"2008 is a very good vintage at Gunderloch, maybe more in line qualitatively with the 2004 collection from Qba - Spaatlese. Fritz explained that in 2008 there was a great focus on quality via harvest management. With varying conditions vineyard to vineyard, the Has (more...)

"In the aromatics one finds slate, honeysuckle, pear, citrus and green apple. On the palate the wine has a crystalline fruit structure with pleasing volume. It is bright and polished, a classically tooled Haag Qba." -Importer

"Nose is almost a little exotic, more than you'd expect from this wine. On the palate the wine displays flavors of grapefruit, gooseberry, lemon zest, and yellow peach. Firm acidity provides great grip on the palate." -Importer

"The fruit has a candied, preserved quality in this dry, savory white, and there's also a touch of lanolin. Not a typically pure, fruity 2007, but appealing. Moderate length. Drink now through 2016. 400 cases imported."

"An expressive and admirably pure nose of distinctly earthy red berry fruit leads to round, naturally sweet and delicious flavors that possess only mildly rustic tannins and solid length for a wine at this level. Forward enough to enjoy now or cellar for a year fir (more...)

"Slightly high-toned, with toast and briar notes supporting the cherry and plum fruit. A briary edge takes over on the medium-weight finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 16,000 cases imported."

"I actually preferred the generic 2007 Pinot Noir as it was more complex and evolved than the Bien Nacido cuvee. While somewhat softer, the former wine exhibits beautiful fruitcake, black cherry, and red currant notes as well as an endearing earthiness and spicines (more...)

"The Hirsch 2007 Riesling Gaisberg features peach, persimmon, and brown spices, supported by well-integrated residual sugar (slightly higher than that of the Heiligenstein). Glossy richness of texture and a palpable sense of sheer density are augmented by tingling, (more...)

"The 2000 Brut Cuvee Speciale 'Les Chetillons' (magnum) is a sumptuous, opulent wine that flows with layers of smoke, licorice, lime, minerals, ripe fruit and spices, all of which are supported by a gorgeous streak of minerality. This is an exciting, racy wine that (more...)

"This bodega has produced many profound wines, but the 1994 Unico Reserva may be the greatest vintage released since their legendary 1970 and 1968. A truly prodigious effort, it boasts an opaque ruby/purple color as well as a gorgeously sweet, expansive bouquet of (more...)

"This wine is composed of a selection the Maret family makes from their holdings in one of the great sites in all of Chateauneuf du Pape, the lieux-dit known as La Crau. The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Les Hautes Brusquieres Cuvee Speciale is a blend of 60% Grenache a (more...)

"My notes on the dense ruby/purple-colored 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Vieilles Vignes (95% Grenache and 5% Mourvedre from 80-year-old vines) begin with the words “serious stuff.” Deep, rich, and full-bodied with abundant notes of forest floor, truffles, ear (more...)

"Very ripe fruit aromas, with sultana, prune and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with seamless yet chewy tannins and a long finish. Lasts a long time. Best after 2012. 5,000 cases made."

"When Juan Rameriz, my vineyard manager in Washington, called me and said 'Mr. Doug, it is snowing!' I told him 'Pick the grapes!' Production is down 40%; did we mention the frost? It turned out to be the best Pinot Gris we have made from the vineyard. Deliciou (more...)

"In my fantasy world where the authorities require every Languedoc vigneron to protect some old Cinsault and Carignan vines, they should all be required as well to taste La Peira's 2007 Les Obriers de la Peira, or any other vintage of this remarkable blend of two p (more...)

"Outstanding Sauvignon Blanc! Bursting with peach, mango, guava, apricot, banana, mineral and chalk, this crisp and refreshing white is a must have for Sancerre fans. Truly outstanding wine"

"Quite Bordeaux-like for it's earthy and herbaceous notes. The fruit is bright and clean, with supple texture and tannins. All kept well together by fresh acidity and a clean finish."

"50% Malvasia, 50% Friulano . This brilliant white explosive on both the nose and the palate with notes of peach, apple, pear, white cranberry and almond, as well as flowers and crushed sea shell. A little bit of decanting doesn't hurt, as this should continue to e (more...)

"From one of California's coolest appellations, this Syrah is inky dark and fairly acidic. It's tannic, but the tannins are rich and fine and drinkable now. The wealth of flavors include blackberries, mocha, the sweet, caramelly vanilla of oak, and peppery spices (more...)

"The 2008 Sauvignon Blanc Reserva is a great value. It exhibits a fragrant bouquet of mineral, passion fruit, and citrus. This leads to a mouth-watering, vibrant, lengthy Sauvignon that way over-delivers for its humble price."