The passion and energy of wine
It’s damp and gloomy outside mid-way through one of the coolest, dislodged April in U.S. history. Naturally, COVID-19 and government shelter-at-home orders have a lot to do with it. But people still have eat, drink and live, right? So what’s one to do? Put on my black Federoa, old Chicago-style Elliot Ness raincoat and soft […]
Rich Frank had the money and Hollywood connections to launch his own winery in 1992, but it was no guarantee of success in the big-time Napa Valley market. Fortunately, Frank’s knowledge of and passion for wine, expert business sense, and close-knit family talent were the most valuable assets in the overall equation. The former president […]
When I think of the word “cigar” two things immediately come to mind. First, the world champion American thoroughbred racehorse who dominated the mid-1990s handicap circuit; and second, the sweet, woodsy tobacco smell that comes from smoking a Rocky Patel Vintage Maduro. Now there is a third – the wine Cigar Old Vine Zinfandel. It […]
Chateau Malescasse 2016 (SRP $24) is an exceptional Left Bank value from Haut-Medoc, the result of a classic growing season that yielded Bordeaux’s biggest production output since 2006. While the highly acclaimed vintage pushed up Bordeaux prices an average of 13 percent – some Grand Crus jumped 60% – Chateau Malescasse bucks the trend and […]
Chateau Destieux 2005 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux – Usually, when I acquire a wine I make a note of it in my CellarTracker account, even if it is a gift. For some unknown reason, a bottle of Chateau Destieux 2005 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru slipped through my meticulous system. I have no idea where this Right […]
If you purchase six or more bottles of any Hess Collection wines, the Napa Valley winery will deliver the package to your door for $1 in shipping costs. That’s a pretty good deal, one of many now being offered by wineries coast-to-coast in their shop-from-home campaigns during the COVID-19 crisis. The Hess Family Estate offers […]
Artesa Winery is small winery in Napa Valley that makes artisanal wines, principally small-batch Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Albarino and Tempranillo. The wines are very good and sometimes hard to obtain, although some have trickled into New Hampshire State Liquor & Wine Outlets. Artesa and its wines were featured in the recent movie “Wine […]
Life goes on – at home – and I’m not going to let the COVID-19 outbreak get me down. First, I want to express my gratitude to all the medical personnel and first responders who are on the front lines during these difficult times and helping the nation’s coronavirus victims. Second, I send my prayers […]
While I am faithfully following all social-distancing protocols because of the COVID-19 crisis, I am still embracing the splendid art of drinking and dining at home. With that important message in mind, let’s not forget your local wine shops and their employees. Some are trying to find a way to do any type of social-distancing […]
What do I remember about the year 2011? Not much, except for two events that have stood the test of my aging mind. On May 2, U.S. special forces pulled off a daring raid on Osama bin Laden’s walled-in compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan and shot and killed the mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks that took […]
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