Wine Reviews

The Scottish novelist, poet and essayist, Robert Louis Stevenson once said that "wine is bottled poetry."  Whereas poetry conveys feelings and ideas through spoken or written words, wines rely upon aromas and tastes.  The combination of scents or flavors combine together likes words in a stanza, creating images of full ripe fruit, peppers or spices, and even minerals. 

Just as there are different forms of poetry, there are many different varietal and wine styles.  These wines are produced both in the United States and around the world.  I often look for wines that I can cook with and/or pair with the dishes that I plan to make.  Wine is often an important ingredient because its aromas and flavors -- whether used in the cooking or served as a pairing -- can greatly affect the overall quality of a dish.

With each wine, I research history of the grape, wine style and particular wine, all of forms as the beginning of a review.  I also try to give the standard wine review -- with notes about appearance, aroma, and taste -- although these reviews fall far short of professional reviews that you might find on other sites.

Finally, I only post reviews about wines that I like and would recommend to others.  After all, I was taught if you do not have something nice to say, then don't say anything.  Therefore, the fact that I have posted the review tells you that I liked the wine.  The review itself is intended to convey some interesting facts or thoughts that I have about the particular wine.  To date, I have reviewed the following wines:

Argentina (Lujan de Cuyo):
Bodega Luigi Bosca -- Malbec (2007)

Armenia (Armavir):
Karas -- Classic Red (2016)
Karas -- Classic White (2017) 

Australia (Barossa Valley):
Thorne Clark -- Milton Park Shiraz (2009)

Chile (Valle de Colchagua):
Hacienda Araucano -- Carmenere (2008)

France (Beaujolais):
Domaine Pignard -- Beaujolais (2009)
George Dubouef -- Beaujolais Nouveau (2012)
George Dubouef -- Beaujolais Nouveau (2018)

France (Bordeaux):
Chateau Lescalle -- Bordeaux Superieur (2003)

France (Cahors):
Clos La Coutale -- Cahors (2010)

France (Champagne):
Veuve Cliquot Ponsardin -- La Grande Dame (1998)

France (Corsica):
Le Chapeau -- Cuvee Napoléon Pinot Noir (2010)

France (Côtes du Rhône):
J.V. Fleury -- Côtes du Rhône (2010)
Michel Chapoutier -- Belleruche (2010)

France (Gascony):
Alain LaLaine -- Domaine de San de Guilhem (2010)

France (Languedoc):
Hughes Beaulieu -- Picpoul de Pinet (2010)

France (Loire Valley):
Chateau de Riviere -- Chinon (2009)
Domaine de Chevilly -- Quincy (2009)
Domaine Gouron -- Chinon (2008) 
Famille Bougrier -- Rosé D'Anjou (2010)
Henri Bourgeois -- Petit Bourgeois (2012)
Les Celliers du Prieure -- Saumur Champigny (2011)

Georgia:
Bagrationi -- Bagrationi Classic Brut

Germany (Mosel):
Dr. H. Thanisch -- Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling (2009)

Greece:
Papantonis -- Meden Agen Agiorgitiko (2010)
Skouras Winery -- Anassa (2012)
Yannis Voyatzis -- Kyklos Moschofilero (2011) 

Italy (Abruzzo):
Castellana -- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2010)
San Lorenzo -- Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (2008)

Italy (Calabria):
Feudi di San Gregorio -- Falanghina (2009)
Feudi di San Gregorio -- Rubrato Irpinia Aglianico (2011)

Italy (Emilia-Romagna):
Medici Ermrete -- Quercioli Reggiano Lambrusco
Cleto Chiarli -- Vecchia Modena Premium (NV)
Cleto Chiarli -- Villa Cialdini (NV)
Collina dei Lecci -- Sangiovese di Romagna Reserva (2004)

Italy (Lazio):
Cantine Volpetti -- Cesanese Lazio (2008)

Italy (Piedmont):
Crivelli -- Collina La Mora Barbera D'Asti (2009)

Italy (Sardinia):
Villa Solais -- Vermentino di Sardegna (2005)

Italy (Tuscany):
Casisano Colombaio -- Brunello di Montalcino (2003)
Corte alla Flora -- Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (2008)
La Mozza -- Aragone (2006)
La Mozza -- I Perazzi (2007)
Marchesi Antinori -- Villa Antinori (2007)
Marchesi Frescobaldi -- Nipozzano Riserva (2006)
Neil Epson -- Monte Antico Toscana (2007)
Poliziano -- Rosso di Montepulciano (2008)

Italy (Umbria):
Barbi -- Orvieto Classico (2010)

Lebanon (Bekaa Valley):
Chateau Ksara -- Blanc de Blancs (2012) 
Massaya -- Le Colombier (2014)
Massaya -- Massaya Classic (2010)

Portugal (Minho):
Opala -- Vinho Verde (2009)
Vinhas Altas -- Vinho Verde (2010)

Portugal (Douro):
Dow -- Vale do Bomfim Douro (2009)

South Africa:
Fairvalley -- Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)
Fairvalley -- Chenin Blanc (2008)

Spain (Catalunya):
Bodegas Abanico -- Las Colinas del Ebro Garnatxa Blanca (2012)
Mont Marcal -- Brut Cava Riserva (2008)
Marqués de Monistrol -- Seleccion Especial Cava 

Spain (Galicia):
Pazos Serantellos -- Albariño (2010)
Gran Vinum -- Albariño Nessa (2009)

Spain (Jumilla):
Bodegas Bleda -- Castillo de Jumillo (2010)
Campos de Risca -- Monastrell (2009)  

Spain (Priorat):
Heredad Vina Carles -- Priorat (2005)

Spain (Rioja):
Muga -- Rioja Blanco (2011) 
Muga -- Rioja Rose (2010)

Spain (Toro):
Bodegas y Vinedos Maurodos -- Prima Toro (2008)

United States (California):
Bogle Vineyards -- Phantom (2008)
Bogle Vineyards -- Sauvignon Blanc (2010)
Joel Gott Wines -- Zinfandel (2008)
Josh Cellars -- Josh Cabernet Sauvignon (2011)
Liberty School -- Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)
Longevity Wines - Chardonnay (2019)
McManis Family Vineyards -- Pinot Noir (2010)
Michael David Winery -- Earthquake Petit Sirah (2008)
Ravenswood Winery -- Besieged (2013)
San Antonio Winery -- San Simeon Petit Sirah (2006)
South Coast Winery -- Wild Horse Peak Mountain Vineyards
     Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)
Tablas Creek Vineyards -- Patelin de Tablas Blanc (2001)
Thomas Henry -- Pinot Noir (2009)
Victor Hugo Vineyards -- Viognier (2009)

United States (Maryland):
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Albariño (2011)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Chardonnay (2011)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Chispa (2017)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Crumbling Rock (2009)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Leaf Stone Syrah (2008)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Leaf Stone Syrah (2010)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Pinot Noir (2015)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Slate (NV)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Slate 3 (NV)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Syrah (2008)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- VGV (2011)
Black Ankle Vineyards -- Viognier (2009)
Elk Run Vineyards -- Cabernet Franc (2010)
Old Westminster Winery -- Alius (2015)
Old Westminster Winery -- Nouveau (2017)
Serpent Ridge Vineyard -- Albariño (2010)
Serpent Ridge Vineyard -- Basilisk (2009)
Serpent Ridge Vineyard -- Grenache Rosé
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard -- Chardonnay (2010)
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard -- Pinot Grigio (2011)

United States (New Mexico):
Anderson Valley Vineyards -- New Mexico Red Chile Wine
Vino del Corazón -- Cabernet Sauvignon
Vino del Corazón -- Merlot

United States (Oregon):
Adelsheim Vineyard -- Auxerrois (2006)
Bergström Winery -- Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir (2007)
Bergström Winery -- Cumberland Reserve Pinot Noir (2009)
Bergström Winery -- Shea Valley Pinot Noir (2007)
Bergström Winery -- Dr. Bergström Riesling (2007)
Chehalem Winery -- Cerise (2006)
Chehalem Winery -- Oregon Pinot Noir Ridgecrest (2006)
Dobbes Family Estate -- Fortmiller Vineyard Syrah (2005)
Dobbes Family Estate -- Pinot Noir (2007)
Domaine Drouhin -- Laurene Pinot Noir (2005)
Erath Winery -- Nierderberger Pinot Noir (2006)
Erath Winery -- Oregon Pinot Noir (2006)
Lemelson Vineyards -- Thea's Selection Pinot Noir (2007)
Lemelson Vineyards -- Tikka 's Run Pinot Gris (2007)
Panther Creek Cellars -- Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir (2006)
Panther Creek Cellars -- Vista Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir (2006)
Privé Vineyard -- Le Nord (2006)
Privé Vineyard -- Le Nord (2008)
Privé Vineyard -- Le Nord (2013)
Privé Vineyard -- Le Sud (2008)
Privé Vineyard -- Le Sud (2013)
Privé Vineyard -- Mélange (2008)
Sokol Blosser -- Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (2007)
Sokol Blosser -- Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir (2006)
Sokol Blosser -- Evolution (NV)
Sokol Blooser -- White Riesling (2007)
Stoller Vineyards -- Dundee Hills Pinot Noir (2006)
Stoller Vineyards -- Pinot Noir Rose (2008)
Terrapin Cellars -- Pinot Noir (2007)
Torii Mor -- Pinot Noir (2008)

United States (Pennsylvania):
Big Creek Vineyards -- Frontenac (2017)

United States (Virginia):
Casanel Vineyard & Winery -- Carmenere (2017)
Gadino Cellars -- Petit Verdot (2010)
Gadino Cellars -- Viognier (2011)
Glen Manor -- Cabernet Franc (2014)
Linden -- Petit Verdot (2013)
Pearmund Cellars -- Petit Verdot (2014)
Three Creeks Vineyard -- Petit Verdot (2018)
Wild Boar Cellars -- Cabernet Sauvignon (2016)

United States (Washington):
Eliseo Silva -- Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)
L'Ecole No. 41 -- Columbia Valley Sémillon (2009) 

Uruguay:
Familia Pisano -- Río de los Pájaros Cabernet Sauvignon (2008)
Familia Pisano -- Río de los Pájaros Torrontés Reserve (2012)

PEACE.