Featured Wines - May 2010

In fairy tales, toads turn into handsome princes when kissed by beautiful princesses. And in the real world of wine, downright ugly labels often hide the finest oenological treasures and the most comely of wines. If there were ever a wine label that hid its inner charms more adroitly than Urban, we have yet to come across it. Fortunately, what lies behind the stark, homely label on a bottle of 2008 Valle de Uco Malbec is knock-out gorgeous in eve... Read More

The 2008 Nine Vines Viognier is classic in every way. Produced from 100% Viognier that was fermented on its lees, this partially barrel-fermented rendition of the Rhône Valley’s greatest white wine puts most other New and Old World Viogniers to shame, including several well-known Viogniers from prestigious French appellations selling for twice the price. Straw colored with an enticing glint of green and an amplifying bouquet of spring flowers, st... Read More

A deep, rich, sophisticated wine, the 2007 Folie à Deux Napa Valley Merlot remains true to its namesake. It creates “a beautiful dance of flavors and true varietal expression,” which easily translate into a shared fantasy among serious red wine drinkers. Even the dyed in the wool Cabernet fans on the tasting panel bestowed accolades upon Folie à Deux’s 2007 Merlot (a blend of 89% Merlot and 11 % Cabernet Sauvignon) and unabashedly asked for anoth... Read More

Joel Gott’s 2008 Monterey Chardonnay remains a relative secret in spite of its growing reputation as one of California’s best white wine quaffs. It was a huge hit with the tasting panel, too. With seven or eight bottles of Chardonnay up on the table, the one they all wanted to finish was Gott’s Monterey offering. Bright, crisp, and oh so easy to drink, it makes us wonder why more California producers can’t make Chardonnay like this. So aromatic, ... Read More

Deep, haunting, and perfumed, the 2000 Dehesa La Granja Selección is a lush, sophisticated wine that stands in tribute to the viticultural revolution sweeping Spain. It is also one of the finest wines ever to emerge from Zamora. The 2000 Dehesa Selección, with its deep ruby robe and entrancing bouquet, captures the senses from the moment it is poured. It offers sweet scents of blackberry and plum, dark chocolate, sandalwood, and vanilla. Exceedin... Read More

In the days before pretty wine labels came into vogue, with pictures of exotic animals, flowers, and the inventive wares of well-known artists to adorn the bottle, there was a saying among wine lovers: “The simpler the label, the better the wine.” In the case of both Eidos and Veigas de Padriñán, the adage still holds true. As a classic wine of Spain, the 2008 Veigas de Padriñán Albariño still sports the simplest of labels. However, what rests wi... Read More