A Grand Event: Featuring Old California Wines From Pioneer Producers

Earlier this year I attended a wine and food dinner featuring old Santa Cruz Mountain wines from two of the early pioneers, Hallcrest and Martin Ray. There was also an old BV Pinot Noir from Napa Valley, a very old Madeira, and a very rare Cabernet Sauvignon from Hanzell.

NEW RELEASE TRADE TASTING — New Zealand Wines

I recently attended a new release trade tasting in Los Angeles for New Zealand wines. Some 26 wineries were represented and there were well over 100 wines available to taste in a 3 hour period. These types of tastings are a way to get a general idea of the wines. But, for me, they are not an opportunity to write detailed notes on each wine.

A Pair To Draw From – Santa Cruz Mountain Vineyard and Quinta Cruz

This is the story of two wineries, one is the remains of a winery that was established in the early days of the California wine boom and the other is only a few years old. But they have a lot in common. They are now united in one winery facility. They have a common proprietor/winemaker with a long history of making balanced, harmonious, and flavorful wines without excessive oak or alcohol.

A Selection of Reasonably-priced, Premium Wines

A Selection of Reasonably-priced, Premium Wines

Following is an eclectic selection of diverse wines from Argentina, California and New Zealand, including Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon and a red meritage wine. They are highly recommended to outstanding, showing good richness, complexity and balance — premium wines offered at reasonable price points. Six are Best Buys. The wines were tasted with contributing editor, Ron Brown.

Dear Santa, We’ve Got a Little List

In Volume V, #5 of The Underground Wineletter from 1983, we wrote a letter to Santa with our wine wish list, which is reproduced below:
One Winedrinker’s Opinion
Dear Santa, We’ve Got a Little List . . .
Dear Santa,
Get ready ol’ boy, the time is at hand.  Everyone has a list.  We’ve got a little list [...]

Brancott Celebrates 30 Years of Winemaking

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first vintage of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, a landmark celebration for Brancott and for the New Zealand wine industry.  To mark this milestone, Brancott Vineyards, which is made by Montana Wines in Blenheim, is showcasing its range of world-renowned, vibrant, intensely-flavored, fruit-forward wines at various venues in the [...]