Californian Wines

Ridge Buchignani Ranch Carignane 2018

by  |  05-04-2024

I don’t understand why Carignan is so polemic. Anyone who’s a regular reader of this site knows that I’m a huge fan of the variety as shown with the large Carignan tasting I did awhile... more »

Bodegas Ausàs – Interpretación 2021

by  |  04-03-2024

Reverse psychology can be a bitch when selling a wine. I say this as I have to assume that the following quote from a recent article reviewing wines from Ribera del Duero was attempting such... more »

Res Fortes – Merlot Madness 2022

by  |  15-02-2024

I was recently up in the Roussillon region to research a new report on one of my most favorite regions outside of Spain, although ‘Catalunya Nord’ is only technically not Spain due to historical treaty-isms.... more »

Domaine Manciat-Poncet – Mâcon-Bussières Rouge 2018

by  |  05-02-2024

The big news in wine is that apparently less people are drinking it. This is indeed, Big News because in a normal year, the Big News would be about the fact that Burgundy producers have... more »

Sierra de Toloño – Rosado 2020

by  |  12-01-2024

The news in booze as of late, isn’t terribly good from most point of views. I say “most” as it depends upon which side of the aisle you’re on in terms of drinking, but if... more »

Sístole – Maturana Tinta 2021

by  |  10-11-2023

When I first started encountering varietal Grenache wines in Rioja, I have to say, I wasn’t bowled over by a great many of them. It was often the case that they were from cooler point... more »

Casa Gran del Siurana La Fredat 2020

by  |  23-10-2023

It’s very easy to make the case that Grenache is a fine, worldclass grape variety these days. Look no further than the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Gredos, and of course, Priorat, if you want to taste... more »

Ridge – Frediani Valdiguié 2021

by  |  25-09-2023

When I was still working for a winery in Napa Valley many years ago now, my mom asked me, “Hey, what ever happened to Gamay Beaujolais? That was one of my favorite Napa wines, but... more »

Vinovalie Sans Culotte Blanc 2020

by  |  01-09-2023

I won’t lie, there’s an excitement for me in discovering new wines and it’s why the core of this site is to “be wine curious.” I do realize for the vast majority of winedrinkers, this... more »

Vall Llach – Embruix 2021

by  |  31-07-2023

While compiling this year’s lengthy Priorat report, I realized that I’ve tasted Vall Llach’s Embruix wine a good number of times. In fact, it would probably my most-tasted wine from Priorat with the exception of... more »