Even after more than forty years as a winegrower, Stuart (Stu) Smith still finds his happiness in the vineyards. “There is just something to playing with a product in the dirt, and then having it at dinner,” he gushes. Smith, founder and managing partner of Smith-Madrone in Napa Valley’s Spring
San Miniato is a delightful town in the province of Pisa, in Tuscany—it is also known as San Miniato al Tedesco meaning “of the German,” to distinguish it from another nearby San Miniato called “al Monte,” which is a convent in Florence about forty kilometers to the northeast. In this
Coffee and milk chocolate, with blueberries in the background, waft up from the glass, making a very pleasant nose. On the palate, blackberries, blueberries, and coffee lead, with pepper and the tiniest hint of vanilla in the background. Blackberries fade and lavender joins blueberry and coffee on the mid-palate. A
This white wine made with organic grapes you’ve probably never heard of is a great find at a great price. Beginning with a combination of green apple blossoms and herbs, it’s at first reminiscent of a fruity Sauvignon Blanc. But on the palate it has more mild, rounded flavors, as
The wine is a very pretty bright light yellow with a steady stream of tiny bubbles. Pears, yeast, and a touch of smoke are on the nose. Smoke is stronger on the palate, underlying deeper fruits, a blend of baked apples and fresh apples, fresh baked bread and a touch
Quick—what do a former aerospace engineer, a computer tech industry entrepreneur, and a trained geologist who spent most of his career traversing the globe to find rare earth substances all have in common? If you answered “they all now make fine wine in Colorado,” you’d be correct, though chances are
Clear, bright, medium salmon. Medium-low intensity aromas of rose, gooseberries, cranberry, and pungent herbs. Dry on the palate, medium body, medium-high acidity, medium alcohol, medium-long finish. Flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, citrus, tart apple, and red raspberries. Recommended. (86-87) RR WHO: J.K. Carriere Wines WHAT: Pinot Noir WHERE: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Clear, bright, medium-pale straw yellow. Clean on the nose with medium-full intensity aromas of minerality, bright apple, yeast, and dried lemon rind. Dry on the palate, medium-full body, medium-high acidity, medium alcohol, medium-long finish. Flavors of poached pear, dried tropical fruit, lemon crème brûlée, and lemon meringue. Very highly recommended.