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2016 Chianti Classico – A Modern Day Benchmark
Italy: Tuscany, featured
, Aug 2019
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about Chianti Classico and its wines. My July trip included a number of truly memorable estate visits, two unforgettable verticals, and the thrill of discovering a handful of wineries that were new to me. The top 2016s have turned out to be just as extraordinary as I had hoped they would be, and the 2017s, while less consistent, have plenty to offer as well.
Vinous Table: All'Osteria Bottega, Bologna, Italy
Vinous Table, Italy: North
, Aug 2019
Bologna is one of Italy’s temples of gastronomy. There are few better places to partake in its delights than at All’Osteria Bottega, an informal eatery that serves up a bevy of tried and true classics.
Two Imaginary Boys: Pichon-Lalande
France: Bordeaux, featured
, Aug 2019
What links a historic and esteemed Grand Cru Classé in Pauillac with Robert Smith of English rock band, “The Cure”? You might be surprised by the answer in this alternative take on Pichon-Lalande…
Cellar Favorite: Four From Domaine Raveneau
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Burgundy
, Aug 2019
I was inspired to write this article by my colleague Steve Tanzer’s superb retrospective on Raveneau’s Chablis Montée de Tonnerre and my own recent visit trip to Chablis earlier this summer. I have adored the Raveneau wines for a very long time. I buy them whenever I can for my own cellar.
Vinous Table: Piazzetta Milù, Naples, Italy
Italy: Center & South, Vinous Table
, Aug 2019
Piazzetta Milù has the potential to become one the top dining destinations not just in Campania, but in all of Italy. The food, wines and sleek décor are already top-notch, so this dining establishment run by a young, passionate team is well worth keeping a close eye on.
2019 Rosé Roundup
Rest of the World, featured
, Aug 2019
There have never been more high-quality pink wines available than there are today. Worldwide demand for Rosé, at all price levels, is at an all-time high. But the Rosé boom has also resulted in a large number of uninteresting, forgettable wines, so knowing where to look is key. These are the most distinctive and delicious Rosés I tasted this year.
Beyond Wine: Crate Digging: Fotheringay by Fotheringay
Beyond Wine
, Aug 2019
It is difficult to put my finger on exactly why, but Denny’s voice, her timbre and inflection, makes her sound as if she is singing from centuries back in history, like medieval princess pining from her castle tower to a lost prince.
Raveneau Chablis Montée de Tonnerre: 1985-2015
Verticals & Retrospectives, France: Burgundy, featured
, Aug 2019
Raveneau’s Chablis Montée de Tonnerre is one of the most coveted wines in the world. And with good reason. The Raveneaus have established an enviable track record for consistent quality and longevity through three generations of winemaking. A recent vertical tasting back to 1985 showed why this premier cru Chablis is so highly regarded.
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Cellar Favorite: 1904 & 1948 Langoa-Barton
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, France: Bordeaux
, Aug 2019
It is a shame that Langoa-Barton is destined to lie in the shadow of its sibling, Léoville-Barton, because it produces a great Saint-Julien wine in its own right. Moreover, that wine has a propensity to age in bottle with just as much élan.
Vinous Table: The Ledbury, London, UK
United Kingdom, Vinous Table
, Aug 2019
Strangers ask me if it’s true: Did I really celebrate my big four-zero at The Ledbury when, at my behest, celebrated chef Brett Graham summoned all his astounding culinary skills to pimp up the KFC menu?