Made from 100% French Colombard, this wine was totally dry, but still succulent (a neat trick), made by Yannick Rousseau, who grew up in an area of France where he learned wine making, and where the first wine he made-read more-
The dense, dark garnet color was enlivened in the nose by fresh garden herbs, forest leaves and a black and red fruit complexity, complemented by the more savory loam, anise and truffle notes. The palate is where the complexity of-read more-
Tannic and tight, this still seems young. There is a lot of black fruit, and espresso and dark chocolate are trying to peek out from behind the leather and stems. Tannins and acid seem to be in balance, so put-read more-
Why write about a wine already sold out? Well, as the new kid on the block, Aver Family Vineyards is doing great things. But it is all in small lots. Their 2006 100% Estate grown Petite Sirah 'Blessings' is reason-read more-
In 1989, the Swiss Amez-Droz family got an opportunity to buy this 90-hectare estate located just west of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which offered them several hectares of old vines of mainly grenache and syrah, with smaller amounts of mourvèdre, cinsault, counoise and-read more-
Rich but well-balanced dark fruit, an acid spine the gobs of fruit could hang from in comfort. It drew oohs and ahs from the crowd. WHO: Star Lane Vineyard WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon WHERE: Santa Ynez Valley, California WHEN: 2005 HOW-read more-
A huge Syrah, exploding with roast meat, herbs, and overwhelming savory umami, dark fruit slathered in teriyaki sauce. WHO: Foxen Vineyard WHAT: Syrah WHERE: Santa Maria Valley, California WHEN: 2006 HOW MUCH: $46
The Sylvia Plath of California Cabernet, lots of brooding dark fruit on the nose. Slightly gamey and brash. Lots of self-loathing. WHO: Swanson Vineyards WHAT: Cabernet Sauvignon WHERE: Oakville AVA, Napa, California WHEN: 2005 HOW MUCH: $75