Drink.  Learn.  Laugh.  Repeat.

Welcome Back!Sign in here:

Not Registered?Become one of our thirsty clan 326,593 strong:

Register Today!
Deborah Podurgiel

Deborah Podurgiel Certified Sommelier

Heritage An 1152 Cahors

Gérard Bertrand Heritage An 1152 Cahors Malbec 2020

South West, France
4 days ago

Deborah scored this wine: 92/100

From world renown biodynamic vigneron and winemaker, Gérard Bertrand, Heritage An 1152 Cahors (2020) is a broody, fully bodied and seductively smooth Malbec, savoury and ultra-balanced with layers of blueberry, ripe dark fruits, vanilla, subtle dark spices, fresh acidity, firm but approachable fine-grained tannins with a ripe blueberry medium-plus-length finish. So smooth and delicious, enjoy it now through 2028. If having tonight, do decant it for one hour prior to pouring it with a juicy filet mignon. Tasted February 2024. An 1152 is part of Gérard Bertrand's "Heritage" collection and history of terroirs of the South of France. "The year 1152, marked a historic union between France and England. Henry Plantagenet, future king of England, opens the doors of London to the whole world."

Garnet Valley Ranch Traditional Method Sparkling 2016

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada
4 days ago

Deborah scored this wine: 92/100

Garnet Valley Ranch is a natural, peaceful and pristine ranch and vineyard located on a 320-acre site in Summerland, British Columbia that was purchased by Okanagan Crush Pad Winery in 2012. The first blocks were planted in 2014 and, as of 2023, the high-altitude vineyards had 55 acres in Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Chenin Blanc. Depending on the varietal, vines thrive in soils of volcanic, glacial, alluvial coarse sand, limestone and rock. From here, Garnet Valley Ranch's inaugural sparkling wine was crafted from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Elegant and toasty on the nose with ripe red berry, yellow apple, toasted brioche, fresh lemon zest and savoury fine herbs, it is fresh with a fine and persistent mousse. Traditional Method Sparkling 2016 rested on its fine lees developing aromas and flavours in bottle for 72 months. A finely finessed bubble that truly expresses its terroir, it is drinking beautifully now. Chill and enjoy it on its own, for special occasions and with all manner of seafood. Tasted December 2023 and March 2024.

Garnet Valley Ranch Pinot Noir 2021

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada
4 days ago

Deborah scored this wine: 90/100

Love this very summery 2021 Pinot Noir sipper from Garnet Valley Ranch in Summerland, British Columbia. Palest ruby in the glass, fresh and savoury on the palate with dark cherry, red currant, fine herbs, mocha and chalky textured with oyster shell minerality. Becomes more Intriguing with each sip, enjoy it lightly chilled on its own or with a creamy, savoury pasta dish. Tasted January 2024. Garnet Valley Ranch and Vineyard is one of the highest altitude vineyards in Summerland at 1,968 to 2,230 feet above sea level. The entire property is certified organic and is also home to a herd of sheep and eight acres of organic vegetables (and grapes). The organically grown grapes for this vintage were "destemmed and placed into concrete and open top stainless tanks for native yeast fermentation, then aged on lees for 10 months before being bottled unfiltered."

Upper Bench Estate Winery Altitude 2017

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia, BC V.Q.A., Canada
4 days ago

Deborah scored this wine: 92/100

From Upper Bench Estate Winery, Altitude 2017 is a full-bodied and silky red wine blend of mostly Merlot with 25% in Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking beautifully now and gorgeous with ripe dark cherry, plum, well-integrated oak spice, pitch-perfect acidity and freshness with a long silky mocha finish. Very, very nice. Try it with frikadellen topped with the winery's King Cole semi-soft blue cheese. Tasted March 2024.

The Judge Golden Mile Bench

Hester Creek Estate Winery The Judge Golden Mile Bench 2015

Okanagan Valley, British Columbia BC V.Q.A., Canada
5 days ago

Deborah scored this wine: 95/100

Spectacular for sure. Last of the two I had in cellar, Hester Creek Estate Winery Limited Edition The Judge 2015 is drinking as beautifully now as much as when I first tasted it several years ago.... except gracefully elegant now *(*. Deliciously silky-smooth with baked cherry pie, cooked Black Forest bacon (really), cassis, sultry dark spices with a bitter chocolate, spicy finish balanced with fresh acidity. Tannins are still Velcroish and I am sure The Judge 2015 would still give a positive verdict in 2026, but I do feel that it is at its peak now! Tasted March 2024.

Deborah Podurgiel

Wine BloggerVisit Deborah's Website

337,614

WINE
REVIEWS

326,593

ACTIVE
MEMBERS
Winner World's Best Drink Writer
WFour-Time Winner James Beard Foundation
Five-Time Winner Association of Food Journalists
Six-Time Winner Bert Greene Award
Best Wine Literature Book Gourmand World Cookbook Awards
Online Writer of the Year Louis Roederer International Wine Writing Award