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
Of all the Rose wine I tasted in 2016 both while here in the USA and on my trip this past July and August through the Rhone, Marseille and the Languedoc I kept coming back to three Rose wines that stood out, and while the Tavels go from strength to strength it was wines from Corsica, … Read more
The 2015 Alain Jaume Tavel Le Cretace Rose has now been in my cellar for about eight months since I purchased a mixed case of 2015 Tavel Rose's from an east coast merchant that has an early arrival pipeline with the importer, Kysela Pere et Fils. For me, the 2015 vintage of Rose wines the world over … Read more
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
Small batch producers are the rage in Santa Barbara County, with Habit holding the top spot in my book of those who are breaking new ground. Workman/Ayer is another one of them who are bringing more of that Garagiste mentality to the region. 2014 Workman/Ayer ipso facto Viognier, Central Coast The first of three wines … Read more
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
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
Andy's birthday in Aupilhac (Photo credit: rsepulveda) Français : Vignoble du mas de Daumas-Gassac (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Ever since the 80’s when I had my first sip of a Mas de Daumas Gassac from the 1985 vintage I knew I had found “my region” of love. Twenty two years later I was married in a … Read more
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
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
