Cellar Favorite: 1959 Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Spain
, Feb 2020
Rioja has always held a special place in my heart. I discovered pretty early on that l liked reds with bottle age, but I could hardly afford any of the heavy hitters of that time. Any time I needed a wine with a bit of age for a special occasion, it was always Rioja.
Vinous Table: L'Expression, Beaune, France
Vinous Table, France: Burgundy
, Feb 2020
L'Expression is a welcome addition to the dining scene in Beaune. A seasonal menu and fabulous wine list make a lunch or dinner at L'Expression a must.
2016 Barolo: Right Place, Right Time
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Feb 2020
In so many ways, 2016 is all about being in the right place at the right time for Barolo. An ideal growing season with all the prerequisites for a great vintage comes at a time when so many winemakers are in their primes, past the stage of experimentation and settled into their own personal styles. The result is a vintage full of truly spectacular, breathtaking wines that captures all the pedigree that Nebbiolo and Barolo are capable of.
Vinous Table: Au Fil du Zinc, Chablis, France
Vinous Table, France: Burgundy
, Feb 2020
Au Fil du Zinc is a local institution in Chablis. The place to go. An inventive menu married with a killer wine list and a casual environment make Au Fil du Zinc a must for readers visiting Chablis.
Postcard from Chablis: The 2018s & 2017s
France: Burgundy, featured
, Jan 2020
I found a lot to like in the 2018s and 2017s, wines from two very different vintages. The 2018s are open-knit and fleshy, while the 2017s are built along much more classic lines. I also came across a number of new or newly revitalized domaines making truly compelling wines.
Vinous Table: Hostellerie de Levernois, Beaune, France
Vinous Table, France: Burgundy
, Jan 2020
The Hostellerie’s Restaurant Gastronomique is a terrific choice for readers who want a more relaxed experience. A spacious room, verdant views and tables set far apart add to a feeling of serenity that is pretty relaxing for this city boy.
Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley Preview
featured, United States: California
, Jan 2020
Two thousand eighteen is shaping up to be a spectacular vintage for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah and Zinfandel-based reds. The 2018s are bright, vivid and exceptionally beautiful. Moreover, the wines are incredibly expressive of site, making 2018 a fabulous vintage for readers who want to explore the many nuances of top vineyards in Sonoma and Anderson Valley.
2017 & 2018 Napa Valley In Depth
featured, United States: California
, Jan 2020
My tastings in Napa Valley this past fall were incredibly illuminating. Although much maligned, the 2017 vintage yielded a number of exceptional wines. Quality is irregular, though, and there are certainly many 2017s that show the signs of a very challenging growing season. Readers will need to be especially selective. Two thousand eighteen is a much more even year. The wines are still in barrel, in many cases not blended, but my early tastings suggest they have quite a bit of potential.
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.
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.