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The boldest reds in the West: Bull Lion Ranch and Vineyard (Grapevine, TX)
Part Texan, part Italian, and completely delicious–that’s how I describe Bull Lion Ranch and Vineyard to North Texas newcomers. The family-owned winery was founded in 2010, following an Italian-American winemaking heritage that was passed down through generations. Make it part of your weekend wine trip, and enjoy Italian hospitality, Texas style! If you think you’ve…
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Sip, Savor, and Salud: Spanish and Portuguese Wines (Total Wine class review)
A quick jaunt around the Iberian Peninsula was the theme of the most recent Total Wine class. On the tasting bar were eight iconic Spanish and Portuguese wine styles. If Dry January is still in effect, you wouldn’t guess it from this sold-out event. The small classroom was maxed out with 40 attendees (average age…
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Merlot Thursday: Decoy by Duckhorn California Merlot (2022)
It’s time for some Merlot on this Merlot Thursday! 🍇 Today’s Merlot was tasted at a Duckhorn dinner at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Dallas. Decoy by Duckhorn is one of the restaurant chain’s two permanent by-the-glass Merlots. (The other one is Bogle, which was our #MerlotThursday pick a few months ago). Duckhorn has been a…
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The Four Graces Pinot tasting at Bambu Thai (Richardson, TX)
Oregon terroir met an explosion of global flavors at a special Pinot-focused tasting of The Four Graces. Winemaker Tim Jones was the guest of Bambu Thai, which had prepared a special course of small bites to partner with these food-loving wines. The party started with Four Graces’ 2023 Willamette Valley Pinot Gris. It has flavors…
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Wine Road Trip: Sonoma County in winter
The hills were gray and damp, but the mood was jolly. Twelve wine lovers were gathered into a big white van–not friends just yet, but soon to be. “Who’s ready for wine this morning? Everybody!” We made introductions and sipped hot Americanos from a café stop in Sausalito, right over the Golden Gate bridge. We had…
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Review: Otronia “45° Rugientes” Patagonia Corte de Blancas (2017)
A Patagonian white blend is on the bar today: The “45° Rugientes” from Otronia. It was my first pick for “Try January” and it is a unique and delightful wine. “Try January” is a promo that my local wine bar hangout is doing this month. Instead of attempting to convince us that de-alcoholized wine tastes…
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Merlot Thursday: Leonetti Cellar Walla Walla Valley Merlot (2023)
Merlot Thursday became Merlot Splurge Day when I was offered a wine from one of Washington State’s finest producers: The elegant and evolving Leonetti Cellar Merlot. Founded in 1977, Leonetti Cellar is Walla Walla Valley’s first winery. Its roughly 5,000 cases per year are distributed mostly through member allocation. And so, it was with great…
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Review: Collezione di Paolo Chianti (2023)
You know that case of Italian wines from the WSJ Wine club that I panic-bought during a tariff scare? No? Well, in April 2025 I ordered a case of cheapo Italian wines and I’m still working my way through them. Sadly, I haven’t found any gems in that box yet. But I do reach for…
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Review: Granbazán “Etiqueta Verde” Albariño Rías Baixas (2022)
When someone says, “Spanish wine,” do you immediately envision red? I know I do–and I will never stop loving the spicy Riojas and toothsome Garnachas that first made me fall for the country’s exports. But lately, another Spanish love has been creeping into my thoughts…and it’s Albariño from Rías Baixas. This is a wine I…
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Review: Bonpas Grande Réserve des Challières Ventoux (2020)
I get giddy over a great-value Rhône, and this one is a doozy: The Bonpas Grande Réserve des Challières Ventoux. It even looks substantial and rich. There’s the heavy embossed bottle, the rawkin’ Gothic font, and the castle on the label. I bought the Bonpas during a Grenache spree a year ago and promptly forgot…
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9 hot takes about wine
A wise person once said that when first learning about wine, you should refrain from forming or expressing strong opinions. We heard that advice and went, “Pfffft.” What’s the point of wine writing, if not as an outlet for over-generalizations and manufactured outrage on trivial topics? C’mon wine friends–time to stir the pot! This post…
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Merlot Thursday: RdV Vineyards “Rendezvous” (2021)
With great Merlot comes great responsibility. That was my thought as I took my first sip of the “Rendezvous” Merlot-based blend from RdV Vineyards of Virginia. Pizza in hand, fire blazing, feet propped up on the couch, I thought I was settling for a casual wine-and-takeout weeknight with friends. But the wine was poured and–wouldn’t…