Backstage at the world’s largest wine competition: two incredible days of judging at the International Wine Challenge in London. At 9 AM on Monday, it was coffee and croissants for 15 minutes while we listened to instructions. Then on to-read more-
Definite luscious cabernet in the nose, dusty earthy and some minty eucalyptus in both nose and flavor. Smooth mouthfeel. Lighter on end-palate and in finish. Firm structure and moderate, well-integrated tannins. I would recommend aerating and/or decanting before drinking—which I-read more-
Made from 100-year-old vines, this Malbec is gentle and pleasing. The nose has dry earth notes, and the flavor a slight spiciness. Dark berry compote with candied plum and burnt sugar, hints of cocoa, tobacco. Tinny tannins but a floral-read more-
The “Oro” is the reserve Malbec, and it’s a restrained version of the regular Malbec in the Gauchezco line. Here, there’s a very slight aroma of blackberry and leaf. Spicy, dark, cooked cherry on the palate, transitioning to milder dark-read more-
It’s still summer (even if the calendar says September) so I opened a bottle of le Jaja de Jau Sauvignon Blanc—a château whose wines I haven’t tried for some years but remember favorably. (My colleague and our publisher David Honig-read more-
The Kathryn Kennedy Winery website candidly lists some of their wines as "past prime." Luckily, the 1997 offered by my new wine friend Danny had been cellared well, so it fit the promised drink/hold category. And I would put the-read more-
As a wine professional, I was a bit embarrassed at how little I knew about the Spanish wine region of Ribera del Duero before I traveled there in June. Maybe I should not have been—it is famous in the UK,-read more-
Very fresh aromas waft from the glass, and limestone is the first thing to hit the palate. It’s even a bit spritzy on the tongue at first. Flavor layers range from well-vinified fruit to underlying sherry. With citrus in the-read more-