60 Second Wine Review — Quinta de la Rosa Douro

Published on April 19, 2019

A few quick thoughts on the 2008 Quinta de la Rosa Reserva Douro Red Blend. The Geekery Quinta de la Rosa has been in Sophia Bergqvist’s family since her grandmother, Claire Feueheerd, inherited the estate as a christening present in 1906. Today, Berqvist farms her 55 hectares sustainably with Jorge Moreira producing the wine. The 2008 Reserva is a field blend from the estate’s best blocks. It’s made up of a hodgepodge of traditional Port…

Published on April 19, 2019
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The Lost Wine Cellar of Notre Dame?

Published on April 16, 2019

Like most of the world, I’ve spent the last 24 hours riveted by the tragedy of Notre Dame. Having just moved to Paris, I heard the news while having dinner at a bistro north of the cathedral. Amidst the murmur of fellow diners’ evening conversations in French, there was a sudden interruption of punctuated English, “Notre Dame is burning!” Reading the reactions that are emerging today as the embers cool, I came across an intriguing…

Published on April 16, 2019
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Start-ups and Sangio

Published on April 12, 2019

Being in love with a techie, you’re never far from the siren song of start-ups. In her long career, my wife is 0 for 3 following that tune. Still, the excitement of building things from the ground up and being part of something innovative keeps luring her back. That’s why we found ourselves uprooting our lives and moving 5000 miles away from her cozy job at Google to a new start-up in France. It takes…

Published on April 12, 2019
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60 Second Review — Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon

Published on April 4, 2019

A few quick thoughts on the 2009 Catena Alta Cabernet Sauvignon from Argentina. The Geekery The origins of Catena Zapata date back to 1902 when Nicola Catena planted Malbec vines in Mendoza. An Italian immigrant, Catena was one of the first to pioneer Malbec as a single varietal in Argentina. His grandson, Nicolás Catena Zapata, developed an interest in making premium Cabernet Sauvignon after spending time in Napa Valley with his family in the early…

Published on April 4, 2019
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min read Bordeaux, General, Wine critics

Top Instagram Accounts to Follow for Bordeaux En Primeur

Published on April 3, 2019
by  in Bordeaux, General, Wine critics
The 2018 Bordeaux en primeur tastings are going on right now. The event brings hundreds of journalists, critics and buyers to the Bordeaux region to taste barrel samples of the nascent vintage. The reviews and assessments written during this period help set the tone of the 2018 futures campaign that will be kicking off in the next few weeks. As anyone that follows this blog knows, I’m an avid buyer of futures each year. I’ve…
min read Millennials, Wine marketing

Box Wine Envy

Published on April 2, 2019
by  in Millennials, Wine marketing
Right now, I am sipping on a glass of French Muscadet that I paid the equivalent of $3.86 a bottle for. With its medium intensity nose of citrus and green apple, crisp acidity and moderate finish, I would peg this wine in a blind tasting as something in the $8-10 range. It’s simple, refreshing and eminently drinkable. But instead of paying $8-10 for a bottle that I won’t finish by myself, I’m savoring this glass…
min read 60 Second Reviews, Burgundy

60 Second Wine Review — Domaine des Perdrix Vosne-Romanée

Published on April 1, 2019
by  in 60 Second Reviews, Burgundy
A few quick thoughts on the 2010 Domaine des Perdrix Vosne-Romanée Pinot noir from Burgundy. The Geekery In 1996, the Devillard family purchased Domaine des Perdrix in the Prémeaux-Prissey commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Today, Christiane and Bertrand Devillard manage the 12 ha (30 acres) estate with the 6th generation of this winemaking family, Amaury and Aurore, already helping. The Devillards also owns Domaine de la Garenne, Domaine Rolet, Domaine de la Ferté, Clos du Cellier aux…