Category Archives: News

1784 Haut Brion, 1994 Caymus Vineyards Reserve, Thomas Je fferson and President’s Day 2014

February 17,2014

In May 1788 our former President Thomas Jefferson ordered 125 bottles of a then recent 1784 vintage of Haut Brion. With that many bottles ordered, that sounds like Thomas Jefferson’s favorite wine.

 

Unfortunately I have not tasted that wine so I will share an American wine of a more recent vintage to celebrate Presidents Day. When including President Jefferson in a wine commentary it would be more appropriate to include those special wines from Virginia, however, I am deprived of that treat of tasting wines from Virginia at this time. So we look towards Napa Valley.

Our 2014 President’s Day favorite wine selection is:1994 Caymus Special Selection Reserve

 

1994 Caymus Vineyards Reserve Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2014 Tre Bicchieri Tour Visits New York and Brings the 2012 Vigne Surrau Sciala Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG

February 7,2014

The Tre Bicchieri World tour stopped in New York on February 6,2014. Producers thatTrebicchieri 2014 image from Gambero Rosso have won Trebicchieri (three glasses) offered tastings of their award winning wines. These are the best of the Italian wines. It was difficult to find a wine that you did not like.

It was a day of favorites.

 

Click here for a PDF of the 2014 Tre Bicchieri Winners 

So I would like to highlight one of those 3 Glass winners. Being the weather is so cold, let’s think sunny and warm. Let a sea breeze be the coolest thought. Onward to the Italian island of Sardinia off the Italian coast.TreBicchieri 3 glasses images

From Sardinia lets drink some  2012 Vigne Surrau Sciala Vermentino di Gallura Superiore DOCG. A 3 Glass award winner. 

2012 Vigne Surrau Sciala Vermentino di Gallura Superiore My Favorite Wine IS

 

Accolade Wines Survey Results on Australian Chardonnay and 2011 Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay

February 1,2014

Selected journalists and writers were surveyed about Australian Chardonnay regarding stylistic changes, best value price points and other points.

Most agreed that the style is getting better.

In the best value price point range of $20 to $30 50% thought Australian Chardonnay was the best value.

Sorry California. 88% thought that Australian Chardonnay was a better value than Chardonnay from California.

The 2011Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay at $4 above the $30 range is a Chardonnay for those California Chardonnay value lovers.

2011 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Margaret River Western Australia My Favorite Wine IS

Happy New Year-The Year of the Horse and 2009 Cheval Noir

January 31,2014

Today is the Chinese New Year and the Year of the Horse.

2014 Happy Chinese New Year Wishes My Favorite Wine IS

 Animals make their way onto wine bottle labels frequent enough. Cheval translates from French to English to be Horse. So Cheval Noir with the horse on the label sounded like a choice to celebrate with. 2009 Cheval Noir Saint Emilion My Favorite Wine IS

Benvenuto Brunello 2014 and the 2009 Brunello di Montalcino Vintage Review Highlighting the 2009 Le Chiuse

January 29,2014

The 2009 vintage for Brunello di Montalcino made its way from the Montalcino wineries into New York City on January 27,2014.  

Weather alone can not be solely responsible for making a good vintage. Weather wise, 2009 did not have the best weather and it is reflected in some of the wines. Location, altitude, soil and winemaking skills were all important in this vintage.

Vineyards from central Montalcino seemed to make the best wines. These wines have some more complexity than those from the southern area.

The southern regions wines were ripe, fresh and were not as complex as expected. They had great acidity and are enjoyable to drink now and the near future. The structure for long term seems to be missing.

The central Montalcino area wines were ripe, slightly earthy and round on the palate with soft tannins. Those with more structure and stronger tannins were sure to have the high acidity on the finish.

All these wines are drinking nicely right now with a shorter future (7-10 years) ahead of them than other vintages. These should be on all restaurant wine lists being so food friendly and drinking nicely right out of the winery.

Click Here For the 2009 Brunello di Montalcino wine reviews

From these My Favorite Wine IS

2009 Le Chiuse Brunello di Montalcino My Favorite Wine IS

2009 Montalcino Tuscany Italy Wine Region Weather Summary

January 29,2014

The 2009 Brunello di Montalcino wines can be officially released in accordance with the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di  Montalcino regulations on January 1,2014. So this is a good time to reflect back on the weather of 2009 to give us a glimpse of what we may expect in the final bottled wines being currently released.

The Spring season had more rain than usual and the rain lasted through the middle of July. The balance of the summer was dry and hot. Keep in mind that warm temperatures are much better for the vines than hot temperatures.

In the southern portion of Montalcino, where clay soil is predominant, the heat gave the excess water in the ground some positive purpose. In these areas with the water retentive clay soil, the vines were les stressed.

The heat created an accelerated ripening process and grapes with higher sugar levels resulting in a higher alcohol level vintage of 14.5%.

Overall Vintage RatingBrunello di Montalcino logo Favorite Wine

The Consorzio del Vino Brunello di  Montalcino rates each vintage using a scale of five stars. With this weather, the Consorzio have declared that the 2009 vintage is a Four star vintage.

The proof of this will show in our glasses.

Wines of Australia are Much More Than Shiraz

 

January  24, 2014Favorite Wine Australia sign

When you think of an Australian wine, think of a Chardonnay and Riesling. These are just two other grapes that are used to produce quality delicious wines in Australia. Australian wines can be with powerful fruits but are also made in a way to offer the powerful fruit toned down to show the other nuances of the wine.

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