I hate wine clubs. Every organization from the New York Times to the National Rifle Association has one, and they all sell the same crap: bottled bulk wines exactly like those at the local supermarket, but with different labels. Plonk is different. Plonk is the first wine club I've ever
Blackberries and black pepper come out on the nose. The palate offers a bit more red fruit to complement the blackberries, mostly dried strawberries with hints of pomegranate. Tannins are grippy, acids well in balance. There's some earthiness and smoked meat here, too. This is a brawny young wine, a
Candied red fruit rolls up on the nose. The palate shows even more candied fruit, maraschino cherries and Twizzlers, along with sweet vanilla. This is sweet for a dry red. It might be a good introductory wine, a modern-day White Zinfandel in a red wine. Drink with neophytes. Not Recommended.
Leather, cherries, and brambles show on the nose. Cola, birch beer, cherries and strawberries all collide on the palate. Flavors are fresh, fruity, and simple. Drink with Polish sausage. Recommended. 85 points. DBH WHO: Garcas Silva WHAT: Pinot Noir WHEN: 2015 DESIGNATION: Boya WHERE: Leyda Valley, Chile HOW MUCH: $20 (media sample) POINTS: 85
Cherries, red licorice, and freshly-turned earth come out on the nose. Candied cherry erupts on the palate with red licorice close behind. The mid-palate, too, has deep earthiness. The overall impression is red fruit candy. Drink with pot roast. Recommended. 86 points. DBH WHO: Las Rocas de San Alejandro WHAT:
The nose shows the clear Cuban cigar benchmark for North Fork Cabernet Franc. Raspberry is the predominant flavor, with tobacco and vanilla on the mid-palate. This is an interesting food wine, one that will enhance, rather than compete against, most meats. Drink with lamb chops. Recommended. 88 points. DBH WHO:
Blueberry and toasty oak explode on the nose. The palate is huge, with blueberry and cherry pie, sweet and rich, with hints of birch on the mid-palate. Drink with butter-seared filet. Highly Recommended. 94 points. DBH WHO: VGS Chateau Potelle WHEN: 2013 WHERE: Moon Mountain, Sonoma County, California WHAT: Zinfandel HOW MUCH:$65.00 (media
A couple months ago, as part of an industry wine tour of the Marche region of Italy, I found myself eating dinner at the Marchese del Grillo hotel restaurant in Fabriano. And while the food was generally excellent, the meal was particularly notable because of said restaurant’s wine list, which
