“BAROLO LOSES A FAVOURITE SON”


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Barolo Loses a Favorite Son “I learned of Luciano Sandrone’s passing just as I prepared to go to press with this report. I will have more to say on Sandrone and his remarkable life once I have had a chance to gather my thoughts. For now, let me just say that Luciano Sandrone was a […]

March 15, 2023

“SOMETHING SPECIAL BREWING HERE”


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2020 DOMAINE BORIS CHAMPY OFFER “There is something special brewing here,” wrote Neal Martin of Vinous about Champy’s attention-grabbing namesake domaine. He went on, raving about how Boris’s work with in the Hautes-Côtes de Beaune “frankly rewrote everything I thought possible. It is not exaggeration or hyperbole to say that they are equal to many […]

January 12, 2023

“HATS OFF TO MUGA”


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Bodegas Muga is Rioja Alta’s premier producer and the Muga family are considered to be one of Spain’s most important winemaking families. The winery has practically legendary status due to its philosophy revolving around adherence to tradition, dynamism, and winemaking of the highest quality. Few producers in the world fashion wines that have such a […]

December 8, 2022

CHIANTI CLASSICO IN EXCELSIS


Feature, Our Wines

Has Chianti Classico really come of age as a world-class wine? “I have never tasted such an incredible Chianti Classico from the region between Florence and Siena in Tuscany, even though I have been tasting and visiting the area since 1983. The pure sangiovese showed the finesse and intensity of a great Barolo or Brunello, […]

September 2, 2022

THE SHINY NEW 2019’S FROM DARIOUSH


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In the late 1990’s, while the focus was on northern Napa Valley, Darioush and Winemaker Steve Devitt focused intently on site selection and cooler, maritime-influenced micro climates of Southern Napa Valley and atop Mount Veeder. Together, they saw the potential of Bordeaux varieties grown from these unique, more temperate sites in crafting balanced wines with […]

October 14, 2021

OVER 850+ YEARS OF TUSCAN EXCELLENCE – 1141 RICASOLI


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The history of Italy cannot be expressed without counting the prominent contributions of the Ricasoli family, who have produced wine since 1141.  Ricasoli is documented as the oldest winery in Italy and the fourth oldest family business in the world. Baron Francesco Ricasoli has been at the rudder of the winery since 1993 and with […]

July 2, 2020

“CHABLIS SHOULD BE MEAN”


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“In talented hands Chablis can satisfy both the senses and the intellect. As I have written before, a friend once opined that Chablis should not kowtow in front of the wine-lover, do whatever it takes to please. “Chablis should be mean,” he averred, implying that the finest Chablis wines are uncompromising, challenging and cerebral. I […]

January 24, 2020

GLUP CHENIN BLANC


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Longavi Glup Chenin Blanc 2019, Chile Now…for something a little different Longavi wines is a collaboration between two eminent and multi-award winning winemaking friends from different continents, Chilean producer Julio Bouchon and South African winemaker David Nieuwoudt of Cederberg. The pair first teamed up in 2012 and continue pushing the boundaries, sticking it to the old guard […]

January 17, 2020

BAROLO IN EXCELSIUS – SANDRONE 2015


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We’ve taken stock of  the 2105′ from the great Luciano Sandrone, these wines are possessed with a thrilling sense of energy and seamless balance. inquire about allocations. 2015 Luciano Sandrone • Barolo Aleste – 95 Points  There is more purple and black fruit in the 2015 Barolo Aleste compared to past vintages from Luciano Sandrone […]

December 6, 2019