December 8, 2022 - Antonio Galloni
Spirits: The Tip of the Iceberg
It all started innocently enough. Over the last few years, I have seen a marked increase in spirits made by winemakers. I thought it would be fun to taste them and write them all up. That was the genesis for this report. But then more and more samples arrived, and before I knew it, the article had morphed into a broad survey of spirits of all kinds. This article is clearly not comprehensive to any one category, but rather intended as a collection of spirits I think Vinous readers will enjoy.
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December 6, 2022 - Antonio Galloni
Piedmont Within Reach
Piedmont is full of excitement these days, more than I have ever seen in 25 years of visiting the region. The rapid escalation of prices and dwindling availability of the region’s top wines can be discouraging, but it needn’t be, as Piedmont has so much to offer beyond the most highly coveted Barolos and Barbarescos. This report covers a wide range of wines that deliver plenty of Piedmont soul at prices that are accessible.
December 1, 2022 - Rebecca Gibb MW
Sancerre Sees Red
Prices of red Burgundy seem to show no sign of easing. In the search for an alternative, wine lovers may head east toward Germany or further afield to New Zealand and Oregon. However, a mere two-hour drive from the Côte de Nuits lies an often-overlooked Pinot Noir region, sitting on coveted ground.
November 29, 2022 - Eric Guido
Umbria: Taking It to the Next Level
Umbrian wines have always communicated tremendous potential; however, except for a short list of producers, these wines have often been underwhelming. I have long looked forward to the day the region would begin to deliver the best quality possible. That day may be just over the horizon.
November 22, 2022 - Neal Martin
Dealing with the New Paradigm: Burgundy 2018
So, the 2018 Burgundy vintage was too warm to bestow tensile Chardonnay and transparent Pinot Noirs, yes? Well, not exactly. I tasted more than 400 whites and reds blind at the annual Burgfest to see how the vintage is shaping up. Expect the unexpected!
November 21, 2022 - Antonio Galloni
The Vinous 2022 Holiday Gift Guide
With the holidays right around the corner, we’ve you covered for that perfect gift for the wine lover in your life. The Vinous Holiday Gift Guide is packed with the year's most intriguing books, glassware, openers, maps and more.
November 17, 2022 - Eric Guido
The Unrealized Potential of Marche
Overall quality in Marche has never been higher. However, my feeling is that many producers have yet to fully realize the potential of this diverse region. I often left my tastings this year wondering what red and white varieties might be able to achieve here.
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December 2, 2022 - Antonio Galloni
Vinous Table: Guido da Costigliole, Cuneo, Italy
Readers visiting Piedmont should carve out the time to go to Guido at the Relais San Maurizio. The hotel is wonderful too, should you not want to leave. Andrea Alciati, Monica Magnani and the team at Guido are at the top of their game.
November 18, 2022 - Neal Martin
Vinous Table: Wild Flor, Brighton, UK
Wild Flor is an outstanding addition to Brighton’s dining scene. After years of coasting, Brighton is finally waking up to the fact that it can coexist with the proliferation of casual gastropubs and vegan eateries. It was refreshing to see a serious, thoughtful wine list whose accumulative costs are probably a little more than that 1996 Chambertin! I cannot wait to return.
November 11, 2022 - Neal Martin
Vinous Table: Eike, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Eike lived up to expectations – the food was just delicious and exhibited just the right amount of flair whilst keeping it “real”.
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90 points ($25)
2021 G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo
The 2021 Langhe Nebbiolo is a terrific entry-level wine. Delicate and gracious in the glass, it captures the essence of the house style. Bright, red-toned fruit, orange peel, mint, crushed rocks and white pepper lend brightness to this elegant, wonderfully translucent Langhe Nebbiolo. (AG)
91 points ($20)
2020 City Limits Syrah Street Art Columbia Valley
The 2020 Syrah Street Art is perfumed and wickedly fresh, with peppery herbs and smoky black currants. Zesty acidity enlivens its energetic tart wild berry fruit. This finishes potent yet lively, with a crunchy coating of tannins. It’s a great value. (EG)
90 points ($17)
2021 L'Ecole Nº 41 Semillon Columbia Valley
A great value and a perfect holiday wine, the 2021 Semillon is sweetly scented with dusty flowers, vivid yellow apple and chamomile. It’s suave, opulent and perfectly balanced, with a mix of tropical fruits and florals cascading throughout. The 2021 finishes with crisp, refreshing length. (EG)
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December 5, 2022 - Antonio Galloni
Cellar Favorite: 2008 Domaine Jean-François Coche-Dury Meursault Les Rougeots
The 2008 Meursault Les Rougeous from Coche-Dury is fabulous.
November 28, 2022 - Neal Martin
Cellar Favorite: 1943 Petrus
In my continuing and futile attempt to drink every Petrus of the 20th century, I ticked off one of the lesser-known war vintages this summer. Incidentally, it was served blind, and though I identified the château, I was quite a few years out on the vintage. Maybe even decades!
November 21, 2022 - Neal Martin
Cellar Favorite: 1993 Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits Saint-Georges Les Roncières
This bottle of 1993 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Roncières 1er Cru was ‘magpied’ off a list in Beaune, one of the few bottles whose umbilical had not been cut within the last three years.
