Category Archives: Cab/Merlot

The Hoopes Scoop: Elegance In Oakville

Posted on August 7, 2014 by intoxreport

I’ll spare you the ‘jumping through hoops’ groaner: No need.  The wine is above such puerile puns, the label notwithstanding. Hoopes Family Vineyard reminds me of one of those prodigy kids who realizes she was born with an extraordinary gift—athletics, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cab/Merlot, CALIFORNIA, Napa, Oakville | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Auld Lange’s Wyne

Posted on October 12, 2012 by intoxreport

I have a nearly unhealthy fascination with twins; one I believe may rival that of Josef Mengele.  I’ll explain, but first, while the implication settles—a wine writer beginning any column, at any time, anywhere, with a direct reference to a … Continue reading →

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Signorello Trims The Edge Of The Fuse

Posted on October 10, 2012 by intoxreport

When does ‘cutting edge’ become ‘trimming edge’?  When Ray Signorello, Jr. gets into the game. I’m not sure if there is a direct translation of ‘signorello’ from Italian into English, but the Latin etymology is all about refinement, gentlemanliness and … Continue reading →

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Doused With The Divining Rod

Posted on September 6, 2012 by intoxreport

Some Sorcerers do boast they have a Rod, Gather’d with Vowes and Sacrifice, And borne about will strangely nod Mankind is sure that Rod divine, For to the Wealthiest ever they incline. – Samuel Sheppard, 1651 Miss Divine also had … Continue reading →

Posted in Cab/Merlot, CALIFORNIA, Chardonnay | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Let’s Slip Out Of These Dry Clothes And Into A Wet Martini

Posted on April 23, 2012 by intoxreport

For those of you who think there is only one authentic martini—four parts gin, one part vermouth and an olive the size of Luca Brasi’s left coglione—Louie The Lush and me have an offer you can’t refuse. And speaking of … Continue reading →

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Ready To Read Another Dull ‘En Primeur’ Column? Good, Because I’m Not Ready To Write One

Posted on April 12, 2012 by intoxreport

American wine people love to pronounce French words—especially those that they actually can pronounce. That’s why they’re always talking about lieu-dit, cépage and egrappage when they could be talking about ‘vineyard’, ‘kind of grape’ and ‘yanking the friggin’ stems off’. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, Cab/Merlot, Cabernet Franc, FRANCE, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon Blanc | Tagged , , , , , | 12 Comments

Hestan Vineyards: Picture Perfect Picks From The Sultan of Saucepans

Posted on March 8, 2012 by intoxreport

When a well-heeled businessman decides to open a winery—and plenty do—we can but hope that they possess at least one of the Big Three: A sense of taste, a love of the land or winemaking savvy. If somebody around the … Continue reading →

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Vintage 2008: Donati Delivers A Digest of Doozies

Posted on December 28, 2011 by intoxreport

It has been said (by Italians mostly) that there are only two kinds of people in the world: Italians and people who wish they were Italian. Whether or not you accept this, the fact is, in terms of cool, Italians … Continue reading →

Posted in Cab/Merlot, Paicines | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Planet Bordeaux: Bord In The U.S.A

Posted on November 23, 2011 by intoxreport

Time was, the vignerons of Bordeaux thought that the wine world revolved around them.  Is this where Planet Bordeaux is coming from? Granted, they are in the market to push the Département Gironde, and their splashy and convivial website (planet-bordeaux.com) … Continue reading →

Posted in Bordeaux, Cab/Merlot, FRANCE | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Warren Winiarski’s Stag’s Leap of Faith

Posted on November 19, 2011 by intoxreport

Within vino’s voluminous vale, the story of Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars is the story of Napa.  At least, it’s a microcosm of Napa’s rise from a fiefdom of meh to a kingdom of quality—and that’s a crown that Warren Winiarski … Continue reading →

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