Tag: Merlot
Lodi – the Motherlode of Affordable California Win...
Posted by Tom Gable | Mar 28, 2019 | California, Discoveries, Values | 0
Beyond Malbec: Premium Wines from Valle de Uco, Me...
Posted by Tom Gable | May 31, 2018 | Argentina, Discoveries | 0
Zinfandel, Rioja and Rhone Adventures in Red Wines
Posted by Tom Gable | Jan 31, 2018 | California, Discoveries, Rhone, Spain | 0
Easy Sipping Party, Picnic, and Patio Wines Under $30
by Tom Gable | Aug 31, 2023 | Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Discoveries, France, Oregon, Values, Washington | 0
We do much of our searching for good values in quality wines at different Costcos in our region and screening discount daily offers from online merchants or big retail chains that help wineries clear inventories as new wines...
Read MoreRed, White, and Rosé Wine Values for Picnics, Parties, BBQ
by Tom Gable | Jun 30, 2023 | Argentina, California, Chile, Discoveries, Oregon, Values, Washington | 0
From the big box stores to the national chains to your neighborhood grocery store, you can find excellent selections for those occasions when easy sipping and value are the order of the day, rather than delving into the nuances...
Read MoreCabernet Sauvignon Winners from the Global Wine Masters
by Tom Gable | May 31, 2023 | Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, California, Chile, Classics, Discoveries, France, Italy, Pauillac, Values, Washington | 0
For Cabernet Sauvignon fans, the latest results from the annual Global Wine Masters Competition give us a stunning array of quality choices from around the world, including great values under $30. The categories and approximate...
Read MoreTop 20 Reds Tasted During 2022
by Tom Gable | Dec 31, 2022 | Argentina, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Classics, France, Spain | 0
The news media and various entertainment, search engine and research websites are currently featuring their “Best of 2022” lists, with occasional predictions for 2023. In the spirit of sharing, here are my Top 20 Red Wines...
Read MoreSo Many Wines, So Little Time
by Tom Gable | Nov 30, 2022 | Argentina, Australia, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Chile, Classics, Discoveries, France, Germany, Italy, Rhone, South Africa, Spain, Values | 0
Readers often ask where I get my wines, particularly after posting tasting notes on some great values from around the world. Start with the big box stores (e.g., Costco) and local wine merchants. For expanding my horizons and to...
Read MoreEnjoying an Old Favorite, New Discoveries in Paso Robles
by Tom Gable | Oct 31, 2022 | California, Discoveries, Values | 0
Good friends had rented a house in Carmel for three weeks and invited us to spend a few days there and enjoy the town and golf at local courses. We thought we would turn it into our first road trip and tasting adventure since...
Read MoreIn Search of the Napa Nose; Style and Sense of Place
by Tom Gable | Mar 31, 2022 | California, Classics | 0
Last month, I bemoaned the trend in California wineries toward making high-alcohol, thick fruit bombs out of Cabernet Sauvignon, with an accompanying loss of varietal character and sense of place. The wines secure high scores...
Read MoreBeyond the California Cult Fruit Bombs – Classic Wines from Napa
Having followed the evolution of the California wine industry since 1972, I’ve seen many changes in winemaking styles to appeal to new markets and critics whose rankings drive sales. In the past two decades, one trend is for the...
Read MoreFavorites from 2021 — Classics and Values
by Tom Gable | Dec 31, 2021 | Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Classics, Discoveries, France, New Zealand, Oregon, Rhone, Values | 0
It’s always memorable to go through our tasting notes for the year. We recorded the notes during a wide range of tasting experiences, from trying new wines at home, to dinner parties with friends, to trade tastings, industry...
Read MoreWarming Up to Good Values in Winter Reds
Beef stew, pasta with meatballs, ribs, BBQ, Tuscan bean stew, meatloaf, boeuf bourguignons and more – winter dishes in need of matching to a bolder red wine with a decent price. Fortunately, local merchants, warehouse stores,...
Read More15 Bigger Red Wines Under $20
by Tom Gable | Sep 30, 2021 | Argentina, Burgundy, California, France, Values, Washington | 0
The following notes are from tastings the past four months with a focus on wines scoring above 14.5 on the UC Davis scale (87 other scales) and costing less than $20. The range starts at $9. We added one at $24 for the big...
Read MoreDo California Red Wines Improve With Age?
by Tom Gable | May 31, 2021 | Bordeaux, California, Classics, Discoveries | 0
Can fine red wines from California age, most notably the Bordeaux varietals? Even those far below the cult-level wine prices? It depends, of course, on too many variables to list here. But, in general, many do improve with age....
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