Wine Reviews

What a better way to start off 2020 with a bang, or should I say a pop, than with a bottle of Champagne Lallier R.014 Brut. Fresh, soft, elegant and refreshingly appealing. Lovers of French Champagne and sparkling wines will understand, but for those who are hesitant to try...

At a recent tasting, I was amazed to be treated to 3 specific dessert wines credited to master winemaker Scott Harvey. Making his mark at a number of different wineries before settling in on his own brand, his German wine training afforded him to produce this gem of a...

Born in the vineyards surrounding Verona, Italy, made from the triage of Carvinone, Corvina and Rondinella grapes, this is truly one unique beauty. With up front black cherry, blackberry and plum fruit, there are so many other aspects of this wine that emerge with each and every sip. Clove,...

Technically named Department 66, this offering from David Phinney, who produces a number of high quality wines under the Orin Swift umbrella, is one of the best bang for the buck wines on the market today. If you are a fan of big, bold and powerful reds, this beauty...

When it comes to wines from Greece, they certainly do not garner the respect as their more popular European wine producing neighbors. Yet, die hard oenophiles will agree that there are many quality selections to be had, if only you can find them. You’d be hard pressed to find...

Here is a white wine so unique, it has a personality of its own. Fresh and clean with lemon, lime, Granny Smith apple, green melon and grilled pineapple fruit that flows over the palate with lip smacking richness. Its broad range of flavors keeps developing over time, showing anise,...

If you are a lover of Cabernet Sauvignon, it seems very hard these days to find something of great quality at an affordable price. Who wouldn’t want to taste the precious Cult Cab’s which cost upwards of $100 to $1000. Look far north to the State of Washington which...

I have enjoyed numerous vintages of this Central Coast blend for a number of years now, and along with the latest vintage consider it one of the best value blends on the market. With a makeup of Merlot, Malbec, Syrah, Zinfandel, Petite Verdot and Souzao grape varietals, jammy blackberry...

They say, good things come to those who wait. I’ve been waiting 5 long years for this wine to finally settle down, mature and show like the great wine I knew it could be. The muscular cherry, plum and blackberry fruit combined with licorice, dark chocolate and rootbeer flavors...

Christmas came early this week in the form of the 2016 Loring “Gary’s Vineyard” Pinot Noir. When you taste a wine that is 2 to 3 times better than a wine that is 2 to 3 times the price, it’s like hitting the lottery. The deep rich cranberry, black...