Tag Archives: winery

The Astros are back . . . and so am I!

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When I last dropped a blog on May 11, I told myself I wouldn’t deign to compose another one until the Astros found a way to get back to .500. At the time, they were 10 games under with the season barely 26 games old and, honestly, I wasn’t sure if I’d be writing again this year.

But, 81 days later, with the NBA Finals, Wimbledon, the World Cup and the Tour de France all in the books and NFL training camps under way, the Astros are an even-Steven 55-55 with 52 games left and the Texas Rangers coming to town. Improbably, they could be in first place in the American League West before the weekend is over.  So, some 5,360 miles from Daikan Park here in the wilds of France’s Haute Provence, I’m raising a glass to them as we speak.

But it’s only a cheap rosé from the Var (pictured above). Hey, we all know the AL West sucks. Let’s not get carried away.

Speaking of toasting, though, I’d very much like to clink glasses with Sports Illustrated’s NFL writer Connor Orr, who, in case you missed it, picked the Texans to win Super Bowl LXI. Orr, presumably of sound mind – or at least sober – predicts that they will beat the defending champion Seattle Seahawks 23-21 in Los Angeles’ So-Fi Stadium on, yes, Valentine’s Day 2027.

This is truly historic. In all the years I spent around the Oilers and the Texans – I became the beat writer covering the former for the Houston Post exactly 50 years ago this month – not once had anyone anywhere predict that either would win a Super Bowl. To be sure, I never did.

Anyway, we’ll see. The Texans do have a kick-ass defense that can stifle anyone and C. J. Stroud has shown intermittent flashes of for-real brilliance under center. H-town’s football fans can’t go 0-for-forever, can they?

I don’t have much to share in the wisdom department regarding the World Cup outcome, although the Texans can surely draw inspiration by how Spain won the championship. Right, with DEE-fense. La Roja allowed one goal over the entire six weeks. That’s crazy.

As for the Tour, Tadej Pogačar – as in Po-GOTCHA! – had it all the way. Supported by the best team money can buy, Pagacar’s fifth yellow jersey was locked up from the get-go. Only 27, the Slovenian stud figures to keep collecting maillot jaunes for as long as the task interests him. Note that none of the other five-time winners collected their fifth before they turned 29.

At the All-England Club, Yannick Sinner found easy-peasy pickings without the injured Carlos Alcaraz in mix. On Wimbledon’s final weekend, Sinner toyed with Novak Djokovic, again seeking a tennis’ record 25th Grand Slam title, and Alexander Zverev, making up for his early heat-induced meltdown at Roland Garros that gave Zverev a chance to claim a token major. Otherwise, the Italian Sinner has been downright saintly on the court, winning 44 of his 47 matches in 2026 with six titles.

Alcaraz, whose Australian Open title in January completed his career Grand Slam at the ridiculous age of 22, has been slow to recover from a wrist problem that surfaced in April. Some are speculating the splendid Spaniard might not play again in 2026.

OK, that’s enough on sports. On the wine front, the wildfires in southeast France near Bordeaux – a long way from me, fortunately – and similarly horrifying infernos west of Madrid in Spain are keeping grape-growers on edge. Some 220,000 people in the Gironde had to be evacuated as an area four times the size of metro Paris went up in smoke. Although flames didn’t encroach upon the famous vineyards, the smoke from same remains a concern.

You can’t see “smoke taint” in a grape, but you sure can taste it. Wildfires in Napa Valley in 2020 ruined the vintage for many prominent producers. Chateau Montelena, in fact, released no red wine at all from that vintage, an historically unprecedented decision.

The Bordeaux wine neighborhood that has reported the most smoke in its vineyards is Pessac-Léognan south of the city proper. It’s home to Château Smith-Haut-Lafitte, whose managing director Ludovic Fradin told the Associated Press, “We had experience in Napa, where we bought a winery in 2020. There was a fire that year and the smoke stayed days and weeks and that’s how it affected most of the wine at the time.”

Regarding his current circumstances, however, he fotunately said, “Here, it’s a different scenario. Smoke is very light and it comes and leaves in a few hours so that’s manageable.”

But, in an interview with the New York Times, Fradin also expressed understandable frustration.

“For the wine industry, it’s one thing on top of the other,” he said. “It doesn’t make our lives very easy.”   

Between Trump’s tariffs harming exports and young drinkers trying other adult beverages or abstaining altogether, these are trying times for France’s vignerons. But I’m trying to do my part, dammit!

Also, since we last spoke, I made a second trip to my favorite wine country on the planet — Italy’s Piemonte — and experienced a new Michelin-starred restaurant, Coltivare, at the gorgeously situated Brandini winery just west of La Morra. In a word, outstanding! Of course, it has no relationship with Coltivare in the Heights, but I’m told ours is pouring a Brandini wine by the glass.   

I thankfully discovered this relatively new Langhe – and Alta Langa – producer at a tasting at AOC back in March, so this seems the perfect spot for plugging a don’t miss upcoming event there, a walk-around tasting of South Australia wines from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Monday. It will be led by Mark Davison, the head of education at Wine Australia, and six prominent producers from the region will also be there to discuss their wines. To RSVP, go to https://events.humanitix.com/south-australian-wine-showcase-houston

I plan to be there in spirit. Ditto Texans training camp, where being there in spirit is way more comfortable than actually sweating buckets on the practice-field sideline. As I told my longtime partner in sports-writing crime, John McClain, I’ll be back on the ground in H-town at the end of October, when the NFL season starts to get interesting.

Speaking of the General, that’s us pictured below during Oilers training camp in 1980. Ah, the good ol’ days indeed . . .    

A Tale of Two Wineries . . . and a Super-Cool Resto

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It’s a cold and rainy day in the Ubaye Valley, so I thought it was time to stop procrastinating and start writing before I forget how to do it. Yikes, I’m oh-for-two-plus months, for cripes sakes, although, for the record, I did spend 10 splendid days covering the U.S. Clay Courts tennis at River Oaks. I’m terribly backed up both on wine touts – never mind that, oh yes, I’ve found plenty of time to consume wine – and timely sports takes. It feels like the Rockets’ disjointed, ultimately disappointing season has been over for the weeks and the Astros’ thus-far lamentable season would already be over if the American League wasn’t chock full of so many mediocre teams, the local lads included.

Losing Carlos Corea for the year to a torn Achilles tendon was a tough lick, an injury added to myriad insults, most of them pitching-related. So is having to watch, albeit from afar here in Victor Wembanyama’s homeland, as the 7-4 French phenom completes an MVP-worthy season for San Antonio. In the pre-draft-lottery world, Wemby would have been a Rocket, the second coming of Hakeem Olajuwon. But no. Now, behind Wemby, whose Game 3 heroics against the Timberwolves will be discussed for years (as might his Game 4 ejection, which proved pivotal in Minnesota’s tying the series at 2-all), the Spurs seem certain to add to their collection of five NBA titles.

Until he’s done – no telling how many years down the road – the Rockets won’t even be the best team in Texas. While the Texans might be able to claim same in the football world given the Dallas Cowboys’ entrenched Jerry Jones-induced ineptitude, that’s not saying much, is it? Their latest draft seemed to go well, but when you take a guard with your first-round pick coming off another shortfall season, you can’t expect folks to go dancing in the streets.

I will point out, however, that the last two guards drafted in the first round by an NFL team in Houston are in the Hall of Fame today. That would be Oilers Bruce Matthews (1983) and Mike Munchak (1982), of course. A tough act to follow for the latest, Keylan Rutledge, to be sure. But I must also point out that neither Matthews nor Munchak helped the Oilers get even as far as the AFC Championship Game, never mind the eternally elusive Super Bowl.     

Anyway, thinking about all of the above makes me want a drink, meaning this seems the proper juncture to turn our attention to wine, a much happier, more uplifting topic.      

A pair of early spring tastings at AOC Selections introduced me to two excellent small producers that previously weren’t even on my radar screen, Paul Déthune in Champagne and Agricola Brandini in Italy’s Langhe. In both cases, the presenters were excellent, exceedingly knowledgable communicators, Sophie Déthune for the former and Giovanna Bagnasco for the latter. More importantly, the family wines they were in Houston to sell were eminently worthy of being praised to the heavens.

The Déthune Brut, made by Sophie’s husband Paul from their Grand Cru fruit in Ambonnay – Krug is a neighbor – had won a double gold medal in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s International Wine Competition, and she was more than ready to milk same for all it was worth, arriving at the tasting in a Stetson and a Texas-sized belt buckle. She even gave us a rousing “yee-haw!”

I decided right then Debbie and I would be detouring from Paris through Ambonnay en route to our little Alpine hideway, and 19 Déthune bottles came south with us. These are killer bubbles across the board – the rosé is the best I’ve tasted in a very long time – and they can be found at AOC as well as at Six Twists, the worth-a-trip champagne bar in the heart of Fredericksburg.

Interestingly, they don’t distribute in France save for what’s sold at the winery. With only 50,000 bottles produced annually, Déthune’s focus is global. However, they do ship to private customers who visit the winery. That was very good news for the Robertsons because our door-to-door journey exceeded eight hours and cost me $225 in tolls and gas, which now costs more than $12 per gallon here . . . thanks to you know who.

Brandini, in turn, is now in the Houston market thanks the efforts of AOC’s Master Sommelier Brandon Kerne, who, bless him, is as crazy about Piemontese wines as I am.  

Giovanna was as reserved as Sophie was out there, but she, too, knows her stuff. Although Brandini was launched by her father back in 2007 when she and her sister Serena were still in high school, today it’s their show all the way. They offer a full lineup of whites, reds and bubbles from the Alta Langa, and, as with Déthune, the quality/value ratio could not be better.

One difference, though, is significant. The Grand Cru Ambonnay dirt is crazy expensive to acquire. Brandini, however, is located in what used to be considered the Langhe’s low-rent district on the “wrong” western side of La Morra – too high and often too cold with blustery winds blowing in off the Alps, which on a clear day provide a glorious backdrop. Thirty years ago, the property seemed better suited for a housing development (one had, in fact, been planned nearby) than for planting grapes. But because of climate change, the terroir is well nigh perfect for nebbiolo, barbera, et. al.

Brandini’s mantra? To quote from their website: “We have always believed that organic is a way of life rather than a method of production. We believe in the importance of this philosophy in order to leave the ground in better conditions than we found it. Our grapes are grown in full respect of the wonderful land that hosts us, of the people who work there and of the consumer who choose us. Sometimes, to follow an ideal, one must have the courage to face more difficult paths.”

Dad may not have been a winemaker, but he was a visionary and he had complete faith in his daughters, who didn’t disappoint him. Today, the Brandini complex includes a lovely boutique hotel and a stylish restaurant called Coltivare. (The herb garden is pictured above.) Yep, same spelling as the one in Houston’s Heights.

Speaking of restaurants, less than 15 minutes away is an extraordinary new spot from the Ceretto family, whose Piazza Duomo in Alba has three Michelin stars. Nestled in the middle of one of the Barolo’s most heralded vineyards, Le Brunate lifts brunch into a whole new stratum. I say brunch because the resto is only open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., hence day drinking is required.

Full disclosure: Debbie and I have been friends with Roberta Ceretto, her dad Bruno and her siblings for more than 30 years so total objectivity isn’t possible, but . . . wow. Just wow. Superb food – and wine, of course – in the most breathtaking wine-country setting imaginable. And you enter between two original Francesco Clemente sculptures, shown at the top. What could possibly go wrong?

Nothing. Nothing at all.

My next missive will speak specifically about the wines from the aforementioned producers and others that have tantalized my taste buds this spring.   

Sippin’ with Sporty

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Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

BUBBLES

La Vostra Conegliano Valdobbiadene

The basics – The Conegliano Valdobbiadene appellation, near the center of the Treviso province, was created in 1969 and promoted to DOCG status 40 years later. These bubbles, of course, are made from the glera grape.

Winemaker’s take –   “Peach and slight honey aromas become flavors on the palate, along with a nice green apple note that brightens the wine. Approachable and round with an easy-to-enjoy, smooth, bubbly texture.”

My take – I thought it offered remarkable value when I bought it for $16.99 a bottle. Now? Woo hoo!

Price – $12.99 at Total Wine

WHITE

2024 Imaginada IV Albariño

The basics – The albarino gets fleshed out by chenin blanc, chardonnay and trebbiano, all of which is Texas High Plains fruit.        

Winemaker’s take – “A brilliant pale straw in color, this lovely wine is a made-for-friends and late afternoon quaffing. Charming aromas of peaches, pineapple, lemon and tangerine yield a soft, delicate, and perfectly balanced palate leading to a crisp, refreshing finish.” 

My take – Invention is justifiably proud of its low-alcohol wines. This one is only 12.7 percent, but that never crosses your mind while you sip it. Super-satisfying at every level.     

Price – $40 at https://heathfamilybrands.com/shop/wines/inventionvineyards/

2023 Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay

The basics – The Mâcon-Villages AOC is located in the southern part of Burgundy, close to Beaujolais. It’s the largest of the Mâconnais area, covering about 2,500 hectares of mostly chardonnay vineyards encompassing 43 communes.

Winemaker’s take – “Shows floral, apple and citrus aromas and flavors, with mineral notes. A classic expression of Chardonnay from this appellation.”  

My take – You’ll look long and hard trying to find a more fundamentally satisfying chardonnay from anywhere.  

Price – $15.97 at wine.com

PINK

2025 Domaine de Mourchon Loubie

The basics – A classic grenache (70 percent) and syrah blend, the fruit comes from young vines – average age 15 years – planted on the property’s Loubié terroir near Seguret with its well-draining sandy limestone and clay soil. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures.

Winemaker’s take – “Pale salmon in color this rosé offers a bouquet of summer berries, peach and a little tangerine. Mouth-wateringly juicy, with a medium-bodied creaminess packed with vibrant fruit flavors, it’s ideal as a summer aperitif but well enough structured to stand up to seasonal foods such as salad Niçoise, a watermelon, basil and burrata salad, dressed crab and prosciutto.”

My take – From the McKinlay family, it has been my favorite rosé for years, checking all the boxes – price, flavor profile,       

Price – $18.99 at Spec’s

RED

2023 Madame de Beaucaillou

The basics – This “second” wine from the second-growth producer Ducru-Beaucaillou in St. Julien is a blend of merlot (59 percent), cabernet (37) and petit verdot.  

Winemaker’s take – “Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it zips out of the glass with sparky notes of juicy raspberries and wild strawberries with underlying suggestions of cloves, roses, and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, with youthful red berry flavors and a lightly chewy texture, finishing with a touch of herbal zing.”

Critical acclaim –From Peter Moser: “Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicately leafy black cherry fruit with a hint of liquorice and orange zest. Complex, juicy, a hint of blueberry, ripe tannins, freshly structured, lively, lemon finish.”

My take – No, not all Bordeaux must break the bank. The Madame would hold up against most of the big boys.     

Price – $22.98 at allendalewineshoppe.com

2022 Invention Vineyard Conflation

The basics – It’s mostly mourvedre (81 percent) with syrah and rubired in the blend, too.              

Winemaker’s take – This inaugural vintage of an exciting new Invention Vineyards wine is a Rhone-style blend featuring fresh aromas of strawberry shortcake and tart cherry with a spice-driven undercurrent of vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. The crisp palate is bright, lively, and refreshing with brisk acidity that makes it a great wine for lighter, warm-weather meals.   

Critical acclaim – From the Wine Enthusiast: “This nimble blend delivers fresh raspberry, violet and strawberry aromas on the nose, while the palate dances with lively acidity and a notable sour cherry-cinnamon vibe. Give this a slight chill and crush it with slow cooked pork tacos

My take – Again, the Invention lineup is focused on lower alcohol levels, and the Conflation comes in at 13 percent with no loss of flavor intensity.

Price – $55.29 at heathfamilybrands.com/shop

2021 Ceretto Barbaresco

Winemaker’s take – An elegant red, offering cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors. Lively and focused, with a line of chalky tannins underneath. Shows fine balance and length.

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 93: “This is a really solid, meaty and mouth-filling Barbaresco that offers vivid red fruit with floral and mineral nuances and hints of licorice and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied with compact, velvety tannins that form the backbone of the wine, showing impressive concentration and length.” From the Wine Advocate, which also scored it a 93: “Reveals a lifted bouquet with bright tones of raspberry and wild strawberry. Those aromas offer a sweet side to the bouquet, but there is also a sour side that comes forth with blood orange or tart pomegranate. The wine ages in French oak for 12 months and is racked into neutral barrel for another year. Fruit comes from both Treiso and Barbaresco.”  

My take – The vintage is already acquiring legendary status in the Langhe and this beautiful Barbaresco classico from one of the region’s great families is another reason why.   

Price – $79.99 at wine.com

2020 Il Borro

The basics – It’s a Super Tuscan blend of organically grown merlot (50 percente), cabernet sauvignon (35) and syrah aged in 20-hectoliter casks.

Winemaker’s take – “After an accurate geological study, the varietals were all  planted in the best suited soils to express all their potential, giving birth to a velvety and opulent blend.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 96: “This is a round and rather juicy young wine with blackberry, chocolate and grilled meat notes. Full and layered with very fine tannins that are well integrated and a bright finish. Lively at the end.  From the Wine Advocate, which scored it a 93: “The wine shows a lot of oak that comes off as toasted spice, coconut or buttered almond. There is a distant note of dried dill, probably in the pyrazine family of the Cabernet Sauvignon, but it dissipates within the context of the big, ripe black fruit at the core. From a hot vintage, you get a lot of richness and fruit weight.”

 My take – It’s early, of course, but this is my Wine of the Year to 2026. We’ll see if anyone can beat it going forward.    

Price – $89.99 at wine.com

2021 Realm The Bard

The basics – It’s 83 percent cabernet sauvignon with merlot, cab franc, petit verdot and petite sirah rounding out the blend.   

Winemaker’s take – The 2021 is the largest and most complex blend we’ve ever made with dozens of components from vineyards across the realm of Napa Valley. This vintage includes new vineyard sources from Calistoga, Rutherford and Oak Knoll AVA, allowing us to broaden our painter’s palette. The Bard is generally more approachable in its youth than some of our single vineyard bottlings, but we expect it to age for many years to come. This is our first time using a technical cork for this

wine, which should guarantee consistency and improve longevity.”

Critical acclaim – From Jeb Dunnick, who scored it a 98: “This beauty has a killer bouquet of cassis, spring flowers, graphite, chalky minerality, and violets. This carries to a full-bodied, seamless, silky, flawlessly balanced effort revealing fine tannins, a good sense of freshness, and a thrilling finish.” And from James Suckling, who scored it a 97: “The purity of fruit here is impressive with blackcurrants, bark and black mushrooms. Full-bodied but light-footed and fresh with integrated tannins that melt into the wine. Real transparency and focus.”  

My take – Full disclosure: I didn’t pay anywhere near this much for the Bard (I knew a guy!), but it’s not overpriced by any means. I can’t imagine a more perfectly constructed cab.    

Price – $174.99 at wine.com

Sippin’ with Sporty, Part II

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Merry Christmas everyone!

BUBBLES

Incanto Prosecco

The basics – It’s 100-percent glera from the Veneto, as it must be.                                         

Trader Joe’s take – “Straw-yellow in your glass, and every sip crisp and aromatic. Luxurious notes of peach, apricot, and almond tickle the tongue and lead to a vivid, dry finish. We particularly love it for toasts and nightcaps, but it also makes magical mimosas for brunch.”

My take – Before the New Year, I’m going to drink these bubbles side-by-side with Costco’s Kirkland Prosecco and attempt to decide on a favorite. Then again, I may declare it a tie. At this price, very similar to the Kirkland’s price, why bother to quibble?   

For more information – www.traderjoes.com

Price – $8.99 at Trader Joe’s

PINK

2024 Ile de Conas Le Rosé

The basics – It’s a kitchen-sink blend of grenache gris (25 percent), grenache noir (20), caladoc (15), pinot gris (15) and cinsault from the highly respected Paul Mas estate in the Languedoc.

Winemaker’s take – “This unique Mediterranean blend is succulent with a delicate, tongue-tingly zest. Bursting with flavors,it can be served as a pre-dinner drink or paired with salmon teriyaki, zucchini, carpaccio or Mediterranean salad.”

Critical acclaim – From the Cheap Wine Finder: “Tastes like a stew of honey, pear, and lemon, followed by cherry and tart cranberry. The mid-palate adds melon, a salty sensation, and raspberry hard candy (not sweet). The acidity is well-balanced, allowing the flavors to unfold and beckons you to take the next sip.”

My take – It’s my new house rosé for reasons of flavor, price and the gorgeous bottle.  

Price – $8.99 at Trader Joe’s

WHITE

2023 Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay

The basics – The grapes, 96 percent chardonnay with a bit of gewürztraminer and other white varietals thrown in to add nuance, come from the winery’s estate vineyards, of which there are 30 in six different AVAs.        

Winemaker’s take – “This wine is rich and round, opening with aromas of Meyer lemon, pear, golden apple, toasted marshmallow, and vanilla bean. The palate shows incredible depth with layers of Bartlet pear and graham cracker leading to hazelnut and baking spice on the finish.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 91: “Generous aromas of lemon confit, vanilla, pastry and yellow apples. The palate is full-bodied with bright acidity and a creamy texture, the slight phenolic grip adding to the structure. Ripe yet elegantly balanced and refreshing.”

My take – A reliable workhorse, it may not dazzle, but it never disappoints.

For more information – www.ferrari-carano.com

Price – $16.37 at Spec’s

RED

Drop of Sunshine Red Blend

The basics – It’s an unusual blend of Central Coast pinot noir (62 percent), syrah (19), and cabernet sauvignon.  

Winemaker’s take – “Rich and full-bodied, this red blend envelops the senses with the bold flavors of dark, ripe fruits, including luscious blackberry and deep black cherry. Smooth, velvety tannins provide a perfect structure, while well-integrated toasty oak and a hint of spice add complexity and warmth. The wine’s round, approachable character delivers a seamless finish, making it an inviting and balanced companion for any occasion.”

Critical acclaim – From the Tasting Panel: “This warm and cozy wine exudes toasty aromas and flavors of plum, cherry, and raspberry lightly drizzled with vanilla and caramel; taut acidity adds a spark to its velvety mouthfeel.”

My take – We don’t see many pinot noir-cab blends, do we? But I paired it with a burger and fries and that proved to be about as perfect pairing as exists.

For more information – www.dropofsunshine.com

Price – $19.99 at Total Wine

2019 Adobe Road SHIFT Red Blend

The basics – It’s blend of zinfandel (52 percent), teroldego (25), syrah (18) and carignane fruit from Sonoma County (61 percent) and Santa Barbara County. Adobe Road founder Kevin Beckler has been an auto-racing maven for more than three decades with 200-plus podium finishes around the glove, which explains the truly ingenious bottle design.      

Winemaker’s take – “SHIFT your palate into gear with dark blue fruits. Zinfandel brings the strawberry compote and Teroldego is all about cocoa nibs and blueberries. Syrah adds a touch of everything that’s good about food off the grill, and Carignane deepens the aromas with fresh cigar. Complex baking spices, caramel notes, and a big mouthfeel make this an incredible wine.”

Critical acclaim – From the Wine Spectator, which scored it a 92: “A high-octane red that retains a sense of style and polish, with expressive cherry, cassis, licorice and savory cracked pepper flavors that zoom toward medium-grained tannins.” And from Jeb Dunnuck, who scored it a 91: “It’s full-bodied and packed with spice, with toasted cedar, cracked pepper, plum, and scorched earth. It’s another warming wine, with ripe tannins and an earthy finish as well as a coating and lasting feel.”

My take – A big, bracing, flavorful wine. Note that Dunnuck also scored the 2021 Adobe Road Red Line a 92, and that red, a blend of six varietals, also revved up my palate bigtime. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)   

For more info – https://adoberoadwines.com

Price – $42.99 at a smattering of Total Wine stores around the Houston area. The Red Line can be ordered from the Saratoga Wine Exchange (www.saratogawine.com), which ships to Texas. Their price is $39.94.

2023 Domaine de Mourchon Tradition

The basics – it’s a concrete-aged grenache-syrah blend from the winery’s three principal terroirs just outside the Rhone Valley village of Seguret.  

Winemaker’s take – “This wine is deep garnet in color with a complex nose of juicy red berries, liquorice, ground pepper and black olive. Ripe and round on the palate, richly textured and balanced with notable freshness and fine tannins.”

Critical acclaim – From Janis Robinson: “Juicy sweet fruit but with structure and amazing freshness. Offers lots of pleasure.”                   

My take – I couldn’t agree with Janis more. It’s just a delicious wine that pairs comfortably with almost everything. I’ve probably been through 50 cases in my lifetime.

For more information – www.domainedemourchon.com

Price – $20.49 at Spec’s

2024 Fratelli Revello Nebbiolo d’Alba

The basics – The grapes come from a southeast-facing vineyard near Annunziata – on the hillside below La Morra – planted in 1996.

Winemaker’s Take – “A beautiful nose of strawberry and savory herbs that leads to great structure. Brighter notes of red and black cherries compliment the depth of fruit on the palate. Vanilla and cedar round out the smooth finish that ends with fine and silky tannins.”

My take – I love finding nebbiolos that can pass for a Barolos, as this one does in spades. 

For more information – www.revello.wine.com

Price – $29.99 at Spec’s 

Sippin’ with Sporty, Part 1

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The wines touted here and in my next blog to follow are among the most intriguing I’ve tasted over the past sixth months and that can currently be found either on local store shelves or through on-line purchase — especially important, of course, this time of the year. Some are new to me; others have been my go-to bottles for years.

As for the very best wines I’ve sampled of late . . . Good luck finding or affording them. I’ll share that story soon.   

BUBBLES

Champagne Mailly Grand Cru

The basics – It’s a classic blend of pinot noir (75 percent) and chardonnay from only Grand Cru vineyards.

Winemaker’s take – “Iridescent golden yellow tones, full, fruity nose, clean palate. A very come-hither Champagne: racy, elegant and deeply sensual, with beguiling bubbles that literally burst with luscious fruit. Mouth-watering hints of lightly toasted, freshly buttered bread.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling: “A fruit-forward style with yellow plums and stone fruit, enhanced by lemon zest.  Light-bodied and crisp, if not zesty, with a good finish.” 

My take – These tasty bubbles were new to me when I tasted the Mailly for the first time not knowing the price. It turned out the price is right.  

For more information – www.champagne-mailly.com

Price – $45.99 at Total Wine

WHITE

Drop of Sunshine Chardonnay

The basics – It’s 100-percent chardonnay from various California Central Coast vineyards.

Winemaker’s take – “A masterclass in balance, this Chardonnay opens with a burst of zesty lemon tart, seamlessly blending with the minerality that defines its crisp character. The finish reveals the lush sweetness of nectarine and ripe pear, while subtle hints of oak—delicate yet perfectly integrated—add depth without overpowering the freshness. This wine showcases a refined harmony of bright acidity and sophisticated structure, leaving a lasting impression of clarity and finesse.”

My take – Again, this wine proves you don’t have spend a fortune to satisfy your sipping urges. The complexity is startling considering the price. 

For more information – www.dropofsunshine.com

Price – $15.99 at Total Wine

2024 Portlandia Pinot Gris

The basics – It’s most pinot gris from Oregon’s Willamette Valley with a tiny bit of riesling blended in to add complexity.

Winemaker’s take – “Brilliantly balanced, bright, and bursting with lively aromas, this Pinot Gris delights from the first sip. A hint of lemon zest, plush pear, and sun-kissed stone fruit paint a tantalizing picture, while crisp green apple and juicy peach play on the palate. A refreshing ribbon of racy acidity and a sleek, stony minerality lend depth and distinction, making every sip purely pleasurable.”

My take – It’s the perfect aperitif wine at a very friendly price.

For more information – www.portlandiawine.com

Price – $16.97 from www.wine.com

2023 Ron Yates Sauvignon Blanc

The basics – The sauvignon blanc grapes grow at an elevation of 3,500 feet in the remote Dell Valley Vineyards 75 miles east of El Paso.

Winemaker’s take – “Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and silky tannins, the wine offers excellent food-pairing versatility while maintaining elegant structure. Notes of dried herbs, leather, and subtle spice.”

My take – Yates ranks among my very favorite Texas winemakers and he’s a master of his craft. The proof is in the bottle.  

For more information – www.ronyateswines.com

Price – $34.99 at Houston Wine Merchant

2024 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc

The basics – It’s a mix of Sonoma and Napa fruit, which is hand-picked and pressed as whole clusters, then fermented in new and neutral French oak, acacia and stainless steel barrels as well as egg-shaped concrete fermenters.

Winemaker’s take – “A remarkable depth of flavor comes through: notes of lemon zest, honeysuckle, peach blossom, and quince are all elevated by a lovely acidity. A savory minerality layers itself among the appealing fruit flavors and hints at the complexity that will continue to reveal itself.”

Critical acclaim – From Jeb Dunnuck, who gave it a score of 95: “The wine has a Bordeaux Blanc-like vibe in its ripe lime, orange blossom, mint, and spicy wood nuances. It brings plenty of sweet California fruit and is medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with bright acidity and a great finish. Beautifully done . . . just impeccable.” 

My take – What Jeb said. Yes, it’s a tad expensive, but it’s worth every dollar.  

For more information – www.quintessa.com

Price – $54.99 at www.wine.com

RED

2022 Ron Yates Mourvèdre

The basics – The Texas High Plains fruit – it’s 100-percent mourvèdre – ages in  mostly neutral French and American oak barrels, most of them neutral.  

Winemaker’s take – “This pure expression of mourvèdre showcases the variety’s distinctive character with compelling complexity. Intriguing aromas of graphite and rich cranberry compote lead to a palate filled with flavors reminiscent of strawberry rhubarb pie, enhanced by a distinctive anise note that adds depth and intrigue. The careful oak program allows the wine’s unique terroir-driven characteristics to shine while providing structure and subtle spice.”

My take – I don’t usually feature two wines from the same producer in a blog, but this red and Yates’ sauvignon blanc were both too good to go unrecognized.     

For more info – www.ronyateswines.com

Price – $39.99 from the winery

2022 Tenuta Luce LaVite Lucente

The basics – Like its famous – and pricy – big brother Luce, it’s a blend of Tuscan merlot and sangiovese.

Winemaker’s take – “Appearing a deep ruby red, the Lucente boasts an intense bouquet of red berry fruit, wild blackberry, violets, and other floral notes. Broad and generous on the palate, with tannins beautifully-integrated into the structure, it develops tangy, aromatic fruit on the mid-palate, including dark wild berry, black liquorice, and smooth spices.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 94: “Round and creamy, offering ripe blackberries, blueberries and hints of chocolate and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied with succulent fruit and fine tannins. Compact and focused, with good length and balance overall.” The Wine Spectator, Decanter and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate each gave it a 90.

My take – This is a superb Tuscan without the obligatory Super Tuscan price. The Luce goes for $70-plus.

For more information – www. https://www.tenutaluce.com

Price – $26.99 from www.wine.com

2022 M Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

The basics – The blend is cabernet sauvignon-centric (84 percent) with malbec (6), merlot (5) and petite sirah also in the mix.

Winemaker’s take – “Chocolate-blackberry ganache, cranberry preserves, sweet mint, black licorice, dark olive, new leather, mahogany. Palate is sleek and supple, firm, fine-grain, polished tannins, with a complex, classy finish.”

Critical acclaim – From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, which scored it a 95: “Deep ruby-purple, it has alluring aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, dried herbs, leather and lavender, plus classy touches of oak spice. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and powerful without going over the top. It has abundant, grainy tannins, flinty streaks and plenty of refreshing acidity to carry the long finish.”

My take – It’s equal parts easy drinking and easy on the budget, certainly for a California cab.

For more information – www.mcpricemyers.com

Price – $25.97 at www.wine.com