THE BEAT GOES ON AND ON … “SUM YUNG VINE” X 2

OK. I just learned that it is not only Mouton Rothschild with its 08 label with a Chinese artist that focused on the Chinese market, But, apparently Lafite Rothschild preceded Mouton with its 08 bottle embossed with the Chinese symbol for lucky number 8. So it seems that one good deed deserves another.

Champagne — Any Time Is Time For Champagne

We did our first review of Champagne in December 1979 (see Volume 1, Number 3 Underground Wine Letter Retrospective Issue). Interestingly, back then many wine drinkers paid little attention to Champagne. In those days a lot of Champagne had been poorly stored and were not at their best. But, to use a Yogi Berraism, then […]

AND THE BEAT GOES ON…

Wine prices have been really volatile for some time and a real topic of conversation among wine lovers. But, it looks like there is no end in sight. Consider the following:

The price of 2008 Mouton Rothschild has soared from $200 to $1000 per bottle literally overnight. What would cause such an increase you ask?

More 2009s And A Few Others

For many months I have been writing about the superb 2009 Beaujolais. Virtually everything has now arrived (still waiting for the Clos du Fief Prestige Cuvee which should be great) and these latest arrivals include some of the best wines of the vintage. Don’t miss them.

100-POINT WINES – GET ‘EM WHILE YOU CAN!

Following Cary Fiebleman’s recent article “Is Sanity Finally Coming To The Market,” I received an offer discounting a list of 100-point wines. Included were 2000 Latour, La Mission Haut Brion, Margaux, Pavie, and Leoville-Las-Cases as well as 2005 Haut Brion and Petrus. Many were in different bottle sizes. Also, nine different Rhone wines, mostly from the 2007 vintage and a Sonoma County Red Wine. Per bottle prices were originally from $325 for a Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee du Quet Mas de Boislauzon up to $5,500 for 2005 Petrus. The new discounted prices per bottle are now $243.75 to $4,125.

STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE!

In real estate, it’s location, location, location. In wine it’s storage, storage, storage. You see in real estate, for no matter how bad the building, location wins over development because a better building can always be built. Whereas, a poor location will not support a great building, and may not support a building at all. In wine it’s storage where even mediocre wine will be better if stored properly. And, even great wine will be ruined by poor storage.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! IT’S TIME TO GIVE THANKS AND ENJOY FOOD AND WINE!

Thanksgiving is just around the corner. It is one of my favorite days of the year. Traditionally, it was a time to give thanks for the harvest. Today the Thanksgiving holiday is a time to give thanks and appreciation for all the things with which we are blessed. For my family, and many others, it has also been a time to get together and celebrate with a Thanksgiving feast.

Under The Radar California Wines

On a recent visit to Sacramento we visited with Darrell Corti of Corti Brothers. Darrell is the driving force behind Corti Brothers. Corti Brothers is a grocery store, but not like any other. Darrell has spent his life traveling the world finding the finest in foods, spirits, and wine.

More 2009 Wines

Continuing with our theme of affordable wines from the 2009 vintage, we have discovered some great red and white wines, including more Beaujolais and Rosé. There is something here for everyone!

WOW! 2009 RED BURGUNDIES. STAY TUNED!!

Accompanied by my friends and contributing editors, John Brincko and Geoffrey Troy, I have just returned from one week in Burgundy tasting the 2009 vintage wines from barrel. I first went to Burgundy in 1981 and began tasting the wines from barrel with the 1983 vintage.