I recently tasted the wines from Courelas da Torre, a family-owned winery located in Redondo, Alentejo, Portugal. This winery has been producing organic wines since 2013 and spans 11 hectares of vines. Here’s a summary of the wines I sampled: Courelas da Torre Branco 2023: A bright and fruity white with a crisp and clean… Read More »
Franco Massolino recently hosted an impressive vertical tasting of his family’s flagship wine, Vigna Rionda, featuring twelve vintages from 1996 to 2019. With an innovative approach, the tasting was divided into four themes: warm years, classic years, great vintages, and recent releases. As the fourth generation of the Massolino family, Franco highlighted the significance of… Read More »
This year’s Langhe Nebbiolo, produced by Ferdinando Principiano, has captivated wine enthusiasts with its remarkable qualities. The 2023 vintage showcases 13% alcohol and presents a delightful experience marked by its silky texture. On the palate, this wine offers elegant notes of red cherry and plum fruits, balanced by a perfect level of tannins that contribute… Read More »
The 2007 Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Collezione has been released, reinforcing its status among the world’s premier sparkling wines. Ferrari has showcased its ambition by aging its flagship wine for nearly two decades prior to its launch, a technique more commonly associated with the elite champagnes. While many champagnes delay their releases for over 15 years,… Read More »
Eastern Slovenia, particularly the Štajerska region, is an overlooked gem in the wine world, producing remarkable wines that can age for decades. Recently, an astonishing tasting revealed the impressive potential of this region, often overshadowed by more famous wine areas. One standout experience was tasting a 1927 Šipon (Furmint) from Ptujska Klet, which is part… Read More »
Simon Field MW recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of Bruno Paillard’s Perpetual Reserve, highlighting the evolution and complexity of this remarkable Champagne. Established in 1981 by Bruno Paillard, this winery is noted for its commitment to quality, distinct from other ventures linked to the Lanson-BCC group. Today, it is led by Bruno’s daughter, Alice, who… Read More »
Frédéric Marc Burrier has spent years leading the Pouilly-Fuissé region, yet he remains refreshingly genuine, far from the political theatrics often seen in the industry. His journey is interwoven with change, reflecting both personal growth and broader developments in wine classification. The first visit I made to Le Pichet de Solutré two decades ago was… Read More »
As with last year, I had the pleasure of experiencing Henschke’s single vineyard releases alongside Stephen and Prue during a Zoom call. Their wines are a testament to the joy of winemaking, evident even in my first visit in July, where the rain welcomed me on a particularly dry day. At Henschke, located in Eden… Read More »
Once part-owned by Robert Parker and now belonging to the esteemed Artemis stable, Beaux Frères continues to produce exceptional Pinot Noir under the management of founder Mike G Etzel’s son, Mike D Etzel. In a significant shift, Mike D took over as winemaker in 2016 and later ascended to leadership in 2023, after years of… Read More »
When I visited Angelo Gaja in Barbaresco, he made an unexpected claim: "The future of winemaking is in white wines." This statement was particularly striking coming from Gaja, a master of Nebbiolo, known for the iconic red wines of Barbaresco and Barolo. Gaja has always been ahead of the curve, having previously produced two Chardonnays—Gaia… Read More »