple/garnet in color. The nose is nice with spice, cherries and slight...

2007 Passopisciaro Sicilia Passopisciaro, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Very nice showing for this wine which seems to be at the younger side of peak right now. Grown on the side of Mount Etna and made from Nero Mascalese. It drinks very much like a smoky Pinot Noir....

2012 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Consistently one of the better BdM's out there.  2012 was a good year if not stellar, but this wine was singing.  Pop and pour, it took about an hour to open up and was good to go.  Garnet in color. ...

2011 Kapcsándy Family Winery Rapszodia, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Kapcsandy makes some of the best wines in Napa (and the world).  This one is a bit less well known.  It is a blend of 62% Cabernet Franc and 38% Merlot (so think the Cheval Blanc of Napa).  2011 was...

1996 Fernando Remírez de Ganuza Rioja Reserva, Spain, Wine Review

This is the second bottle from a Case bought on release to celebrate special moments with my son (his birth year).  (The first was opened for his high school graduation.)  Decanted for sediment and...

2008 Jonata Winery El Desafio de Jonata, USA, California, Santa Ynez Valley, Wine Review

A gorgeous California Cab as good as just about anything grown in the northern part of the state.  84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc and the rest Merlot.  This vintage has...

Wine Reviews

2015 Dirty and Rowdy Mourvedre Antle Vineyard, USA, California, Monterey, Chalone, Wine Review

This was being closed out at a local wine store for $45. It was part of a "natural" wine tasting. I thought it was the best wine of the tasting though the crowd was mixed. Ruby in color, cloudy and...

2016 Sineann Cabernet Sauvignon Phinny Hill Vineyard, USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Wine Review

One of the best Cabs from Sineann I have had.  This is classic Washington Cab.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight fresh rubber and tarragon.  On...

IntoWine.com

Continuing to review some classic Napa wines. When was the last time you tried a wine from Flora Springs. The 2016 Trilogy gets released tomorrow and it is outstanding. The regular Cab is almost...

Wine Reviews