Team C&J
Wine-Searcher – Police Bust Fake Rioja Ring
And yet another fake wine ring has been broken up. This time, it was done by the combined forces of Spanish and Vietnamese police and members of Europol and Interpol. The raids seized 17 fake brands based on famous brands. A Spanish tourist get big kudos for noticing something was not quite right with a bottle of wine he saw at a shop. From the article:
Dubbed Operation “Epígrafe” (Epigraph), the police investigation began after a Spanish holidaymaker spotted a wine sporting a label very similar to one produced by top Rioja estate, La Rioja Alta. The holidaymaker bought the wine and took it back to Spain for analysis in 2023.
The results confirmed that neither the wine, the bottle, nor the labeling were legitimate.
The Morning Claret – Are Wine Scores a Waste of Time?
Five months ago, we discussed wine scores in a Wine-Searcher piece by writer and winemaker Oliver Styles. Well, now Simon J Woolf, from The Morning Claret, has done a deep dive into the world of wine scores. This is well worth reading all the way through. From the article:
If we disregard scores that represent less than 5% of all reviews, we can also see that the scoring system here is in truth an 11 point scale (from 84 to 95). Those big numbers don’t mean much. Why not just use the numbers 1 to 20, and start at 11?
Wine Business – Lightest Crush in 20 Years: California Crushed 2.84 Million Tons of Wine Grapes in 2024
And it was very light indeed. From the article:
In its preliminary crush report released today, the California Agricultural Statistics Service said 2.84 million tons of wine grapes were crushed in 2024, down 23 percent compared to 2023 when 3.7 million tons of wine grapes were crushed in California.
It was the lightest California wine grape crush since 2004 when 2.76 million tons of wine grapes were crushed.
Wine Business Monthly – U.S. Winery Count Declines Slightly
An interesting set of charts on what is going on in the US with wineries of all sizes. From the article:
In 2024, the United States was home to 11,450 wineries-1.5% less than the previous year-while the number of wineries in Canada declined 2% to 871.
The No. 1 state by number of wineries, California, saw its share of all U.S. wineries decline to 41% from 43% as the number of Californian wineries has dropped and the number of wineries in other states has grown.
No. 4 Texas saw the largest increase in wineries, gaining 5% over the previous year to 539. The increase further separates the Lone Star state from No. 5 New York, which saw its number of wineries increase by just 1% to 466.
Coursey Graves Estate Winery in Santa Rosa, CA
Nestled in the serene foothills of Bennett Valley in Sonoma County, Coursey Graves Estate Winery marries meticulous winemaking with an exceptional sense of place. From its storied history to its thoughtfully designed property and world-class wines, this estate exemplifies the artistry of California winemaking. With stunning views, carefully crafted Bordeaux and Rhône-style wines, and a philosophy rooted in sustainable farming, Coursey Graves delivers a comprehensive wine experience that is both personal and refined. Below, we explore the winery’s history, winemaker, property, tasting options, and more, offering a closer look at what makes Coursey Graves an essential stop for wine enthusiasts.
2021 Domaine de Durban Kermit Lynch Vaucluse Rouge C&J Rating 90 PTS – $14
Kermit Lynch comes through again. The 2021 Domaine de Durban Kermit Lynch Vaucluse Rouge offers an excellent opportunity to explore the vibrant wines of Southern Rhône. Crafted by the Leydier family at Domaine de Durban, this red blend exemplifies the region’s potential for producing expressive, approachable, and terroir-driven wines at an amazing price. With its intricate blend of Grenache, Syrah, Merlot, and Marselan, this vintage represents not only skilled winemaking but also a thoughtful nod to the rich soils and traditions of its origin.
Comal Restaurant at Chileno Bay Resort & Residences in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Comal Restaurant at Chileno Bay has a reputation that precedes it. This hotel and restaurant have racked up more awards than we can count. OpenTable called Comal one of the “50 Best Restaurants in Mexico”, Travel + Leisure named the Chileno Bay Resorts & Residences the 12th Best Hotel in Mexico in 2020, and USA Today called Comal one of the “Best Restaurants in Cabo San Lucas”.
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