60 Second Wine Review – Lindstrom Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon

Published on January 25, 2020

Note: This wine was a sample during a press trip. A few quick thoughts on the 2012 Lindstrom SLD Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. The Geekery The tiny 4-acre Nicali Vineyard of Greg and Carol Lindstrom is literally above it all. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards of Shafer, Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, Odette and Joseph Phelps’ SLD vineyard, the Lindstroms have some of the steepest slopes in the district. Because of this steepness,…

Published on January 25, 2020
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Geek Notes — The Best Podcasts on Blind Tasting

Published on January 18, 2020

Just a quick post today as I’ll be traveling and studying over the next few days. I’m heading to London for my Sparkling and Fortified wine exams on the 22nd. (Wish me luck!) While I might be able to sneak in a 60 Second Review, I’ll wrap up my series on the superlatives and exceptions of Champagne when I get back. However, as part of my studies, I’ve been reviewing several of my favorite podcasts…

Published on January 18, 2020
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Geek Notes — Champagne superlatives and exceptions (Part III) Why no Pinot in the Côte des Blancs?

Published on January 16, 2020

We’ve covered the exceptions of the Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne in parts I and II of this series. Now we turn our focus to the Côte des Blancs, the “hill of whites.” It’s almost an understatement to say that this region is universally known for world-class Chardonnay. Of all the superlatives in Champagne, this is one you can absolutely take to the bank. So pretty short article today, eh? Well, not…

Published on January 16, 2020
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60 Second Wine Review — Graham’s 1985 Vintage Port

Published on January 15, 2020

A few quick thoughts on the 1985 Graham’s Vintage Port. The Geekery William and John Graham founded their eponymous Port house in 1820. Since 1970, it’s been part of the Symington family’s extensive portfolio along with Dow’s, Warre’s, Cockburn’s and Quinta do Vesuvio. Five vineyards provided fruit for this vintage. The most notable is Quinta dos Malvedos, located on the border of the Cima Corgo and Douro Superior regions. Acquired in 1890, this was Graham’s…

Published on January 15, 2020
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Geek Notes — Champagne superlatives and exceptions (Part II) Vallée de la Marne

Published on January 14, 2020
by  in Champagne, Geek Notes, Wine Knowledge
Welcome back! To get the lowdown on the series check out Part I where we explore the exceptions of the Montagne de Reims. In Part III and IV, we’ll check out the Côte des Blancs and the Aube/Côte des Bar. As for today, we’re heading to the Vallée de la Marne. If you’re one of those folks who “know enough to be dangerous” about Champagne, you’ll peg the Vallée de la Marne as the Pinot…
min read Champagne, Geek Notes, Wine Knowledge

Geek Notes — Champagne superlatives and exceptions (Part I) Montagne de Reims

Published on January 12, 2020
by  in Champagne, Geek Notes, Wine Knowledge
Be sure to check out Part II on the Vallée de la Marne and Part III on the Côte des Blancs. I want to do something a little similar to my post on the 8 Myths about the Sherry Solera System that even Wine Geeks Believe. Rather than myths per se, we’re going to tackle the “Butter Knife Knowledge” that a lot of folks have about Champagne. If you ask most wine geeks what are…
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60 Second Wine Review – Cossart Gordon Rainwater Madeira

Published on January 9, 2020
by  in 60 Second Reviews
A few quick thoughts on the Cossart Gordon Rainwater Madeira. The Geekery Though now part of the Madeira Wine Company (along with Blandy’s and Leacock’s), Cossart Gordon is the oldest Madeira shipper still in existence. Founded in 1747 by Francis Newton, it’s possible that this house originated the Rainwater style of Madeira that was once incredibly popular in the United States. In his book, Madeira, The Island Vineyard, Noel Cossart claims that Francis and his…