Raats Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2017

Pale gold color; orange peel, apple, honey on the nose; yellow apple, orange, lemon, beeswax, nectarine, pear, white peach, minerality on the palate. Continue reading “Raats Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2017”

Adriano Adami Garbèl Prosecco Brut DOC Treviso NV

Pale straw color; pear, yellow and green apples, white flowers on the nose; apple, pear, peach, apple, honeydew melon, citrus on the palate. Continue reading “Adriano Adami Garbèl Prosecco Brut DOC Treviso NV”

Broken Earth Wines Pull Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2017

Deep ruby color; black cherry, blackberry, herbs, pencil shaving, charred oak on the nose; black cherry, blackberry, plum, blackcurrant, raspberry, licorice, vanilla on the palate. Continue reading “Broken Earth Wines Pull Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles 2017”

Glenelly Estate Reserve, Stellenbosch 2012

Deep ruby color; cherry, plum, blackberry, cedar, oak spice on the nose; black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant, chocolate, tobacco, leather, smoke on the palate. Continue reading “Glenelly Estate Reserve, Stellenbosch 2012”

Chehalem Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley 2018

Medium ruby; cherry, blueberry, raspberry, cranberry, earth, oak spice on the nose; cherry, raspberry, strawberry; blueberry, plum on the palate. Continue reading “Chehalem Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains, Willamette Valley 2018”

Dow’s 20 Year Tawny Port

Deep tawny color; honeysuckle, butterscotch, caramel on the intoxicating nose; dried cherry, caramel, oak, black plum, fig, honey, tobacco, chocolate, nuttiness on the palate. Continue reading “Dow’s 20 Year Tawny Port”

Cockburn’s No. 1 Special Reserve Porto NV

Deep garnet color; red cherry, strawberry, red plum on the nose; plum, blackberry, cherry, blueberry, chocolate, vanilla, caramel on the palate. Continue reading “Cockburn’s No. 1 Special Reserve Porto NV”

Champagne origin myths

Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon did not “invent” Champagne in the late 1600s. He did not exclaim “come quickly, I am tasting the stars!” Champagne’s story is older, more complicated, more interesting. Continue reading “Champagne origin myths”