Valdespino
Viejo C.P. Macharnudo Vineyard Palo Cortado Jerez-Xérès-Sherry Palomino Fino
Seamlessly blends the salinity and verve of a Fino with the oxidative nuttiness and complexity of an Amontillado. Words fail. No other wine can do aperitif, cheese, steak, great with a cigar. Absolutely dry but the ghost of sweetness hovers like a Giotto Angel. Finish lasts as long as you want it to but you'll sip again before it goes. Transcendent. — 10 years ago
Domaine Isabel Ferrando
Colombis Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend
Frizzled bacon fat and garrique on the nose, with alcoholic heat. Stewed dark fruit character. Not terribly complex but holds high alcohol well, a tasty drop. 2011 vintage. — 10 years ago
Weingut Knoll
Loibner Loibenberg Smaragd Grüner Veltliner 2010
Generous nose of citrus oils. Powerful. Full mouthfeel full of ripe golden fruit. A little white pepper on entry but overall fruit beats out the slate and other mineral flavors. Powerful yet elegant. Finish layer on layer. I have always liked Gruner but I never understood how they could beat White Burgundies blind until I had this wine. Glorious. Don't serve too cold. 2010 vintage Smaragd. — 10 years ago
Domaine Paul Pillot
Chassagne-Montrachet Chardonnay
Just delicious. Just starting to veer over into aged character. At first opening, very little fruit but blossomed into golden apple. Lush. Tightrope balance in a pretty dress. Great with whole fish. — 10 years ago
Weingut Jäger
Wachau Zweigelt Rosé
Gott Damm pop rocks. Amaze Bouche. 2013. — 10 years ago
Raventos i Blanc
L'hereu Conca del Riu Anoia Macabeo-Xarel-lo-Parellada 2012
Outstanding quality in a sub $20 sparkler. Dry, lightly toasty, keeps it interesting but super quaffable. Delightful. — 10 years ago
Domaine de Montbourgeau
Cuvée Spéciale L'Etoile Chardonnay Blend 2008
Luscious oxidative character. Nose a Madeleine, brings me back to days of fresh fallen apples and gloaming light. Improbably fresh, lively for all the Fino sherry flavor. More please! — 10 years ago
Damien Coquelet
Côte du Py Morgon Gamay 2012
A very pretty Morton, shimmering and pure. Lovely acidity, plush in the middle with unbaked strawberry-rhubarb character. Finish is long with iron and other mineral notes. Ready for action. Matched well with fresh tomato pasta thanks to the acidity. Looking forward to more wines from this talented young producer. — 10 years ago
Oliver Longwell
Lovely crisp and mineral Chablis like character. Bouquet kept drawing me back in. Lovely, great value. — 10 years ago