Yes, 2020 sucked. And yes, we can't wait to say good riddance. But before we toss 2020 in the dumpster, pour a gallon of hand sanitizer on it and set it on fire, let's at least reflect on the good things about the year. Like, the best red wines we tasted, from Napa to Washington,… Continue reading Top Red Wines of 2020
Category: Red; Mostly Napa Cabs
Volpaia’s 2015 Chianti Classico Lives Up to Star Ratings
Tomorrow night we may be popping Champagne corks or drowning ourselves in Tequila, depending on the success of the Biden/Harris ticket. But last night, it was Chianti all around, paired with Rao pasta and Gary's homemade Bolognese sauce. He's been tinkering with this classic meat sauce ever since we returned from Puglia, where a Tuna… Continue reading Volpaia’s 2015 Chianti Classico Lives Up to Star Ratings
Aglianico You Need to Know
Aglianico. Huh? Yeah it's a grape from Southern Italy used in making serious red wines. Serious, like Napa Cabenet serious? Yep. If you don't believe me, read on. Per Wikipedia, "Aglianico is a black grape grown in the southern regions of Italy. It is considered with Sangiovese and Nebbiolo to be one of the three… Continue reading Aglianico You Need to Know
VinoDuo’s Favorite Wines of 2019
In our line of work/play, you taste a lot of wine. Some you sip and instantly spit. Some you sip, swirl, and then spit. Then there are those you savor, drink fully, and remember. These are the wines we've compiled into our favorite wines of the year list. Most are reasonably priced. Some are cheap.… Continue reading VinoDuo’s Favorite Wines of 2019
A Tale of Four Cabs: Napa 2014 Blind Tasting
Gary loves Napa Cabs. Our dear friends also love Napa Cabs. Lisa? Not so much. But she was game for organizing a blind tasting of 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. This was a proper horizontal tasting with three bottles of 2014 Napa Cab Sauv and one 2014 Sonoma ringer. The tasters were six knowledgeable… Continue reading A Tale of Four Cabs: Napa 2014 Blind Tasting
New $25 and Under Finds at Gala Tasting
In autumn, wine shops typically hold a “grand tasting” showcasing wines promoted by their various distributors. In advance of the holidays, wine-lovers flock to these events for free tastings and a few cubes of cheese. VinoDuo is always up for a free gala tasting, particularly if it’s held at a shop we’ve never been to.… Continue reading New $25 and Under Finds at Gala Tasting
Holiday Wine Gifts: Beyond the Usual Suspects
So friends, Halloween is gone and Thanksgiving and the winter holidays loom. When you're asked to bring a bottle of wine to these gatherings, your first thought might be to grab an old reliable like Kendall-Jackson Chardonnay or the red blend 19 Crimes. How about considering an alternative to these tried-and-true offerings? With so much… Continue reading Holiday Wine Gifts: Beyond the Usual Suspects
Recovered From the Archives: Blind Tasting 2015
2015: Crossed-Up Blind Tasting — Napa Cabernets I'm an old Jethro Tull fan. One of my favorites from Aqualung is “Cross-Eyed Mary” whose opening line is “Who would be a poor man, a beggar man, a thief --if he had a rich man in his hand? And who would steal the candy from a laughing… Continue reading Recovered From the Archives: Blind Tasting 2015
Best Napa Cabs for Splurge Day and Every Day
Carolina Wine & Spirits hosted a terrific "Best Napa Cab" tasting event at Osteria Posto in Waltham MA a few weeks back. The selection of 100+ sampled wines came from the best-known, upper-tier vineyards from Napa, Alexander, and Knights Valleys. Gary is the big Cab lover of the duo so we’re posting reviews of his… Continue reading Best Napa Cabs for Splurge Day and Every Day
The Sound of Wine and Music/Part 3
We wrap up our review of the Carolina Wines Grand Tasting at Symphony Hall with three excellent wines from St. Helena in Napa Valley. ROMBAUER VINEYARDS, St. Helena, Napa Valley CA 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon $65/bottle Let’s start with “wow!” The balance between tannins, fruit and finish is truly a masterpiece. It’s got a full-body mouthfeel… Continue reading The Sound of Wine and Music/Part 3
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