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Bolnisi Barbale is a relatively new producer founded in Bolnisi, a former German colony in the Kvemo Kartli region of Georgia. German immigrants arrived in Bolnisi (then called Katarinenfeld in honor of the Tsar’s sister) in 1818 and started planting vineyards and making wine. They were successful and thrived until 1941 when Stalin deported families of German origin to Siberia. …

The smallest bottle you might see on shop shelves holds 187.5ml – a quarter of a standard bottle of 750ml. While a salmanazar holds nine litres, the equivalent of 12 standard bottles. When is a bottle not a bottle? When it’s a piccolo, jeroboam or balthazar. And knowing the specific sizes of each – and their unique names – is …

The key Champagne releases of 2024 so far….Charles Heidsieck, Blanc des Millénaires 2014 Charles Heidsieck has released only the fifth vintage of its blanc de blancs prestige cuvée Blanc des Millénaires since the celebrated 1995. The 2014 vintage, which follows on from the 2007, marks a subtle shift. While the blend still hails from the Côte des Blancs villages of …

The Hospices de Beaune. Griveau remains upbeat about the organic conversion despite the seldom-seen pressure from downy mildew during the growing season of 2024. She notes that the organic methods are not a new initiative but the culmination of many years of work. Her predecessor, Roland Masse, held the first organic trials in 2010-2011, and the approach has been fully …

A distinctive smokiness hangs over this radiant white, with yellow peach skin, mango, geranium and celery leaf flavors on a rich, full palate. An extrovert for sure, revealing an inner density, powered by mineral notes and a high-charged zestiness, with an almond hint at the end. Characterful and very appealing. Drink now through 2032. 400 cases made, 20 cases imported. …

Expressive and charming, featuring cherry, strawberry and rose flavors, with flashes of wild herbs and iron. The vibrant structure drives this red’s flavors and keeps everything focused. Ends with a long, fruity, minerally and spicy aftertaste. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now through 2040. 8,500 cases made, 6,417 cases imported. Source : e3814e95cdbc2a91e6e4c5692c302b37

Here’s a new Sauvignon Blanc hitting Costco stores that’s a fresh change of pace. That’s because it’s from South Africa, a region we don’t see too often in the Costco wine aisles. And that’s a shame because there are some delicious wines coming out of there, white, rose and red, frequently at very good prices. … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2022-our-origin-the-pledge-sauvignon-blanc/

It’s been five years since we’ve seen this wine grace Costco shelves, and it’s really nice to see it back again. We don’t think we’ve spent more on a single bottle of Malbec since the last time we bought this one, which was the 2013 vintage that we rated a solid 93 points. Most Malbec … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2018-tapiz-black-tears-malbec/

This was a new one for us that popped up with a hefty limited time discount that obviously caught our eye. That’s $10 off the already very good Costco price. We found this bottle retailing for $45, and listing elsewhere including Wine Enthusiast for $35. That publication also scored the wine 88 points, which we … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2022-circumference-cabernet-sauvignon/

A fun new find at Costco from a favorite producer. This is the Chardonnay from Wines of Substance, a Charles Smith wine brand. You might know Charles Smith from his Kirkland K Vine series, and you might remember Wines of Substance from their very delicious CS Cabernet we tasted a while back. Consistently, high quality … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2021-charles-smith-wines-of-substance-ch-chardonnay/

Hello and welcome to my weekly dig through the pile of wine samples that show up asking to be tasted. I’m pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This past week included some bits and bobs from California and northern Italy among other …

Composition’s Katrina Rank and Bertrand de Villaine ‘It all started in a class I was taking in Burgundy in 2016,’ says winemaker Katrina Rank about her winemaking partnership with de Villaine: Composition. On that day in Burgundy, Rank had asked Bertrand de Villaine if he’d ever considered making wine from Oregon’s Willamette Valley, a proven sweet spot for Pinot Noir and …

Sleek and rich, this red retains a keen sense of elegance, offering handsomely layered raspberry and boysenberry flavors laced with garrigue and smoked pepper tones while gliding to the rich, structured finish. Drink now through 2032. 362 cases made. Source : 6209c6dc869605466a88475be45e1949

Bright and delicate, with a pleasing touch of plushness to the creamy mousse as this carries flavors of baked white cherry, toasted brioche, grated ginger and pink grapefruit pith. Drink now. 8,826 cases made, 62 cases imported. Source : b510c770eb9f178a5015af132420b92c

Ricardo Rivadeneira and Rodrigo Romero Established in 2003, Viñedos Calcu, located in Chile’s Colchagua Valley, is relatively young, but its origins are historic. It’s the sister winery to nearby Viña Maquis (see our recent review article), which dates to the 18th century when it was farmed by Jesuit priests.  Located just 26 km from the ocean, Calcu’s vineyards of stony, …

Thomas Hawk has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/53869113055/in/pool-17918700@N00

Franschhoek Valley | Axel Bührmann | Flickr Uploaded on July 20, 2024 Taken on April 6, 2024

Franschhoek | Axel Bührmann | Flickr Uploaded on July 20, 2024 Taken on April 6, 2024

darkorohr has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/191138195@N03/53866212122/in/pool-52609756@N00

Jusotil_1943 has added a photo to the pool: Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/46322086@N04/13949838016/in/pool-17918700@N00