September 29, 2022 - Neal Martin
Growing Up ‘n Getting Wiser: South Africa in 2022
Returning after lockdown, I sought to take the temperature of South Africa’s ever-changing vinous landscape: walking vineyards, meeting winemakers and marvelling at wines that quicken the pulse. What are the roots of its success? Where are the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead? It’s time to find out.
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September 28, 2022 - Antonio Galloni
2021 Barolo en Primeur Charity Auction
I am delighted to once again host the Barolo en Primeur Charity Auction, being held simultaneously in New York City and Grinzane Cavour on Friday, October 28 at 12pm New York time and 6pm Piedmont time. This is a rare opportunity to acquire 2021 Barolo ahead of release. Some of the lots will be sold as single barrels, as they were last year, while others are collections of smaller lots from various producers, organized by village. All the wines will be adorned with special labels designed by artist Michelangelo Pistoletto.
September 27, 2022 - Neal Martin
A Century of Bordeaux: The Twos
Why look back 10 years when you could look back 20, 30, 40, perhaps 110 years? After a lockdown hiatus, my annual “Century of…” article examines an array of Bordeaux wines from a raft of 2012s, all the way back to the year the Titanic sank.
September 22, 2022 - Eric Guido
Basilicata: Vulture’s Rise from the Ashes
For many years now, a core of passion- and quality-driven producers have been working hard to prove that Vulture deserves its place on the world’s stage. While many hurdles remain, I wholeheartedly believe that Vulture is very much on its way.
September 20, 2022 - Neal Martin
Léoville-Poyferré 1936-2018
Didier Cuvelier rejuvenated Léoville-Poyferré. A new chapter opened when his cousin, Sara Lecompte Cuvelier, took over the helm a few years ago. Following a vertical of recent vintages, this article examines one of Saint-Julien’s most respected estates.
September 15, 2022 - Neal Martin
Swings and Roundabouts: Chablis 2020/2021
Chablis is a mirror, translating growing seasons into wine with minimal interference compared to elsewhere. The 2020 and 2021 vintages are very different, the latter resulting in wines I thought would not be seen again. So where do you start looking?
September 13, 2022 - Angus Hughson
The Power and the Passion: Wynns John Riddoch 1982-2019
The roots for Wynns Coonawarra Estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon John Riddoch were planted over a century ago in the 1890s. Today the wine is a modern Australian classic as illustrated by this full vertical tasting stretching back to the 1982 vintage. Fine, detailed and well structured, these long-lived Cabernet Sauvignons show more than just a passing resemblance to the best wines from the Left Bank and have their own, distinctive Coonawarra style.
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September 30, 2022 - Neal Martin
Vinous Table: The Sportsman, Kent, UK
I first heard about The Sportsman not long after it opened from a local friend, and it had only taken a couple of decades to visit. Thankfully, it did not disappoint. This is cooking where the chef wisely takes a back seat and allows the ingredients do all the talking.
September 16, 2022 - Neal Martin
Vinous Table: L’Espace PH3 Bistrot/La Pyramide, Vienne, France
The hotel boasts two restaurants, the two Michelin-starred La Pyramide and a bistro, L’Espace PH3. On the first night, attendees convened at the bistro in order to mine its eye-boggling wine lists, and the following day, the second part of the Chambertin tasting was accompanied by a specially prepared menu in the flagship restaurant.
September 9, 2022 - Neal Martin
Vinous Table: Cornerstone, London, UK
Cornerstone is the kind of restaurant that I am seeking more and more these days: either waiting patiently for a Michelin star or recently in receipt of one, yet unburdened by the accolade. As a showcase for Tom Brown’s culinary skill, Cornerstone works perfectly.
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93 points ($20)
2020 Tiberio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
The 2020 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo seduces with a bouquet of crushed rocks, violets, lavender, blood orange and strawberry fruits. It envelops the palate with textural, ripe wild berries, fine minerality and a crunchiness towards the close. A stunning and a wonderfully complete Montepulciano. (EG)
90 points ($16)
2017 Malacari Rosso Conero Villa Malacari
The 2017 Rosso Conero Villa Malacari smolders with a mix of black currants, smoky crushed stone and sage. It’s silky yet cool-toned, ushering in mineral-tinged red berry and violet inner florals. Grippy tannins linger as the Villa Malacari tapers off structured and almost salty in character. (EG)
91 points ($22)
2019 Fongoli Montefalco Rosso
Black cherry, spice and citrus form a beguiling display as the 2019 Montefalco Rosso comes to life. It’s silky and elegant, with acidity and mineral-laced red fruits that penetrate the palate, finishing with violets and grippy tannins. There’s a racy and fun character here. (EG)
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September 26, 2022 - Neal Martin
Cellar Favorite: Blandy’s Madeira – 2022 Bottlings
I recently joined Blandy’s CEO, Chris Blandy, and head winemaker, Francisco Albuquerque, for a tasting of their 2022 Madeira bottlings.
September 19, 2022 - Eric Guido
Cellar Favorite: 2018 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon
There are very few wines that I personally seek out year after year. For a wine to become a recurring purchase for my cellar, it takes a proven track record, unparalleled quality among. peers, vintage-to-vintage consistency and. relative value. The Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon is such a wine, even with steady price increase over the past ten years.
September 12, 2022 - Neal Martin
Cellar Favorite: 1997 & 2009 Kanonkop Paul Sauer
The secondary market for South Africa’s most desirable top cuvées continues to see increasing numbers of collectors chasing diminishing supply. Buoyant interest in the Cape’s blue chips is a relatively recent phenomenon that has grown organically, pulled by demand rather than forced by supply. One coveted label is Kanonkop’s Paul Sauer.
