Blog Index

James Laube

The Chappellet Way: Talking About a Shared Vision

Posted: 02:35 PM ET, 05/08/08

Wineries hoping to keep their business in the family can’t start planning too soon, says Carissa Chappellet. Communication is crucial. “Once you start having the discussions, you’ve only begun,” she explained, and “when you think you’ve talked it out, even in the abstract, you’re only at the stage when you’re starting. Read more

James Laube

Changing Times: More Wineries Gear Up to Sell

Posted: 03:06 PM ET, 05/07/08

The sale last year of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars put the spotlight on the fate or fortunes of family-owned wineries.

In coming years more of these wineries, which typically annually sell 3,000 to 50,000 cases of wine, will decide whether to sell or transition to heirs. Read more

Bruce Sanderson

Something Old, Something New: Mainzer Weinbörse, Part I

Posted: 02:52 PM ET, 05/07/08

The final day of tasting in Germany's Rheingau featured the VDP members presenting the new 2007 vintage. After two days of aged Riesling, it was time to taste some fresh, young wines at the Mainzer Weinbörse.

I tasted about 150 young wines from 2007, mostly Riesling, but a few sparkling wines, Pinot Blanc (Weissburgunder), Pinot Gris (Grauburgunder), Scheurebe, Silvaner and Spätburgunder. Read more

James Molesworth

Should I Drain My Swamp Of Winespeak?

Posted: 10:48 AM ET, 05/07/08

A recent article about the influence and manipulation of wine consumers was brought to my attention, as apparently one of my tasting notes was printed in it.

The article claimed (among other things) that wine consumers are faced with “an impenetrable swamp of winespeak” before quoting the following note, penned by yours truly:

“Dark and rich, with lots of fig bread, mocha, ganache, prune and loam notes. Read more

James Laube

Highs and Woes with 2006 Pinot Noirs

Posted: 01:23 PM ET, 05/06/08

We’re heading down the homestretch with our Pinot Noir tastings for our annual report, due in September. Nearly 500 wines have been reviewed, with another 100 to 150 still in bags. Most of the best wines will be featured on WineSpectator.com, either in Tasting Highlights or our weekly Insider report. Read more

Harvey Steiman

Doing the Twist, Retroactively

Posted: 11:53 AM ET, 05/06/08

While other wineries dither about whether to use twist-off caps instead of corks for their current wines, Leeuwin Estate has taken it a step further. Australia's greatest producer of Chardonnay went back and rebottled its entire library under spiral. Read more

James Suckling

Transported to Beirut in London

Posted: 03:33 AM ET, 05/06/08

I went last night with some Armenian friends in London to Noura Belgravia, a Lebanese restaurant that is part of a small restaurant group with a number of outlets in the British capital as well as in Paris. I love Lebanese food. I like the variety of flavors and how they complement the simplicity of presentation. Read more

James Suckling

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Grand Tour

Posted: 12:36 PM ET, 05/05/08

The Las Vegas Grand Tour was rockin' on Saturday night. The ballroom of the Venetian Hotel was packed, and everybody was having a lot of fun. As much as I love New York, Vegas really has the buzz when it comes to the Spec’s Grand Tour. So many pretty girls in addition to the excellent wines. Read more

Bruce Sanderson

A Century of Riesling

Posted: 02:53 PM ET, 05/02/08

The main event of my trip to Germany was Saturday, April 26th: A tasting of Riesling from every decade of the 20th century, including 1900 and 1999.

Many of the classic German vintages from the century were represented: 1900, 1911, 1921, 1937, 1959, 1964 (Saar & Ruwer), 1971, 1975, 1976 and 1990. Read more

James Molesworth

Introducing Domaine Philippe & Vincent Jaboulet

Posted: 02:26 PM ET, 05/02/08

In the two short years I've been writing this blog, I’ve introduced a handful of new domaines, including Domaine La Barroche in Châteauneuf, Domaine des Martinelles in Crozes-Hermitage and Domaine du Coulet in Cornas, among others.

Today I sat down with the father-and-son team of Philippe and Vincent Jaboulet, who have just released the debut wines from their eponymous domaine. Read more

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