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Cellar Favorite: 1974 Diamond Creek Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Gravelly Meadow
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California
, Jan 2023
I have always had a soft spot for Diamond Creek Vineyards, charmed by Al and Boots Brounstein, who would regularly pour their wines in London in the early days of my career.
2021 Sonoma Preview
featured, United States: California
, Jan 2023
It’s far too early for me to have a complete view of the 2021 vintage in Sonoma County, but the wines I have tasted so far suggest this is a very good and possibly outstanding vintage. The best 2021s are deep, beautifully layered and highly expressive of site. Watch this space for updates in the coming weeks.
Cellar Favorite: 1991 Dominus
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, United States: California
, Nov 2022
I’m no California expert. But I know a great California wine when I meet one.
Vinous Table: Bar Le Côte, Los Olivos, CA
United States: California, Vinous Table
, Sep 2022
With its seafood focused menu and bright décor, Bar Le Côte is a very welcome addition to the Santa Barbara wine country dining scene.
Santa Barbara: A Rare Bright Spot for California in 2020
featured, United States: California
, Aug 2022
Santa Barbara is one of the few bright spots for California in 2020. Tucked away to the south, far away from fires that were so damaging in the north, Santa Barbara was blessed with far more favorable conditions throughout the year, especially during the critical weeks around harvest. There were some challenges, most notably heat spikes in middle to late August and all of the stresses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, but overall Santa Barbara fared much better than the rest of California. Based on what I have tasted and seen so far, Santa Barbara produced the finest wines in California in 2020 by a wide margin.
Paso Robles: Seductive 2018s and 2019s
featured, United States: California
, Jul 2022
The 2018 and 2019 vintages in Paso Robles yielded a great number of outstanding wines. Top examples from both years are marked by energy, precision and complexity, and are destined for long aging, assuming readers have the willpower to resist their upfront, seductive fruitiness.
Santa Cruz Mountains: The Compelling 2018s & 2019s
featured, United States: California
, May 2022
The Santa Cruz Mountains remains one of the most intriguing regions in the United States for the inquisitive oenophile. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and, more recently, Rhône varieties are rarely as vibrant and nuanced as they are here. With a few exceptions, the Santa Cruz Mountains is still very much under the radar, which presents a terrific opportunity to discover wines that offer world-class pedigree at prices that continue to be quite affordable.
The 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons at Age Ten
Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, United States: California
, May 2022
As the 2011 Napa Valley Cabernets reached the ten-year mark, revisionist thinking about the wines started to surface. Had the Cabernets of this much-derided vintage turned out better than expected? Absolutely not! The top 2011s were always gorgeous. Today, with the added benefit of bottle age, the best 2011s are showing especially well.
Santa Lucia Highlands: Back-to-Back Greatness in 2018 & 2019
featured, United States: California, Santa Lucia Highlands
, May 2022
The brilliant 2018 vintage in the Santa Lucia Highlands was a tough act to follow, but 2019 is proving to be more than up to the challenge. Finely etched, precise fruit is a hallmark, while the wines should age gracefully on their balance and well-integrated tannins. The 2019s can be drunk young or cellared; either way, they are going to deliver a lot of pleasure throughout their lives.
San Luis Obispo: At the Edge of the Ocean
featured, United States: California
, Apr 2022
The wines of San Luis Obispo continue to grow in popularity and availability. Recent vintages will only enhance the region’s well-earned reputation for high quality. The consistent success of the wines from this cool, Pacific Ocean-influenced region resulted in the creation of the new San Luis Obispo Coast AVA.