I do it. You do it. We all do it–procrastinate. I’ve already had to run into minimarts, supermarkets, and malls for forgotten tissue paper, tape, cards, wine, and vermouth. And it’s not even December. I gotta get my act together.
But should you find yourself staring at a wall of wine this season, trying to decide […]

This is the best cabernet for under $15 on the market right now.
Oh, you’re still here. What you need more than that? OK.
Dona Paula Cabernet Sauvignon
Mendoza, Argentina
imported by Vineyard Brands ($11-13)
Structure? Got it.
Aroma? Dark fruits, spice, rich
Flavor? Juicy, NOT jammy, with a beginning, middle, and lingering end
Tannin? Soft and balanced
Acidity? Hell yeah. Like it’s […]

Cave de Saumur churns out tasty juice. I’ve had reds, bubbles, and whites from them over the years that made much more of an impression with me than bottles costing twice as much.
This bottle is so cheap in part because Cave de Saumur is a cooperative and because it’s a direct import (less capatilistic […]

So….
Technically not wine…
But, so what?
I forgot to include a link to my starter sake tipsheet in last week’s Seattle Weekly.
My pet peeve #413: Hey restaurant, you’re very proud of your sake selection, but no one can tell the Shinriki from the Kiku-Masamune.
So what are you going to do about it? Hint: umm…they modify nouns…can […]

This label kicks ass. Bodegas Palacios Remondo has been one of the Spanish anchors on my wine lists forever. They swing modern where it helps, while maintaining the tradition of Rioja in character. All of their red wines are made from estate fruit, and they are a classy operation.
So it pains me, that their once […]

Welcome to all you Wall Street Journalers that have been trolling the site of late. And thanks to the WSJ for the little mention in their Blog Watch column about wine blogs a few weeks back.
I was also quoted briefly in a WSJ article about underground restaurants:
Kitchen not so confidential:
Underground restaurants go public, lose […]

Alright, you’ve all been so patient with me the last couple months, today starts a wine review countdown until Christmas Eve, 30 wines for under $15. It’s my version of the advent calendar, sorry no chocolates.
I start with the cheekiest bottle of wine on the market right now. If someone described this label to […]

CASINO ROYALE - After a gritty black and white prologue teaser that screams “this ain’t your momma’s dandy Bond,” you have to sit through the absurd title sequence and flacid yet grating wails of the bottomed-out Chris Cornell. All hope quickly gives in too skepticism. Until… You are richly rewarded with the next scene–a balls […]

Like Bladerunner? I gotch yer Bladerunner right here.
A newish compilation article on NewScientist.com, and in the November 18th issue of the magazine, asks some of our coolest nerds to imagine the near future. Spoiler alerts: You might not need shades. Simon Conway Morris should write a book or put down the bong. Many a shout […]

Hi kids! There are two amazing women I’d like to talk about, coming at you from radio and TV.
Mammacita #1: Stephanie Miller has the morning radio show (6a to 9a) in Seattle on AM 1090, the progressive, Air America radio station. She’s accomplished something no one else has in my entire life–she get’s me […]