Author: Bruno Donaggio

RNDC Spring Trade Show 2025

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Twice every year, in the Autumn and in the Spring, the distributors of wine and spirits in the three-tier system that we have in New York State have their trade shows. This is where they showcase their products to the members of the hospitality industry.

Depending on the company, this may mean a small, intimate tasting or a tasting in a huge event space to accommodate the dozens, if no hundreds of wines and spirits they have in their portfolio.

On March 25th I attended the Spring trade show for Republic National Distributing Company.

The event was held at The Pool, a restaurant in the Seagram’s Building at 99 East 52th Street in Midtown Manhattan. It’s the site of the former Four Seasons restaurant and yes, there is a small pool in one of the dining rooms.

The distributor represents many wine and spirit companies that were on display this day. They particularly have a nice spirits portfolio with the highlight, in my opinion, was the vertical of vintage Armagnac from Bhakta Spirits that are for sale. They have single vintage Armagnac bottled from 1990 to 1946. It was an amazing experience to sample them.

Some of what I sampled:

2017 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Clear medium red, sweet tar on the nose, silky dark fruit with dark chocolate notes, great structure, long finish.

2018 St. Supery Vineyards Estate Elu Red Blend (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, sweet tar and roast meat on the nose, chewy, silky dark fruit with stone notes, great balance.

2018 Merryvale Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, sweet smoke and black cherry on the nose, concentrated fruit with black olive and white pepper notes, nice structure.

2018 Marquis de Caceres Gran Reserva (Rioja): Opaque black, brick rim, crushed red cherry on the nose, chewy black fruit ending with firm, silky tannins.

2019 Forman Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Clear dark red, sweet tar and red cherry on the nose, silky red fruit with green herb notes, great balance.

2021 Duckhorn Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, closed nose of sweet black olives, chewy milk chocolate fruit with crushed stone notes, nice balance.

2021 Clos du Val Yettalil Red Stags Leap District (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, sweet tar on the nose, chewy black fruit with graphite notes, good balance, long finish.

2021 Black Stallion Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Sam Jasper (Napa Valley): Opaque dark purple, purple rim, nose of sweet crushed red fruit, concentrated black cherry fruit with slate notes, dusty finish, great balance.

2021 Hobbs Family Winery Pinot Noir Eola Amity (Willamette Valley): Clear medium purple, red tar on the nose, tight red fruit with green herb notes, firm tannins.

2022 Chateau Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape (Rhone): Opaque dark red, brick rim, closed nose of roasted nuts, chunky, tight dark fruit ending with dusty, crisp tannins.

2022 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, tar and green olives on the nose, juicy red fruit with green herb notes, crisp finish.

Chateau D’Yquem Vertical Tasting NYC

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On March 18th, I attended the first annual Platinum brand portfolio tasting of importer and distributor Misa NY & NJ. As part of the tasting, they held a seminar for the wines of Chateau D’Yquem which I was fortunate enough to attend. The event was held at an event space at 33 West 19th Street in Manhattan.

Sauterne is an iconic sweet dessert wine and along with another sweet white wine, Barsac, is produced in southeast Bordeaux.

The wines are made using the Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle grape varietals. A distinguishable characteristic of these wine is that they are produced after the grapes are infected with a fungus, Botrytis Cenerea also called Noble Rot. The fungus shrivels the grapes and concentrates the sugars and flavors. The best wines have a balance of sweetness and acidity.

At the top of the pyramid when it comes to Sauterne are the wines from the 400 year-old Chateau D’Yquem which many consider make the greatest sweet wine in the world. They pick the grapes by hand with multiple passes through the vineyard.

At the seminar these are the wines served:

2016 “Y” D’Yquem: 75% Sauvignon Blanc 25% Semillon. A rare dry white wine from D’Yquem, Clear light gold with green tints, sweet grass and lime notes on the nose, juicy chewy white fruit with green herbs, balance acids and tannins.

2022 Chateau D’Yquem: 80% Semillon 20% Sauvignon Blanc. This vintage is the current bottling released on the week of this tasting. Clear dark gold, sweet peaches on the nose, nice balance of fruit an acidity.

2015 Chateau D’Yquem: 75% Semillon 25% Sauvignon Blanc: Clear dark gold, ripe vegetal nose, chewy canned peaches on the fruit, getting cardboard flavors.

2010 Chateau D’Yquem: 87% Semillon 13% Sauvignon Blanc: Clear dark gold, green herbs and peaches on the nose, thick with good acidity.

2005 Chateau D’Yquem 80% Semillon, 20% Sauvignon Blanc: My favorite of the vertical, clear dark gold, tree bark notes on the nose, chewy and silky with good acidity.

La Paulée Burgundy Verticals Tasting NYC 2025

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La Paulée began as communal banquet for growers and their workers in Burgundy around the region of Meursault, France.

In 2000, Daniel Johnnes brought the concept to New York City and this event was the 25th anniversary of La Paulée New York City. This year the event was also held in San Francisco and Tennessee.

It’s the premier Burgundy event in the city with several days of lunches, (expensive) dinners, seminars and tastings. The three walk around tastings consisted of the Grand Tasting which is their signature event where they poured the most current vintage of Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines, the “Off Grid” tasting which featured more accessible (and not crazy expensive) Burgundian wines, and the third event was the Verticals tasting which showcased older vintages of Premier and Grand Cru Burgundy wines.

I was lucky enough to attend the Verticals tasting on Friday morning. This was a great opportunity to experience some of the most famous wines of the world with some age to them. Only with this caliber of wines will you bring out dedicated wine drinkers to an event with an 10am start time.

The pinot noirs of Burgundy are the template of what every wine maker in the world that grows pinot noir strive to emulate.

They are some of the finest wines of the world but, in my opinion, also some of the most challenging wines to appreciate. A wine region like Bordeaux is pretty consistent but when it comes to Burgundy, even with the great Domaines, the wines can be hit or miss many times. Many of the wines I sampled this afternoon were difficult to drink with the high acids and high tannins that many of them showed, even in the older vintages. In any case, it still was a great experience.

The tasting was held at Second in the Eventi Hotel at 851 6th Avenue in Manhattan.

Some of what I sampled;

White

2018 Joseph Drouhin Montrachet Grand Cru “Marquis de Laguiche”: Clear light gold, tropical fruit notes on the nose with juicy peach notes, great balance with a long finish.

2018 Pierre Girardin Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru: Clear light gold, light toast notes on the nose with crisp toast note on the fruit.

2022 Pierre Girardin Batard-Montrachet Grand Cru: Clear light gold, big, toasty nose, chewy, toasty fruit, nice acidity.

Red

1999 Domaine Faiveley Corton Grand Cru “Clos des Cortons Faiveley”: Clear medium brick, warm ripe fruit on the nose, dusty leather notes and green graphite on the finish, crunchy tannins.

2006 Domaine Dujac Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru “Aux Combottes”: Clear light brick, cigarette smoke, dusty tar and green herbs on the nose, cherry red leather fruit ending with mouth coating tannins.

2009 Domaine Simon Bize Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru “Aux Vergelesses Rouge”: Clear light brick, barnyard red fruit on the nose, chewy black licorice fruit with silky big tannins.

2009 Domaine Simone Bize Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru “Aux Vergelesses Rouge”: Clear light brick, barnyard and red fruit on the nose, chewy black licorice fruit with silky, big tannins.

2012 Domaine David Duband Latricieres-Chambertin Grand Cru en magnum: Opaque brown, tar, mint and graphite on the nose, chewy milk chocolate fruit, firm, silky tannins.

2012 Domaine de Montille Beaune 1er Cru “Les Greves”: Clear light brick, barnyard on the nose, tight red fruit with leather notes, tight and tart.

2016 Domaine Didier Fornerol Cote de Nuits Villages “La Rue des Foins”: Clear light purple, slight toast and barnyard on the nose, chewy red licorice fruit, very firm tannins.

2016 Domaine Georges Mugneret Gibourg Clos Vougeot Grand Cru: Clear light brick, smoke and sweet red leather on the nose, tight, chewy fruit with some earth notes, big tannins.

2017 Domaine Hudelot Noellat Vosne Romanee 1er Cru “Les Suchots”: Clear light brick, dirty ripe fruit on the nose, chewy black licorice fruit, silky tannins, long finish.

2017 Domaine Denis Mortet Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru “Lavaux Saint Jacques”: Clear light brick, sweet earth and tar on the nose, chewy sweet fruit, silky tannins and graphite notes on the finish.

2018 Domaine Derey Freres Fixin “Les Clos”: Clear light brick, closed nose of sweet candy, cooked vegetable notes on the fruit, silky tannins.

2019 Domaine Simon Bize Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses Rouge: Clear light brick, barnyard nose, juicy red fruit with earth notes, balanced finish.

2019 Domaine Faiveley Corton Grand Cru “Clos des Cortons Faively”: Clear light purple, dirty violets on the nose, juicy, chewy leather red fruit, nice balance.

2019 Domaine Didier Fornerol Cote de Nuits Villages “La Rue des Foins”: Clear medium purple, barnyard and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit with roast nuts and smoke on the finish ending with good acidity.

2019 Domaine Yvon Clerget Clos Vougeot Grand Cru: Clear light brick, barnyard and graphite on the nose, chewy raspberry fruit ending with graphite notes and silky tannins.

A Couple Of Italian Tastings In New York City 2025

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The month of March is when many of the wine and spirits distributors have their biannual portfolio tastings for members of the trade. To coincide with that many of the government sponsored trade associations have their world tour showcasing the wines they are promoting.

This year two of the biggest Italian trade events were held on back to back days. On March 3rd, Slow Wine USA held their tasting in New York City and on the next day March 4th, Gambero Rossso held their Tre Biccheri tasting.

The Slow Wine event was held in the afternoon for members of the trade at Eataly Downtown at 101 Liberty Street in Manhattan across from the World Trade Center. It was the New York City stop on their USA tour that took them to Boston, Denver, Los Angelas and D.C.

Slow Wine is an organization that in its manifesto advocates for “good, clean and fair wine”. They also run the first university “dedicated solely to Gastronomic Science”.

The event was walk around tasting of mostly Italian wines though they did have a handful of non-Italian wines represented. It seemed like they did have fewer California producers present this year than they did last year, I’m not sure if that’s because this tasting was held on the heels of the Vinous Icons tasting the previous week.

Most regions of Italy were represented by small, off the radar producers who many were looking for importers. As usual, Eataly provided some very tasty food to go with the wines.

On the next day, Gambero Rosso, who publish an annual guide to Italian wines (Vini d’Italia) held their walk around tasting for members of the trade showcasing Italian wines awarded one to three glasses in the Tre Biccheri (3 glasses) designation. The USA tour included stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami and D.C.

This was a larger event than the Slow Wine tasting the previous day with many small producers pouring their award-winning wines. This event was held at the Metropolitan Pavillion at 125 West 18th Street in Manhattan.

Some of what I sampled:

2015 Bertani Amarone (Veneto): Clear medium brick, earthy red leather on the nose, dusty fruit ending with crisp acids.

2018 Zenato Amarone Riserva (Veneto): Opaque dark red, brick rim, crushed nuts on the nose, juicy black fruit with leather notes, prunny finish, good balance.

2020 Fontodi Chianti Classico Gran Selezione “Pastrolo” (Tuscany): Clear medium purple, tar and leather on the nose, tight light fruit with crisp acids.

2020 Collezione di Campaccio (Tuscany): A red blend, clear medium brick, tar and leather on the nose, chewy and firm.

2020 Boscarelli Vino Nobile di Montalcino “Sotto Casa” (Tuscany): Clear medium brick, sweet tar and graphite on the nose, dusty fruit with graphite notes, silky tannins.

2020 Campo San Giorgio Conero Riserva Umani Rochi (Marche): Opaque dark red, barnyard, slate and dark red fruit on the nose, dense with silky tannins, nice balance.

2021 San Felice Chianti Classico Gran Selezione “La Pieve” (Tuscany): Opaque dark brick, smoke, almonds and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy black fruit, good grip, long finish.

2021 Monte del Fra Valpolicella Ripasso (Veneto): Opaque medium red, closed nose of smoke notes, chewy red leather with silky tannins, great balance.

2021 Due Mani Cabernet Franc (Tuscany): Opaque black, smoke, white pepper and crushed stone on the nose, chewy black fruit with graphite notes, silky tannins, great balance and a long finish.

2022 Sono Montenidoli Chianti Colli Senesi (Tuscany): Clear light brick, dirty chocolate on the nose, juicy red fruit with dried herb notes, crisp acids.

2022 Borgogno “No Name” (Piedmont): Nebbiolo, clear light brick, toasty tar on the nose, moderate light fruit, silky, firm tannins, light finish.

Vinous Icons New York City 2025

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Antonio Galloni is a wine critic and founder of the internet wine magazine Vinous. On February 27-March 1, the magazine held its second edition of Vinous Icons New York which was a series of wine dinners and two walk around tastings.

This year the event was held at the Pier Sixty event space at 60 Chelsea Piers on the west side of Manhattan overlooking the Hudson River.

This space was much larger than the venue that held the event last year with more room to walk around, in addition to a great view of the New Jersey skyline across the river.

The events were open to members of the trade and to the public and I attended both walk around tastings on Friday and Saturday afternoons.

This is one of the best wine tasting experiences of the year with the sheer quantity of top end wines to sample from France, Italy, Spain, Chile, Argentina and the United States.

With so many wines available to try, as usual I focused my attention on the wines of Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Most of the wineries poured different wines on each day so there was more than enough on both days to keep me busy with those two wine regions.

Some of what I sampled:

Old World

2006 Chateau La Grange (St Emilion): Clear medium brick, black olives and cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy, black licorice fruit, chewy tannins with crushed rock notes on the finish.

2009 Cos D’Estournel (St Estephe): Opaque black, brick rim, dirty cooked fruit and dark chocolate on the nose, dense and chewy with silky tannins and dark chocolate notes on the long finish.

2010 Cos D’Estournel (St Estephe): Opaque dark red, brick rim, closed nose of smoke and tree bark, dense and chewy dark chocolate fruit, silky tannins, great balance.

2015 Chateau Haut Bailly (Pessac Leognan): Clear medium brick, tarry dirt on the nose, chewy graphite fruit ending with firm tannins.

2015 Chateau Troplong Mondot (St Emilion): Opaque black, brick rim, closed nose of crushed stone, chewy dark fruit with firm tannins, balanced acidity.

2016 Cos D’Estournel (St Estephe): Opaque dark red, brick rim, tarry barnyard on the nose, tight red fruit, firm tannins.

2020 Chateau Pichon Longueville (Pauillac): Opaque dark purple, toasty violets on the nose, tight with chewy red fruit, firm, long finish, still young at this point.

***

2008 Ornellaia (Tuscany): Opaque black, brick rim, tar and leather on the nose, chewy dark fruit with slate notes, nice acidity, long finish.

2014 Vega Sicilia “Unico” (Ribera del Duero): Opaque dark red, brick rim, smoky dirt and tar on the nose, chewy, dusty fruit with graphite notes, long finish.

2016 Bodegas Vatan “Arena” (Toro): Opaque black, purple rim, spicy red cherry nose, chewy dense fruit with tar, mint and smoke notes on the finish, great balance.

2016 Allegrini Amarone “Ferramonte”(Veneto): Opaque medium brick, pencil shaving and mint notes on the nose, chewy, chunky dark fruit with great balance.

2019 Biondi Santi Brunello di Montalcino (Tuscany): Clear light brick, toasty dirty cherry on the nose, moderate chewy fruit with leather notes, drinking nicely now.

2020 Isole e Olena “Cepparello” (Tuscany): Opaque medium brick, brick rim, tar, graphite and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy with silky acids with dusty tar notes on the finish.

2021 Ornellaia (Tuscany): Opaque dark red, purple rim, stinky tar and leather on the nose, chewy, dense and dusty fruit with slate notes, nice balance.

New World

2014 Stag’s Leap Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Fay” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, brick rim, blueberry and crushed rocks on the nose, chewy dark fruit with tar and cigarette smoke notes ending with firm tannins.

2015 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon Stags Leap District (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, smoky tar and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit with slate and chocolate notes on the finish.

2018 Continuum Estate Red Blend (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, dark chocolate on the nose, concentrated dark fruit ending with nice balance.

2021 Brand Proprietary Blend (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, stemmy, plummy smoke on the nose, chewy black fruit ending with firm, silky tannins.

2021 Brand Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, tree bark on the nose, chewy black fruit with mint notes, silky and firm tannins on the long finish.

2021 Futo “Seta” (Napa Valley)” A red blend, opaque dark red, purple rim, stone and crushed rocks on the nose, concentrated dark silky fruit with slate and dark chocolate notes, great balance.

2021 Futo Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed rocks, smoke and blueberry on the nose, juicy, silky fruit with silky, firm tannins on the finish.

2021 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon “Red Rock Terrace” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, ripe smoke and black fruit on the nose, tight and chewy dark chocolate fruit firm tannins on the great balance, still young.

2021 Diamond Creek Cabernet Sauvignon “Volcanic Hill” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, crushed black fruit and blueberries on the nose, concentrated black fruit, nice silky tannins, great balance.

2021 Vineyardist Cabernet Sauvignon “Heritage Ridge” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, smoky dirt on the nose, concentrated, chewy and chunky with silky tannins, nice balance.

2021 Vineyardist Cabernet Sauvignon “Calarcadia Vineyard” (Napa Vally): Opaque black, closed nose of slate and crushed rocks, silky dark chocolate fruit, firm tannins on the nice balance.

2021 Stag’s Leap Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon “Fay” (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, stone, tree bark and crushed sweet fruit on the nose, chewy black fruit, firm and silky tannins, long finish, still young.

2021 Repris Cabernet Franc Moon Mtn. Vineyard (Sonoma): Opaque dark red, purple rim, closed nose of vanilla and milk chocolate, mouth coating dark fruit with dusty, firm tannins, long finish.

2021 Ovid Red Blend “Hexameter” (Napa Valley): A Cabernet Franc focused wine, opaque black, purple rim, tree bark and milk chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit ending with toast notes on the crisp tannins.

2021 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir “Raschen Ridge” (Sonoma Coast): Clear medium purple, spicy cinnamon on the nose, juicy, dusty red fruit, nice balance.

2021 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon “Sacrashe Vineyard” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, chewy and thick fruit with graphite notes on the silky tannins, nice balance.

2021 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon “Coombsville” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark purple, crushed rocks on the nose, dense and tarry red fruit, dusty finish, nice balance.

2022 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir “Richaven” (Russian River Valley): Opaque dark red, toasty red fruit on the nose, juicy dark fruit with tar notes, crisp acids.

2022 Tor Cabernet Sauvignon To Kalon Vineyard (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, brick rim, dark plum and cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy and minty fruit ending with silky tannins.

Wine Paris 2025

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On February 10-12, I attended the 6th annual Wine Paris global wine & spirits exposition in Paris, France.

According to Vinexposium which is the organization running the event, there were 4,600 exhibitors from 50 producer countries with a record attendance this year of 52,000 people from 140 countries.

The event was held at the Porte de Versailles expo center located in the southern part of the city served by a couple of lines on the Metro system.

It was a huge event with many pavilions showcasing the wines of the world, not surprisingly, the largest was the French wine pavilion which is where I spent my first afternoon.

Some of what sampled:

White

2022 Roland Lavantureux Petit Chablis (Burgundy): Clear light gold with lime notes on the nose, juicy with good acidity.

2022 Montirus “Mineral” (Vacqueyras): Clear medium gold, lime and tropical fruit notes on the nose, medium bodied and nicely balanced.

2022 Albert Bichot Bourgogne Aligoté (Burgundy): Clear light gold, spicy tropical notes on the nose, moderate juicy with good balance.

2023 Jean Charton Pugliny-Montrachet “Clos de la Pucelle” (Burgundy): Clear light gold, tropical fruit notes and toast on the nose, juicy fruit with roast nut notes followed with nice acidity.

2023 Jean Charton Chevalier-Montrachet “Clos des Chevaliers” (Burgundy): Recently bottled, clear light gold with toasty tropical fruit notes on the nose, juicy, sweet fruit with nice acidity.

2023 Domaine Berthelmont Puligny-Montrachet “Les Foltieres” (Burgundy): Clear light gold, sweet green herbs on the nose, juicy moderate fruit, balanced and long finish.

Red

2006 Chateau Leoville Poyferre (St. Julien): Opaque black, brick rim, tar and dark chocolate on the nose, chewy dark fruit with green herbs, slate and tree bark notes.

2007 Domaine de Reveirolles Chateauneuf du Pape (Rhone): Clear medium brown, brown rim, dirt notes on the nose, chewy fruit with minty chocolate on the finish.

2012 Domaine Bosquet des Papes (Chateauneuf du Pape): Opaque dark brick, brick rim, dark chocolate on the nose, chewy fruit with slate and chocolate notes ending with silky tannins,

2014 Manuel Olivier Vosne Romanee (Burgundy): Clear light brick, tarry nose, juicy and firm moderate fruit, silky tannins, long finish.

2015 Benjamin de Beauregard (Pomerol): Opaque dark brick, brick rim, cooked vegetable on the nose, concentrated tight moderate to light fruit, toasty finish.

2017 Chateau Petit Mongot (St. Emilion): Opaque dark red, purple rim, perfume of violets, bell pepper and cooked vegetable, concentrated black fruit ending with moderate tannins and acids.

2018 Anseillan (Pauillac): Opaque dark red, brick rim, dusty ripe tar on the nose, tight and juicy fruit with stone notes, good grip, long finish.

2019 Philippe le Hardi Gevrey-Chambertin “Cru Petite Chappelle” (Burgundy): Clear light brick, toasty barnyard on the nose, chewy milk chocolate with silky tannins.

2019 Pauillac de Lynch-Moussas (Pauillac): Opaque black, brick rim, toasty slate on the nose, concentrated dusty fruit, firm, toasty finish.

2019 Chateau Angludet (Margaux): Opaque dark red, brick rim, toast notes on the nose, chewy black fruit with a toasty, firm long finish.

2019 Chateau Endos Haut Mazeyres (Pomerol): Opaque dark red, warm crushed dark fruit and tar on the nose, juicy dark fruit with silky, graphite tannins, good balance.

2022 Roland Lavantureux Bourgogne “Les Fauconniers” (Burgundy): Clear medium purple, roast meat and barnyard on the nose, juicy red leather fruit ending with firm tannins, long finish.

2022 Chateau de Laborde Gevrey-Chambertin “Villes Vignes” (Burgundy): Clear medium purple, spicy wet cardboard on the nose, juicy red fruit with tar notes, good balance.

California At Wine Paris 2025

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On February 10-12, I attended the 6th annual Wine Paris trade show in Paris, France. The event was curated by Vinexposium which organizes major international events for the wine & spirits industry.

It was a trade show for members of the trade, winemakers, distributors, sommeliers and merchants. This years show had over 5,300 exhibiters from 50 wine producing countries with a record attendance of over 52,000 attendees.

It has always been on my bucket list to attend one of these major international wine trade shows in Europe whether it be in London, Verona, Düsseldorf or Paris. It’s been over fifteen years since I’ve last been in Paris, and it’s a beautiful city and I welcomed the opportunity to go back this year and experience the trade show.

The event took place at the Porte de Versailles expo center in the 11th arrondissment in the southern part of the city, conveniently with a Metro stop on the number 12 line.

This expo center is massive. As a point of reference, I have the Javits Center in New York City which is the city’s expo center. Porte de Versailles was a least three times the size of the Javits Center with eight pavilions.

Not surprisingly , the French pavilion was the largest with three floors, Italy had a pavilion to itself, there was a pavilion for worldwide spirits and cocktails, and a pavilion for “foreign” wines where wines from the United States and other counties other than Italy were showcased.

Each day had many master classes and opportunities to speak with industry professionals and to sample wine. Lots of wine.

Most of the wines from the U.S. were from California, with Napa Valley having a dedicated area to itself. There were also wines from Oregon and outlier States of New York and Virginia. I spent one afternoon at Napa Valley chatting with the people behind the bottles. I was curious to hear how receptive the Europeans were to the American wines .

2019 BV Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, crushed black plums and smoke on the nose, juicy with slate notes, silky tannins, nice balance.

2021 BV Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Georges De LaTour” (Napa Valley: Opaque black, purple rim, dark cherry chocolate on the nose, chewy with silky tannins, long finish, still young at this point.

2018 Cain Five (Napa Valley): Opaque black, purple rim, pretty perfume of violets, chewy black fruit ending with silky, mouth coating tannins.

2021 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, crushed rocks and violet on the nose, dark and chewy with chocolate notes, silky, firm tannins, nice balance.

2021 Cliff Lede Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Poetry” (Stags Leap): Opaque black, purple rim, dirt and chocolate on the nose, tight concentrated fruit with a firm, dusty finish, great balance.

2021 Darious Cabernet Sauvignon “Darius II” (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed rock and dark chocolate on the nose, concentrated black fruit with mint and graphite notes, silky and dusty tannins, firm acids.

2021 Grace Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon “Cornelius Grove” (Napa Valley): A single vineyard bottling, opaque dark red with a purple rim, closed nose of crushed black fruit and chocolate, concentrated silky dark fruit and tannins, nice balance, long finish.

2021 Grace Family Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, stone, violets and green herbs on the nose, chewy and dusty fruit with milk chocolate and graphite notes, very firm tannins.

2018 Morlet Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Coeur de Vallee” (Napa Valley): Opaque dark red, purple rim, perfume of black olives and milk chocolate, chewy red chocolate fruit with green olive notes, nice balance, long finish.

2022 Ridge Vineyards Lytton Springs (Sonoma County): Clear medium red, purple rim, earth and cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy fruit with chocolate notes ending with firm, mouth coating tannins.

2022 Ridge Vineyards Zinfandel “Pagani Ranch’ (Sonoma Valley): Opaque medium red, purple rim, bright, ripe green fruit on the nose, juicy red fruit with licorice notes, tannins and acids are balanced.

2021 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon “Hillside Select” (Napa Valley): Clear dark red, purple rim, crushed red fruit and fresh rosemary on the nose, bright red fruit, dusty tannins, crisp acids.

2022 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon “1.5” (Napa Valley): Clear light red, purple rim, tarry green herbs and roasted nuts on the nose, bright red fruit with dusty tannins and moderate acidity.

2014 Staglin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque dark black, nose of ripe fruit, cooking spices and tree bark, chewy ending tight with tart notes.

2021 Staglin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, crushed rocks and spices on the nose, juicy black fruit with green olive notes and crisp acids.

2021 Staglin Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon “Salus” (Napa Valley): Opaque black with a purple rim, black olives and dark chocolate on the nose, tight and concentrated ending with some tart notes.

Seminar: California Pinot Noir

2019 Long Meadow Ranch Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley): Clear medium brick, tar, leather and roast nuts on the nose, juicy fruit with earth and roast fruit notes, toast notes on the finish, crisp acids.

2020 Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir “Larmes de Grappe” (Sta. Rita Hills): Clear light brick, toasted earth and red leather on the nose, tight and toasty light fruit ending with crisp acids.

2021 Kistler Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley): Clear medium red, crushed black fruit, plums and white pepper on the nose, firm, bright red cherry fruit, tannins and acids are balanced.

2023 Black Stallion Estate Pinot Noir (Los Caneros): Opaque medium red, juicy red fruit on the nose, bright red fruit with roast meat notes on the finish, crisp acids and firm tannins, still young.

Benvenuto Brunello NYC 2025

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On February 4th, I attended this year’s New York City edition of Benvenuto Brunello tasting tour which was hosted by the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. The tasting was held at the event space GH On the Park, located at 54 West 40 Street in midtown Manhattan.

The event had 34 producers showing their 2020 Brunello’s, their 2019 Riserva’s and their 2023 Rosso di Montalcino.

According to the DOCG laws, the regular Brunello has to be aged a minimum of 4 years before release the next January and 5 years for the Riserva’s so these wines are the current vintages to be put on the market. So this tasting was a good opportunity to see how the current vintages turned out.

The Brunello wine region is in Tuscany, Italy with the town of Montalcino anchoring the territory. It’s a cousin to its famous neighbor, Chianti though different rules apply. Other than the aging requirements, Brunello has to be made with 100% Sangiovese Grosso (the local Sangiovese clone) while Chianti is primarily made with Sangiovese, but with a certain percentage of other grapes permitted. Brunello also tends to be more expensive than Chianti.

2020 in Brunello was one of those rollercoaster vintages, I felt the 2019’s had an edge over the 2020’s in which most of the wines I sampled had crisp acidity. The wines are still young.

Some of what I sampled:

2020 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino “Vigna del Suolo”: Clear medium brick, prunes, tar and cigarette smoke on the nose, chewy dusty fruit ending with firm, chewy tannins.

2019 Belpoggio Brunello di Montalcino: Clear medium brick, tar and leather on the nose, chewy red fruit, firm, long finish.

2019 Caprilli Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “AdAlberto”: Clear medium brick, stinky, smoky nose, tight with crisp acids and roast meat notes on the finish.

2020 Col D’orcia Brunello di Montalcino: Opaque dark red, brick rim, crushed black fruit and mint on the nose, juicy red fruit ending with firm tannins and crisp acids.

2019 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino Riserva “Vigna Paganelli”: Clear light brick, closed nose of warm fruit, tight with firm tannins.

2020 La Magia Brunello di Montalcino “Ciliegio”: Opaque medium brick, crushed black fruit and green stems on the nose, tight red fruit with silky, mouth coating tannins with bitter almond notes on the finish.

2020 San Polo Brunello di Montalcino: Clear medium brick, smoke, sweet tar and dirt notes on the nose, juicy red cherry fruit, nice acidity and tannins.

2020 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino “Vigneto Poggio Doria”: Clear medium brick, crushed black fruit and smoke on the nose, tight with mouth coating tannins.

Jersey City Whiskey Festival 2025

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On February 1st, I attended the Jersey City Whiskey Festival. The event was open to the public.

The festival was one of a series of similar events that are held in the tri state area and are run by the same company. This one was held at the Harborside event space located at 210 Hudson Street, New Jersey. The venue is just steps from the Exchange Place PATH rail station which is the first stop into New Jersey from the World Trade Center rail hub. It’s along the New Jersey waterfront so you get an exceptional view of the Manhattan skyline.

They advertised over “100 styles of whiskey and spirits” with whiskies from the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Japan and India. For the non purists, they did have vodka, rum, tequila and cordials on hand to sample.

Most of the producers bottled more than one type of whiskey with variations depending on the mash bill, aging, proof, type of barrels, etc. I’m partial to Rye whiskey and many of the producers had a Rye or high Rye whiskey to sample.

The event was open to the consumer. In the past they had two sessions, but at this time there was only one evening session which made for a crowded venue, especially at the popular whiskey producers, though the space was large enough to get away from the crowd.

Some producers I sampled:

Asbury Park Distilling Co.Yellowstone
BardstownBulleit
Uncle NearestDoc Holliday
All Points WestSyndicate
Crown RoyalLiberties
Dead RabbitFighting 69th
GlencadamUsquaebach
Buchanan’s DeluxeTomintoul
BoondocksMartingale
Veja de CaldasBronx Bull

Union Grands Crus Bordeaux New York City 2025

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The Union Grand Crus Bordeaux was founded in 1973 and currently has 132 Chateaux members covering 14 appellations. The Union promotes the Grand Cru wines of its members with over 80 worldwide events.

In the beginning of each year, the Union tours the United States to introduce the newly released vintage. On January 20th the tour stopped New York City with both a tasting for the trade in the afternoon and another tasting for consumers in the evening. As in years past, the event was held at the Cipriani event space located at 120 East 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan across from Grand Central Terminal.

Bordeaux is a huge wine producing region with over 6 times the vine area planted than Napa Valley. Everyone focuses on the top tier wines, but you can grab a nice bottle for everyday drinking especially in good vintages, without having to pay the sky-high prices that the top tier wines charge.

Bordeaux had a string of some excellent vintages in the late ’90’s and early 2000’s but the last few vintages have been challenging for them, and I didn’t know what to expect at the tasting. From what I understood, 2022 was a “weird” year. The weather for the year had all the hallmarks of turning into a lousy vintage, but the wines turned out much better than anyone anticipated.

Reading the reviews from wine writers, the word “fresh” popped up very often. I meant that to mean the juicy, bright red fruit and moderate tannins and acidity that I was getting from many of the wines that I sampled. I didn’t get the teeth chatting tannins from most of the wines that I’ve gotten in other years. Of course, there were wines with firm tannins and brisk acids and knowing that these wines are still very young and need some more time in the bottle to flesh out.

I thought the vintage came out somewhere in the middle in style, I was pleasantly surprised and think that many of the wines will be for early drinking,

Vintage 2022

Saint-Julien

Chateau Beychevelle: Opaque dark red, purple rim, dark chocolate and sweet fruit on the nose, juicy and chewy ending with moderate tannins and acidity.

Chateau Branaire-Ducru: Opaque medium red, brick rim, sweet tar and cigarette smoke on the nose, juicy, earthy fruit ending with moderate tannins and acidity.

Chateau Gloria: Opaque dark red, perfume of violets and white pepper, juicy dark fruit, moderate tannins with tart notes at the end.

Chateau Gruaud Larose: Clear medium red, purple rim, dusty black fruit on the nose, juicy, tight red fruit, tight finish.

Chateau Leoville Poyferre: Opaque dark red, purple rim, tar and crushed dark fruit on the nose, tight fruit with crushed rock notes, very firm finish.

Chateau Talbot: Clear medium red, crushed red fruit, green herbs and milk chocolate on the nose, juicy and dusty red fruit ending with moderate tannins.

Chateau Lagrange: Clear medium red, graphite on the nose, dusty fruit ending with crisp tannins.

Saint-Estephe

Chateau de Pez: Clear medium red, brick rim, tar and leather on the nose, juicy with leather notes, silky tannins and finish.

Chateau Phelan Segur: Clear medium red, black licorice and earth on the nose, chewy black fruit with dusty, silky moderate tannins.

Chateau Cos Labory: Clear medium red, tarry roast meat and pencil shavings on the nose, juicy red fruit ending with lip smacking tannins.

Pauillac

Chateau d’Armailac: Clear medium red, dirty tar on the nose, chewy black fruit ending with very firm tannins.

Chateau Pichon Baron: Opaque medium red, brick rim, spicy dark chocolate on the nose, juicy dark fruit with chocolate notes, moderate tannins and acidity.

Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande: Clear medium red, dusty red fruit on the nose, juicy black licorice fruit, silky tannins, long finish.

Pomerol

Chateau Clinet: Clear medium brick, dusty stone and white pepper on the nose, juicy red fruit with silky tannins and moderate acids.

Chateau Gazin: Opaque dark red, purple rim, crushed red fruit and green herbs on the nose, very tight.

Chateau Rouget: Opaque dark purple, closed nose of dark fruit, sweet tar and cigarette smoke, juicy black licorice ending fruit with firm but silky tannins.

Saint-Emilion

Chateau Canon: Opaque dark purple, closed nose of sweet red fruit, juicy red fruit with moderate, crisp tannins.

Chateau Canon-La-Gaffeliere: Clear medium red, dusty, dirty nose, juicy red fruit with dark chocolate notes ending with moderate tannins and acid.

Clos Fourtet: Opaque medium purple, purple rim, crushed black fruit on the nose, juicy red fruit with silky tannins.

Chateau Franc Mayne: Clear medium red, dirty, stinky nose, chewy red fruit, silky, juicy tannins with some bitter almond notes on the finish, well balanced.

Haut-Medoc

Chateau de Camensac: Opaque dark red, purple rim, sweet tar and dirt on the nose, chewy, tarry fruit with silky tannins and moderate to low acidity.

Chateau Beaumont: Opaque dark red, purple rim, closed nose of sweet spice, chewy black fruit with barnyard notes, firm tannins.

Chateau Coufran: Clear medium to dark red, closed nose, chewy with bitter almond notes, tannic.

Pessac-Leognan

Domaine de Chevalier: Opaque dark red, roast nuts and violet on the nose, very tight and tannic at this point.

Chateau Haut-Bailly: Clear medium red, barnyard notes on the nose, juicy with lip smacking tannins.

Chateau Pape Clement: Opaque medium red, purple rim, spicy toast on the nose, juicy red fruit ending with crisp acids.

Margaux

Chateau Kirwan: Clear medium red, crushed red fruit on the nose, juicy with bitter cherry notes on the firm tannins.

Chateau Prieure-Lichine: Clear medium brick, tarry dirt on the nose, chewy red leather fruit with dark chocolate notes ending with moderate tannins and acids.

Sauternes & Barsac

From what I sampled, 2022 seems like a good year for the botrytis wines, most were nicely balanced.

Chateau Bastor-LamontagneChateau Doisy Daene
Chateau Doisy-VedrinesChateau Guiraud
Chateau Suduiraut