Masseto Retrospective at the Country Music Hall of Fame
Italy: Tuscany, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured
, Jan 2020
Well, I have to hand it to the Nashville Wine Auction and President/CEO Holly Whaley. They really knew how to get me to say ‘yes’ to participating in a Masseto tasting in Nashville. Wine, guitars and country music, all for charity. That will get me every time. I was thrilled to co-host this complete Masseto retrospective with winemaker Axel Heinz, singer/songwriter Martina McBride and her husband, producer John McBride. It was a phenomenal weekend.
Cellar Favorite: 1966 Dow’s Vintage Port
Portugal, cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites
, Jan 2020
Nineteen sixty-six has long been an undervalued year for Port, especially given the across-the-board quality of the wines, many of which can stand toe-to-toe with their 1963 siblings.
Antonio Galloni's Letter to President Trump on Tariffs
featured, United States: New York
, Jan 2020
Readers are by now likely aware that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is considering a second round of tariffs on French and EU goods in connection with France's Digital Services Tax and the WTO’s recent ruling on the Airbus/Boeing dispute. If enacted, these tariffs, which could range from 25-100% on all EU wines, will have catastrophic effects on the US wine industry and many thousands of working-class families that depend on the economic viability of EU goods. Read Antonio Galloni’s letter to President Trump outlining the case against imposing a second round of tariffs.
2019 – The Year in Review
General Interest, featured
, Dec 2019
Two thousand nineteen was up and down, with a ton of highlights and some challenges, too. In the end, though, tasting wine for a living and running Vinous are two enormous privileges. While I could give readers a long list of super-rare wines I had in 2019, this list is all about Moments. Specific events that were about much more than just wine….
Neal Martin's Review of 2019
General Interest, United Kingdom, featured
, Dec 2019
A fellow scribe confessed that earlier this year, a winemaker had offered his condolences about my untimely death. This annual review confirms that in fact I did reach the end of 2019. The last 12 months were full of highs and deepest of lows - yet there was always wine, music and a tomorrow.
Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault Perrières 1984-2014
Verticals & Retrospectives, France: Burgundy, featured
, Dec 2019
The finest vintages made by Dominique Lafon at his family domaine clearly demonstrate that Meursault’s mineral-driven premier cru Les Perrières is capable of producing wines with grand cru mineral intensity, precision, nuance and longevity.
Vinous Table: Mãos, London, UK
Vinous Table, United Kingdom
, Dec 2019
This belated birthday dinner at Mãos is in pole position for my best meal of 2019. Brilliant, inventive cooking and a totally engaging vibe make Mãos an absolutely fantastic dining experience. Let's just say it was well worth the wait...
Mount Eden Pinot Noir: 1984-2016
Verticals & Retrospectives, United States: California, featured
, Dec 2019
Trends come and go, but classics never go out of style. This comprehensive tasting back to 1984 showcased the astonishing quality of Mount Eden's Pinot Noir over the last four decades. It was also a poignant reminder of the enormous potential in the Santa Cruz Mountains to produce ageworthy, world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Bordeaux blends of the very highest level. I have long admired Mount Eden for their complex, highly nuanced wines. Needless to say, an opportunity to survey a deep collection of Pinot vintages was a real thrill.
The Riches and Richness of Chateauneuf-du-Pape
featured, France: Rhône & Beaujolais
, Dec 2019
Châteauneuf-du-Pape fans will find plenty to like from 2017, a vintage marked by consistently warm to hot weather that yielded distinctly rich, fleshy, fruit-driven wines. The growing season presented its share of challenges, and yet the best wines are compelling. Even so, readers need to be selective, as the style of the year is quite particular, and some wines are overdone.
La Ricolma: A Complete Retrospective
Italy: Tuscany, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured
, Dec 2019
So many of Tuscany’s most famous wines achieved their vaunted status by accident. That is the case with Sassicaia, Masseto and Solaia. What about San Giusto a Rentennano’s Merlot La Ricolma? Well, it turns out La Ricolma has a pretty interesting story too. This complete vertical of La Ricolma, the first ever held at the estate, provided a fabulous opportunity to learn more about the wine and the Martini di Cigala family’s rich lineage.