Wine
Email John at chjonmc@yahoo.com.
Recent Posts by John McDonald
- Wine
Hess select Chardonnay 2009 is a real steal
By John McDonald - May 21What a strange world this is. Two weeks ago, I mentioned that the bargains were not in Chile. Several producers actually sent samples to prove me ...
- Wine
La Rioja Tempranillo the top Spanish Reserve
By John McDonald - May 14This week brings more summer treats. First, however, I wish to alert all to a Reserva Especial 2001 named La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza. This ...
- Wine
Ca di Ponti Sangiovese a stone winner
By John McDonald - May 07Too much to cover today for this space, so let’s jump right in. Summer wine reviews are into their second week. Domaines des Grandes Perrieres ...
Wine
Sauvignon Blancs satisfy summer cravings
By John McDonald - Apr 30On the advice of a friend, I read “Gods of the Copybook Headings,” by Rudyard Kipling. This poem, written in 1919, was a cautionary about the ...
Wine
Refreshing summer reds are great for barbecue season
By John McDonald - Apr 23I would be remiss if I failed to mention the number of emails that followed the article concerning some of the iconic women in wine. Although ...
- Wine
Everything but the kitchen sink in 99 Point Wine
By John MacDonald - Apr 16Wow!! A brown bag bonanza for Pinot Noir guzzlers flashed across my palate at a recent tasting. If you are one who enjoys inexpensive, valuable ...
- Wine
High on the Hog Viognier blend pairs great with rabbit
By John McDonald - Apr 09Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of celebrating my birthday with Barbara and my grown-up children at Espuma. We had a very nice meal and several ...
- Wine
Good Chards available in a variety of styles
By John McDonald - Apr 02For all my Chard Pards, Patz and Hall Dutton Ranch is produced from some of the oldest plantings of Cali heritage clones in Sonoma. Since most are ...
Wine
Women deserve all the credit as wine pioneers
By John McDonald - Mar 26A wonderful article titled Women Pioneers in Wine by Christina Zappel prompted this. I am a big fan of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. The nonvintage ...
- Wine
Inexpensive, top-flight French Sauternes on the market
By John MacDonald - Mar 19Move quickly, only 800 cases were produced. Poggio Nardone Brunello 2006, WE 96, Suckling 93, McD 95 but hold fire, is on sale now for less than ...
- Wine
Many wines complement chocolate
By John MacDonald - Mar 12The chocolate show appeared to be a grand success. When Barbara and I appeared, the line was out to Rehoboth Avenue, so we passed. Broke my heart ...
- Wine
Spanish wines are in the spotlight
By John MacDonald - Mar 05Spanish wine rarely gets the ink it deserves. Descendientes de Jose Palacios Petalos Bierzo 2009 falls into that category. Rated from 90-92 points ...
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La Crema PN 2009 comes down in price; buy now
By John McDonald - Feb 27I know this is a wine column, but I am compelled to do a brief book review first. “The Lily: Evolution, Play and the Power of a Free Economy” by ...
- Wine
Here's the lowdown on some Tuscan reds
By John McDonald - Feb 20Le Sughere di Frassinello Maremma Toscana 2009, a lovely Sangiovese blend by Rocco Frassinello, was rated 93 WA and 91 WS. It also took 69th on ...
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Cult winemaker Sweetanos back in business
By John MacDonald - Feb 13The Polar Bear weekend was a nice success this year. Fun program activities last Friday and Saturday. The crowd was impressive. Initial results ...
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Great ratings don't bring price hikes at Frankland Estates
By John McDonald - Feb 06Another week packed with interesting finds. The best value for my palate: Chateau Les Ormes De Pez 2009 (elms of Pez), owned by Ch. Lynch-Bages ...
- Wine
2007 Brazin Zin scores double gold at California State Fair
By John MacDonald - Jan 30There’s quite a bit of ground to cover, so let’s get cracking. A well-written Greg Dal Paz article in Snooth prompted me to look into Zinfandel ...
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Antica 2009 Chardonnay: Save your money
By John McDonald - Jan 23Antinori, the well-known Italian Chianti producer that has been sharpening its image by trying to shape-shift into Tuscan Tignanello and Solaia, ...
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Adventurous drinkers can sample Lebanese Arak as aperitif
By John McDonald - Jan 16Last Sunday, we put on a party for daughter Maggie’s hooding. She chose White Clay Creek CC. They did a wonderful job from food, to service, to ...
- Wine
Best chablis are exquisite food wines
By John MacDonald - Jan 09Chablis comes in many shapes, sizes, flavors and aromas, but the best of them are exquisite food wines. The 2008 Domaine Moreau-Naudet Premier Cru ...
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Cuvee de Pena Pyrenees Orientales 2009 not to be missed
By John McDonald - Dec 31Please put down the paper, call your favorite local wine store and have them find Cuvee de Pena Pyrenees Orientales 2009. You may remember my ...
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Chateau Seguin Pessac Leognan Graves a great sleeper
By John McDonald - Dec 23Christmas is slowly approaching, as you may have noticed. For those who are frantically searching for a little something sparkling and special for ...
- Wine
Holiday deals on wine abound, but consider true value when buying
By John MacDonald - Dec 19There is a plethora of deals on wine for the holidays, in print and on the net. I took the time to review several. Sadly, I must warn that some ...
- Wine
It’s rare to find 94-point Barolo with enough age to approach drinkability
By John McDonald - Dec 12A bit off topic, but I would like to recommend that you go on the net to www.upchucky.com. Sounds a tad gross, but it is not. Rather you will ...
- Wine
Columnist debunks image of wine snobbery
By John McDonald - Dec 05Thanksgiving is a mega weekend for the McD household. Our anniversary, Connor’s birthday and Thanksgiving usually coincide. We have fun, festivitie...
- Wine
La Source has panache in chardonnay culture
By John McDonald - Nov 28By the time you get around to this week’s column, the last of the turkey on rye will be gone. As usual we had family and a few friends over to ...
- Wine
Antinori Guado al Tasso 2006 is a real steal
By John McDonald - Nov 21Just tasted the Columbia Crest H3 Cab 2009, It was touted heavily on release. WA gave it a 90-point rating and it can be found well under $15. On ...
- Wine
Pride Mountain's Foley the man to follow
By John McDonald - Nov 142006s: La Serena Brunello di Montalcino (Wine Spectator-rated 97) Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino (WS, 96); 2009s: Seghesio "Home Ranch" ...
- Wine
Run, don't walk for Far Niente, Rombauer mixed case
By John McDonald - Nov 07Once upon a time, a long, long while ago, Fess Parker was a pioneer who roamed from Pennsylvania to Tennesse building the wilderness road through ...
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Cellar-building bargains are becoming available now
By John McDonald - Oct 31If you kept your powder dry, the window is opening on cellar-building bargains. Recent offerings flooding the mailbox indicate that the French, ...
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Rating Champagne selections for the holidays
By John McDonald - Oct 24Rick, Sally and Les each wrote to me last year informing me that the holiday recommendations were posted too late. I was allowing too little time ...
- Wine
Diverse wine list offers great value by the glass
By John McDonald - Oct 17The wine urges me on, the bewitching wine, which sets even a wise man to singing and to laughing gently and rouses him up to dance and brings ...
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Do higher-priced wines always get better ratings?
By John McDonald - Oct 10Recently, longtime reader Bill T. wrote asking me about wines under $20 and if I thought higher-priced offerings were generally given better ...
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Noted winemaker John Duval joins big-name co-op
By John McDonald - Oct 03I just finished reading a David Schildknecht review. Tried to source the wine and found it at Suburban Wine in New York. Since it is against the ...
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Roussillon, an extravagant Carignane, too good to pass up
By John McDonald - Sep 26Many scribblers are touting Rex Hill Pinot Noir 2009 from Oregon. I tried it. I agree. WS, which rated the wine 93 points, will put it on the top ...
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Mocali Rosso di Montalcino is a perfect foil for picnic
By John McDonald - Sep 19Had a bipolar weekend! On Saturday, all the McDs attended the wedding of longtime friends Matt and Heather West. It was held at the clubhouse in ...
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We need to put quality-price rapport into perspective
By John McDonald - Sep 12I did not plan to lead with this, but I must recommend the 2009 LaCroix Figeac magnums priced three/$160; six 750s for the same price. I hope you ...
- Wine
Hundred Acre Ark cab continues to slide in price
By John McDonald - Sep 05Well, Irene was much less than the media projected, and thank God for that. Barbara and I took an afternoon Sunday drive through the Cape Region. ...
- Wine
Enjoy a nice six-pack sampler of Pinot Noir
By John McDonald - Aug 29It occurred to me, while driving in to work, that the new inlet bridge access and egress ramps are exactly where the last dune breakthrough ...
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Gloria Ferrer 2007 Carneros Pinot Noir, a great bargain
By John McDonald - Aug 22Barb and I dropped in to hear Conjunction Funktion, with whom our son Bassman Dan is playing these days. Arena's was packed. When looking for a ...
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Stumbling across Back Porch Apres Surf a delight
By John McDonald - Aug 15The governmental foolishness followed by a stock market mini-crash and the S&P downgrade of our debt rating put me into such a funk I turned my ...
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New Zealand sauvignon blancs steal the show
By John MacDonald - Aug 09Just back from a tasting of Sauvignon Blanc (SB) in Maryland. There were more than 100 to sample. I did my level best for you, my faithful ...
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Boutique Cali Chards Parker slides back down in price
By John McDonald - Aug 01There are too many bargains out there this week. So, let's jump right into the reviews. I can see some dancing with joy as I write that. The ...
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Altamura Vineyards Napa Valley Cab 2007 a stunner
By John McDonald - Jul 25A terrific read, "I am John Galt" by Donald Luskin is a must. Anyone who has read Ayn Rand 's "Fountainhead” and/or "Atlas Shrugged" will love the ...
- Wine
Go Figure's Cab juice sources from top Napa growers
By John McDonald - Jul 19The following is a tangential topic, but way too interesting not to pass along. I Snopesed it. The 3D copier is also being made to work with ...
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Marcel and Olga Juge Cornas Cuvee C 2004 is ready to drink
By John McDonald - Jul 12Regulars know I love Peggy Raley and her family (who were supporters and friends since Garden Gourmet), Nassau Valley Vineyards and its monthly ...
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Great white Burgundy ages wonderfully
By John McDonald - Jul 05Finally, I can make a good report on the David Niven Bridge. Apparently the logjam is over. Many people, trucks and pieces of equipment were ...
- Wine
Tua Rita di Nostri now reaching its drinking window
By John McDonald - Jun 28Last Thursday I shared the last part of one of the finest wines in my recollection. My friend Norman Sugrue was memorialized and interred. There ...
- Wine
Barbaresco is peaking and price is down
By John McDonald - Jun 21Hot, hot, hot! But nowhere near as hot as a recent offering for a three-pack of famous Syrahs. Novy Rosella's Vineyard '08, 94 points WE; Penfolds ...
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George DuBoeuf Morgon Beaujolais is a real winner
By John McDonald - Jun 14Before I get off track, let me shoot you a George DuBoeuf Morgon Jean Descombes Beaujolais 2009. Regulars are well aware I rarely critique Bo ...
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Duck Walk Sauvignon Blanc: Fruit nose and flavor
By John McDonald - Jun 07Memorial Day weekend looked fairly spectacular to me. I spent some time in Ocean City, Md., and Rehoboth. Both looked to have decent crowds. It ...
- Wine
Lady Gaga is a fine wine that needs cellaring
By John McDonald - Jun 01Memorable Memorial Day to ya. I just finished moving my wine back to the cellar from the attic and I'm really aggravated with Harold Camping. Sad ...
- Wine
It’s almost Memorial Day: Time to break out the Chardonnay
By John McDonald - May 25Memorial Day is approaching and the almanac's long-term forecast says "unseasonably warm." So, I decided to find an inexpensive, crisp Chardonnay, ...
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Good Bordeaux can come at all price points in a great year
By John McDonald - May 18In the past, I have written avoid Kongsgaard Chard as high quality but overpriced. Recently Kongsgaard Napa Chard 2008, 94 points, was advertised ...
Wine
Mom will love a 2009 Michel Thomas Sancerre Lachaume
By John McDonald - May 07Sunday is Mother's Day. She'll be seated quietly near the phone quilting, crocheting or knitting, her hair in a bun, dressed in gingham and a lace ...
Wine
Four Vines Paso Robles may be best zin in awhile
By John McDonald - May 04Robert Parker loves Mark Aubert. I sampled several of his single-vineyard Sonoma Chardonnays and loved them all. Sadly, they are priced well over ...
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A rare find: Chateau Brown Pessac Lougnan Blanc
By John McDonald - Apr 27Just returned from Florida's beautiful Gulf Coast. Dan and I dashed down for a skimboard contest. It has been 48 years since I visited Pensacola ...
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U.S. wineries make great Rieslings
By John McDonald - Apr 20Riesling may be the most flexible of grapes when it comes to its adaptability to terroir. Many identify the varietal wine (the wine is named for ...
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Fabre Montmayou is cool-weather Malbec at its best
By John McDonald - Apr 13You may remember I enjoy some of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. You may have tried some I recommended and found them to have remarkably similar ...
Wine
Joel Gott Zinfandel 2008 is a terrific value
Apr 06Rest in peace, Geraldine Ferraro. Although I disagreed with many of her positions and opinions, I admired the brilliance and mostly nonpartisan ...
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Barolo drinking is very expensive, time-consuming experience
Mar 30Although I enjoyed this past week watching the NCAA Division 1 wrestling championships, I am sad to report our four Delaware wrestlers who made it ...
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Wine list at Kearney’s Alley Rose is diverse, favorably priced
Mar 23Kearney, Neb. is another of those Midwestern small cities (think Salisbury, Md.) that are wonderful, short-visit destinations. Although I was ...
- Wine
The internet makes finding delicious food simple
Mar 16Want to know critics’ opinion of the 101 best restaurants in the United States and their names? Go here: whatscook.in/articles/101-best-restaurants...
Firm tannins, great acid balance provide frame for long finish
Mar 10Just returned from Erie, Pa. Let me tell ya, those folks know how to move snow. Turned in around 11 p.m. to some brief flurries and woke up to six ...
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On palate, proper acid frame carries smooth berry flavors
Feb 25Just rolled in from sunny, warm Indialantic, Fla. Son Daniel competed in the first skimboard contest of the season. I decided to go along as a ...

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