Walter on Wine in the News!
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A MESSAGE FROM
Walter
I’m honored that you decided to join this exclusive community of wine enthusiasts. Life is too short to drink so-so wine, and sorting through the mass of confusing wine descriptions, misleading expert ratings and inpenetrable wine lists will often lead you to so-so wine. Think of WOW as your guide to a better wine experience. Whether at home with a “house” wine or going for a splash while entertaining at home or hosting at a restaurant, we want the wine you select to bring a smile to your face and those of your guests. Cheers! Walter
Exclusive Stories
May 01, 2023
By Walter Hartman
Tuscan Coastal Wine Region
We had friends in Rome, recent American expats, and we would go to visit them. While there, the four of us would venture out to explore the wonderful wines of Italy...
Apr 30, 2023
By Walter Hartman
Ai Forino – Michelin Star Wine Series
She said we were going to New York City to celebrate our good friend Scott’s 60th birthday, and I was to pick a Michelin-starred restaurant and some great wine for his birthday celebration...
Apr 28, 2023
By Walter Hartman
Morimoto Sake Tasting
I love everything wine. The vines, the land they grow on, and the care and craft good winemakers put into making excellent wine, year after year...
May 09, 2023
By Walter Hartman
Friendly in-home wine competition
It started simply enough. A few years ago, we got together with two other couples after the December holidays. We all had plenty of commitments in December ...
Wine Events
Apr 14, 2023
Walter Hartman
Wine Recommendations
2021 Tyler Santa Barbara County Chardonnay:
$25
Tyler makes a range of high-scoring single-vineyard wines, including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, in Santa Barbara County, many from Santa Rita Hills. This wine is sourced from several sites throughout the county and is an outrageous value. A lovely nose of orchard fruits expands on the palate, revealing bright citrus, a distinct minerality and notes of roasted almond from lying 11 months on its lees. It’s dynamic with a long finish. This is a great-quality wine that you’ll almost never find at this price.
2020 Domaine Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos Saint Urbain:
$120
Forget what you know of Riesling. This is different. Way different. The south-facing steep slopes of the high elevation Grand Cru du Rangen in Alsace allow for grapes to achieve high maturation yet maintain acidic balance. The volcanic soils of Rangen dominate the nose, and the dry, full-bodied palate is of white stone fruits and fine mineral tannins and, with time, opens up to a powerful finish. This wine is very early, and should be decanted or can age for 40-50 years. It reminds me of some of the rich and intense wines from Zind-Humbrecht 25-30 years ago, which are still marvels, if you can find them.
2021 DAOU Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles:
$25
Here again, we have a wine from a maker that produces superb single-vineyard wines for high prices. This is their entry-level wine, and it delivers loads of character for a price that’s hard to find in a California Cabernet Sauvignon. Its jammy, cherry and blackberry nose is supplemented by dark chocolate (dark fruit + oak), tobacco leaf, sage and more. The palate offers dark fruit, currants and herbs and maintains nice balance through out. It’s a great bargain in California Cabernet.
2019 Fattoria Le Pupille “Saffredi” Maremma Toscana:
$100
See my “Coastal Tuscany Wine Trip” for more information on Fattoria Le Pupille. “Saffredi” is their icon wine, and 2019, the year of our visit, was very good. This Super Tuscan blend comprises 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot – a classic and iconic Bordeaux blend from the Tuscan coast. Dark fruits predominate on the nose, with intense aromas of black pepper, cinnamon and tobacco. The palate is still quite compact, with powerful fruit and a finish that is long and velvety. Young but drinkable now, this wine can age for another 20 years.
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