Cellar Favorite: 1969 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio
Italy: Tuscany, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Oct 2021
Monsanto’s 1969 Chianti Classico Riserva Il Poggio was a very pleasant surprise after a long day of visits and tastings. Monsanto is one of the historic estates of Chianti Classico.
Cellar Favorite: Domaines Delon: Recent Cellar Releases
France: Bordeaux, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Oct 2021
There is a growing trend for châteaux to keep a proportion of their stock for late releases, the two most notable being Palmer and Léoville Las-Cases. I recently tasted vintages of 2011 from Jean-Hubert Delon’s stable.
Cellar Favorite: 2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape
France: Rhône & Beaujolais, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2021
It isn’t too often that a Cellar Favorite is also a currently available library release. That’s the case with the gorgeous 2006 Château de Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a wine that I marginally underrated when I tasted it from barrel in November 2008 and then in bottle a year after that.
Cellar Favorite: 2001 Armando Parusso Barolo Bussia
Italy: Piedmont, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2021
I pulled the 2001 Barolo Bussia from the cellar while thinking back to a dinner with Marco Parusso at one of New York City’s long-lost, great establishments, La Pizza Fresca, back when I worked for a major retailer. That was the first time I was fully introduced to the Parusso style, and the first time I had the opportunity to taste the 2001 among a larger lineup of wines that were there for sale.
Cellar Favorite: 1983 Domaine Charles Joguet Chinon Clos de la Dioterie
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Loire
, Sep 2021
Though I have always adored the Loire, I never had the opportunity to devote time à la Burgundy or Bordeaux. However, in recent weeks, several exceptional mature Loire wines crossed my path. I would be remiss not writing about them.
Cellar Favorite: Quinta do Noval 2019s
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Sep 2021
When I was at Château Pichon-Baron in June, Christian Seely finished my Bordeaux tasting with the three latest releases from Quinta do Noval, part of Axa-Millésime’s portfolio of properties.
Cellar Favorite: 2009 François Cotat Sancerre Les Culs de Beaujeu
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Loire
, Aug 2021
You know you’re in luck when you get a date with François Cotat. Despite his wines’ cult-like status, Cotat isn’t one for the limelight. Red carpets are not laid out for visitors. Donning his well-worn tracksuit, Cotat makes my jeans and Converse combination look positively dressy.
Cellar Favorite: 2001 Léoville Las-Cases
France: Bordeaux, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Aug 2021
I admit it. I like the classics. Whether it is food, wine, music, art, fashion or anything else, my tastes have long been drawn to the classics, which I define as things that have lasting value over time. Those things that never go out of style. When it comes to wine, Léoville Las Cases is a classic.
Cellar Favorite: 2008 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Rosso Feudo di Mezzo Il Quadro delle Rose
Italy: Center & South, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Aug 2021
Readers have many questions when it comes to the wines of Etna. How do they evolve in bottle? How long does it take for wines to peak? What should I expect?
Cellar Favorite: 2008 Galardi Terra di Lavoro Roccamonfina Rosso
Italy: Center & South, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Aug 2021
I purchased the 2008 Terra di Lavoro upon release for a price that seems amazing for what’s in the bottle today, and then buried it deep in my cellar. In 2018, I opened the first of my six-pack, and I decided that the wine still needed a little more time. Well, that time is now, as the 2008 is just entering its prime drinking window.