Champagne – 2019 Fall Releases
France: Champagne, featured
, Dec 2019
Readers will find a wide range of new releases in the market this fall, everything from tiny-production Champagnes to the latest from the grandes marques. The pace of change in Champagne continues to be incredibly rapid, with new, small domaines popping up left and right while the big brands expand their ranges and increase quality. All of that makes Champagne an incredibly exciting and dynamic region to follow.
Cellar Journal: Bordeaux 1920-2015
featured, France: Bordeaux
, Dec 2019
As the year winds down, this article gathers Bordeaux tasting notes from old to young, derided to legendary vintages, and value-for-money wines to ridiculously expensive...with a few surprises along the way.
New Releases from Washington: A Bonanza for Consumers
United States: Washington, featured
, Dec 2019
A trio of superb vintages and a glut of grapes have combined to give wine lovers the best chance yet to enjoy outstanding values from Washington.
Dauvissat Chablis Les Clos: 1983-2015
Verticals & Retrospectives, France: Burgundy, featured
, Nov 2019
Vincent Dauvissat’s stunningly consistent grand cru Les Clos is a textbook example of the complexity, minerality and longevity Chardonnay can achieve in the exceptional terroirs and cool northerly climate of Chablis. This vertical encompassed a remarkable range of wines all the way back to 1983.
2015 Barolo – The Late Releases
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Nov 2019
This article focuses on the late release 2015 Barolos, most of which were bottled this past summer. As I have written previously, 2015 is a mixed vintage, and yet there are plenty of compelling wines, many of them from estates that are surging in quality. Given the interest that is already building around the 2016s, I imagine the 2015s will be easier to source than wines from more consistently outstanding years. Even so, as a long-time buyer of these wines, my advice is always the same: readers are best off focusing on producer first.
Campania 2018: Early Appeal And Accessibility
featured, Italy: Center & South
, Nov 2019
Readers who have followed my writings over the years know I am a huge fan of Campania. The whites are some of Italy’s greatest and most ageworthy wines. The best Campania whites are terroir-driven and full of varietal character. With some notable exceptions, Campania's red wines are unfortunately less consistent because of the combination of overripe grapes and too much oak. For that reason, it pays to be especially selective when it comes to the reds.
The Future’s Not What It Was: Bordeaux 2018
featured, France: Bordeaux
, Nov 2019
Having tasted en primeur during Spring for over 20 years, for one time only, I assess the 2018 vintage six months later than normal in September. The big question is this: Does 2018 truly belong among the legendary Bordeaux vintages?
Accornero Bricco del Bosco Vigne Vecchie 2006-2015
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Nov 2019
Accornero’s Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese Bricco del Bosco Vigne Vecchie is arguably Italy’s best Grignolino, one that proves just how remarkably ageworthy the wines made with this highly underrated grape can be.
Barbaresco 2016 & 2017 – A Tale of Two Vintages
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Nov 2019
Piedmont fans will find plenty of new releases in the market this fall. The 2016s confirm all of the promise they have always shown. It is a stunning, brilliant vintage across the board. Mother Nature was not as kind in 2017, a year that is going to require a much more selective approach.
South Africa New Releases: Don’t Deny Yourself
featured, South Africa
, Nov 2019
As someone privileged with more than his fair share of rare and expensive Grand Cru Burgundy and First Growths, I can unhesitatingly state that the best of South Africa punches at the same weight. This report burgeons with wines born in climactic knife-edge, dry-farmed vineyards, often from ancient vines, and with minimal intervention by talented and frequently young winemakers in the opening chapters of long careers. Those winemakers are creating a scene that is incredibly exciting and dynamic.