On the Road with the Grape Guy

43 US Wine Reviews from 4 States

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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

Every month I’ll add a number of new International reviews to the website – this month our focus is on the US of A, and in particular wines from 4 states: California, New York, Oregon and Washington … check out the full review by clicking on the wine’s name.

United States –

California …

Cornerstone Cellars 2014 Syrah Rosé, Corallina
Cornerstone Cellars 2013 Merlot, Napa – Black Label
Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Cabernet Franc, Napa – White Label
Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain
Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Merlot, Oakville Station

New York …

Anthony Road 2014 Cabernet Franc Rosé
Anthony Road 2014 Pinot Gris, Barrel Fermented
Anthony Road 2014 Riesling, Dry
Anthony Road 2013 Cabernet Franc / Lemberger

Domaine LeSeurre 2013 Chardonnay, Barrel Select
Domaine LeSeurre 2012 Cabernet Franc, Barrel Select

Heart & Hands 2012 Pinot Noir
Heart & Hands 2012 Pinot Noir, Elaine’s Vineyard
Heart & Hands 2012 Pinot Noir, Mo Chuisle
Heart & Hands 2012 Pinot Noir, Patrician Verona Vineyard
Heart & Hands 2012 Pinot Noir, Paul’s Legacy
Heart & Hands 2013 Riesling, Dry
Heart & Hands 2013 Riesling Estate
Heart & Hands 2013 Riesling, Patrician Verona Vineyard

Lamoreaux Landing 2013 Riesling, Red Oak Vineyard
Lamoreaux Landing 2013 Riesling, Round Rock Vineyard
Lamoreaux Landing 2012 “76 West”
Lamoreaux Landing 2011 Cabernet Franc
Lamoreaux Landing 2010 Chardonnay
Lamoreaux Landing 2009 Brut

Ravines Wine Cellars 2013 Chardonnay
Ravines Wine Cellars 2013 Riesling
Ravines Wine Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir
Ravines Wine Cellars 2011 Meritage

Ventosa 2012 Pinot Noir
Ventosa 2011 Cabernet Franc
Ventosa 2011 Lemberger

Oregon …

Solena Estate 2014 Pinot Gris
Solena Estate 2012 Pinot Noir, Domaine Danielle Laurent

Hyland Estates 2013 Pinot Noir, Coury Clone

Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir, Stepping Stone Cuvee
Cornerstone Cellars 2012 Pinot Noir, White Label – Willamette Valley

Washington …

Airfield Estates 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Runway
Chateau Ste. Michelle NV Michelle Brut
Columbia Crest 2012 Merlot
Milbrandt Vineyards 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Traditions
Nine Hat Wines 2012 Red Wine

Report from: Australia's First Families of Wine

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Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy

(May 26, 2015) ... Every time I get the invite to the Australian First Families of Wine, I'm always reminded of the Godfather movies and the "Five Families".  But the Australian First Families are a group of 12 families that are making wine over 16 regions and between them they have some 5000 hectares of vineyards. They span 48 generations and 1200 years of winemaking experience - pretty impressive really.

They are "The custodians of some of Australia's finest vineyards, most famous wine names and some irreplaceable history" and surely names you recognize: Brown Brothers, Campbells, D'Arenberg, De Bortoli Wines, Henschke, Howard Park, Jim Barry Wines, McWilliam's, Tahblik, Tyrrell's Wines, Wakefield and Yalumba (only Campbells was not in attendance today).

Today's tasting was structured as a speed dating event, each group had 10 minutes with each winery representative (it may have been 5 minutes, felt like it anyway) and tasted two wines, gleaning as much information as could be imparted in that short period of time.  Of the 22 wines poured here were the best of the best ...

Click here to meet the personalities and the wines that make up the First Families of Australia