Schramsberg long ago established themselves as the preeminent California Champagne maker with such offerings as their Reserve and J Schram bottlings. The new Mirabelle Brut Rose NV continues the streak of great wines, just with a significantly lower price. A rosé with serious intentions, this has a delicate pink hue and floral strawberry and spicy [...]

Ah, Tempranillo and cold-weather…as a current resident of Southern California, I miss the later (occasionally) and use the former to remember it. For years, I drank copious amounts of Tempranillo with the hearty, comfort dishes my wife would make during the loooong, cooooold Upstate New York winters, and nothing quite takes me back in the [...]

Huge fan of Rhone blends…always have been, most likely always will be. My problem is I drink so many from the Rhone Valley that I crave change. That is why I love the fact that so many other countries are experimenting with these blends at all different price-points. My latest discovery is from the famed [...]

Henry’s Drive, with their terrific winemaker Chris Ringland, are turning out some of Australia’s most exciting and highly rated wines, with a stable that includes Dead Letter Office, Pillar Box, and Parson’s Flat Shiraz/Cabernet. A blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% American oak, of which 80% is new. It is [...]

Last week, the boss (read: wife) and I hosted a wine tasting at the house for a few close friends. We only stipulated under $30 and red….cold and rainy, no whites allowed. As often happens, we ultimately ended up with 6 Cabernets, and our Spanish blend (our friends do love their cabs). Lo and behold, [...]

Pahlmeyer has been producing award-winning Chardonnays and Reds, in Napa, for years. Because of limited quantity, and high scores, their wines mainly make it into higher-end restaurants, and what is left can command pretty hefty prices. Lucky for us, they make a “second” called Jayson. Available in a Red Blend, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay, you [...]

I cannot seem to remember the last wine from Muga that I didn’t love. Frankly I cannot remember even merely liking one. Truth be told, I am infatuated with Spanish wine, but I think that can actually work against them on occasion, as I drink so many that “mediocre” is always immediately obvious to me. [...]