Benchmark Vintage + Benchmark Vineyard = Benchmark Wine!

Lucky If Dick Shea Sells You Grapes! Shea Vineyard was first planted to wine grapes in the late 1980s. Today Shea Vineyard is a 200-acre property with 140 planted acres. 135 of these acres are planted to Pinot Noir vines and the balance is planted to Chardonnay. Roughly 25% of the Pinot Noir fruit […]

Try Grape Varietals From Their Original Home First!

How would you know if Cheddar Style cheese from Wisconsin compares to the Real Cheddar unless you have tried Cheddar from England or Ireland first? The same rule applies to wine. Before you try Pinot Grigio from Italy, try Pinot Gris from Alsace first. Why drink American Chardonnay usually blended and loaded with vanilla, butter, […]

Primo, Prima, Is The 2015 Vintage!!

Chateau Carignan “Prima” Re-Reviewed You know I for one can’t be swayed by trips to wineries and friendships when it comes to my opinionated reviews of a wine. I stayed in 2018 at Chateau Carignan with Wine Supplier French Libations in the top floor of that beautiful Chateau. They surprised us with Oysters from Arcachon, […]

Prediction: Wine Will Only Be Drank For Dessert Soon!

I am far from alone on this prediction and I can’t blame it on wineries but only on the natural addiction to sweet stuff that the American palate has. I love dessert, ice cream, chocolate, honey, maple syrup, candy bars. I love dessert wines too. Many experts have the same prediction as me,that the growing […]

Ribera Del Washington?

From Spain To Washington State? Pomum Cellars is owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Javier and Shylah Alfonso. Originally from the famed Ribera del Duero region in Spain, winemaker Javier Alfonso is determined to showcase a true expression of wine grown in the unique viticultural areas in Washington State. Alfonso works […]

Can Experts Help You? ONLY If you Let Them!!

Whether it is a second professional opinion for medical reasons or a mechanic’s opinion on whether or not to buy a used car or in getting assistance to expand your palates in the wine world, expert opinions are only helpful to the person seeking them if they are willing to let that professional help them. […]

Van Duzer Pinot Is A Doozy!!

Owners Carl And Marilynn Thoma In his youth he learned to love agriculture from his family’s cattle ranch in California. In his adulthood, Carl got his degree in agricultural economic in Oklahoma and became a equity fund manager. Marilynn got her B.S. degree as well in Oklahoma and a MBA at Stanford. A love of […]

Are You Stuck In Aisle #1??

I realize even for myself, change is difficult. We all get stuck in ruts. I interact with so many consumers on a daily basis shopping at the retail store I work at, that has a large wine selection, who in 15 years never knew we had 10 other Aisles with wines from all over the […]

A Softer Version Aglianico!

Irpinia Campi Taurasini Irpinia Campi Taurasini is a sub region of the Irpinia DOC of Central Campania in the South Of Italy. Aglianico (My Favorite Italian Grape Varietal) grapes are grown on the Campi Taurasi (the ‘Taurasian Fields’). In contrast the wider Irpinia DOC covers rosso, bianco, rosato, spumante and varietal wines made from any […]

Who Are These People On Wine Apps?

Yes, I understand clearly that everyone has a different palate when it comes to wine or food. Yes, I understand that everyone in today’s world has a smartphone with various apps. Yes, I understand that the most important review of a wine is YOURS!. I also understand that a doctor has a better shot at […]