I’ve had only fleeting encounters with Carneros stalwart Donum’s excellent wines over the years. So when I was invited to taste with Donum‘s current winemaker Dan Fishman in the late summer (of 2024), I jumped at that chance [full disclosure: their current CFO is a friend of mine]. Founded in 2001 and known nearly as…
Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for December 9, 2024
2015 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes (Rhone): Totally stunning in its seemingly unstoppable quest for a bit of immortality. $140 A
2022 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley): Tea leaf, rhubarb, wild raspberries, and a slightly less wild sense of polished richness. $50 A-
2022 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): A lovely study in contrasts—high-toned, vibrant, and yet still sports good body. $40 A-…
Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for December 2, 2024
2019 Ida Agnoletti ‘Seneca’ Montello Rosso (Colli Trevigiani): Funky, chunky, gamey, and grippy in all of the right ways. $NA A-
NV Sandeman Founder’s Reserve Ruby Port (Portugal): Classic, rich and sultry (if not overly complex). $25 B
2013 Weingut Brundlmayer Langenloiser Alte Reben Gruner Veltliner (Kamptal): Still an insanely fresh and spicy sipper! $NA A-…
Peaks and… More Peaks (Highlights from VinoVIP Cortina 2024, Part 2)
Welcome to Part 2 of the highlights from my media jaunt to VinoVIP 2024, held in Italy’s rather dramatic (landscape-wise, anyway) locale of Cortina. For more background on the event, head over to Part 1. The main draw of VinoVIP is the grand tasting, held at Rifugio Faloria. This lodge is situated pretty much perfectly…