One of the more interesting wine bottles to come across my desk this past year is called Redline, a red wine blend from California’s Adobe Road Winery. What first got my attention was the cool looking bottle with a silkscreened vintage sports car tachometer on the bottle. Why? I’ll explain. Located in the heart of Sonoma County, Kevin Buckler and his wife Debra opened Adobe … [Read more...]
Figuière Famille Combard Le Saint André
Who doesn’t love a sale? Through the end of March, you can pick up a terrific, versatile red wine from Provence, France for a mere $11.99 (regularly priced at $14.99). The wine is Figuière Famille Combard Le Saint André. One of the things I love about the wines of Provence is that they tend to be uncomplicated, yet refined, with great minerality. I also like that they … [Read more...]
Affordable Italian Sangiovese from CAPARZO, Perfect Pairing for Pasta with Red Sauce
CAPARZO Toscana Sangiovese 2018 In my opinion, there’s no better wine pairing for pasta with rich red sauce - like the “Sunday Gravy” featured in this week’s Scheff’s Table - than Italian Sangiovese. I recently came across a really good, very affordable Italian Sangiovese from CAPARZO that was a perfect pairing for pappardelle with Sunday gravy. Priced at a mere $11.99, … [Read more...]
All Occasions Zinfandel: Artezin Old Vine Zinfandel Mendocino
As we grow near the end of barbecue and grilling season, I’m recommending an affordable, wonderful wine that’s great with grilled food but would also be a welcome guest at this year’s Thanksgiving holiday table. The wine is Artezin Old Vine Zinfandel Mendocino County ($15.95). It’s a very fruity and robust Zin that - unlike a lot of blockbuster Zinfandel these days - has a … [Read more...]
Hess Family Wine Estates: 2016 Lion Tamer, Red Blend
For quite some time, Hess Family Wine Estates has been one of my favorite sources for excellent wine values. Hess is a family-owned, fifth-generation company committed to responsible agricultural and business practices. The Hess family’s wineries in California, South Africa, and Argentina produce award-winning wines made with sustainable production and growing methods, … [Read more...]
Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon
It was the bottle shape of Three Finger Jack East Side Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ($22) that first got my attention. It’s not a typical red wine bottle; it looks more like something you’d find whiskey in. So I thought: Here we go again - another red wine aged in whiskey barrels - a winemaking trend that I’m quickly tiring of. But I was wrong. This is not wine … [Read more...]
Orin Swift Wines
Orin Swift Abstract wine label At Thistle & Thyme When I dined at Thistle & Thyme this week, I perused the small wine list. It’s not especially extensive, but there are some interesting selections and I like that most of the wines are available by the glass or 9-ounce carafe. One of the most appealing wines on the restaurant’s list is Orin Swift Abstract 2017. I’d buy … [Read more...]
Etude Pinot Noir
If you’re in the market for a great holiday gift for a wine lover, or just looking for an excellent red wine to serve with Christmas dinner, I’d consider Etude Pinot Noir, Grace Benoist Ranch, Carneros Estate Grown. According to Etude winemaker Jon Priest, this Etude Carneros Pinot Noir “hails from our estate vineyards tucked away in the far Northwest corner of the Carneros … [Read more...]
Fine Wines: E. Guigal Saint-Joseph 2015
I have been a fan of the fine wines from the firm of E. Guigal in Ampuis, France, for many, many years. These wines from the Côtes du Rhône are of very high quality, yet are typically priced quite reasonably. They are consistently great bangs-for-the-buck. Founded in 1946 by Etienne Guigal, his son Marcel has led the family estate since 1961 and his son Philippe – Etienne’s … [Read more...]
Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon
If you know of a wine with the complexity, nuance and concentration of Bonterra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, priced at $16.95 or under, I’d sure like to hear about it. This is one of my top bang-for-the-buck picks of the many wines I’ve had the pleasure of sampling so far this year. According to Bonterra winemaker Jeff Cichocki, when discussing the density of flavors in Bonterra … [Read more...]