Next Tastings
January 17
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Levendi Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2023 ($39.99) – As we explained last week, many non-Cabernet vines in Napa Valley have been grafted over to Cabernet simply because growers can get much more for their Cab grapes! Average prices paid per ton (One ton of grapes yields about 600 bottles of wine.) for 2023 were: Cabernet Sauvignon, $9080; Syrah, $5018; Merlot, $4721; Zinfandel, $4666; Chardonnay, $3600; Sauvignon Blanc, $3165; and Pinot Noir, $2867. There are obviously many other costs to making wine besides the price of the grapes, but the general rule of thumb is that the retail price is the cost per ton divided by 100, which is why so many Napa Cabs sell for $80 – $100 today! Yet here we have a fine Napa Chardonnay, the equal of the Sauvignon Blanc we tasted last week.
Levendi Winery was founded in the early 1990s by James Gianulias, his son David, and family friend Todd Rustman. The winemaking consultant is Alison Doran, whose father, Russell Green, had purchased Simi Winery in 1969 (when it was a serious winery) and brought in legendary winemaker André Tchelistcheff as the consultant. Alison worked in the cellar beside André and eventually became only the fourth woman winemaker in California! She now consults for clients in Napa, such as Levendi. Her Chardonnay is beautifully layered and expressive, balancing richness with refreshing vibrancy. Notes of buttery pastry, ripe peach, Golden Delicious apple, and mango are complemented by a velvety texture, bright acidity, and a toasty finish. It was aged seven months in a mix of 30% new oak (François Frères barrels and Remind A), 45% one-year-old oak, and 25% stainless steel. It delivers depth, elegance, and a lively, clean finish—perfect for those who appreciate both classic structure and modern finesse.
Barrel Bomb Red Table Wine, 2017 ($19.99) – One of the great things about the wine world is that people are always experimenting. Aging a red wine in bourbon barrels may sound odd, but it’s worth a try. This bold and fruit-forward wine is a blend of grapes from Lodi, California. After it was aged in a mix of French and American oak barrels, it spent 90 days in Kentucky Bourbon barrels.
A short primer: Wine barrels are made from oak staves that can come from France, the US, Hungary, and other countries. The staves are either steamed (a cheap and neutral method) or held near a fire (a better, more expensive method) to warm and soften them so they can be bent into the proper shape. Exposing the staves to fire gives them a degree of toast. The longer the exposure, the heavier the toast. Bourbon whiskey barrels, by contrast, must be made from American oak (white oak) and must be heavily charred, not just toasted. Bourbon barrels are a little smaller and shaped such that the liquid gets more exposure to the wood surface.
On the nose, Barrel Bomb Red reveals inviting aromas of ripe blackberries, dark cherries, and cassis, accented by subtle hints of vanilla, cocoa, and spice. The palate is rich and balanced, delivering flavors of juicy black fruits, plum, and a touch of oak. Wine Enthusiast: 88 “Accessible aromas of boysenberry, strawberry, lilac and fennel show on the nose of this bottling, which was finished in a Kentucky bourbon barrel. That oaky impact shows on the palate, giving some warmth to the berry and licorice flavors.”
Recent Tastings
January 10
Levendi Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville-Napa, 2024 ($29.99)
Château d’Issan Moulin d’Issan, Bordeaux Supérieur, 2022 ($23.99)
January 3
Lobster Reef Sauv Blanc, Marlborough-New Zealand, 2024 ($15.95)
Le Ragnaie Troncone, 2023 ($23.99)
December 27
Madame Veuve Point Bourgogne Rouge, 2023 ($29.99)
The Messenger Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, 2023 ($49.99
Paul Goerg Blanc de Blancs Brut Premier Cru À Vertus, NV ($56.99)
December 20
Château Graville Lacoste Graves Blanc, 2024 ($22.49)
Shelter Winery Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir), Baden-Germany, 2023 ($29.99)
Champagne Pierre Boëver Des Dames de France GRAND CRU, Non-Vintage ($54.99)
December 13
Shelter Winery Lovely Lilly Chardonnay, Baden-Germany, 2024 ($19.99)
La Granja Nuestra Señora de Remelluri Rioja Reserva, 2016 ($45.99)
December 6
Shelter Winery Lovely Lilly “Psychedelic” Pinot Noir, Baden-Germany, 2023 ($20.99)
Trefethen Eshcol Red, Napa Valley, 2022 ($22.99)
November 29
Niepoort Douro Redoma Branco, Portugal, 2024 ($25.99)
Bodegas Teso La Monja Almirez, Toro-Spain, 2020 ($36.99)
November 22
Ponzi Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley-Oregon, 2023 ($19.99)
Colene Clemens Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Dopp Creek, Willamette-Oregon, 2022 ($37.49)
Lionel Osmin & Cie Chambre d’Amour ($16.99)
November 15
Cloisonne Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, 2023 ($20.99)
Cloisonne Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, 2022 ($24.99)
Fulcrum Pinot Noir Brousseau Vineyard, Chalone Appellation-Monterey, 2021 ($59.99)
Fulcrum Petite Verdot, Alexander Valley-Sonoma, 2022 ($29.99
November 8
Karl Fritsch Grüner Veltliner Ried Steinberg, 2023 ($27.75)
Domaine Lafage Narassa IGP, Cotes Catalanes-France, 2020 ($23.99)
November 1
Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne, 2021 ($44.99)
Legras & Haas Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru Chouilly ($62.99)
October 25
Costers del Priorat Blanc de Pissarres, 2021 ($36.99)
Chateau Prieuré Jehanne, St.-Estephe, 2017 ($29.99
October 18
Tenuta Ca’ Bolani Pinot Grigio, Friuli, 2024 ($15.95)
Château Teyssier, St.-Emilion Grand Cru, 2015 ($29.99)
October 11
Fess Parker Winery Chardonnay, Santa Barbara County, 2023 ($19.99)
Château Pierre 1er, St.- Emilion Grand Cru, 2018 ($27.99)
Oct 4
Drouhin Oregon Roserock Chardonnay, Eola-Amity Hills-Oregon, 2022 ($39.99
Château Pierre 1er, St.- Emilion Grand Cru, 2016 ($27.99)
Sept 27
Kaikén Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon, Argentina, 2023 ($14.99)
Château Franc Laporte, St.-Emilion, 2017 ($22.99)
Sept 20
Domaine Vocoret & Fils Chablis, 2023 ($33.99)
Âmevive Ravie (GSM), Santa Barbara, 2022 ($39.99)
Sept 13
Château Moulin Noir, Lussac-St. Emilion, 2016 ($19.99)
Chateau Hanteillan, Haut-Medoc, 2014 ($19.99)
Sept 6
Man Family Chenin Blanc, Cape Coast – South Africa, 2024 ($14.99)
Zephyr Wells Pinot Noir La Carbonique, 2024, Willamette-OR ($19.99)
August 30
Ninety Plus Cellars Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills, Lot 193, 2024 ($21.99)
Matthew Fritz Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, 2023 ($17.99)
August 23
Three Wine Company Old Vine Field Blend, Contra Costa County, 2019 ($24.59
Cave de Ribeauville Gewürztraminer, Alsace, 2016 ($19.99
August 16
La Colline aux Fossiles Chardonnay, Languedoc-Roussillon, 2023 ($19.99)
Louis Tête Morgon “Les Charmeuses,” Beaujolais-Burgundy, 2018 ($21.49)
August 9
Novellum Chardonnay, 2023 ($15.95)
Château Martignac, Graves, 2019 ($20.99)
August 2
Russian River Vineyards Rosé of Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley-Sonoma, 2023 ($17.99
Vicente Gandia Bobal Noir, Utiel – Requena – Spain, 2019 ($16.89)
July 26
Chateau Henri Gaillard Rosé, Côtes de Provence, 2024 ($18.99)
Hermanos Pérez Pascuas El Pedrosal Reserva, Ribera del Duero, 2009 ($31.99)
July 19
Domaine Moreux-Corty Pouilly-Fumé Artisan-Intro, 2023 ($24.99)
Vallepicciola Chianti Classico, 2021 ($21.99)
July 12
Domaine de La Tonnellerie Sancerre, 2024 ($24.99)
Yllera Pepe Yllera, Ribera del Duero-Spain, 2019 ($14.99)
Volante Bellini ($13.99)
July 5
Soalheiro Alvarinho, Monção e Melgaço- Portugal, 2024 ($21.99)
Bonpas Ventoux Grand Reserve des Challieres, 2020 ($15.95)
June 22
Lyrarakas Plytó, Crete, 2019 ($26.49)
Ninety+ Cellars Chianti Riserva, Lot 144 ($11.99)
Giorgi Cellars Buttafuoco Oltrep Pavese “Clile Tre Donne,” 2011 ($19.99 net)
June 21
La Crema Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, 2023 ($26.59)
Pastourelle de Clerc Milon, Pauillac, 2016 ($25.99/375ml)
June 14
Black Stallion Chardonnay, North Coast, 2023 ($16.99)
L’Esprit de Chevalier Rouge, Pessac-Léognan, 2015 ($34.99)
Sparkling Lavender Lemonade, The Better Man Distilling Co. ($6.99/can; $21.99/4-pk)
June 7
Lobster Reef Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough – New Zealand, 2023 ($15.95)
Château La Verrière Bordeaux Supérieur, 2022 ($19.99)
May 31
Château Gassier Rosé “Esprit Gassier,” Côtes de Provence, 2024 ($20.99)
Gabin et Félix Richoux Irancy, 2019 ($35.99)
May 24
Domaine Cornu-Camus Haut Côtes de Nuits, 2023 ($25.99)
Canella Granriviera Mimosa ($16.99)
May 17
Domaine Commanderie Quincy, 2023 ($18.99)
Cascina Vèngore Monte di Stefano Barolo, 2018 ($38.99)
May 10
Château Sainte Roseline “Le Cloitre” Cru Classé, Côtes de Provence, 2024 ($19.49)
Domaine Les Roches Bleues Brouilly Les Trois Loups, 2020 ($27.99)
May 3
Nadège and Emmanuel Fellot Bourgogne Blanc, 2023 ($23.99)
Pérez Cruz Chaski Petit Verdot, Maipo-Chile, 2018 ($27.99)
April 26
Colombaio di Cencio Toscana Bianco, 2021 ($24.99; Beekman’s special: $9.99)
Costa Stefanino (Nino Costa) Barbera d’Alba “Bardot,” 2021 ($19.99)
Sangri Sangria ($17.99/4pk cans)
April 19
The Messenger Cabernet 98, California, 2023 ($19.99)
Antonio Madeira Tinto Dao, Portugal, 2021 ($24.99)
April 12
Diatom Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, 2023 ($25.99)
Consejo de la Alta Rioja Riserva, 2010 ($19.99)