Author Becky Sue Epstein

1 min read

While it was not entirely unexpected, the recent death of Bordeaux’s great wine analyst Denis Dubourdieu of brain cancer at the age of 67 is a tragedy. I can only claim to have known him slightly from annual encounters in Bordeaux, but I valued every connection with this passionate and

Trending: the English Sparkling Thing

4 min read

English sparkling wine is now a thing. Unless you’re a sparkling wine nut like me, you might not have noticed. In fact it’s more than just a thing: English sparkling wine has been beating French Champagne in blind tastings every year, lately. Why? And why now? At some point in

What We’re Drinking – 2013 True Myth Cabernet Sauvignon

1 min read

As soon as it’s poured into a glass, warm red fruits and a hint of chocolate greet the nose. With a hefty mouthfeel, some of the fruit and cocoa continue on the palate along with coffee and cedar. Big fine tannins appear in the finish, with bit of the fruit peeking through. A good

What We’re Drinking – 2013 Miner Emily’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

1 min read

Interesting aromas of herbs and grasses – a Mediterranean-style garrigue introduction to this Californian wine that continues on the palate where fruit takes second place to herbs and tannins. A hot, longish finish showing a little undeveloped tannin as expected. Because, though you can drink this now, it would be better to wait 1-5 years. RECOMMENDED (with age).

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Jordan Vineyard & Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley

1 min read

When first poured, the familiar Bordeaux-like aroma envelopes your senses. And sure enough, this wine is a blend of four of the main Bordeaux grapes – dominated, in this case, by cabernet sauvignon (77%). Both aroma and flavor exhibit refined red fruit against a backdrop of fine tannin. Well-balanced tannin, fruit and

What We’re Drinking – 2012 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG

1 min read

Here’s a good reason to use that decanter you’ve been meaning to try. From the bottle, at first pour, this wine had aromas containing hints of mint, sweet tomato and spice. It felt bigger on the palate, and the sweet fruit opened up a little, alongside a touch of cedar. Cedary tannin was more

Trending: Bordeaux delivers striking 2015 Vintage

3 min read

The 2015 vintage in Bordeaux was striking – amazingly so. Actually stunning. In the sense that those of us who recently had early samples of the wines at the Bordeaux en primeur tastings in April were both awed and mystified by this vintage. First, because the wines were so smooth

Trending: Small and large, pink and red