Yesterday one of the most respected judges in the country penned the Federal Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals' decision on Indiana's alcohol delivery law, and it was not good news for retailers. Judge Richard Posner smacked down the latest challenge to wine shipping laws, rejecting a case that, in retrospect,
Blackcurrant leads on the nose, with background aromas of red currant and ground limestone. On the palate, the lead is a blend of black and red fruits, cedar, a tiny background touch of vanilla, and spices, including cracked pepper and rosemary. Tannins are dusty, drying, and sweet. This is very
A very interesting twist on Syrah, New World and Old World meet in South Africa. Dark fruit, smoke, eucalyptus and pepper make for a very interesting nose. It is much darker on the palate, blackberry and mulberry, with loads of hickory-smoked meat, adding mint on the mid-palate, with a smoky
The nose shows the classic markers for Cabernet Franc, with blackcurrant and raspberry, violets, and hints of tobacco leaf. Raspberries and black plum show on the palate, tobacco and black cherry on the mid-palate, with a good streak of acid and sweet tannins. Lighter than its brawny cousin Cabernet Sauvignon,
As Publisher of Palate Press: The online wine magazine, it is my honor to announce the 2011 Palate Press Wines of the Year. This year we have three Wines of the Year. The first was selected in a blind tasting of Palate Press Wines of the Week at the
Great Napa vineyards? Check! Low yield? Check! Dry hot summer and fall? Check! Nearly two years in 80% new French oak? Check! More than 90 points in the big magazines? Check! Okay everybody, it's Cult Wine Time! Let's sell this stuff for $175 a bottle! That was a great plan in 2008, when the
The nose opens with white flowers, pears, and a background of lemon zest. On the palate the acids are positively zingy. Pears, tart apple, and lemon all play over a background of ginger snaps and white pepper. Drink with fried tenderloin. Recommended. DH WHO: Sybille Kuntz WHAT: Riesling WHERE: Germany,
Having had a delightful lunch on the terrace at Chateau de Parenchère last fall, I was pleased to see their 2008 Bordeaux Supérieur had recently arrived in the States. I opened it before dinner one night. I inhaled, I sipped -- and I just wanted to drink it, not analyze it. It's a well-made wine with