Published Here — Christy Canterbury MW

What Happened? Le Serre Nuove dell'Ornellaia 2015

Those who follow wine closely know that it is a living drink. Like people, wine has good and bad days.

I deeply hoped this 2015 Le Serre Nuove was having a bad day when I first tasted it professionally then drank it over several hours with dinner. It was astonishingly disappointing. A second bottle was modestly more satisfying but effectively identical. It certainly did not live up to my standard for Le Serre Nuove, a wine that I have tasted in its various phases – different winemakers, blends, vintages and so forth – for almost two decades.

Excellent Additions to the Donnafugata Line-Up

Donnafugata 2016 Etna Rosso Sul Vulcano: The Donnafugata labels are so vivid. This new wine’s is as fun as ever! The heaping pile of rocks seeming to symbolize Mount Etna almost looks like a pile of Nerello Mascalese grape pomace. Moreover, while the wine is as elegant as the lady on the label, I am sure that were I to inhale enough fumes from Etna, my hair might stand up as high, too! Anyway, the fancy ‘do makes me think of old, European aristocracy, and this wine is certainly as noble.

Wine Reviews, Italy, SicilyChristy Canterbury MWFebruary 22, 2019Donnafugata, Etna, Vittoria, Nerello Mascalese, FrappatoComment

A Surprising Rosé Duo from the Pays d’Oc

These two rosés surprised me.

I expected the Arrogant Frog to be the less expensive and less complex wine. This was without knowing that the Côté Mas wine is to be marketing in 1 liter bottles – my sample arrived in a 750 ml. Yes, I succumbed to label bias. Happily, it was only briefly.

Wine Reviews, France, LanguedocChristy Canterbury MWFebruary 21, 2019France, Pays d'Oc, Paul Mas, Arrogant Frog, Côté Mas, Aurore, Grenache, Syrah, CinsaultComment

Mi Sueño 2016 Chardonnay Los Carneros – A Different Dream or Vision?

Mi Sueño means “my dream” and reflects on the ambitions of founders/owners Rolando and Lorena Herrera. It was a Carneros Chardonnay that they first made together, marking the start of their Napa Valley adventure.

My proposed question in the title of a different dream or vision comes only from tasting recently two consecutive vintages of the Los Carneros Chardonnay. I was surprised but very interested in the evident differences.

Wine Reviews, USA, California, ChardonnayChristy Canterbury MWFebruary 16, 2019Napa Valley, Los Carneros, Carneros, Mi Sueño, Mi SuenoComment

FEL: Tasting Firsts

As an admirer of FEL for many years, I was curious to see what these different vineyards had to say. I must say that I was impressed by the differences in their voices! The two Pinot Noirs offer a surprising contrast of weight, texture and fruit aromas given how small Anderson Valley is – it’s barely longer than the island of Manhattan – and how relatively closely these vineyards sit!

Wine Reviews, USA, California, Chardonnay, Pinot NoirChristy Canterbury MWFebruary 15, 2019Anderson Valley, Donnelly Creek, Ferrington, FEL WinesComment

A Skim of the Alejandro Fernández Collection

So, it was with a particularly keen interest that I popped the cork on my first white from Grupo Pesquera. In fact, it’s the only white wine that the Fernández family makes, and it’s 100% Airén.

The Gamble of Generations: Investing in a Napa Valley Vineyard & Winery

The French have a saying that it takes three generations to see the cycle of a family business: one to build it, one to grow it then one to destroy it. I don’t know what the rest of the Gamble family farming business looks like today, but I can say that the “Gamble” of generations has paid off on the wine front. It seems Tom has started a new cycle, without finishing the first one!

Wine Reviews, USA, CaliforniaChristy Canterbury MWFebruary 14, 2019Napa Valley, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, OakvilleComment

Pauillac 2014 in Napa 2019

Last week I had the pleasure to taste a broad range of 2014 vintage wines from across the Bordeaux landscape while instructing at the Masters of Wine Residential Course in Napa. The theme - as I mentally noted it - was Bordeaux 2014 in Napa 2019.

Wine Reviews, France, BordeauxChristy Canterbury MWJanuary 31, 2019Masters of Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, MerlotComment

Ruby Vineyard Mystery Delivery

Three bottles of wine arrived with no advance notice on my doorstep a few weeks ago. Intrigued, I opened them all over several days last week. They are very accessible, ready-to-drink Oregon bottlings from the Willamette that carry very reasonable price tags. The Chardonnay is the Goldilocks wine of the trio for QPR. I’m so curious to learn more about why I received these wines, but it is always a pleasure to see what is happening in Oregon through the window of a sample set!

Wine Reviews, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, USA, OregonChristy Canterbury MWJanuary 30, 2019Willamette Valley, Ruby Vineyard, Chehalem MountainsComment

385 Notes & 501 Scores on Sonoma Pinot Noir & Chardonnay

These Pinot Noir and Chardonnay tastings were primarily conducted in Sonoma over the course of two visits (one for ten days, one for three days). My ten-day visit was thorough, covering eight hundred and four miles (1,294 km) and 39 winery appointments.

Barone Ricasoli – Castello di Brolio Duo

What a fascinating comparison of a Riserva and a Gran Selezione from the same cellar and vintage! There is a clear sibling resemblance via the fervent focus on savoriness. I would love to taste these again together in five then in ten years time to see how they evolve. I am confident that neither will disappoint.

Faust 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon: Worth a Pact with Mephistopheles

Faust 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley: This is quintessential Napa Cabernet – in taste and in sourcing. It has a tantalizing succulence corralled by vivacious structure. The tannins are hedonistically velvety and the refreshment is almost electric – perfect for harnessing the richness of the densely textured and generously full-bodied palate.

A San Marzano of a Different Provenance

The words San Marzano – to me – conjure up those delicate-skinned, super sweet, lower acidity plum tomatoes that are the darlings of so many scrumptious pasta sauces. So, I felt sheepish when I learned that the San Marzano cooperative is not based in Campania, like the (arguably) world’s most famous tomatoes, but rather on the Salento Peninsula – the heel of the Italian “boot”. Mea culpa.

An Intro to Intrinsic Wine Company

Washington winemaker Juan Muñoz-Oca takes wine craftsmanship to a zany new place with these two wines under the premise that the environment affects winemaking like it does street art. As it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it is also in the glass of the imbiber.

BenMarco 2016: Yes, Please!

I am loving the lower alcohols coming out of all peaks and crevices of Mendoza today. The wines were always delicious to taste, and now they are becoming more and more drinkable. This trio from Dominio del Plata’s BenMarco line provides a good set of examples. No wine exceeds 13.5% abv, and their freshness levels are exhilarating.

Grace, Harmony & Approachability from Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Gresy

Barbaresco Martinenga 2014: This is ballerina-like, elegant and deceitfully feathery-feeling for a (usually husky) 14.5% abv wine. To this point, its lighter-weight style might disappoint those hoping for a more bruising – more typically robust – style of young Barbaresco. However, those are far more commonplace – and more intellectual rather than enjoyable early on, so it is a true pleasure and relief to taste this beauty from Marchesi di Gresy.

Wine Reviews, Italy, PiedmontChristy Canterbury MWDecember 13, 2018Marchesi di Gresy, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d'Asti, Asti, Dolcetto d'Alba, Alba, Moscato d'AstiComment

Spicy Spanish Reds for Hearty Fare: A Trio from Torres

Torres 2014 Priorat Salmos: The vibrant mouthfeel and perky acidity were the first things I noticed about this infusion of Carineña, Syrah and Garnacha. Then, I felt the smooth, gilded tannins welling up on the palate along with the rich, concentrated body.

Wine Reviews, SpainChristy Canterbury MWDecember 12, 2018Torres, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Sangre de Toro, Garnacha, Tempranillo, Carineña, SyrahComment

La Valentina Abrusseze Trio

Pecorino Colline Pescaresi 2017: I’ve been tasting more and more Pecorinos – and many good ones – in the last three or four years. They’re a great addition to the white offerings of Abruzzo, which can be a little tiring when Trebbiano is the only option. This is a dynamo of a flavorful and harmonious wine, and I’d easily drink it on a regular basis. Moreover, this is wildly, wildly good deal at just $16 retail.

Wine Reviews, Italy, AbruzzoChristy Canterbury MWDecember 12, 2018La Valentina, Abruzzo, Pecorino, Montepulciano d'AbruzzoComment

Just In: Nicolas Jay 2016 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Nicolas Jay 2016 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley: If the wine continues as is, this third vintage from Nicolas Jay may take the longest of the Willamette Valley-labeled trio to open up in bottle. It’s pleasant now, but there should be no rush to open any bottles you have. Decant it if you can’t resist!

Wine Reviews, Pinot Noir, USA, OregonChristy Canterbury MWDecember 11, 2018Willamette Valley, Nicolas Jay, Pinot NoirComment

Susana Balbo’s Latest, Classy Releases from Dominio del Plata

Signature Brioso White Blend Valle de Uco 2017: This dazzlingly fragrant white from Susana Balbo is a new release from Valle de Uco’s Altamira. This is a dynamic and unusual white from Argentina. It is super fun to sip and very easy on the wallet, too.