Wine Spectator November 15, 2018

Among California wines, Cabernet Sauvignon is king. It commands the highest prices. It dominates Napa Valley, the most prestigious and expensive vineyard region in the state. Cabernet wines are prized by collectors and have proven their ability to improve with age. A winemaker who has the ability to make great Cabernet is a hot commodity in California. The icons range from André Tchelistcheff to Paul Draper to Helen Turley. Their skills helped improve and refine the character of Cabernet in California. In this century, a new name has joined the top ranks of Caber-net makers: Thomas Rivers Brown. In addition to running his own winery, Rivers-Marie, he consults for a large and growing number of ambitious producers. Schrader Cellars put Brown on the map beginning with the 2001 vintage. Since…

Wowed by Wisconsin In addition to wine, I have a passion for great cheese. Having the privilege of living in Wisconsin, I have explored some of the world’s best cheese terroir, some-times deliberately but more often by serendipity. After reading David Gibbons’ “Top Picks From America’s Dairyland” (Grapevine, Oct. 15), I feel as though I’ve been given a humbling tour of my own turf. The two-page summary provided an extremely dense and succinct journey through the cheese state, and given the statistics presented regarding the sheer volume and breadth of production in Wisconsin, that is no easy feat. In addition to high-lighting several of my personal favorites, such as Marieke Gouda, Uplands Pleasant Ridge Reserve and Hook’s Cheddar, it introduced me to a platter of new cheeses that I look…

Reader reply to senior editor James Molesworth’s blog “Old Heritage, New Blood, at Heitz Cellar”(Aug. 16). I am excited to see what new direction the wines take un-der the new ownership at Heitz. I’ve been a big fan for some time, with my love for Martha’s starting in 1997 and being a very early champion of the 2001, which took many critics a few years to warm up to. I am equally excited to see what direction J2 [Molesworth] takes in his new position as J1 [Laube] steps into a new role as well. I’m a massive Napa single-vineyard Cab fanatic and am anxiously awaiting J2’s upcoming tasting reports so that I may calibrate his reviews to my palate. I could always count upon the consistency of J1’s palate and…

Today’s pantheon of American sommeliers and wine directors is more knowledgeable than ever. And for the most part, they’re also friendly, eager to help guide guests at their restaurants to bottles offering quality and value. And whether you’re a relative newbie or a seasoned veteran, when it comes to wine there’s always more to learn. For our Sommelier Talk feature on WineSpectator.com, we regularly ask the pros for their tips for wine lovers. Their No. 1 piece of advice? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. After all, they got into this job because they like to geek out about wine. Why shouldn’t you take advantage? Below are some words of advice and encouragement from several wine pros at Wine Spectator Restaurant Award winners. For more, check out our in-depth dining…

Is drinking any alcohol whatsoever dangerous? An ambitious meta-analysis of worldwide health data, published in the medical journal The Lancet, argues that the only safe level of alcohol intake is zero. But according to other experts, there’s no reason for wine drinkers to panic. The analysis, part of the larger 2016 Global Burden of Disease study from the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, looked at data from nearly 700 studies to estimate how common alcohol consumption is worldwide. They used another 592 studies—which included data on 28 million people in 195 countries accumulated from 1990 to 2016—comparing consumption in those nations to health statistics to try to gauge the risks associated with alcohol. The findings—including the fact that there were approximately 2.8 million alcohol-associated deaths in…

Oct. 18–20, Wine Spectator’s annual New York Wine Experience returns to the Times Square Marriott Marquis for three days of tastings, seminars and entertainment—and a few surprises. If you’re in town for the event—or if you’re planning a trip to the city soon—you probably want to know what the area’s latest hot destinations are. Exciting restaurants have joined the ranks of our Restaurant Award winners, including two earning the top honor. There’s a new spot for admiring the city’s iconic skyline views while dining. And a promising new museum puts the spotlight on food and drink. New York City is as vibrant as ever. Welcome! Wine Spectator Restaurant Award Highlights Welcoming Two New Grand Award Winners Ai Fiori (aifiorinyc.com) over-looks Fifth Avenue from the second floor of the Langham hotel. The…