One word: HOLYFREAKINGCOW! This Aussie Shiraz is huge. Even huge doesn't begin to describe it. On the nose, the aromas of dark fruits leap out and knock you back a step or two. With 16% alcohol by volume, I expected a fair amount of alcohol burn, but I didn't notice ...

California's Santa Ynez Valley is better known for its Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays, so I was a bit surprised to find this Sauvignon Blanc being made here. Beckman is better known for its Rhone-varietal wines, but it has made a great wine out of this Bordeaux-varietal. While the wine was ...

When it comes to pinot blanc, its resemblance to chardonnay isn't limited to finished wines. Pinot blanc's leaf structure, clusters and berries so resemble chardonnay that there are many vineyards in Europe where plantings of the two grapes are intermingled. Here on the North Fork, pinot blanc is grown in ...

Sheldrake Point -- both the geographical point and the vineyard -- jut prominently from the western shore of Cayuga Lake and those vineyards stretch almost the whole way to the water. The combination of deep glacial soils and the moderating effects of Cayuga Lakes deep waters provide superior conditions for ...

Corey Creek Vineyards , owned by New Line Cinema chairman Michael Lynne, produces mostly white wines (the reds are bottled under sister winery Bedell Cellars' label), including one of Long Island's best gewurztraminers, a flavorful late harvest riesling and two different styles of chardonnay. Too often, Long Island chardonnay is ...

You've probably noticed that "50 States. 50 Wineries. 50 Weeks." has become merely 50 wineries from 50 states. That's just because it's been so much harder to gather samples than I anticipated. So, instead of doing one a week, I'll taste them as I can get them. The goal is ...

2004 Casal dos Prazeres Douro Xara - Portugal, Douro (9/26/2006)Deep reddish color, with marroon tinge. Nose shows some violet that gives way to blackberry, smoke and light minerals. In the mouth the tannins are strong with a rich medium acidity. Dried out and showing only simple fruit the nose really ...

2005 Sumoll Rosat, Pardas - Spain, Catalunya (9/1/2006)100% Sumoll - 13% alcohol Deep reddish color though very light at the rim. The nose is very restrained with a mineral and cherry pit aroma that hits you after some agitation in the glass. This slowly gives way to some light vanilla, ...

N.V. Cellar Cal Menescal Tarragona Vermouth - Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona (10/5/2006)Pours a deep brownish red with a medium intensity. The nose is intense and intoxicating inviting you to inhale deeply it reminds me of some bitter Italian after dinner treats that I’ve had in the past. Light wood notes come ...

2005 Tobia Rioja Alma de Tobia - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja (10/4/2006)50% Malvasia, 40% Viura, 10% other grapes - Fermented in French oak barrels, stirred on it’s lees for 4 months. Sample bottle sent to me from the Bodega.Not sure how to describe this one. Very clear as you pour ...