2015 Condado de Haza Crianza (Ribera del Duero): Dark and dangerously drinkable mixture of earth, tobacco, and spicy, savory plumminess. $24 B+ 2019 Imagery Estate Winery Chardonnay (California): Friendly, smooth, and evoking California sunshine pretty much all the way. $17 B 2019 Benziger Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma County): Juicy currants bouncing on a grippy,…
Wine In the Time of Coronavirus, Part 50: Opposites, Attractive (Comparing/Contrasting Portugal’s Douro and Vinho Verde)
Holy. Crap! It’s actually been fifty… FIFTY!… of these not-in-person Zoom tastings since the global pandemic started? I’m getting twitchy for lack of travel, but my samples coffers remain more than full enough to supply with me with enough alcohol to dull the pain. For this 50th incarnation of SiP (Sort-of-Shelter-in-Place) sipping, we catch up…
Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up for August 16, 2021
2019 Symington Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco (Alentejo): Heady and intoxicating… in both senses of the latter word. $25 A- 2017 G Wine Kisi Amber Wine (Kakheti): An acquired taste, perhaps, but once this fiercely authentic and structured taste is acquired it won’t soon be forgotten. $30 A- NV W & J Graham’s 20 Year…
Wine In the Time of Coronavirus, Part 49: “The Most Expensive Viticulture in the World” (Legendary Douro Releases from Symington)
“We probably have the most expensive viticulture in the world.” So claimed Charles Symington, CEO of 5th generation Port and Douro powerhouse Symington Family Estates, during a recent ZOOM live tasting in which he was joined by fellow family member and Head Winemaker Charles Symington. And he has a point—and he has perspective, with Symington…