Kesselstatt Estate Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Riesling 1996 Müller-Catoir Mussbacher Eselshaut Spätlese Pfalz Rieslaner 1996 Jadot Chambolle-Musigny 1998 L’Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla Valley Merlot 1988 Chateau Sudiraut 1er Cru Classe...

Cabernet: Chile Chardonnay: Tough one, but I’d say anywhere but France, lololol Syrah: for the money, probably California, although for the “best” it ain’t California. Riesling: The USA has some very good...

Last night: 2006 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt Piersporter Goldtropfchen Riesling Kabinett (soo good with brie & goat cheese), 2006 Chalone Vineyard Estate Grown Chardonnay (glorious with pork chops, apples & onions) and 2005 Navarro...

there and the winery is passed from generation to generation. Most US winemakers are first or second generation so are still in the startup phase. I suspect also that estate taxes create a much bigger hurdle on passing wine...

, the Amarone TJ has for $9.99 tastes good to me. Another good one with a lighter taste is the Drouhin Pinot Noir for $7.99. Recently had an estate bottled (?) Columbia Crest—either a cab or merlot—for $10-11 that was...

of spiciness (green pepercorns?). Everyone went back for seconds, and toward end of the evening, I noticed the serving bowl had made its way to the table of a couple of Chowhounds! Melanie brought a 1995 Petaluma Riesling from...

Peter, The Wine Spectator is really not a “wine magazine” but rather a lifestyle magazine. If you want good unbiased review read magazines /newsletters that do not take advertising dollars. The best examples are Robert...

of a Premier Cru, but when I order a Pinot Noir from Central Otago, it’s because I want a NZ PN! <<< I agree with all of these comments, by the way . . . well, OK, I’d better — I wrote the last one....

. 2001 Viognier, Del Rio, $28 Funky peach smell. Jumbled, bitter. Poor. 2000 Riesling, Estate, $18 Pungent tangerine, pineapple, citrus aromas. Full mouth of fruit. Tart finish. 2001 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, $20 Lilac, chocolate...

), and Penfolds (e.g.: Bin 707 Cab and the legendary Grange) are still outstanding wines. So, too, many newcomers are making some excellent wines . . . you just have to like the style. Thread drift: When it comes to white wines,...

good wines at each price point (try the Imagery line, only available at the winery), and they have a tram. Or Robert Mondavi in Oakville. The new winery with all oak fermentation vats is finally done and ToKalon is the prized...

Estate-bottled Champagnes, or as Terry Theise calls them, “farmer-fizz”, are the micro-brews and single malts of the wine world. Unlike the brand-driven Grand Marques which blend various lots sourced from multiple...

& Foie Gras Emulsion [$ 20] and Porcini Rubbed Big Eye Tuna with Wild Mushroom & Frisee Panzanella. Sam brought a glass of Long Vineyards Estate Botrytis Johannisberg Riesling ‘01 [$ 55/0.375]. This the third dining trip, where I...

Merriman’s Kapalua, One Bay Club Place, Lahaina, 808-669-6400, http://www.merrimanshawaii.com/ Peter Merriman is one of the driving forces behind “Hawaiian Regional Cuisine,” along with other great chefs, like Bev Gannon, Mark...