USA

Just getting to the end of a fascinating week in Napa Valley. Was at Bond winery last night for a superb farewell meal prepared by team from the now-3-starred restaurant at Meadowood Resort with accompanying wines from Schramsberg, Clos du Val, Silver Oak, Rubicon and of course Bond. After our […]

It’s Carmenère, but it’s not from Chile…

by
Had the best meal I can remember in a long time at Morimoto (of Iron Chef fame) in Napa on Saturday night, with the Singing Grüner Veltliner from Laurenz Moser as a tasty accompaniment. The foie gras chawan mushi – think miso foie gras mousse with duck breast and wasabi […]

Grüner Veltliner – from where?!?

by
Stone Barn Cabernet Sauvignon 2008, California (£7.99 Bibendum, House of Fraser) A manufactured feel about this jammy black fruit, complete with pips, and a ripe but rather forced/baked finish. C- Delicato First Press Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley, California (£17 Bibendum, Whole Foods) Oddly disjointed, with one side that shows […]

Californian Cabernet – the world’s greatest…?

by
Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Napa Valley, California (£19.99 Majestic – in most stores) Quite exotic, with sweet roasted ripe plummy berry fruit, a hint of black olive, and oak a touch toast but nicely in balance, clean, fresh style, scores by not aiming to caress rather than impress (unlike […]

Mondavi or Mondavi – who’s top dog for Napa Cab?

by
Hacienda Araucano Syrah Reserva 2009, Lolol Valley, Chile (N/A in UK) Delicious gluggable youngster, unhampered by oak, awash with bouncy bramble and berry, flesh, with a finish that combines notes of pepper, spice and herbs with a charred character. You could almost chill this. S- Mont Tauch Fitou Terroir d’Altitude […]

Zinfandel, Fitou and Southern Hemisphere Syrah/Shiraz

by
Washington Hills Merlot 2008, Columbia Valley (£6.49 The Co-op) Overripe with rather hard baked blackberry character, concentrated but overdone, should have been picked earlier and made with less force. C(-) Powers Merlot 2006, Columbia Valley (£10.99 – £11.49 Handford Wines, Wines of the World, Bottle Apostle, Hennings Wines, Rodney Densem, […]

Washington State reds with a nod to Bordeaux

by