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2021 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: A Rutherford Standard-Bearer
The 2021 vintage of this Rutherford-grown Cabernet delivers a focused, age-worthy profile with firm structure and aromatic depth. Polished tannins, integrated oak, and persistent black fruit define this wine, supported by a track record of excellence and top-tier scores from critics and the Cork and Journey panel alike....
September 15, 2025 – Portugal’s Push Pays Off as Cork Escapes U.S. Tariffs
Congress kneecaps an anti-alcohol panel, Gen X flexes real buying power, and reservation-only bars squeeze spontaneity. Here is why it matters for your glass now, plus our picks, La Lama’s patient Chianti Classico, the value 2022 Il Bruciato, and Houston’s Xochi where corkage is not allowed....
Oaxacan Precision in Downtown Houston: Xochi Delivers Disciplined Mexican Cuisine
Located in Houston’s Marriott Marquis, Xochi offers a technique-driven exploration of Oaxacan flavors under the direction of acclaimed chef Hugo Ortega. A focused mole tasting menu anchors a broader menu rooted in regional tradition, supported by precise service and confident execution in a polished, modern setting....
La Lama: A Patient Approach to Chianti Classico
La Lama is a small, family-run winery located in the hills of Castelnuovo Berardenga in southern Chianti Classico. Producing just 7,000 bottles annually, it stands out not only for its scale but for its commitment to long cellar aging before release....
2022 Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato: A Super Tuscan with Serious Character
The 2022 Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato brings together Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in a full-bodied, expressive Super Tuscan blend. With rich dark fruit, spice, and herbal notes, it’s a wine that offers both complexity and approachability. A well-balanced, rewarding red that’s ready to drink now but has room to evolve....
September 8, 2025 – Texas Wine Rises as California Grapples With Oversupply
California’s 2025 harvest is turning grim with abandoned fruit and vineyard removals, while climate stress is normalizing non-vintage still wines and even media brands are launching wine shops and clubs. We also chart Texas Hill Country’s steady rise, and spotlight Felsina, a nuanced 2017 San Filippo Brunello, and Vegas’s LMP Restaurant & Bar with a friendly $30 corkage....
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September 15, 2025 – Portugal’s Push Pays Off as Cork Escapes U.S. Tariffs
Congress kneecaps an anti-alcohol panel, Gen X flexes real buying power, and reservation-only bars squeeze spontaneity. Here is why it matters for your glass now, plus our picks, La Lama’s patient Chianti Classico, the value 2022 Il Bruciato, and Houston’s Xochi where corkage is not allowed....
September 8, 2025 – Texas Wine Rises as California Grapples With Oversupply
California’s 2025 harvest is turning grim with abandoned fruit and vineyard removals, while climate stress is normalizing non-vintage still wines and even media brands are launching wine shops and clubs. We also chart Texas Hill Country’s steady rise, and spotlight Felsina, a nuanced 2017 San Filippo Brunello, and Vegas’s LMP Restaurant & Bar with a friendly $30 corkage....
September 1, 2025 – San Francisco Giants Hit a Home Run with Sonoma Wine Club
Wine headlines this week span from USA Today’s surprising “Best Wine Regions” list—where Suisun Valley, Rogue Valley, and even Lubbock make the cut—to the San Francisco Giants’ launch of Major League Baseball’s first wine club with Sonoma County vintners. On the global front, South African wineries face steep new U.S. tariffs, while fresh tools like WineSpeak and standout bottles from Page Springs Cellars and Cantine Marisa Cuomo show how innovation and regional character continue to shape the industry....
Corkage
Wine
2021 Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon: A Rutherford Standard-Bearer
The 2021 vintage of this Rutherford-grown Cabernet delivers a focused, age-worthy profile with firm structure and aromatic depth. Polished tannins, integrated oak, and persistent black fruit define this wine, supported by a track record of excellence and top-tier scores from critics and the Cork and Journey panel alike....
2022 Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato: A Super Tuscan with Serious Character
The 2022 Tenuta Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato brings together Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc in a full-bodied, expressive Super Tuscan blend. With rich dark fruit, spice, and herbal notes, it’s a wine that offers both complexity and approachability. A well-balanced, rewarding red that’s ready to drink now but has room to evolve....
A Study in Balance: 2017 San Filippo Brunello di Montalcino Le Lucere
The 2017 Le Lucere is a polished Brunello from San Filippo, showcasing an elegant side of Sangiovese. With high praise from critics and a cult-like following, this wine brings layered aromatics, refined tannins, and a long, savory finish. Though we came in slightly below the consensus, it’s undeniably well-crafted....
Wineries
La Lama: A Patient Approach to Chianti Classico
La Lama is a small, family-run winery located in the hills of Castelnuovo Berardenga in southern Chianti Classico. Producing just 7,000 bottles annually, it stands out not only for its scale but for its commitment to long cellar aging before release....
Felsina: Chianti Classico with a Focus on Precision and Place
In the southeastern corner of Chianti Classico, Felsina has built a reputation for site-specific Sangiovese. The estate spans over 500 hectares, with 90 under vine, and produces structured, age-worthy wines grounded in careful vineyard selection and detailed viticulture. Tastings by reservation offer a focused introduction to their style....
Cantine Marisa Cuomo: Vertical Viticulture on the Amalfi Coast
Set high above the Mediterranean on dramatic limestone cliffs, Cantine Marisa Cuomo offers a striking intersection of native varietals, sea-born breezes, and terraced vineyards clinging to the mountainside. The winery’s steep growing conditions define both its style and reputation, with wines that balance saline freshness and layered depth....
Restaurants
Oaxacan Precision in Downtown Houston: Xochi Delivers Disciplined Mexican Cuisine
Located in Houston’s Marriott Marquis, Xochi offers a technique-driven exploration of Oaxacan flavors under the direction of acclaimed chef Hugo Ortega. A focused mole tasting menu anchors a broader menu rooted in regional tradition, supported by precise service and confident execution in a polished, modern setting....
LMP Restaurant & Bar: A Mediterranean Escape in the Heart of Vegas
A refreshing burst of French Riviera charm has landed at The Cosmopolitan. LMP Restaurant & Bar invites you into a dreamscape of sun-soaked Mediterranean flavors, striking art, and a tasting menu that might rival a summer jaunt along the Côte d’Azur. Chef Ravikanth Avaduta leads the way (or he did until just a few days before we dined, but this was still his menu; no replacement has been named yet) with a stunningly balanced menu that’s equal parts flair and finesse....
The Bootlegger Italian Bistro: A Slice of Classic Vegas Charm
The Bootlegger Italian Bistro is a Vegas legend wrapped in red sauce and Rat Pack nostalgia. This old-school gem serves hearty, authentic Italian fare in a setting that channels mid-century glam, with family history, celebrity lore, and a vibe that never goes out of style....
Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Valle de Guadalupe Restaurants, Wineries, and Wines for the Perfect Long Weekend Escape
Discover the beauty and flavors of Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico's premier wine country. From boutique wineries to exquisite dining, luxurious stays, and stunning scenery, this guide explores the best that the region has to offer. This guide is being constantly updated. Originally Posted On February 21, 2024...
