Ratings Explained
84 & Below – Not Posted ‘cause we won’t drink it
85 + A good wine. Buy if the price is right
90 + A very good wine, in our humble opinion
95 + An awe inspiring wine – Possibly life altering
All wine reviews are based solely on the personal tastes of the authors.
Disclosure: Samples are designated by an “S” beside the wine reviewed.
We’re still objective. Robert Parker doesn’t buy his wines either
The name says it all! If this big bad wine from Grey Wolf Cellars doesn’t blow your house down, may just blow away your palate. Very rich with dark berry jammy zinfulness, this blend has 5% Petite Sirah to add a little zip and spice. Flavors of blackberry, blueberry, black cherry, pepper with a touch of dark chocolate combine with round tannins for a beautiful big Zin.
Wine Reviews by Bacchus and Beery Wine Blog
Earlier this summer Donna and I had the opportunity to spend a morning with winemaker Cathy Corison of Corison Winery. Cathy’s looks can be deceiving. She’s tiny, barley five feet tall, but exudes a modest confidence that raises her stature another foot.
Our tasting view overlooking the Kronos Vineyard
We met Cathy a couple of months earlier at the CIA in St. Helena during her seminar for a bunch of wine writers on the attributes of great Cabernets. There is no question she knows her stuff in spades and is an excellent educator, in addition to being a superb winemaker.
Cathy Corison is a pioneer, entering the realm of winemaking at a time when few women were seen in the cellar. Obviously the 1970’s were a different time for women in male dominated workplaces but this petite powerhouse made it work. As you will see, even after a winemaker hired Cathy for her first crush/harvest she was fired by the winery owner before the job even started. She was too small and not tough enough for the physical rigors of the cellar, he believed. Persistent, that same winery hired Cathy back the next year.
Corison Winery is truly a family winery located on Hwy 29 near St. Helena. It is old Napa Valley, small and quaint. The tasting room, located in the winery’s barrel room, is open daily. Corison offers a personal experience that stands in striking contrast to the glitz and glamour, hustle and bustle of so many Napa wineries.
The Cabernet Sauvignon created by Corison Winery is aptly described as “power and elegance.” The same holds true for Cathy Corison herself. Please join us at our tasting in the top floor of the barn at Corison Winery overlooking the 40 year old Kronos cabernet vineyard. Continue reading »
This beautiful Estate Cabernet by Tudal tastes more like a $75 bottle of wine. 35 year-old vines produce a superbly balanced, rich and complex Cabernet. Supple tannins with flavors of blackberry, red fruit, black fruit, smoke, cedar, a hint of cocoa and a spark of acidity come together to put pleasure on your palate. Be patient. This wine is a youngster with enough backbone to improve over the next 3-4 years.
Wine Reviews by Bacchus and Beery Wine Blog
This proprietary blend of Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Malbec with a few others offers up well integrated flavors of blackberry, red cherry and cedar with enough spice box to make it interesting. Soft tannins add complexity to this easy drinker. Perfect for a hearty meat or Italian dish.
Wine Reviews by Bacchus and Beery Wine Blog
Light both in color, nose, this “naked Chardonnay” offers mild flavors green apple, apricot with a touch of grilled pineapple and a hint of lemon. The finish has some pretty zippy acidity that should allow it to pair well with lighter summer meals.
Wine Reviews by Bacchus and Beery Wine Blog
