Jameson Fink

I haven’t really been drinking a lot of Rioja, but I just had a 2002 Ostatu Rioja Crianza Alavesa. A very earthy, smoky, old-school Rioja. It is certainly not oxidized and would make a great food wine. Another winner from DeMaison Selections. They also have a kick-ass logo that I will post. Oh, and something [More]

Sometimes I get a free bottle of wine and I look at it and think, “Is it crap and that’s why I’m getting it? Or might I be surprised?” Chalk this one up to a pleasant surprise; I thought it had some potential. 2002 Ross Estate Semillon Barossa Valley (Unwooded) This wine is showing very [More]

Had an indulgent meal that my friend Jerry and I cooked for a couple of well-deserving women: King Salmon with a fennel and apple salad with an orange dressing. Then beef tenderloin with a nettle risotto. We boiled the nettles and saved the liquid; it was like tea. I then made the risotto with about [More]

Sorry, it was late and I don’t remember the producer. But two things: 1) Great vintage.2) Great region of Burgundy for relative value. Ecard is a favorite of mine. Wait, make that three things: 3) I LOVE saying “Savigny”; I think it is such a pretty, elegant word. Sah-vih-knee! It sounds like the wines taste.

The 2003 Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon is smokin’! It needs at least an hour to breathe and gives you a lot of Bordeaux-type qualities. What is really unusual about it is the region: the Santa Lucia Highlands. Mountain fruit! This is one for the cellar and it should retail for about 25 bucks. This [More]

Wow! These wines are great. The rose is 100% Pinot Noir from the Fiddlesticks Vineyard; this is not cheap juice! The label is great, too. I was really impressed with the Sauvignon Blancs; they are Bordeaux-style wines that can definitely age. I was wondering why make Pinot Noir and Sauv Blanc instead of Chardonnay, but [More]