Category Archives: Uncategorized

Give Mourvèdre Its Due: Wine Review of Croad, Paso Robles, California 2011

Posted on January 3, 2018 by waywardwine

Santa brought me a surprise: a case of wine from the Central Coast, Paso Robles, California.  The mystery case focuses on a much neglected grape: Mourvèdre.  Thus, each week, check here for a new dive into Mourvèdre.

Now Mourvèdre likely originated in Spain, near Valencia, in a town suspiciously called Murviedro. It wiggled its way across the Mediterranean Coast to Provence.  Here it dominated until phylloxera sapped it, root stock grafting failed, and the famed Syrahs and Grenaches supplanted it in our glasses.
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Nearly New Year: Champagne Dinner at Paley’s Place Portland Oregon

Posted on December 29, 2017 by waywardwine

With a newly minted one year-old daughter, my wife and I will not make it to midnight on New Year’s Eve.  We find the next best fudge: sparkling wine Wednesday dinner at foodie stalwart Paley’s Place in Portland, Oregon. Continue reading →

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An Easily Bearable Bordeaux: Chateau Malescasse, Haut-Médoc, 2009

Posted on December 16, 2017 by waywardwine

Last week, a 2009 Bordeaux pissed us off.  In desperation, only food could tame its barking tannins.  But this week, we flip the script and flip the river bank.  We have a Left Bank, Haut-Médoc: famed for Cabernet blends and alluvial soils.

Ready your glass and soul for a Bordeaux that pleases right out of the gate (hopefully): Continue reading →

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How Not To Hate A Wine: Give Cheese A Chance

Posted on December 6, 2017 by waywardwine

Ever try a wine and hate it?  Yeah, me too.  But before we blame the wine, maybe give it a second chance. Actually, give it some food.

It is freezing outside and I am in the mood for a hearty Bordeaux.  Some Bordeaux need years to work, while others taste brilliant young.  So, when I find a Right Bank, Merlot blend, from the ripe 2009 vintage, I consider myself safe.  Doubly so, this is young Château Vignot (est 2003) with modernist Pierre Seillan at the helm, Kendall Jackson money backing it, and a website pushing words like “approachable”, “elegant”, “feminine”, “silky”, and the phrase, “meant to be enjoyed upon release”. It all seems overeager to please.

Is it? Continue reading →

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The Other Pinot Noir: Wine Review Vieux Télégraphe Télégramme, Châteauneuf-du-Pape France 2014

Posted on November 28, 2017 by waywardwine

Have you been on the Sideways Pinot Noir bandwagon and maybe, possibly, kinda, finally gotten bored with all that silky, lush, Californian cherry cola? Want to try something new?  Let us go to France. I have long loved winery Vieux … Continue reading →

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