Cotes-du-Rhone 2009 & 2010- Buy Them While You Can!!

The past 3 years have been some of the best vintages to date in almost any region; Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Washington, Oregon and so forth, but only a few have had outstanding vintages both in 2009 and 2010, the Rhone happens to be one of them.  Some of the best wines, since 2007, have been recently released and if you follow ratings or don’t, it doesn’t matter because the quality is in the glass.  Rich, dense, structured, firm, age-worthy and balanced are just a few of the descriptors when reviewing the wines from these vintages, but act fast because it will all be sold before you know it.  So take advantage of the wines from these vintages whether they are inexpensive and ready to drink now, or expensive and meant to be drunk years down the road, because nothing good ever lasts. Continue reading Cotes-du-Rhone 2009 & 2010- Buy Them While You Can!!

Unappreciated South Africa

South African wines have been on my mind lately, although this isn’t the first time.  Last year I wrote about the subject while the World Cup was going on there.  At the time I focused on the impact of French Huguenot immigrants to the young and immature Dutch Cape Colony wine industry.  I didn’t really write that much about the wines, except to point out that, “I’ve always enjoyed them because I believe that they consistently offer an intriguing blend of new world fruit with just enough old world earthiness, structure (think acidity, tannin, etc…), and complexity.”  I still stand by that statement.  I also stand by another I read recently, “A sense of place is more important now…supermarkets are full of ‘factory’ wines with made-up names.”  Thanks Gary Jordan, I agree with you. Continue reading Unappreciated South Africa

2nd Annual Harvest Tasting: Saturday, October 22 & 29

Join us for our 2nd Annual Harvest Tasting on Saturday, October 22 & 29.  As usual there will be over 50 bottles of wine open at each tasting ranging from the light and ever so fun sparkling wines to the dark and robust, full-bodied reds.  Bring family and friends, as long as they’re 21, and come have fun with us.  Finger-food will be available!!