2015: Crossed-Up Blind Tasting — Napa CabernetsI'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 baby's… 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 CA2016 Cabernet Sauvignon $65/bottleLet’s start with “wow!” The balance between tannins, fruit and finish is truly a masterpiece. It’s got a full-body mouthfeel and provides… Continue reading The Sound of Wine and Music/Part 3
The Sound of Wine and Music/Part 2
Continuing with our walk through of the Grand Tasting from Carolina Wines, here are three "must buys" and one "I'd buy it if it were cheaper" wines. TENUTE SANT'ANTONIO/SCAIA [Veneto] 2016 Scaia Corvina $15/bottle A pleasant surprise with floral cherries and red berries on the nose and light zesty cherry notes on the palate. At… Continue reading The Sound of Wine and Music/Part 2
The Sound of Wine and Music/Part 1
A grand tasting ought to be held at an opulent venue and Carolina Wines held nothing back when they put on the Ritz at Boston Symphony Hall on September 10th. With the Hall’s majestic organ pipes as a backdrop, 67 purveyors brought out their best wines and spirits for a truly grand tasting for the… Continue reading The Sound of Wine and Music/Part 1
Clos to Perfect? Clos Bartolomé Vernet Priorat 2015
We first discovered Priorat wines during a quick stop in Barcelona some years back. The Priorat region lies in northeastern Spain, just south of Barcelona in the Catalonia province of Tarragona. The signature Priorat red is made with Grenache and Carignon, typically blended with Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and/or Merlot. These Bordeaux-style wines are big, bold… Continue reading Clos to Perfect? Clos Bartolomé Vernet Priorat 2015
You Say Rosé, I say Rosato & Txakolina
I take a lot of crap from friends who equate rosé with the pale pink juice from Provence that floods wine shops in June. Those summer confections (I'm talking to you, Whispering Angel) are light, fun and forgettable. I, of course, have a far more sophisticated palate. Which takes me across the Pyrenees to Basque… Continue reading You Say Rosé, I say Rosato & Txakolina
Trinchero CPW Rocks!
Trinchero Central Park West Cabernet Sauvignon is drinking beautifully with subtle vanilla/leather notes layered over black fruit flavors with long finish.Terrific with NY Strip steak at Cafe' Mangal. Paid $35 for this bottle and now drinking like $75 bottle.
The Rosé of the Summer: First Crush Winery
I've run out of clichés for my favorite Rosé of the year: Summer in a glass. Party in a bottle. Deck wine of deck wines. That's how over the moon I am about "Innocence," the 2018 Rosé from First Crush Winery on Cape Cod. Yes, Cape Cod. The grapes don't emerge from sand dunes...they come… Continue reading The Rosé of the Summer: First Crush Winery
Chick Chick Chorree
Dining at a new place called Chickadee this evening and we were blown away by the interesting wine list. A 2015 Vietti Nebbiolo by the glass!! Barnyard nose and floral strawberry on the palate...very good!
