2015 Domaine de la Mordoree Les Vestides Tavel Rose

One of the most interesting things about the three Tavel Rose wines that Domaine de la Mordoree produces is how different each one is, and how from year to year, any one of them can be the winner. In my view back in 2013 the Les Vestides was the hands down winner, while in 2014 it … Read more

3 Spanish Bargains from Legado del Moncayo

When one thinks of Spanish wines, normally only a handful of regions come to mind. Rioja, Ribera del Duero and likely the Priorat. But true wine hunters and seekers have been also known to look out for wines from Montsant, Calatayud, Bierzo and Campo de Borja.  The latter of the "hunting ground" regions is best … Read more

Three Languedoc Rose Wines from 2015

My ongoing quest for which Rose rings the bell best continued the other evening as friends descended on my place for a small cheese, shrimp and Rose wine night, followed by a  few reds too. The three Rose wines from the Languedoc included the NV Cote Mas Rose Aurore, the 2015 Domaine Magellan Le Fruit Defendu … Read more

A Man Walks into a (Wine) Bar and…

Friday was one of those days where you just had to be there. It started out normal. The work day ended and I headed over to Culver City's really cool wine shop/tasting room/wine bar, "Bar and Garden" for their Five for Five on Friday. For a fiver you get to taste five wines. For ten, … Read more

Saturday evening Ray McKewon and I got together for our usual wine and food sharing night at Pamplemousse Grille where the conversation flowed, friends stopped by the bar to say hello and the food continues to be about the best around. We both kept our Paleo friendly menu, with Caesar salad and bone-in rib eye. … Read more

Winery Diva At Huet-Time To Pass Them Over

I just read a blog post that turned my stomach sour, and after reading it, have come to the realization that some have forgotten their place in the world of wine. And, no, I'm not speaking of the author, but of the winery leardership.  Kissack's calm account of the incident says it all. They don't … Read more

2011 Kennedy Point Sauvignon Blanc

Last September on my trip to the Australia and New Zealand I took a ferry ride over to Waiheke Island for a tasting and touring day organized by the Waiheke Island Wine Growers Association. It was a fun ride on the ferry, crossing from Auckland's harbour over to the island that didn't take much time. … Read more

Down Memory Lane- 1999 Chateau de Beaucastel CdP

As I gear up for the every other year Vinisud in Montpellier in February I tend to get into the mood by working my way through wines from the more active regions from France which take part. That means the Languedoc, Roussillion, Provence and of course the Rhone Valley. Yesterday with a group of friends … Read more

Down Memory Lane ‘- Two 98 Domaine d’Aupilhac

I've been drinking the wines of Domaine d'Aupilihac since the 1991 vintage first showed up in the USA and that was the bottle that made me a fan of the Languedoc. Sure, prior to that there were a few, but it was the 91 Aupilhac Montpeyroux that converted me and set me on a quest … Read more

More On the Wines of Portugal

This image shows a red wine glass. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Over the last few days friends here in Cascais and Lisbon have been on a kick of drinking wines from all over the country, north to the Douro and South into Setubal, Alentajo and even from the hillsides surrounding Lisbon. While this is not meant … Read more