Category Archives: Reviews

Joseph Burrier, Julienas (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) “Les Paquelets” 2005

($20, Ex-Cellars): Burrier, proprietor of the high-quality Château de Beauregard in Pouilly-Fuissé, also acts as a small négociant for a few wines from Beaujolais. This terrific wine from Julienas, one of the best crus of Beaujolais, conveys fresh fruity, but not grapey, flavors along with an alluring wildness often characteristic of wines from this village. … Read more

Reviews: FRANCE – Bordeaux


Château Sainte-Marie, Bordeaux Supérieur (Bordeaux, France) Vieilles Vignes 2010 ($13, Wine Brokers International): Relatively full and rich, with apparent oak flavors add a luxurious, almost sweet, element to the finish. Plenty of acidity keeps this fresh and balanced. It’s an attractively priced wine for drinking tonight.… Read more

Hogue Cellars, Columbia Valley (Washington) Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

($11): An extraordinary value, Hogue Cellars’ 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon has grace and finesse rarely seen at this price.  Fine, polished tannins support, but don’t overwhelm, the bright black cherry fruit flavors and nuances of herbs and smoke.  A simple wine at first blush, the flavors expand and the complexity becomes apparent over time as the wine sits in the glass.… Read more

Kendall Jackson, California (United States) Meritage “Vintners Reserve” 2004

($13): Kendall Jackson has a seemingly never-ending ability to blend wines from throughout California to achieve excellent value offerings.  Comprised of almost equal parts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot–with a touch of Cabernet Franc thrown in–this bottling has sweet fruit balanced by mild tannins and just enough complexity to keep it interesting. … Read more

Louis Jadot, Beaujolais Villages (Beaujolais, Burgundy, France) 2006

($12, Kobrand): Jadot has made a substantial investment in Beaujolais with their single vineyard wines from their estates in Moulin-a-Vent, Brouilly, Fleurie and Morgon.  Their commitment shows even in this wine, their lowest level Beaujolais.  Sure, it delivers plenty of the berry-like fruitiness, characteristic of wines from the region. … Read more

Santa Rita, Maipo Valley (Chile) Cabernet Sauvignon “Casa Real” 1999

($61, Palm Bay Imports): This is Santa Rita’s flagship wine, and though the winery has released later vintages (including a tight but tasty 2003), the American importer is still selling the now fully ready to drink 1999.  It’s delicious.  With a compelling bouquet reminiscent of superior Bordeaux, and sweet, ripe fruit flavors, it offers impressive depth and length along with great balance.  … Read more

Domaine Lafouge, Auxey-Duresses (Burgundy, France) Les Boutonnières 2005

($27, Domaines et Saveurs Collection): A potential drawback to some white Burgundies from 2005 is a lack of uplifting acidity.  That’s not a problem with this wine because the village of Auxey-Duresses lies in a cool microclimate that prevented the warmth of 2005, responsible for the great concentration and intensity, from sapping this wine’s acidity. … Read more

Domaine Gallois, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru (Burgundy, France) Combe Aux Moines 2005

($100): The demand for the marvelous 2005 vintage in red Burgundy has pushed all the prices higher.  You may shudder at the price–after all, this is premier, not grand, cru–but you’ll smile after you taste the wine.  Gallois’ Combe Aux Moines delivers those classic Gevrey-Chambertin earthy, woodsy touches mixed with a hint of smoke and plenty of black fruit. … Read more