by Scott W. Clemens | Jun 2, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
Cline Cellars, 2012 California, Cashmere: This blend of 35% Mourvedre, 24% Syrah, 23% Grenache and 18% Petite Sirah, Cashmere has an unusual cherry and peach nose and flavor, bright, round, and dry, with firm structure and everything in balance. Widely available and...
by Scott W. Clemens | Apr 30, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
Bridlewood Estate, 2011 Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon: Despite the fact that my notes on this wine could describe a Pinot Noir, it does possess varietal definition. The nose calls to mind black cherry and cola, while on the palate it’s more reminiscent of mulberry....
by Scott W. Clemens | Apr 25, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
I recently judged the 9th annual Cabernet Shootout, organized by Barbara Drady of Affairs of the Vine. 397 Cabernet Sauvignons, Cabernet Francs and Cabernet blends were entered. They came from 15 California AVAs, as well as 21 other appellations spread across Oregon,...
by Scott W. Clemens | Apr 21, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
A Personal Perspective For the third Rhône Shootout, a competition organized by Affairs of the Vine, last fall we tasted 247 wines made from Rhône varieties, that is, varieties that hail from the banks of the Rhône River as it flows from Switzerland...
by Scott W. Clemens | Apr 1, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
Mirassou, 2011 California Cabernet Sauvignon: With its plum, spice, cinnamon, clove and vanilla flavors, the 2011 Mirassou Cabernet is almost too intense (like mulled wine). Yet on the palate it has a silky texture, good structure, and a long fruit-spice-earth finish....
by Scott W. Clemens | Mar 7, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
I’m taking a slight chance in recommending these wines, simply because they’re non-vintage, and therefore the batches I tried may not be the exact same wines you find on the supermarket shelf. Nonetheless, I feel that Gallo, which makes the wine, has sufficient...
by Scott W. Clemens | Feb 19, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
2012 was a difficult vintage by all accounts. Those wineries leaning more heavily on Merlot did better, as the Merlot ripened before the rain hit. The Cabernet Sauvignon was late in ripening; rain hit in the last week of September and continued on and off through...
by Scott W. Clemens | Feb 15, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
2013 Geyser Peak, California, Sauvignon Blanc: A relatively simple wine with tart grapefruit and melon rind flavors, it’s refreshing and properly structured to work well as an aperitif or paired with oily foods. 86 points. $7.00 2013 Mark West,...
by Scott W. Clemens | Feb 9, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
According to Masi Agricola’s press guide, the company takes its name “from ‘Vaio dei Masi,’ a little valley purchased by the Boscaini family in the late 18th century.” Seven generations of Boscainis have made wine in the Veneto. Under the leadership of sixth...
by Scott W. Clemens | Feb 5, 2015 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
The illustrious dessert wines of Sauternes had a difficult vintage in 2012. Three of the most renowned chateaux, Yquem, Rieussec and Suduiraut, did not produce a 2012. Yquem did not produce a 2010 either, which will undoubtedly preserve its reputation and inflate the...
by Scott W. Clemens | Nov 17, 2014 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
Properly aged wine may be an anachronism, but if you have the time and patience, the rewards can be stupendous. True, in aging wine you never know what you’re going to get. More often than not it’s a disappointment. But like digging in a mine, you will occasionally...
by Scott W. Clemens | Nov 15, 2014 | Wine & Spirits, Wine & Spirits blog, Wine Reviews
©2008 Perusing wine lists on a recent visit to New Orleans I kept gravitating toward Albariño, attracted by its ability to pair with spicy cuisine, as wells as by its value. Albariño is a hot variety these days, as Pinot Grigio lovers look for similarly crisp...
