Sicilian Scuba Tanks For Summertime Soirees!

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 EST

Last weekend a friend invited my wife and I over for a birthday party. We were excited to go as he recently built a wood burning oven in his backyard, and we hadn’t had an opportunity to stop by and try it out yet. Multiple pizzas with various toppings would be created, and guests were asked to bring beverages of choice to wash them down. Naturally I wanted to bring vino, something I’d enjoy, yet wouldn’t “waste” on a portion of the guests there that wouldn’t appreciate a good bottle. Immediately I thought of the

1998 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Providing Sumptuous Sunday Sipping

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

Chateau Montelena is a Napa Valley winery established in 1882 located just north of Calistoga at the base of Mount Saint Helena, its name actually a contraction of Mount Saint Helena. The Estate vineyard is comprised of sedimentary, alluvial and volcanic soils on various hillsides and flats which help in creating complex flavors and aromas in their wines. In 1976 at what is now called The Judgment of Paris, Chateau Montelena helped to bring California to the forefront of the world wine stage by scoring the highest placement amongst ten White Burgundies and California Chardonnays. However, it i.......

Argentina – Is It the New Spain?

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:00:00 EST

I ask if Argentina is the New Spain because I remember four or five years ago when Spanish wines were very popular and becoming everyone’s go-to wines that offered exceptional quality for their modest price tags. In today’s wine world, Spain has kind of taken a backseat, and it seems I get asked more and more about wines from Argentina. In particular, it’s the Malbecs from this great region that have become the new go-to wines for value seekers. One wine in particular that recently caught my eye comes from one of the top producers in Argentina, Achaval Ferrer. Achaval has been p.......

Wine in Song – A Playlist

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

For something a bit different this time around, the focus here is the song influenced by or at least name checking wine. Some are originals and some are covers (let’s keep it fresh!). Grab a bottle of your favorite wine and your favorite person! “Lilac Wine” Written by James Shelton Performed by Jeff Buckley Because the late Jeff Buckley has one of the greatest voices ever recorded. Listen now! “My Hat Went Drinking” Written and performed b.......

Sicily’s Best Kept Secret

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

I chose this wine to taste, review and share with you for two very simple reasons: the bold, yet modest bottle design caught my eye, and my own personal intrigue for Sicilian wines. What I found out proved that the 2006 Feudo Maccari Maharis is one of the best hidden gems in our entire Italian portfolio. IGT Sicily has gained much popularity in recent years thanks to several producers, including Maccari, who’ve marketed this area.......

A Perfect Brunello for the Fall Season

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

The summer is unofficially now over after the Labor Day holiday. I’m ready to start thinking about the fall holidays, cooler weather and yes, red wine! Last week I made a delicious batch of spaghetti and meatballs for my family. Classic mixture of veal, pork and beef, fresh herbs and seasonings, etc. YUM! I also decided to check out the 2007 Fanti Brunello di Montalcino , which I thought would pair nicely with this dish. Well, needless to say, not only did this make a perfect pairing, but there were no leftovers of a.......

Grilled Pizza with Prosciutto, Figs and Baby Arugula

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:00:00 EST

This recipe for grilled pizza is one of the more popular dishes on the bar menu that we introduced this summer at the Plaza Cafe. We really like the combination of flavors here, and it’s a great item for guests to share too. Yield: 1 pie Onions, sliced, caramelized - 1 ea. Fontina, shredded - 6-8 ounces Baby arugula - hand full Balsamic vinaigrette - 2 ozs. Prosciutto, sliced thin - 3 ozs. Figs, quartered .......

2010 White Burgundies are Fabulous!

Mon, 27 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

As the days of summer are closing in on us, we’re taking advantage of these last few weeks of sunshine and are using this time to prepare our last favorite summer dishes accompanied by our favorite white wines. Over the weekend, we opened a bottle of 2010 Grand Cru White Burgundy from Billaud Simon (the Les Clos) , and it went above and beyond our expectations. Pale yellow in color, this wine was very elegant but at the same time showed its power. We swirled and sipped this wine in the late evening before din.......

Nebbiolo, Barbera and Time

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

The Pelissero winery is located in Treiso, Piedmont, which lies within the Barbaresco winemaking zone. Traditionally, Nebbiolo in the area would be bottled as Barbaresco, and Barbera would be bottled separately. However, their wine labeled Long Now is an unusual equal blend of both varietals. The wine is named after the Long Now Foundation, an organization established “to creatively foster long-term thinking and responsibility in the framework of the next 10,000 years…to provide a counterpoint to today's accelerating culture.” (longnow.org) People from music and the.......

A Must-Try Pinot Noir from Oregon

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

I love Pinot Noir! It’s my grape of choice when looking for a red to pop, and even more so when it’s a hot day during the summer. Pinots are light on their feet but have enough complexity to keep you interested. I’m always looking for new ones try and although I prefer Burgundy, my wallet says otherwise. Many of you know by now that the Oregon region is an excellent place to find great Pinots that won’t break the bank. I also find that the terroir in Oregon produces wines closer to those of Burgundy, as opposed to say ones from California. We just checked some new releases into .......

2009 Waterstone Cabernet Has Arrived, & It’s Awesome!

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

The seventh vintage of our highly coveted Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon has arrived - and it is nothing short of remarkable! It’s always exciting around the office when a new vintage releases. Everyone has something different to say in comparison to the previous vintages - yet this year, I think that we all agreed that the 2009, which was rated the top Waterstone in history by James Suckling, might be the best we’ve tasted thus far. I tasted the 2009 and 2007 back to back. In my opinion, the 2009 was.......

2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra Combines Great Taste & Affordability!

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

Upon recently opening one of our new arrival wines, 2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra , the first thing I noticed about it was the care and passion that went into its creation. With a good winemaker, that care and passion will be the driving force to quality, and that is exactly what we have here with the 2011 Herencia Altes Garnatxa Negra. Then, factor in the $9.99 price tag, and you have a 100% Grenache at an unbeatable value which makes it perfect for everyday drinking. This wine truly combines af.......

The Plaza Café Lobster Roll

Mon, 06 Aug 2012 00:00:00 EST

Summer in the Hamptons just isn’t summer without a fantastic, fresh lobster roll! This is a summer favorite, and the waters of the East End provide us with very high quality lobster. In celebration of the summer months, The Plaza Café, located in Southampton, created a new bar menu. The lobster roll is a great feature on that menu, and it’s become a favorite amongst customers. We have the recipe for you, which is easy to follow and straight forward. Enjoy! Yi.......

A 1982 First Growth – A Legendary Bottle!

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

It is any wine lover’s dream to have the privilege to drink a bottle from Bordeaux from the legendary 1982 vintage. Some may have the opportunity to do this more often than others and yet, some may never get the chance. I guarantee you that if you love wine and the chance presents itself, you, as I would never turn it down. Recently, I was out at a great friend’s house and the whisper of 1982 started. Next thing you know, a bottle from the pristine cellar was picked:

Sigalas Santorini = Sublime Summer Sippin'!

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

Summer is here and that means refreshing and delicious whites. One of the newer finds we’ve enjoyed recently is Domaine Sigalas’ 2011 Santorini which is produced from one of the island’s indigenous varietals, Assyrtiko. Domaine Sigalas was founded in 1991 on Santorini, part of the island complex of Cyclades located in the South Aegean Sea about 120 miles southeast of Greece’s mainland. The island is essentially the remnant of a volcanic caldera, and the soil a mixture of ash, pumice and sand. It is the lack of clay .......

Cheers to Rosé Season!

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 EST

One of my favorite so called wine seasons definitely has to be Rosé season! There’s nothing like a crisp, refreshing Rosé when the summer season is in full swing. There are plenty of great ones out there, but these are my two favorites that we have in stock. My favorite Rosé house has to be D’Esclans, which is owned by Sasha Lichine, a very well-known figure in the wine world. He bought the chateau in 2006 with a clearly stated ambition - “to make the Best Rosé Wines in the World.” To go about achieving that goal, he brought in Patrick Léon as the consulting oenologist. Patrick .......

Wine Challenge: Week June 18-23, 2012

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

Tuna and Crab Tian with Yuzu Vinaigrette

Wed, 27 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

Tuna and Crab Tian with Yuzu Vinaigrette is another one of our signature dishes that people ask me about often. I created it a few summers ago specifically for the James Beard Foundation’s Chefs & Champagne event honoring Thomas Keller. It has since become a summer staple on our menu at the Plaza Cafe. Servings - approx. 4 Avocado Puree: Avocados, ripe - 3 ea. Jalapeno, minced - 1 ea. Red onion, minced - 1T .......

Wine Challenge: Week June 11-16, 2012

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

SUMMER…Bring It On!

Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

For practical reasons, we gravitate to the lighter side of things during the summer whether it’s shoes or wine. I’ll leave the shoe talk for Esquire and Vogue, but I want to reintroduce the fantastic 2009 Antica Chardonnay (94 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate) to you. This Napa, California gem gives much hope to those who think they may not/do not like California Chardonnay (or anything white for that matter). I am a full on red kind of guy.......

Wine Challenge: Week June 4-9, 2012

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp

Wed, 06 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

I’ve always had a fruit crisp on my dessert menu at The Plaza Café, which varies depending on the season. Since local strawberries are currently in season, I thought this was an appropriate fruit crisp to feature now. I’ve had this particular item on our menu for the past few summer seasons, and it’s a great treat! Enjoy! Yield : approx. 20 Strawberries, quartered - 2 quarts Rhubarb, 1” dice - 2 pounds Le.......

Two Incredible & Affordable Wines for Grilling Season!

Mon, 04 Jun 2012 00:00:00 EST

Post Memorial Day represents the kick-off of the BEST time of year: grilling season! It’s time to dig out the charcoal from the far corners of your garage because your grill is screaming for attention. Not only can I start wearing white jeans, but I can also start planning my summertime menu comprised of fresh herbs, veggies and whatever my back yard has to offer. I am one happy girl! In anticipation of doing a lot of entertaining this summer, I’ve (naturally) stocked my cellar to the brim with grill-friendly values including 2011 D’esclans Whispering Angel Rose and 2007 .......

2008 Barolos Rock!

Tue, 29 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

Piedmont is known for two red wine types: Barolo and Barbaresco. The newly released 2008 Barolo vintage is now available, and we’ve found ourselves sampling quite a few wines from this vintage. One thing is for certain, Barolo winemakers hit a homerun with the 2008s, as they did with the 2007s. The wines we’ve tasted are massive powerhouses that are built for the long haul. The 2008 vintage has the ability to age 20+ years. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate had this to say about the 2008 Barolos: “…The 2008 Baroli.......

New Spring Arrivals in Chablis

Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

It’s always exciting as the seasons start to change and the weather changes, your wine consumption usually changes along with them. With spring in full force and the temperatures rising, I always look forward to the new whites that come into stock. I’m a Burgundy lover first and foremost, so that’s usually the region where I focus my attention. As I was combing our inventory looking at what I should add to my wine fridge for the season, I stumbled upon one of my favorite producers in Chablis – Jean Paul Droin. Jean Paul’s son, Benoit, is actually the chief winemaker now, as this amazing Domain.......

Bellissimo Brunello – True to Name

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

I don’t think I’ve ever attended a tasting with as much positive energy as last Thursday’s Bellissimo Brunello event, though it’s easy to understand why. The 2007 and 2006 vintages for Brunello truly are amazing and showed extremely well that night. When I mentioned to James Suckling how I felt a handful of the wines possibly deserved a point or two more, he explained how he reviewed these wines during the cold and dampness of the winter. So perhaps it was the spring warmth or the extra few months in bottl.......

Grilled Montauk Swordfish with Pea Greens, Peas, Italian Sausage Meat and Organic Carrot-Chive Broth

Mon, 07 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

My inspiration for this dish was the spring season that’s upon us. I was able to take advantage of using fresh peas and also the rarely used pea greens that the peas grow on. These tender shoots are delicious when gently wilted and add a vibrant color to this dish along with the organic carrot-chive broth. Most important about this dish is the fact that we have been very reluctant to feature swordfish on our menu over the years as we really try to practice sustainable cooking at The Plaza Café, and swordfish has been on the endangered list for many years. However, we are very glad to be cookin.......

Outstanding Back-to-Back Brunello Vintages: 2006 & 2007

Thu, 03 May 2012 00:00:00 EST

Last year, the 2006 Brunellos were released and praised by critics across the board. Antonio Galloni of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate had this to say: “...2006 is a benchmark vintage for Brunello di Montalcino. Readers will not want to miss these fabulous wines.” James Suckling, a major, leading reviewer of Brunello di Montalcino echoed the sentiment saying, “…I think 2006 is THE greatest modern vintage for Sangiovese…” Wow. And now, the 2007 Brunellos are starting to be released, and the critics have spoken – it was another excellent vintage and a great follow-up to the incred.......

A Delicious Red Burgundy For Under $30!

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

I want to introduce a new solid red Burgundy for under $30. This price may surprise some Burgundy enthusiasts, but this high value 2010 Henri Boillot Bourgogne Rouge (91 Points Sokolin Tasting Panel) was quite pleasing. It was paired with a medium cut pork chop and warmed apple sauce. I wanted to squeeze in one last (what I consider to be) winter comfort meal even if it is almost May. After a.......

White Rhone for a Fraction of the Price of Grand Cru White Burgundy

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

It’s been all about the Rhone region for me recently. I started to explore this region in more depth a little over a month ago first with some 2003 CDPs and then moved onto older vintages. From there, I moved north into Hermitage and spent a few nights with some older bottles. What I was beginning to figure out was these wines are an unbelievable deal! When I first entered the wine world, I was unsure of Rhone wines because of the power that they provide when they are young. This is not the case as they age. The wine seems to shed some of that alcoholic pret.......

Great Value in Chianti Classico Riserva

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

Chianti quality has come a long way since the mass-produced straw covered bottles that once were synonymous with this red wine from Italy. Chianti must contain at least 80% of the red grape variety Sangiovese, and to be called Riserva, it ages for more than 3 years. It is a wonderfully versatile red wine that goes well with a wide array of Italian fare. Let me tell you about one of my favorites…. Chicken Cacciatore over angel hair pasta is great comfort food for anytime of year, and my wife makes an incredible recipe that she scored while living in Tuscany. We prefer to use thig.......

Grilled Asparagus with Lobster-Morel Ragout

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

This dish is one of the signature spring dishes at the Plaza Café. I add it to the menu as soon as asparagus and morels come into season. I made this dish recently at a private dinner, and it’s amazing, especially when paired with the perfect wines as suggested below by Christopher Kiegiel. Yield: 4 appetizer servings INGREDIENTS: Pencil asparagus, peeled - 16 ea

A 2000 Village Level Bordeaux Takes on a 20 Year-Old Cali Cabernet

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

Working in the wine industry gives you the access - and spikes your intrigue - for some of the world’s most unusual foods and unique wines. Foie Gras paired with Sauternes will never get old, but sometimes one longs for a return back to the classics. And sometimes, you just crave an aged Cabernet paired with a perfectly grilled steak. After raiding the wine fridge, we settled on a tasting between a 20 year-old Cali Cult classic and a village-level Bordeaux from the monumental 2000 vintage (that turned out to be the star of t.......

2011 D’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé – A Summertime Staple

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:00:00 EST

With a very mild winter and Spring’s early arrival, we are thinking about summertime white wine and rosé earlier than we usually do. We’ve been busy tasting through a lot of wines and carefully selecting the best ones for our clients, so that their summers can even be more enjoyable. One rosé in particular that we consider a summertime staple at Sokolin is the popular Chateau D’esclans Whispering Angel from Provence. Year after year, this is one of our best-selling rosés that is always a must-own item of the summer. Our customers buy this wine by the caseload every spring and su.......

An Exciting, New White Wine Find!

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

I’m constantly getting asked “what’s new? What’s exciting in the wine world?!” So I thought this would be a great opportunity to write about one of my favorite “new & exciting” wines. It also doesn’t hurt that this wine is a perfect one to go with the beautiful spring weather that’s finally upon us and great for the upcoming Easter holiday. The wine is the newly released 2010 Hoandlhof (Manfred Nossing) Kerner . It comes from a very small artisanal producer in the Alto Adige region of Italy. The Alto Adige .......

Etna is Erupting!

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

A couple years ago, I was introduced to some wines from the slopes of Mount Etna in Northeastern Sicily, and since then have always jumped at the opportunity to taste more. This week I had the pleasure to taste a set of wines from Calabretta and am continued to be impressed by the quality and value of this region. Located on a south facing estate on the north slope of Etna, Calabretta’s vines, like most in the area, are grown on volcanic soils. Composed mostly of ash and sprinkled with pumice, the soil is resist.......

2009 La Vieille Cure – It’s Drinking Well Now!

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

Robert Parker’s scores for 2009 Bordeaux need no introduction. The release of his scores two weeks ago threw the wine world into one heck of a frenzy. Parker awarded an unprecedented number of 100 point scores in the 2009 vintage – 19 to be exact – 18 red and 1 white. Serious wine collectors and buyers scooped up these wines in the blink of an eye. This vintage was chased like the 2005 & 2000 vintages were. Buyers came out of the woodwork to purchase what Parker labeled as “…unquestionably the greatest Bordeaux vintage I have ever tasted…” And with such a powerful statement from arguably t.......

Sunchoke Bisque with Sweet Maine Shrimp, crispy Pancetta and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

This bisque recipe incorporates sunchokes (also known as Jerusalem Artichokes), a tuberous vegetable of the sunflower family native to North America. It’s a fairly unfamiliar vegetable that I’ve found diners really want to know more about after they have it. It is at its best during the winter months, and I thought its earthiness might pair well with the end-of-season sweet Maine shrimp. Yield: 4-6 servings Shallots, minced - 3 each Garlic clo.......

Lush 2010 Malbec with Excellent Value

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 EST

While Malbec has a history in France prior to the 20th Century and even the United States prior to Prohibition, Argentina now is the country most tied to Malbec. Specifically, the Mendoza province is known for their highly rated Malbec wine and is the largest wine producing area in South America. Mendoza is also known for their olive oil. I recently decided to try one of our new arrival wines, a high value Malbec from the 2010 vintage - Cobos Malbec El Felino (Mendoza, Argentina): $15.99/bottle and 91 .......

Back-Vintage Cali Wines That Captured the Essence of Bordeaux

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Last weekend, we had a few out of town guests in for the evening. Before they arrived, we carefully chose the wines from our cellar, which has to be one of the most exciting things, as many of you with cellars know first-hand. Choosing from a treasure trove of great wines is so much fun! And when our guests arrived, they were excited to see two bottles of back-vintage Cali on the counter ready to be consumed! Front and center was a bottle of 1987 Dominus and a bottle of

Entry Level Syrah Based Wines That Shine

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:00:00 EST

Syrah: the noble grape varietal with roots in the Northern Rhone, loved by Rhone Rangers of California, and fondly called Shiraz in Australia. Often we find him showcasing his power as a solo leading role, occasionally backed by a touch of the white varietal Viognier for exotic flair. Or quite often he can be found in a cast as a faithful sidekick to his fellow Grenache, with buddies like Mourvedre or Cinsault. Tonight, I had the pleasure of enjoying two wines with a slightly different casting call, with Syrah as the star, and the other red varietals loaning support. First up w.......

1990 Dom Perignon & 1988 Sassicaia – WOW!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

So on a cold and rainy winter evening last week, we happened to visit one of our favorite restaurants in Manhattan, the Union Square Café. We are always greeted with smiling faces and get a fabulous table upstairs with plenty of room for the wine we bring along. The staff is amazing, and the food is even better. After the proper amount of chilling for our legendary 1990 Moet Chandon Dom Perignon in the ice bucket, we popped the cork and let the evening begin. The DP had an amazing bouquet of fresh gard.......

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Gigante Bean Cassoulet and Lamb Jus

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

This lamb dish was actually on our menu last year, and it is one that I love! It’s our version of the classic French Stew. Christopher Kiegiel offers the perfect wines to enjoy this hearty dish with, and all are priced under $30! A great winter dish to enjoy during the cold months. Yield: 4 servings Dried white beans, soaked overnight - 2 1/2 C Onions - 1 ea. Cloves - 1 ea. Garlic cloves - 2 ea. Thyme sprigs - 3 ea. Pars.......

2009 UGC Tasting of 2009 Bordeaux

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Yesterday, a few of our lucky staff members attended the UGC tasting (Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux) held in New York City, a tasting of 2009 Bordeaux, which have finished aging in barrels and are now bottled. The UGC is an association of over 130 Grand Cru Bordeaux estates who strive for top quality in their wines. As many of you may recall, 2009 was praised as one of the greatest vintages in history by world renowned wine critics and the winemakers too. There was so much hype and frenzy .......

A Stunning Chateauneuf du Pape from Beaucastel

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

With the ever growing craze for older wines, I have to say that I am loving older Rhones! I have been searching recently for back vintage wines from the Rhone region and have been picking up and drinking as many as possible to further understand and taste the greatness Syrah and Grenache can offer. Last week when I was out to dinner at a local steakhouse, I had the chance to enjoy a Chateauneuf du Pape produced by Beaucastel, which is one of the great Rhone producers. Robert Parker has said, "...Beaucastel.......

2006 Pian dell’Orino Brunello di Montalcino

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

Happy New Year! Last year brought about many top regional releases from 2009 California Pinot Noirs to 2007 Barolos and 2009 Northern Rhones. But, the one release that really stands out in our mind is the 2006 Brunellos. From top to bottom, these wines are truly amazing. 2006 was one of history’s best vintages for Brunellos. James Suckling has called this vintage ‘…THE greatest modern vintage for Sangiovese…’ We can’t get enough of the 2006 Brunellos! Over the last year, we’ve tasted through many, many bottles of 2006 Brunellos, and we’ve .......

Duck Three Ways

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

This duck dish is a fantastic winter dish that we came up with last year when the menu trend seemed to be to take one ingredient, in this case, duck, and present it a few different ways. It is kind of a high-end 'homey dish' that is great on a cold night in front of the fireplace with a great glass of wine. DUCK THREE WAYS: Sliced Breast with Pomegranate Syrup Duck Leg Confit Foie Gras-Chestnut Bread Pudding.......

Sokolin Tops the Charts on James Suckling’s Most Popular Videos of 2011!

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 01:00:00 EST

In March last year, renowned wine critic, James Suckling, paid a visit to the Sokolin offices as part of his Retail Tasting series on www.jamessuckling.com . We were excited to learn that just yesterday, James posted his Most Popular Videos of 2011 on his site, and the video of his visit to Sokolin took the #1 spot! If you haven’t already seen the series on his site, check it out; his premise is very simple: Show him five wines we believe are worthy of 90 points or higher, for under $30. “No problem,” we sai.......

Favorites of 2011

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST

As we said goodbye to 2011 last week, I thought about how it was a year filled with the release of some amazing wines. Immediately, these came to mind: 2006 Brunellos, 2009 Northern Rhones, 2008 Tuscans, 2009 California Pinots, & not to forget, the 2007 Barolos. Many of these new releases were some of the best wines released for the regions & varietals that I mentioned above. With that being said, I thought I’d compile a list of my top five wines from 2011, which are listed below.

Highlights From the New York Wine Experience

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last Friday evening, we attended the New York Wine Experience held at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, hosted by Wine Spectator. This event is a huge deal in the wine business and is held only once every other year. It’s a night when over 250 of the world’s top producers gather to showcase their wines that the world knows and loves. In fact, in order for a winery or chateaux to participate, it is requested that the representatives pour a wine rated at least 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator and that the winemaker or owner be present to pour his/her wines. For attendees, this means the.......

Sautéed Montauk Striped Bass

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

Out on the East End of Long Island, we are fortunate to have incredible fish available to us right off of our shore. I initially started to create this dish in an effort to take advantage of our local striped bass run, but the recipe ended up really being a tribute to local bounty on a larger scale. I decided to use potatoes as the building block for the rest of this dish, which is the vegetable the East End is probably most known for. I then thought of our local clams and knew they would make a nice n.......

Exploring the Wines of the Loire

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

You may feel that it’s a bit too late in the season for the wines of the Loire Valley, but hear me out. One of the most incredible voyages of my life was a week through paradise in central France. Navigating this place would be nearly impossible if you didn’t have friends or family to guide you, so I was lucky enough to travel with a Loire local. Venturing through quaint areas such as Restigne and Angers were just as rewarding as visiting the larger provinces like Sancerre. I began my to.......

Superb Tuscan Wine for Italian Dining

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

My girlfriend & I are always looking for fun, new restaurants in NYC to try. A couple weekends ago, it was a rainy, cold Friday night, & we were in the mood for Italian food. My normal search of Google & Yelp wasn’t turning up much so I looked to NY Magazine’s Critic’s Pick section and narrowed our search to the Upper East Side. One restaurant in particular sounded perfect, Nica Trattoria, a quaint Italian restaurant on 84th St. that offered homemade Italian food & whose menu boasted such items as gnocchi & lamb chops. The icing on the cake was that corkage was.......

A Back-Vintage Cali Built for the Long Haul

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

As the weather turns cooler and the leaves begin to fall, red wine season is upon us once again. We delight in this time of year when we can pull a bottle of wine from our cellar and enjoy drinking it next to a roaring fireplace. A few days ago, we did just that. We had the great pleasure of experiencing a bottle of 1972 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon Martha’s Vineyard over a dinner of slow roasted filet mignon surrounded by potatoes and carrots. We are real lovers of old back-vintage Cali, particularly Mondavi and Heitz. Even being in the wine business, it’s not every day that we get to experience .......

Seared Diver Sea Scallops with Local Sweet Corn Polenta, Sea Beans, Chanterelles and Basil Oil

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST

Local sea scallops are in season on the East end, and we all love a great scallop dish! The inspiration for the dish was a trip I recently took with a local scallop guy who ran a boat called the Tiny Giant. I was really blown away at how hard this guy worked to get me such a pristine product. I also really respected the fact that he harvested his catch the old fashioned way without damaging the ocean floor. I wanted to come up with a dish that showcased the sweetness and .......

Dinner at Home with Two Legends

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

On a recent trip to the local market, I developed an intense craving for lamb. It’s usually my favorite meat to order when dining out. I love to cook, but lamb has proven to be the bane of my cooking existence for as long as I can remember. Rack of lamb? Yea, right. Lamb chops? Where’s the meat? I knew that I wanted lamb, but I didn’t want the trouble or all that prep. The perfect answer was Lamb Sliders. I have never made lamb sliders, but I know that I can make one heck of a burger. So I took my burger k.......

2001 Rioja ~ A Decade Young!

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

This year my wife and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary. Throughout the year, we’ve been popping some bottles from 2001, a solid vintage for CDPs, Cali Cabs, Sauternes, German Rieslings, and a good portion of Italy. 2001 was also a benchmark vintage for Spain, with Ribera del Duero, Priorat and Rioja at the forefront. One might even say that the ’01 vintage did for Spain what ’97 did for Italy. In the mid-19th century, Marqués de Murrieta was one of first and most influential houses in shaping the future of Rioja wine. Using techniques learned in Bordeaux, in particu.......

Where Did Summer Go?

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

It seems that every year summertime just flies by. But the summer of 2011 feels like the shortest ever. With the snow lasting until April and all the rain this year, it was a short, wet summer. And now it’s just about gone for good. The calendar says the Autumnal Equinox is on September 23rd but school has started and the cooler nights are upon us. Life is crazy busy. One of the pluses to the end of summer (other than the kids being at school all day) is that it’s the perfect time for drinking.......

Two Fantastic Wines Under $20/Bottle!

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

My girlfriend and I recently took a long weekend trip to the mountains of Southern PA for an adventure in the Laurel Highlands. There are some great foodie type restaurants, and it’s a nice place to go relax for a few days. The first night we thought we would cook together and make ourselves a nice meal. We wanted to just relax over a bottle of 2008 Remoissenet Bourgogne Blanc and decided we would make a stir fry. What a complement the Remois.......

Liquid Bliss: 2009 Cali Pinot Noirs

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

The cover story of the most recent edition of Wine Spectator features 2009 California Pinot Noir. We all remember how impressive the 2007 vintage was for Cali Pinot Noir & for Cabernet too, so it’s exciting to have another fantastic vintage. Wine Spectator’s James Laube praises the 2009 Cali Pinot Noirs… “There is no such thing as a perfect vintage. But 2009 comes close to nirvana for California Pinot Noir. Without a doubt, 2009 ranks alongside 2007 as the best vintage this decade. But in terms of the number of great wines, '09 is head.......

2009 Rhones are Starting to Arrive!

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:00:00 EST

When we had our first sip of the spectacular and mind-numbing 2007 Southern Rhone wines upon release, we were extremely impressed. Not only was there power and massive fruit, but a sense of balance and elegance that was not overbearing. So time rolls on, and we look forward, as we always do in the wine business, and hope for stellar repeats. Next, came the 2008 vintage, which in our opinion was rather average and seemed to be on target with a vintage score of only 86 points based on the Wine Advocate’s vintage chart. Then enters the 2009 vintage, and we hear amazing thing.......

Family Dinner With Some Spice!

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

This is an incredible dish that I made recently for people who like spicy seafood and great wine to complement it. It’s a Chili Garlic Shrimp with Zucchini over rice that I paired with a delicious Gruner Veltliner from an amazing sustainable-farming producer in Austria! Start with some chopped zucchini and onions and sauté over medium heat in some olive oil. Toss in some shelled raw shrimp and a touch of sesame oil for flavor.&n.......

Summertime Favorites

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

As summer is winding down, & cool weather is moving in, we find ourselves trying to taste & enjoy as many white wines as possible. Last evening, with our out of town guests in from Westchester, we pulled a bottle of Grand Cru White Burgundy from our cellar – a bottle of 2002 Louis Jadot Chevalier Montrachet. Grand Cru = the crème de le crème. These guests, in particular, know & appreciate great wine, so we wanted to serve a wine that we knew would make an impression. When entertaining,.......

1996 Grand Puy Lacoste – SOLD OUT!

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

Every time we open a bottle of Bordeaux from the Pauillac region, we feel like we are transported directly there. And again, we had that same experience last evening when we opened up a bottle of 1996 Grand Puy Lacoste with grilled Angus sirloin burgers and homemade French fries. Pauillac is the region that is home to three of the five first growth Bordeaux, including Lafite, Latour & Mouton. Upon first sip of the ’96 Grand Puy.......

’09 Westrey Oracle Delivers

Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

Though the likes of Matt Kramer and Allen Meadows have mentioned their appreciation of Westrey’s consistency in creating quality pinots at reasonable prices, it is difficult to actually find recent reviews of their wines. So when recently I had the opportunity to taste one of Westrey’s wines, I was extremely interested to see what it was all about. 2009 Westrey Pinot Noir Oracle Vineyard comes from their first estate vineyard, located in the Dundee Hills AVA of Oregon. About 24% of the blend is from Pommard clones planted in 1977 on their own roots, and the remainder.......

Sassicaia – A True Italian Legend

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

Ever since James Suckling released his score on the 2008 Sassicaia in June, we have been waiting to try this wine! This Sassicaia scored big – 97 points from Suckling with a rave review matching its score. James Suckling said, “this is the best young Sassicaia in years. It’s the new 1988, which was great, and sometimes better than the legendary 1985.” While Burgundy wines always seem to be great in years ending in nine, all forces of nature come together to create.......

We Are Sokolin and We Sell Wine!

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

We are not IT guys trying to make a quick buck by cashing in on the recent wine boom. Our website was born as an extension of a store that was opened in 1934. We know wine because we drink it and thoroughly enjoy it too. Every day, we strive to know more, learn more and bring you the best that the wine world has to offer. We LOVE finding a great wine at a great price because we’re taking a few cases home too. You can be rest assured that everything on our website is recommended by someone; either by a knowledgeable wine reviewer or us. And .......

1981 Vintage - What a Way to Celebrate 30

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:00:00 EST

Recently I celebrated my 30th birthday with a retrospective look at the 1981 vintage. I wanted this to be a special tasting and so the planning began about a year before the date. I stole the idea from an old boss of mine at a restaurant called Fatheads in Pittsburgh, PA and modified it to be my own. Instead of 40 bottles of 40oz beers we were going to drink 30 bottles of 1981 vintage wines from around the globe. It was a good thing I started planning early as it took up until the very last moment to secure the 30th bottle. I wanted to have a nice .......

A Red You Can Enjoy in the Summer

Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last week, we brought your attention to 2009 Red Burgundies. Right now in the wine business, what’s just as hot as ’09 Red Burgs are 2007 Barolos. This region is receiving quite the coverage from industry experts. Robert Parker has really praised this Barolo vintage! “The 2007 Barolo are some of the most viscerally thrilling young wines I have ever tasted. The 2007s are similar to the 2004s, but with more substance. The wines are radiant, intensely perfumed and totally seductive, yet not at all heavy, in a style that offers the textural richness of a warm vintage with the aromatics of a cool y.......

On Sale, or Not on Sale, That is the Question

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

For me, the concept of "on sale" rarely makes sense. Any business that includes frequent or recurring "sale times" in their strategy by definition must include times when things are more expensive. Like it or not, it’s the reality of what a sale is. THE DRAMA OF SALE Most companies use sales to create drama, and in reality I've found that many of them are hype. At Sokolin, we have an actual department dedicated to keeping our prices competitive and we usually find th.......

Poolside in the Summer

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

This time of year calls for a certain type of white wine. Not too serious….. not too pricey….. but just right! We have dozens of these wines that would fit the bill for this type of poolside occasion, however I just had the pleasure of enjoying two of these that I highly recommend. It was a family get-together with about 20 of us. 90 degrees out, grill was going and lots of fun summery appetizers – clams on the half shell, shrimp cocktail, chips and guacamole, etc. And I’m happy to say that I picked the perfect wines for the party:

2009 Red Burgundy – Get Your Hands on them While You Can

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Over and over, the 2009 Burgundy vintage is being proclaimed by many prominent wine critics as an outstanding one. Maybe fate had its hand in producing such a remarkable ’09 vintage – Wine Spectator noted that “the vintages on the ‘nines’ have produced some memorable harvests – like 1999, 1989, 1969, 1959 & 1949….” And our clients have been scooping up the ‘09s by the case load! With the last really great Red Burgundy vintage produced in 2005, Burgundy lovers are ready and anxious for the ’09 vintage! Some of the 2009s have just arrived, so the waiting game is over. Since mo.......

The Search for Back-vintage Red Burg Deals

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Recently I’ve had several customers asking about ready to drink back-vintage red Burgundies. These prized wines are made in such tiny quantities, that when we get them in, they don’t last long. So being a “Burg-head” myself, I was none too pleased to deliver on my clients’ requests so I scoured our suppliers lists in search of ready to drink Burgs. After combing the lists I stumbled upon two Grand Cru’s by one of my favorite producers, Domaine Faiveley. They were from the excellent ‘02 vintage, which was THE vintage that sold me on Burgundy. Even better, .......

A Bordeaux-Style “Meritage” from the Heart of Napa Valley

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Have you recently tried Napa Valley’s version of a Bordeaux blend? If not, we have an awesome recommendation for you! A handful of Napa Valley producers are well known for their “Meritage wines” as their version of the Bordeaux blend is often called. In terms of red wines, the grapes that go into the blend are a combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and/or Malbec. In California, for a producer to label its wine as a specific varietal, the bottle has to include at least 75% of the stated varietal. A while back, some producers wished for more flexibility in thei.......

A Value in 2006 Brunello di Montalcino

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Over the long holiday weekend, we had the opportunity to sample a 2006 Tuscan wine – the Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino. We knew this wine was going to be rocking before we even tried it. James Suckling has raved about the 2006 Brunellos over and over. “…The 2006 vintage for Brunello di Montalcino is the new benchmark for this famous Tuscan appellation and the Sangiovese grape. I can’t think of a better expression of Tuscan wines than the best 2006 Brunello di Montalcinos…Brunello makers agree 2006 is their best effort…I think 2006 is THE greatest modern vintage for Sangiovese, and ma.......

Enjoy A 90 Year Gem Of Rasteau

Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Domaine les Aphillanthes has been producing wines for four generations and their Rasteau holding was planted in 1921. As far as Villages in the Cotes du Rhone AOC go, Rasteau is regarded as one of the best. Philippe Cambie, the most sought after oenologist in Southern Rhone, possibly most known for his work in helping Clos Saint Jean to cult status with fashioning 100 point Ex Machina and Combe des Fous, was recently brought on for consultation. Factor this all together and their

2010 Bordeaux Campaign Wrap-Up

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last week all the first growths released their wines, and while a few more chateaux released prices today, we are essentially at the end of the 2010 futures campaign. I have witnessed many futures campaigns come and go and have learned a lot about the fine wine retail trade throughout my career. Not only from my own experience but from my father and grandfather as well. After all, 77 years is a very long time to be open for business. Words of wisdom I will never forget; “Don’t fight your customers, fight for them.” We have so many valued customers and friends that.......

Bordeaux Blanc or White Burgundy? You Be the Judge

Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 EST

Summer = white wine season, and a few days ago at a restaurant, we opened up two very special bottles of white wine with a few employees – one a Bordeaux blanc & the other a white Burgundy. What a treat these two bottles were! The Bordeaux blanc was a 94 point (RP) bottle of 2004 Domaine de Chevalier Blanc, and the white Burgundy was also a 94 point (BH) bottle of 2006 Henri Boillot Chassagne Montrachet Clos Mouchere. It’s not every day that you get to experience wines of this caliber. Both of these wines were stellar! It’s interesting and fun to evaluate how totally differe.......

Those Were the Days

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Those were the days. And we didn’t even know it! One of the obvious perks of working in the wine industry is getting the chance to drink great wine. We do try a great deal of mediocre wines in our quest to discover new and amazing items to bring to you. But we also get to try some of the best wines ever made. And some of those opportunities have bordered on magical. Back in 2006, before the boom and bust of the real estate market, Bordeaux was fetching a decent price. Many wines could even, at the time, be considered expensive. .......

Perfect Champagnes for Summer Celebrations

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Nothing evokes thoughts of summer more than the beach, and of course, dinners with friends, picnics, late-night celebrations and weddings. And we can’t think of an event without champagne since champagne is the drink poured on all important celebratory occasions. Since we have two very close friends tying the knot this summer, we were tasked with selecting the right champagne for their toast. After sampling several options, below are three of our top choices that we’ve determined are the greatest selections for the price. And on another note, if you will be atte.......

Drinking 90’s California Cabernet

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

California vineyards have been making wine long before my time of drinking it. During their early years, when California wine makers were trying to compete with the French and gain a little market share, avid wine drinkers were focused on imbibing more than they were cellaring these creations from the West. California had not been producing long enough to know what would happen to these wines a decade or more later. They did know, however, it was great juice at incredible prices, and the wine makers were using cutting edge hedonistic interpretations of what wine should be.

2008 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Lindsay Estate

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

This past weekend with our out of town guests, we tasted the fruits of a pure winemaking genius, Paul Hobbs. He has to be one of the most fantastic winemakers in all of California and is known for his wines from single vineyard estates. He currently produces wines from ten different vineyards and we decided to taste-test the pinot noir from the Lindsay Estate Vineyard. This vineyard is located in the Russian River Valley AVA inside Sonoma County. Due to the cool climate, the pinot noir grape does very well in this area, and the Lindsay Vineyard is planted completely with pinot noir. If you are.......

A Message from Dave Sokolin on 2010 Bordeaux Futures

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

As you probably know, in 1959 we pioneered the Bordeaux futures business in the United States. Since then we have offered almost every vintage produced in Bordeaux with the exception of years we deemed unnecessary to purchase early. Our No. 1 focus has always been what is best for our clients, and it has always paid off. For the most part that has prompted us to be a cheerleader for buying Bordeaux wines that have provided extreme pleasure and profit for all involved. We are big fans of Bordeaux and their great wines. In the past decade.......

Summer Has Already Begun

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Summer in the Hamptons has officially begun! This past weekend, we were invited to an outdoor lunch held in Amagansett. The weather was beautiful and sunny, and it really felt like the perfect summer day. Since the lunch was sort of a picnic, a wide variety of dishes were served - from fried chicken to honey baked ham, potato salad, tossed salad, pasta salad, salsa, guacamole and chips…all the usual picnic food. When you’re in the wine business, people never ask you to bring food to any gathering….only wine. But hey, we are happy to do it! When selecting a wine to go with such a wid.......

Malbec Lovers - This is a Must Buy!

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

One of the benchmark producers in Argentina for Malbec is Achaval Ferrer. Achaval-Ferrer is a small winery producing limited production reds that are a true expression of the terroir. They use extremely low yields to produce these amazing complex and concentrated wines that are also very well balanced. We just recently had the pleasure of tasting one of their single vineyard Malbecs, the ‘Bella Vista’, which is produced from a vineyard planted in 1910! As the wine sits in the glass you instantly notice the inky/ black/ purple color and think ‘this wine is going.......

2008 Pian dell’Orino Rosso di Montalcino

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

In our last blog, we mentioned that our unofficial motto here at Sokolin is that 'we sell the world's most expensive wines, and the least expensive wines that taste like them.' Well, our savvy buyers managed to hit another home run when they located a 2008 Tuscan wine that is such a deal it’s almost too good to be true. The 2008 Pian dell’Orino Rosso di Montalcino is a wine that tastes much more expensive than it actually costs, and after tasting it, it has now been added as a favorite on a very short list of under $30 wines. This wine received 93 points RP and is priced under $30! You don’.......

Sokolin Company Blind Tasting – May 2011

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 EST

Here at Sokolin, our tasting panel samples hundreds of wines monthly and thousands annually to weed out the wines that just don’t meet our expectations. During these frequent tastings we are also looking to uncover those hidden gems that are inexpensive but still taste like the best wines in the world. The panel must vote unanimously in favor or else we don’t sell it – this is how rigorous our process is which is why we are so confident in our inventory and also why we can confidently offer our satisfaction guarantee (details available in our full Terms and Conditions in our Policy.......

Everyday Tuscan With ‘Expensive Tastes’

Mon, 30 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

Summer is right around the corner, and so is our new summer catalog that is filled with gems cover to cover. If you’d like to receive a copy, you can sign up right on the home page of our website under catalog/email sign-up at www.sokolin.com. In Dave Sokolin’s message on the inside cover, he makes mention of our unofficial motto here at Sokolin – ‘we sell the world’s most expensive wines, and the least expensive wines that taste like them.’ He goes on to say, ‘When you frequently taste the world’s best wines, you can isolate those similar qualities in wines that cost a fraction.......

Something Old, Something New

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

Freisa is a black grape varietal that’s been growing in Piedmont for at least a few centuries. Red wines created from this grape come in dry, sweet, or frizzante styles, and I’ve even read the varietal can be used in the production of vermouth. Once an important grape in Piedmont, Freisa has not been very fashionable of late, but there are a few producers that still embrace it, possibly the most important being G.D. Vajra. Recent testing has revealed that Freisa is the genetic parent of Nebbiolo and the two share similar traits like strong tannins, high acidity and f.......

Find Your Wine

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

One of the best parts of trying great wines is finding not just a wine that you love but wine from a specific location. I love Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley and there is plenty of information about where most “Napa Cabs” come from within Napa. But the name Napa carries most of the credibility so most of us usually don’t dig much deeper. It’s the same thing with the great Tuscan wines of Brunello. That’s often all you need to know – it’s a Brunello. But Burgundy is a different story; as maddening as the break-down of Burgundy can be.......

Family Owned Puligny Montrachet

Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

As the years pass, it becomes increasingly more difficult to source great family owned Puligny-Montrachet. Whenever a new generation fails to follow in their father’s footsteps large corporations swoop up the vines for their mass-produced blends that are destined for the international market. When Gerard Chavy retired in 2005, he left the family estate to his two sons Alain and Jean-Louis, and their 200 year history was safe for another generation. This past week, we pulled the cork on their 2007 Puligny-M.......

1988 Mouton Rothschild

Tue, 10 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last Wednesday, Robert Parker published his scores and tasting notes of the 2010 Bordeaux futures. Every year at this time, members of the trade – from producers to retailers – anxiously await the release of his scores. We constantly check our smart phones waiting for Parker to announce to the world how each chateau ranks. And last Wednesday, Parker confirmed what the buzz has been the last few months – that 2010, in fact, was another good vintage, which also marks the fourth great vintage of the first decade of the new millennium. To be able to produce four superb vintages in ten years is .......

Parker’s 2010 Bordeaux Futures Scores are Out

Wed, 04 May 2011 00:00:00 EST

Robert Parker’s highly anticipated reviews of 2010 Bordeaux arrived last night and it’s good news all over again. Parker went into such detail about the wines, the comparisons, and the wine and global markets that I’m going to condense his quotes a lot here in order to cut to the chase. THE WINES In the article he made reference to his amazement about back-to-back great vintages of 2009 & 2010 and spent time comparing and contrasting them.

Day One of Tasting -- The Right Bank and Pessac/Graves

Mon, 04 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

It’s 10:00am on Monday, our first day of tastings. We arrive at Chateau Haut Brion. There's a big lineup here starting with three whites. Here’s the line-up of six wines: Haut Brion Blanc - 54% Sauvignon Blanc makes this taste like a Didier Dagueneau Pouilly Fume on steroids. The rest is Semillion and it accounts for its richness. Terrif.......

Sunday PM

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

I arrived in Bordeaux and I asked for a room upgrade. The lady at the front desk looked at me like I was crazy. She told me it is busier than last year! After a quick shower, a few friends and I ate with a terrific negociant and friend of mine. He discussed the current situation about Bordeaux. He said there’s not enough wine to satisfy the global demand that he sees. His office in Asia picks up 10-15 new big clients (distributor size) a month. He says that when you add 150 new institutional customers a year, it’s hard to satisfy the demand. He also mentioned that prices wi.......

Headed to Bordeaux for the 2010 En Primeur Tasting Week

Sat, 02 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

I'm in a car en route to the airport reading Bill Blatch's vintage report. He's the legendary man who follows each vintage raindrop by raindrop and counts the hours of sun. There isn't a weather pattern from spring to harvest that he misses and many think he can nail the quality of the vintage as good as any critic without tasting a drop. I have to admit, he's been spot on for decades. Here's an overview of his 12 page report: -A year of extreme weather that worked in favor of winemaking, but not for much else........

Sokolin Staff Blind Tasting Dinner

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

About once a month, we like to take our tastings on the road. We have several favorite restaurants within 30 minutes of our offices. Because we’re so close to the Hamptons, naturally, we find ourselves there quite often. Last night, our restaurant of choice was the Plaza Café in Southampton, probably one of the best restaurants on the east end with one of the most talented and creative chef/owners Douglas Gulija. The restaurant has a quiet elegance, known.......

The Secret to Pizza Night

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 EST

Like many busy families Friday night is pizza night in my house. There is a slight pause in the craziness; the week is done but Saturday it begins anew. Starting with soccer and I’m pretty sure at least one of my three kids has a birthday party to go to from now until the 4th of July. But on Friday nights, we all get a break, including the cook; my wife. The challenge with pizza night is getting the right wine. And I don’t mean that in the “red wine goes with steak and white wine goes with fish” kind of a way. I mean it in the “do I really want to ope.......

2002 Louis Roederer Cristal

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

At a recent dinner party with some wine loving friends, someone brought a bottle of 2002 Louis Roederer Cristal, more commonly and simply referred to as just “Cristal.” Lucky us! Louis Roederer is one of the most prestigious and well-known houses in all of Champagne, France, located in the city of Reims. True champagne can only come from Champagne, France, and any other bubbly produced elsewhere is referred to as sparkling wine. Champagne is often categorized into 2 groups – non-vintage and vintage, with the majority of champagne falling under the non-vintage category. Vintage champ.......

An Anniversary Dinner to Remember

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last night my wife and I celebrated our fifteenth wedding anniversary at Verace restaurant in Islip. Verace is known for fresh authentic Italian food at reasonable prices. Accompanying the great menu is an equally impressive wine list. Although I wanted this night to be special I did not want to break the bank so I needed a great drinker that would match well with the food at a great price. The chosen wine was the 2008 Eugenio Bocchino Roccabella Nebbiolo . This wine has been a favorite of mine ever since I met Eugenio and his f.......

Italian Wine Dinner with our Friend from London

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

A dear wine friend of ours from London flew in this week and drove out east to see us for an incredible night of food and wine. We hadn’t seen him in over three years so we knew that it was going to be a special evening. The restaurant we chose was Della Femina in East Hampton whose chef is the outstanding Michael Rozzi. Della Femina has always been one of the top restaurants in East Hampton and is embarking on its 20th year in business. Chef Rozzi has been in charge of the kitchen for at least the last 10 years and is hands down, one of the top chefs on Long Island. If you haven’t had the .......

Say Yes to Riesling

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

I’m a big fan of Riesling. When I’m out to dinner with friends, and I’m selecting a white for the table, I always ask if anyone would be opposed to a bottle of Riesling. I usually provide my rationale with descriptors like, “off-dry,” “minerally,” “clean and crisp,” “citrusy,” etc. Basically, it’s my attempt to head-off the comments that I know are coming and are always centered around the sweetness. Most people who aren’t familiar with a good quality Riesling just associate it with sweetness and never venture to give it a try. It perplexes me. Riesli.......

James Suckling Retail Tasting Challenge – Sokolin Goes Five for Five!

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 01:00:00 EST

A few weeks ago, renowned wine critic, James Suckling, paid a visit to the Sokolin offices as part of his Retail Tasting series on www.jamessuckling.com . If you haven't already seen the series on his site, check it out; his premise is very simple: Show him five wines we believe are worthy of 90 points or higher, for under $30. "No problem," we said. Here at Sokolin, we pride ourselves not only on our vast inventory of fine back-vintage wines from top global regions but also on our selection of wines that are inexpensive but .......

2007 Antica Cabernet Sauvignon

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

We were going to see Yan Pascal Tortelier conduct Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite. For those unfamiliar with the ballet story: The Firebird, Prince Ivan, takes on the evil ogre Kastchei in this tale. When Ivan waves the magic feather, the Firebird appears and leads him to victory. The composer Stravinsky paints an image in the listener’s head so vivid that one can imagine the story as though they were watching dancers on stage and the ballet unfolding before them. I had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to open Antinori's California project Antica from the histori.......

2000 Lynch Bages & 2000 Leoville Barton

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

With the upcoming 2010 Bordeaux futures campaign just around the corner, drinking Bordeaux is particularly at the forefront of our minds right now. We thought we’d put our thoughts into action, so we pulled the corks on a couple of bottles from the 2000 vintage to determine how they are currently drinking. Side by side, we sipped on 2000 Lynch Bages and 2000 Leoville Barton with grilled lamb slices and garlic mashed potatoes. These wines are already 11 years old, yet are still considered babies by wine aficionado standards. Top Bordeaux wines have incredible longevity as compared to other w.......

Lunch with Winemaker and Owner David Ramey

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

We had the pleasure of joining David Ramey of David Ramey Wine Cellars for lunch at Lure Fishbar in Manhattan where we tasted through his newest wine releases. David is widely known as one of America’s wine pioneers and is partially responsible for bringing California to the upper echelon of the winemaking world. He has an amazingly impressive resume. After studying and graduating from the University of California at Davis, he traveled to Europe and began his winemaking career with a stint at legendary Chateau Petrus. He eventually came back to the United States and helped put a number of w.......

Big & Bold Spanish Red

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

The Sokolin staff late last week popped a bottle of the 2008 Terra de Verema Triumvirat from the Priorat region of Spain. This big red has a dark purple core and immediately emits loads of blackberry and black currant from the glass. Hints of licorice, raspberry, chocolate, and oak are evident in the nose. This is followed by dark cherries and chocolate on the palate that gives way to a viscous finish that leaves your mouth very happy. Great length and acidity on this big dark frame makes fo.......

A Wonderful Dinner at Per Se

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last week we had the opportunity to dine at one of the best restaurants in the US and quite possibly the world. Per Se, located in New York City, is the sister restaurant of The French Laundry of Napa Valley. Chef Thomas Keller’s creativity and presentation of beautiful, fresh and balanced French cuisine ranks among the top of its class. Although portions here are quite small, the meal itself is a twelve course journey of intense flavors matched with unique, often quirky accompaniments that can take hours to complete. The restaurant has magnificent views on Central Park South and is.......

Time to revisit '07 Rhone

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

This past weekend I thought I’d revisit one of the best vintages ever from the Rhone region. It has been a couple years since the ’07 Rhone’s were released, and the heat has kind of quieted down on the vintage, so I thought I’d check to see how they were doing in bottle. As I combed our stock for the perfect ’07 Rhone, I stumbled upon a new one that we just checked in. It was from the legendary producer Guigal, had a great rating of 92-94 points by Robert Parker, and the best part - it was only $25.99.......

A Grandi Tasting A Decade In The Making

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 00:00:00 EST

1997 was the vintage that truly brought Tuscan wines to the forefront of global recognition. An optimum growing season, combined with years of improvements in the vineyards and wineries, helped winemakers fashion compelling wines. I can remember reading various reviews of the ‘97s as they were released. One that caught my attention, probably also because of the photo of the label, was the 1997 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Grandi Annate in Wine Spectator’s October 31st I.......

2008 Leflaive Tasting at The Modern

Wed, 23 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

Some of us attended an amazing 2008 Leflaive tasting last week at The Modern restaurant in the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. The winemaker, Eric Remy, was on hand to guide us through the 10 different wines while giving us a thorough explanation of the differences between each appellation and the overall evolution of Domaine Leflaive through the years. Here are my tasting notes: Bourgogne Blanc - Great minerality, sweet, full and pure with subtle floral and spice flavors. Nice texture but definitely the lightest of.......

The Official Bird of Burgundy

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

I don’t know if the producers of white Burgundy have an official bird. But if they don’t they should consider the American Robin! Nothing says Spring has sprung and better weather is on the way than that first sighting of a robin! I finally saw a few robins over the weekend (even though it was wicked cold out) and I immediately thought of warmer weather and the perfect wine for the Spring and Summer…. CORTON CHARLEMAGNE!! This wine goes everywhere; the grill, the beach, weddings, long weekends … and with everything! And we have one of the all time.......

2006 Brovia Barolo Garblet Sue

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

This week, our virtual wine journey kept us planted in Italy, but moved us northwest of Tuscany to the Piedmont region, which borders France. The Piedmont area is home to two important wines - Barolos and Barbarescos. Nebbiolo is the predominant grape in both of these wines, which grows almost nowhere else in the world. It is truly home to the Piedmont region. The Nebbiolo grape is known for its supreme power, muscle, high tannin, grip and can take your palate by storm. Barolos are wines meant to be aged, and they can last for a very long time. In fact, Barolos must legally be aged for a mi.......

A Spanish Gem

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

Located in the Heart of Priorat, Spain lives Rene Barbier. He is one of the founders of the Priorat revolution and is the winemaker of Clos Mogador. This Spanish blend has long been considered one of the top wines of Spain and I was fortunate enough to drink the 2007 vintage last night. Although quite young and big this wine delivered some great fruit on the nose and was quite balanced on the palate. As we went around the room we were calling out tastes of anise, black cherry, licorice, blueberry, coffee, c.......

2007 Piaggia Carmignano Il Sasso

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

Our virtual wine journey this week has landed us in Tuscany, which is one of Italy’s three very well-known wine regions (the other two being Piedmont and Veneto). If we had to pick a favorite, it would be Tuscany. We love what the winemakers there have been able to create with the Sangiovese grape. The newly released wines seem to keep getting better year after year, and they are a true testament to superb winemaking. We took a bottle of 2007 Piaggia Carmignano Il Sasso (IGT) to a recent dinner party that we were invited to (hosts seem to love it when they see us walk in with any b.......

2005 L'oustal Blanc Minervois

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 00:00:00 EST

I just tried a wine that often gets overlooked . Minervois is a section in the Languedoc region of France. Languedoc is the next door neighbor of southern Rhone’s most famous region, Chateauneuf du Pape, and is primarily made up of the Carignan grape. Producer Oustal Blanc takes a less common approach with their wines than what is traditionally found in this region, by blending Grenache, Syrah, and a little bit of Carignan. This offers the unique palate and style that the producer truly believes in........

American Burgundy

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

Being a Burgundy lover I’m always on the hunt for high quality Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. In the latest Wine Spectator issue there was a great article on Oregon and the spectacular 2008 vintage. Harvey Steinman from Wine Spectator rated the overall 2008 Pinot Noir vintage 97 points, making it the highest ever for this region. Many believe Oregon’s cooler wet climate is better suited than say California, for producing Burgundy-esque wines. The 2008 vintage in particular produced more highly-rated Pinot Noirs than any previous year. Also, they were some e.......

2008 Craggy Range Te Kahu Vineyard

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

This week we are sharing a treasure of a wine from New Zealand, a New World wine region that continues to receive recognition for its wines year after year. Interestingly enough, it turns out, Te Kahu means “the cloak” and per its wine label, “takes its name from the cloak of mist that covers the hills around [our] Giants winery.” Craggy Range, a family owned vineyard that focuses on the making of high-quality, single-vineyard wines, comes from Hawkes Bay, which is on the eastern coast of the North Island. New Zealand is actually divided into two islands, the Nort.......

2003 Bordeaux – Drinking Great Now!

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

As the Sokolin team has been tasting through some of our gems, we’ve noticed something. The 2003 vintage in Bordeaux is surprisingly fruit forward, plush and drinking great already. We just popped a bottle of the 2003 Monbousquet to see where this Saint-Emilion Grand Cru is in its evolution and drinkability. Wow! We were all surprised at the depth and power that came from this extremely reasonably priced “monster” from the 03 vintage. Wei.......

Waterstone Vertical Tasting 2001-2007

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

Last night, we were among the privileged few who get to do a full vertical tasting of seven vintages of Waterstone Cabernet with owner Brent Shortridge. Waterstone is a wine we love so much here at Sokolin both for its high quality (made from grapes sourced from undisclosed top “Cult” properties in Napa) and for its low, low price. What an experience! Each vintage was unmistakably Waterstone, but so different in the nuances on the nose and on the palate. .......

Spinetta Selections Deliver Tuscan Value

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

In Piedmont, the Rivetti’s La Spinetta wines have been synonymous with superlative, indigenous, varietal wines, beginning with their ’78 single vineyard Moscato release through to today with Barbera, as well as Nebbiolo in both Barbaresco and Barolo. Often while visiting Tuscany, Giorgio Rivetti wondered why many producers opted to rip up old vines of Sangiovese, plant new Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, and fashion wines for a more global palate. In 2001, La Spinetta expanded into Tuscany with the goal of creating wonderful expressions of indigenous varietals, much like they do .......

The 'Organics' of Wine

Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

Due to an increasingly over populated planet, and over one hundred years of irresponsible growth and pollution, we are finally starting to return our attention and actions to a more natural and ‘organic’ way of life, moving forward to a step back in time if you will. From electric cars and the banning of plastic shopping bags, to the availability of 100% certified organic breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables and even coffee and chocolate, there is thankfully a strong and present movement in the right direction. In the wine world, vines have been cultivated ‘organically’ .......

2007 Dominus Napanook Vineyard

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

Happy New Year to our readers! Even though a new year has arrived, we’ll once again be sticking to our firmly planted roots. The heart and soul of our business model for the past 76 years has been selling highly rated wines from acclaimed producers of Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Italy, Spain and newly emerging viticultural areas. There are thousands of wines on the market, and we do our homework and sift through the masses to find the best ones. On the first business day of the New Year, Sokolin brought 2007 Dominus to our Collectors’ C.......

The Secret to Choosing a Great Wine

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 00:00:00 EST

I am often asked by clients if I have had a particular wine that they are considering buying and if I liked it. And while I am fortunate enough to get to try most of the wines that we carry there are times when I haven’t tried one just yet. So, first, I will point out that the wine in question is from a particular vintage (year) and region (place). Then, I will recommend a wine from the same vintage and region which will typically share similar taste profiles and characteristics. Therein lies an easy “Secret” in how to choose a wine.......

Baby Sassicaia

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

"Sassicaia's best kept secret" was the title for this offer when we first released it a couple months ago. Judging from the phone calls & many responses I received I realized that until they read our offer, my customers weren't aware of the San Guido Guidalberto . Being that we just checked this wine in stock & I recently tried a bottle, I thought a full article was needed on this little gem. Here are the facts: Guidalberto is th.......

Here’s What we are Drinking at our New Year’s Celebration

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Well, here we are at the end of 2010. It’s hard to believe that we are almost one week away from ringing in the New Year. It’s time to celebrate! If you haven’t had a chance to pick up some champagne for your New Year’s festivities, you still have some time. Welcoming in the New Year is just not the same without your favorite bottle of bubbly in hand. And so, we are recommending a few champagne staples for your parties, including some classics and a few others that you may not be familiar with, but are equally delicious. All come from amazing champagne ho.......

A Special Savings On A Small Wine With A Lot To Offer

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Last Spring we had the opportunity to scoop up some half bottles of 2008 Muller Catoir Haardter Burgergarten Riesling Auslese . Rated 97pts in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, we figured it would be a great wine to have in stock for the Winter Holidays. That time is now upon us and we were right! After a tasting the other night, we noticed the beauty of this wine is its complexity and versatility. As an Auslese, it’s primarily thought of as a sweet aka desert wine…and it can be. Enjoyed.......

The Gift of Wine

Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

This time of year, everyone is shopping for the perfect holiday wine, be it for their holiday parties, office parties, or for the wine lover in their life. However, as the year comes to an end, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle that surrounds us. If you are not quite sure what wines to pick up for the holidays, we can give you quick suggestions that will make your shopping experience fun and speedy. All of our suggestions are wines that we would be more than happy and even fortunate to serve or give for the holidays. Below are a handful .......

De-Mystifying Sauternes

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 00:00:00 EST

Before I entered the wine business, if you were to ask me what Sauternes is, I would have laughed and said I have no idea. I feel this may be the case for a lot of consumers out there or they are just intimidated by the stigma this region has. I have heard everything from; it tastes like gasoline to it will give you the worst hang over you have ever had. Let me be the first to discredit all of these claims and tell you that if you haven’t had an opportunity to try a glass there is no better time than the present. Think about warming up to a fire after a long.......

1996 Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil & 2001 d’Yquem

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

This past weekend we were invited to a friend’s house for the most special, much anticipated dinner and wine tasting. To put it simply, the night was perfect. From the incredible spread of cuisine prepared for us, to the legendary wines poured, to being embraced in a wonderful atmosphere by a genuine group of friends, it just doesn’t get any better. That night, we felt like some of the luckiest people in the world. The evening started off early with a 1996 Salon Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil – definitely, one of the best Champagne houses in the world. It w.......

Perfect for Thanksgiving

Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

Thanksgiving is my holiday. This is the one I enjoy the most. I host Thanksgiving every year at my house and try to put my own twist on it to make it memorable. This year the twist will be the wine I serve. I usually give in and offer an array of whites to please the masses, but this year everyone will have a glass of red waiting for them at their place setting to start the meal. What red you ask? Well 2008 Brewer – Clifton Pinot Noir is my answer. I popped a bottle of this magnificent red last night with .......

World Record Wine Prices, Again

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

Sounds like a quote from the heady days of 2006, but it's a reality once again in 2010. Despite the global meltdown of the past few years, Asia, particularly Hong Kong, has become the place where most of the world’s finest and rarest wines are sold. Asia is seeing record setting prices at auction and retail. Prices for Latour, Mouton, Margaux, Haut Brion and especially Lafite Rothschild are rising at a pace that is hard to keep up with, even for professionals like myself. Last week three bottles of 1869 Lafite Rothschild (Chateau Stock) sold at Sothbys.......

2007 Philip Togni Cabernet Sauvignon

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

The quality of California Cabernet Sauvignons has been compared to the great wines of Bordeaux’s finest Chateaux for at least the last 5 decades. It reminds us of the 1976 Paris wine tasting that was a true testament to the quality of California wines. It was very well portrayed in the recent movie “Bottle Shock.” Right now in the wine industry, a lot of eyes are on the seemingly magical 2007 California, Napa Valley, Cabernets. The best critics, wine makers, and of course, consumers are raving about them. Could the 2007 vintage be the greatest one ev.......

Cheval Blanc's Other Property

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:00:00 EST

You may or may not know Cheval Blanc is a Premier Grand Cru and is one of Bordeaux's most respected wines. In great vintages it trades for well over a $1000 a bottle and due to world-wide demand can be hard to obtain. Eleven years ago Pierre Lurton, then the director of Cheval Blanc became intrigued with Malbec in Argentina. He wanted to blend new-world with old-world and produce greater quantities of quality wine at affordable prices. In 1999 he tasted 1970s Malbec wine from the Las Computeras vineyard (the finest parcel of Terrazas de los Andes) and was blown away, thus paving the.......

Wife Out of Town - Need Wine!

Tue, 26 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

With my wife out of town it was up to me to get the kids fed. And as much as I hate to admit it I went to the safest and easiest bet for kid cuisine ever – that’s right, HOT DOGS!! And like they have since (at least) 1867, the dogs saved my hide. After their dinner and some TV viewing it was bed-time for them and wine time for me With my wife due home in time for a late dinner I knew hot dogs wouldn’t work for her. So we shared a nice little Eye of Round fillet and a bottle of

Premier Cru Burgundy for an Amazing Price!

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

We are constantly combing the market for great wines at a great price for our customers. This week we’ve scored yet another amazing deal! Just in time for the holidays and the heartier fare we all look forward to this time of year, we’ve found an incredible red Burgundy – always a perfect companion to turkey, ham and Fall veggies. It’s the 2007 Nicolas Potel Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru Les Petits Monts . This wine has red fruits exploding from the nose, alon.......

2001 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape & 2007 Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 00:00:00 EST

At an exquisite and quaint dinner party in the Hamptons this weekend, we had a very cool wine tasting. We have been talking about how great 2007 Chateauneuf du Papes are, as well as other wines from the Southern Rhone region in France. They are powerful, yet elegant; full bodied, yet seem to dance on the palate. So, we decided to go back in history and pull out another stellar vintage from the same producer with some age to see what might just happen to these 2007s as they age. The southern Rhone region of France has really been getting it right. In th.......

2007 Isole e Olena Cepparello

Sat, 25 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

There is something about a standout wine from a stellar vintage that has the powerful ability to leave us with lasting memorable detail. It’s not easy to forget about how outstanding and well structured the back-to-back 2006 & 2007 Super Tuscan vintages, across the board, have been. They will surely go down in history as some of the greatest. If you had the privilege of tasting any, we’re sure you know what we’re talking about. That’s why when we saw the 2007 Isole e Olena Cepparello, we quickly grabbed a bottle to sample. Before we even opened the bottle, .......

It's White Burgundy Season

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

I love the early fall – it allows for a myriad of wine drinking options. Still plenty of warm days to grill (break out the Sancerre) but the nights are getting cooler (here in the northeast, at least) so I’ve been hitting the Cab based blends. But this time of year I also find myself reaching for the white Burgundy; great when grilling on a hot day but transitions well into the cooler night time – offering warmth and comfort. Thankfully we ALWAYS have some great white Burgundies on hand. Corton Charlemagne being a personal favorite but so many to choose .......

2006 Cheval des Andes

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

This auspicious evening we tried a wine that was…well… a “Pedigree Argentine from a Bordeaux Stable” (www.chevaldesandes.com) Sounds ridiculously cool right? It definitely was and here are the details. It’s a well known fact that we recommend and sell wines from every stand-out wine producing region. In doing so, it’s not surprising that we have developed quite a passion for some New World wines. Argentina, a major wine producer of South America (and also considered to be of the New World), is one of them. It has achieved such success with the Malbec grape va.......

Revisiting A Value Wine From A Benchmark Vintage

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

Benchmark Vintages seem to be occurring quite often lately. The 2009 Bordeaux Futures Campaign was on fire earlier this Summer. 2007 supplied us with numerous ‘Chateauneuf du Pape of a lifetime’. Perfect and ‘highest ever’ scores for various 2007 California wines seem to continually be releasing from the reviewers. Contemplating these we were reminded of the 2004 vintage in Spain. This was a vintage that led the Wine Advocate to advise that the top wines “will reward extended cellaring and, with just a handful of exceptions, cost less than $50-$60 a bot.......

Sutor Pinot

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST

When you think of Pinot Noir you may not associate it with Slovenia. This should all change after you try the amazing Sutor Pinot Noir My co-worker Summer spends her days traveling around Italy and surrounding countries looking for independent, organic and biodynamic wineries that are of the highest quality but because of their tiny production quantities, remain relatively unknown in the USA. Sutor is one of these wineries. Amongst wine producers “in the know” in Italy, they call Sutor the.......

2008 Zind Humbrecht Riesling

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

I was excited when I heard that we would be popping one of my favorite varietals at our Sokolin tasting this evening, a Riesling. I was even more excited when I learned that it would be a 2008 Zind Humbrecht , one of the most well known and highly respected producers of Alsacian wines. The Humbrecht family has been producing outstanding Riesling, Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris wines since 1959. It is run by a father and son team, however in recent years the accomplished son Olivier has taken more control of t.......

Champagne and Gourmet Hot Dogs? An Unlikely But Mouthwatering Pairing.

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

My colleagues and I have noticed a very unlikely trend this summer popping up in various publications and online – Champagnes with gourmet hot dogs! I have to admit, we were a bit skeptical, but we’re all huge bubbly fans and are never afraid to enjoy a good dog now and then. So we decided to try it out for ourselves here at the Sokolin offices. We wanted to look at Champagnes and sparkling wines of varying prices paired with some really creative and interesting dogs that we could quite easily replicate on our home (or office) grill. And with the end of summer fast-approac.......

“Kissing Frogs”

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST

After anyone finds out what I do for a living I often hear “Wow – it must be great getting to try all that wine.” And for the most part it is. However, we try a lot of wine it can be exhausting sifting through the subpar wines to find the gems. I often say we have to kiss an awful lot of frogs to find that Prince(ss) Charming. Great Pinot Noir can be especially difficult to discover because when it’s good it’s great, but when it’s not it can be dreadful. Below are my top six Pinot Noir Prince(ss) Charmings. Three from California and three from .......

The Sicilian Selection

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Fan of Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir? Then I have something perfect for you to try. Thanks to the efforts of importer Marc De Grazia, wine lovers can now look forward to enjoying vino from the northern slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily. His Tenuta delle Terre Nere estate is producing wonderfully perfumed and palate pleasing reds from the indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Capuccio varietals. Planted in soil composed of mostly volcanic ash and rock with a sprinkle of black pumice, and at elevations as high or higher than any other red-grape vineyard in Europe, t.......

“Old Faithful”

Sun, 25 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

As most people know, Sokolin sells some of the rarest and most valuable wines in the world. That is our forte, and we have been successfully pairing wines with our customers for the past 76 years. What not everyone knows is that we also source out, research, taste, compare, rate and finally bring to the market inexpensive wines that taste like the exclusive ones. Enter an amazing wine we refer to as “Old Faithful.” This wine is 2005 Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, California - a wine that must be of cult descent. Our first blind tasting of thi.......

One in the hole!

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

I recently poured wines for my client, Joe and his wife at their private wine dinner. While Joe and I planned the dinner and discussed the wines, the food and who would be attending, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But when Joe exclaimed, “I have an outdoor wood-fired pizza oven, we will do it at my house!” I knew this was going to be the experience of a lifetime. I arrived at Joe’s house nestled in the mountains of PA, with my dog and seven amazing wines carefully selected to accompany what was about to be one of the most delicious backyard BBQs I’d ever experience.......

A Unique Wine for Italian Wine Lovers

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

Here at Sokolin, we are lucky to have a colleague, Summer Wolff, who travels extensively throughout Italy. She spends some of her time there searching out great new indie wineries for our company to sell exclusively in the US. One of my favorite ‘Summer Wines’ so far is the 2005 Eugenio Bocchino Barolo la Serra . Summer rates this wine 95 points (since it is not officially rated) and the bottle sells for $59.95 (compare t.......

Eclectic Whites

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

As a Sommelier, I have a couple of main objectives when recommending wines. First and foremost, the issue of quality is at the head of the list. No matter what price point you’re looking for, the wine has to be made well. Some people think they must sacrifice quality for the right price, but the good news is you don’t have to! There are well-made, high-quality wines at ALL price levels. And here at Sokolin, we excel in finding the very best wines that taste in quality like bottles that are double in p.......

Summer Sancerre

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST

With this recent SUMMER HEAT, nothing pairs better than a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc! What better place to go than to the Loire’s Sancerre region! These great Summer whites go well with everything this season has to offer: Pools, Beaches, Parties, Oysters, Clams, BBQs, Friends, and of course Fun! They dance on your palate with wonderful citrus notes and lively acidity. These wines are the perfect match with shellfish, ceviche, or even grilled seafood, but also don’t need food. Great sippers all on their own…

Perfect for Grilling

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EST

Recently, I had been struggling to find the perfect wine to go with whatever we were grilling, other than Waterstone Cab. Many wines were very nice but I hadn’t hit that homerun yet this year; except, of course, with the Waterstone. Well I nailed it this weekend. We had a great cut of steak and a heavily spiced pork tenderloin. I was taking a bit of a risk by going with a red and pork. But it was great! Perfect with the steak and the pork. The wine:

Finding Values in Shadow Vintages

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

I recently came across the fascinating term: “Shadow Vintage”. No these are not wines produced by some clandestine vigneron organization that only harvests at night using truffle pigs and costs $10,000.00 per bottle. Shadow Vintages are those years that are caught near other highly regarded vintages and are over-shadowed by them. And the poor 2004 Bordeaux and 2006 Rhone vintages are prime examples. Both were almost immediately eclipsed by the legendary vintages that came next. Robert Parker has called both the 2005 Bordeaux and the 2007 Rhone vintages, “…the great.......

2006 Jaffurs Upslope Syrah

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Every single day we constantly strive to locate the best “value wines” – wines that have a nice points to price ratio that we can indulge in without feeling guilty. Our customers feel the same way. The Jaffurs Upslope Syrah caught our attention for just that reason. When we saw the score then the price, honestly, we were quite surprised! Robert Parker gave it 96 points, yet it sells for just under $60/bottle. We have found through our experience that young California wines are often powerful and intense which generally, benefit well from decanting. Of course, we wanted to re-test t.......

Large Format Champagne

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Champagne is one of the most fun things to drink, especially with a large group. It doesn’t matter if it’s with clients, colleagues, family or friends… the feeling is the same. Festive and Fun. Large formats, that range from 1.5L up to 18L (that’s 2 cases in one bottle), also have great names that add to the fun. 1.5L – Magnum (16 glasses) 3L – Jeroboam (32 glasses) 4.5L – Rehoboam (48 glasses) 6L – Methuselah (64 glasses) 9L – Salmanazar (96 glasses) 12L – Balthazar (128 glasses) 15L – Nebuchadnezzar (160 glasses) 18.......

2004 Bordeaux

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

In virtually every appellation in Bordeaux, 2004 was a great vintage that produced many palate pleasing wines that sell for reasonable prices. Sandwiched between the highly celebrated (and freakishly awesome) 2003 and 2005 vintages, 2004 is often over looked by collectors. But 2004 Bordeaux are highly respectable wines, and, though they might not turn out to be as long lived as some other vintages, will provide much drinking pleasure for the short term. Due in part to this point, and also to the reasonable pricing, 2004 is a perfect vintage to collect for everyday drinking. The wines, while.......

2007 California Pinot Noirs that Won't Break the Bank

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Me being a Pinot Noir lover I'm always on the look out for great Pinot's that won't break the bank. This is always a challenge when trying to locate one from Burgundy. So I've recently been sampling wines from the great 2007 California vintage (see Article #4 – 2007 California Pinot Noir – “Is it Really that Good?” ). California has long-struggled with the fickle Pinot Noir grape, but cooler climate regions like Santa Rita hills, Russian River Valley, & Mendocino's Anderson Valley have all emerged as prime spots for Pinot Noir i.......

2007 California Pinot Noir – “Is it really that good?”

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST

Short answer? Yes! But it’s really more than just good. It’s exceptional. Year in and year out the top Pinot Noir producers in California such as Kistler, Aubert, Marcassin etc, make great wines but rarely do you see a vintage that is consistently great across the board. If you are a pinot noir lover this is a vintage you will want to stock up on, trust me! When describing this vintage, some of the qualities that come to mind for me are fresh, impeccably balanced, soft tannins that almost come across as silky, and overall just a great sense of purity. Winemakers hit it big.......

Waterstone - Delivering the Goods

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

As the saying goes “Write what you know about”, I feel compelled to kick-off my writing with one of my all time favorite wines – Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon . If you subscribe to our email offers I’m sure you’ve seen us feature this one but just in case you haven’t seen it yet here is a quick version of their story: Napa Valley nice guys Phillip Zorn and Brent Shortridge decided in 2000 to “create luxury wines at affordable prices”. To that end Phillip and Bren.......

2007 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir (Santa Rita Hills)

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

For this article, we decided to have a side-by-side tasting with two different wines but the same vintage and the same producer. We selected 2007 Pinot Noirs produced by Brewer-Clifton in California. Both cuvees come from very small productions with just over 1,000 cases produced. There is an incredible amount of hype that surrounds the 2007 California Pinot Noirs. We are hearing from inside the trade as well as customers that this vintage is the best in bottle ever to come out of the region. Robert Parker tasted and doled out great reviews to the 2007 vintage, so we wanted to see .......

2004 Brunellos Blind Tasting

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST

What a great opportunity to taste 13 of the best Brunello producers from one of the best vintages in history! And the critics are right about 04 Brunello – the WOW factor is definitely there and in full effect. Now, true to a blind tasting, we did not know which wines were being poured in the glass…. Only that it was 2004 Brunello di Montalcino. We simply wrote notes for each wine we tasted and then decided which Brunello we liked the best and rated them. At the end of this remarkable tasting, we found out which wines we liked the best, everyone’s favorite, etc… So here’s .......

The Vintage Variable