What a difference a couple of years can make. When I originally bought a bottle of the 2004 La Coudraye by Yannick Amirault, an acclaimed vigneron from the Loire Valley, this natural-yeast fermented cabernet franc was a pretty tightly wound-read more-
Merlot sometimes gets a very bad rap, but more examples like this would redeem it. Blended with Cabernet Franc, this one reminded me of a good Right Bank Bordeaux. Deep, bright ruby colored, with aromas of blackberry, vanilla and blueberry-read more-
The most open and evolved of Twomey's 2008 Pinot Noirs, this Russian River Valley ruby red beauty surprises with sunny orange peel on the nose opening up to ripe cherries. Soft with a zing on the front of the palate,-read more-
This unusual blend of 52% Sangiovese, 36% Syrah and 12% Mourvèdre is appropriately named as it is a riot in a glass. A nose of fresh cherries and berries jumps out in your face. There is youthfulness in the palate-read more-
A smoky and meaty wine with a mouthful of blueberries and just as dark and dense as ink. Believe it or not, I was served this wine with a dessert of cheesecake with a sweet cherry sauce on top. It-read more-
L’Ecole has been producing Merlot since 1983 and after all of these years, they still have the “touch.” With the addition of 12% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon the nose is spicy showing a palate of dark-read more-
The L'Ecole No. 41 2008 Estate Luminesce is from Seven Hills Vineyard in Walla Walla Valley. Pale straw in color, this blend of 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc offers a nose of grapefruit and lychee with a touch of-read more-
Wonderful nose with coffee, cherries, oak. Cherries, chocolate, blackberries and tar on the palate. Long dry finish, with fruit, plum skins, and toasted coconut. Extraordinary. I would put this up against any $75 big name Australian Shiraz and have another-read more-