Editor, Private Wineaux; Wine Associate, Total Wine & More. Favorite reds: Madiran, Uruguayan Tannat, Lodi Petite Sirah, Chianti Classico Riserva. Favorite whit...
Dark, clear ruby. Inviting nose of spiced black cherry. Medium palate confirms the nose adding red apple peel, black plum, and a hint of peat. Low tannins that barely assert back palate and on the finish. Medium acidity. Wonderfully smooth RRV Pinot Noir that's still got enough backbone to support light-hearty meals. Drink now through 2026. — a month ago
Deep gold. Persistent tiny bubbles. Brioche apple dumpling on the nose and light bright palate. Firm, mouthwatering acidity imparting an almost tannic mouthfeel. Lingering baked apple finish. Excellent representative of an excellent vintage. A great starter and a percent accompaniment to poultry, seafood, or pork dishes. And it sings in a cream sauce! Drink now through 2038. — a month ago
The Elephant’s Ear from McGregor Winery. Star bright green gold. Aromatic nose of ripe yellow apple and white flowers. Light-bodied palate confirms nose adding underripe quince and lime rind supported by firm acidity. Not much finish, but that's clearly not the point here. A light refreshing bland of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, and Muscat that's a fine warm-weather sipper or accompaniment to light summer fare or fast food. Upscale your fish sandwich or fried chicken. Drink now. — 6 days ago
Amber in color. Inviting nose and full palate of dried peaches, fig jam, and quince jelly candy. Medium acidity balances the rich sweetness nearly perfectly making an excellent partner for cheeses, fresh fruit, and light pastries, or a tasty finishing drink on its own. Drink now through 2043 or longer. — 13 days ago
Star bright yellow gold. Abundant nose of tropical fruit bubble gum. The medium palate expands the nose to kumquat, underripe papaya, citrus rind, and creamy white pepper along with numerous other yellow fruit and white spices that dart in and out. Medium plus acidity makes this a wonderful main course dinner white. Fantastic! Drink now or a couple of years on. — a month ago
This is the Barrel Fermented SB. Bright yellow gold. Underripe red apple and baked orange on the abundant nose. Medium light palate confirms the nose adding light birch and white pepper. Firm medium plus acidity and light tannins out this squarely in the "dinner wine" camp. Enjoy with full meal salads (cream style dressing), hearty white flesh fish (swordfish, Bronzino), gourds, or outside of the box with a burger with lettuce and tomato. Drink now through 2027. — 9 days ago
Dark, glass-clinging red purple with garnet highlights. BlackBerry, black cranberry, woody leather on the nose and medium full palate. Licorice black bread back palate and on the medium long finish. Medium plus tannins. Medium acidity. S Africa's signature red has come a long way from the days of dirt. The 21 Gables is an excellent example of a higher end food-friendly South African red. Enjoy with beef, game, and hearty fare now through 2028. — 12 days ago
100% Chardonnay (for a change). Bright gold with green gold highlights. Nose is a bit shy, but the palate is a caramel peach explosion! Very big body (15.2% abv) that's only slightly mitigated by medium minus acidity. Finish is moderately long and continues the palate. To be honest, the only thing wrong with this is the far too high alcohol. I get that it's a "house" signature, but in this case it kills what would otherwise be a really nice New World Chardonnay. Decant for a long time before drinking and use a bit in a cream sauce. Drink now. — a month ago
Byron C Mayes
Bright yellow gold. Inviting nose of dried pineapple and yellow flowers. Firm acidity leads the medium full palate which confirms the nose and adds French oak inspired vanilla, white pepper and a hint of honeyed green apple. Oaky, pome-y notes continue on the moderate finish. A rare, Burgundian style Chardonnay from Carneros which makes it not quite what one would expect from the appellation (especially if one is a Rombauer or Lloyd drinker), but an excellent accompaniment to a wide range of heartier white wine fare. Drink now through 2027. — 5 days ago