Columns — Fine Wine

🌟 Château Rayas – Where Soul Meets Soil: Reflections on True Terroir

🌟 Château Rayas – Where Soul Meets Soil: Reflections on True Terroir

Château Rayas by the Reynaud family — one of the world’s most distinctive and polarizing wines. Why does aged Rayas surpass any Burgundy, while even a 20-year-old vintage delivers extraordinary depth? Reflections on true terroir, vineyard and cellar microbiology, Emmanuel Reynaud’s undeniable talent, and why Rayas deserves its own appellation. Tasting notes on the incomparable 1988 and magnificent young vintages — an unforgettable fine wine experience.

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Realm Cellars

⚜️ Realm Cellars and the New Reality: Why Napa's Cabernet Now Reigns Supreme

A modern sommelier's take on the shifting hierarchy of the fine wine world. Discover why Napa Valley's Cabernet Sauvignon, exemplified by producers like Realm Cellars, has arguably surpassed its traditional Bordeaux benchmark, combining French expertise with American perfectionism.

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⌛ A Time Capsule in a Bottle Tasting the Immortal 1957 Pavie

⌛ A Time Capsule in a Bottle Tasting the Immortal 1957 Pavie

Discover the magic of aged wine through a sommelier's notes on a legendary 1957 Château Pavie. Learn how a perfectly preserved old Bordeaux acts as a time capsule, revealing the nature of wine evolution and achieving a timeless, immortal quality that rivals the finest Burgundy.

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Exploring Burgundy

🍷 Exploring Burgundy in the context of vintages and the styles of individual winemakers

A sommelier’s deep dive into a rare Burgundy comparative tasting, contrasting the styles of master vintners like Roumier, Ponsot, Pitiot, Faiveley, and Perrot-Minot across the highly-acclaimed 2010, 2009, and 2005 vintages. The article features reviews of iconic wines from Clos de Tart and Clos de la Bussière.

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