Archive - The Wine Fairy

Tasting the 2026 Costco holiday wine calendar: Wines #19-24

October 30, 2026

File this project under “It seemed like a good idea at the time.” A whole case of $4 mini wine bottles and a self-imposed Halloween deadline–what could go wrong? Your fearless tasting team at The Wine Fairy has powered our way through the entire 2026 Costco Wine Advent-ure Calendar. Now, all that’s left to do…
Read More
Merlot Thursday: Rombauer Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot (2023)

October 29, 2026

Yesterday, The Wall Street Journal published a feature titled “Two Decades After ‘Sideways,’ Merlot Is Ready for Redemption.” It’s the latest in a growing pile of “Merlot is back, baby!” journalism. In January 2026 at The New York Times, chief wine critic Eric Asimov included the varietal in his annual roundup of overlooked wine categories…
Read More
Merlot Thursday: Murphy Goode California Merlot (2023)

October 22, 2026

I think and talk constantly about what makes a wine good. For a person whose wine life intersects the commercial, critical, and consumer spheres, a glass of juice is almost never just a glass of juice. But what if, once in a while, it could be? What if the little voice that’s always yammering on…
Read More
What it’s like to be a wine judge

October 20, 2026

If drinking a glass of wine is like taking a walk in the park, then tasting and scoring a hundred wines is more like running a marathon. Wine judging takes discipline, focus, and endurance–not to mention a lot of crackers and celery! Since judging my first wine contest in 2025, I’ve been involved with several…
Read More
Merlot Thursday: Château Angélus Saint-Émilion Premier Grand Cru Classé A (2020)

October 15, 2026

Château Angélus, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, is famous for its natural amphitheater that captures the peals of nearby church bells. It’s equally known for its iconic, collectible Cabernet Franc-focused blends. And more recently, Angélus made wine-industry headlines for its exit from the Saint-Émilion classification system. Angélus attained the highest rank (Premier Grand Cru Classé A)…
Read More