Wine enthusiast, WSET Level 2 and Level 3 graduate, ardent seeker of unsung varieties and expressions
Perfectly balanced, this Slovenian merlot is all ripe black plum, blackberry, sultana, currant, mocha, with hints of mint and dark chocolate. Grippy but fairly integrated tannins lending to a pretty long and smooth finish. Superb — 6 years ago
Gorgeous and thought-provoking, this single vineyard Chenin expresses on the nose almost like an aged Riesling -Orange marmalade, honeycomb, petrol, apricot skin, following through with similar notes on the palate accented by chamomile, unctuous texture, slicing acid, and a salty tang, ending with a long lip-smacking finish. Somewhere along a petit manseng and aged Riesling character, beautiful to sip on and with tilefish in a honey orange jus — 6 years ago
Another pretty Italian white, this Soave opens with a nose of white flowers, yellow apple, white peach, and sea salt, continues to a palate of apple, melon, granite, tarragon, saltiness, blanched almonds, and ends with a tingly chalkiness and spice redolent of white pepper. Refreshing and thought-provoking it’s an attractive sip! — 5 years ago
Riesling aged in oak!?! An interesting and complex expression - petrol and lime flower on the nose, with a bit of yellow peach and pineapple, and a medium plus palate loaded with nectarine, pineapple, apricot. High and mouth watering acid with a bit of smokiness and lasting finish — 6 years ago
Superb blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera, this exuberant wine has a powerful nose of cherries, rose, plum, and sleek oak that continues into a vibrant palate full of sour cherry, leather, olives, blackcurrant, raisins, earthiness, cedar, and bitters, with fine integrated tannins and a long finish. Lovely with Muscovy duck and braised red cabbage! — 6 years ago
Unexpected and delightful - Pinot Noir from Southwest Virginia! From vineyards planted at 1800 feet (big diurnal range and early harvest), this silky wine sang with notes of loam and damp earth, maitake mushroom, cranberry, red cherry, raspberry compote, boysenberry, violet, lavender, black pepper, toast and wood smoke, with bracing acid and medium-plus tannins on a medium frame. A long, satisfying, and juicy finish. One to seek out that proves how careful site selection and winemaking skill can produce superb results from innovative grape/region combinations! — 6 years ago
Fun wine for an early summer night. Black strawberry, dark cherry, loam, fines herbes, cola, cinnamon, licorice, with silky tannins, a full mouthfeel balanced by nervy acidity, and a long almost sappy finish. Nimble enough to pair with pan fried black bass and duck! — 5 years ago
A gorgeous blend of classic Alsace varietals, half Riesling with some gewurtzraminer, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and sylvaner - perfumed nose of lychee and rose petal, rounded palate bringing in notes of honey and yellow peach, and a pleasant salty mineral tang. Medium acid and a finish of chamomile. Very special — 6 years ago
Exuberant and showing well now, this single vineyard Burgundy exhibits raspberry liqueur, cranberry, black cherry, cola, dark chocolate, with sweet red spice and crushed rock, dried leaves, and a hint of licorice. Medium body and acid and fine, integrated tannin. Lovely with pheasant on a winter vegetable purée. — 6 years ago
Amer S. Ahmed
Bringing a smile to your face, this youthful Gamay is perfumed with red and white cherry, rose petal, violet, and red rocks, a hint of mousiness, then delivers a crunchy palate of red cherry, red plum skin, white raspberry, candied red fruit, and that granitic chalky character so typical of low intervention wines. Crowd-pleasing and a lovely pairing with wagyu beef — 5 years ago