Shafer Relentless

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
There is nothing subtle about this big wine at all. Huge black fruits, dark chocolate, freshly-turned earth, seared beef fat, and eucalyptus make two big fists and punch their way out of the bottle and into your heart. It is rich, opulent, and powerful. It will pair beautifully with a

Shafer Hillside Select

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
The color is beautiful, almost completely opaque at the center, and sparkling like rubies at the edges. The nose only teases at what is to come, leading with milk chocolate, then dark chocolate and a touch of espresso. A deeper pull reveals blueberries baking in a pie and hints of

Rocco “Gravel Road” Pinot Noir

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
The nose is a bit shy, offering light aromas of cherry and dried raspberry. Cranberry and raspberry dominates on the palate, with soft tannins and racy acidity. It is fresh and clean, and rather straightforward. Drink with fried pork tenderloin. Recommended. 88 points. DBH WHO:  Roco WHAT: Pinot Noir WHEN: 2013 DESIGNATION: Gravel Road

Harken Barrel Fermented Chardonnay

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Butter, oak, and apple come up on the nose. This is a barrel-lover's wine, slathering apple and pear with Irish butter and vanilla. Drink with a bucket of fried chicken on a sunny afternoon. Recommended. 87 points. DBH WHO: Harken WHAT: Chardonnay WHEN: 2016 DESIGNATION: Barrel Fermented WHERE: California HOW

BenRiach Curiositas 10-Year Speyside Peated

Becky Sue Epstein
Wine Reviews
1 min read
It was very loud in Earl’s Cocktail Lab when I was looking for the BenRiach party, but I finally remembered to mention that one of them was wearing a kilt. That caught the hostess’ attention and she immediately steered me toward brand ambassador Stewart Buchanan, neat and elegant in his

Psâgot Viognier

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Apples, cloves, and nutmeg aromas roil up from the glass. Apples and cloves lead on the palate, with a surprisingly savory mid-palate offering hints of mushroom and leafy herbs. Classic Viognier tropical fruits pop out and linger on the finish. This is a complex and interesting wine that would pair

Wente “Riva Ranch” Chardonnay

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Aromas of baking apple tart and vanilla roll up from the glass. Buttery apple pastry with cinnamon and nutmeg come through on the palate, rich, round, and soft. Drink with blackened grouper with plenty of kick. Highly Recommended. 90 points. DBH WHO: Wente WHAT: Chardonnay WHEN: 2015 DESIGNATION: Riva Ranch

Alcance Gran Reserva Merlot

David Honig
Wine Reviews
1 min read
Loads of baking spices make up the nose. On the palate, plums are followed by black cherries, baking spice and cinnamon by menthol and mint. Pencil lead and espresso ground the wine. Rich, complex, offering a myriad of highs and lows, this would pair beautifully with peppercorn steak. Recommended. 88