Dark, concentrated, almost pensive, this wine had me from the first swirl.  Concentrated, deep, a changeling in the glass.  I just smiled and kept going in for another try.  Here, Turley blends an assortment of dry-farmed grapes from across several areas including Napa, Lodi, and … [Read more...]

Fifth generation port producer, Dirk van der Niepoort pushed this venerable house further into the "new" territory of still wines.  His Niepoort "Projectos" wines include this single varietal Bastardo (Trousseau or Trousseau Noir if you're from eastern France).  Bastardo can find … [Read more...]

A lighter medium bodied Chinon made from 100% Cabernet Franc.  Quite a pronounced acidity here - definitely a "food wine".  I was hoping for a bit more, but this is an entry level offering and it does display some decent fruit.  There was also an intriguing smokiness on the … [Read more...]

This wine is the mid point offering (of five pinot noirs) from one of Australia's most respected family run wineries.  Leaning to a more savoury than sweet style, there's still plenty of Yarra Valley fruit to appreciate.  Steve Webber's restrained touch is all over this almost … [Read more...]

This IGT blend combines 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Sangiovese and 5% Cabernet Franc.  It has an appealing fruit forward bouquet which somehow didn't seem, for me at least, to materialize on the palate.  That's not to say this is a bad wine.  It displayed a lively freshness, … [Read more...]