Dirk’s Cuvée

Dirk Smits Tasting Notes
Dirk Smits, GAYOT’s Wine & Spirits Editor, in the Double Barrel Room at Saddle Peak Lodge, Calabasas, CA
By Dirk Smits

A blend of wine & spirits musings, tastings and tidings

Come back to this page to follow what is happening in the world of wine and spirits. I will constantly update it with new articles.

Contact: dirk.smits@gayot.com

Cheers!

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WINE OF THE WEEK

• Frank Family Vineyards, Zinfandel, Napa Valley 2018 | California, USA – January 18, 2021
• Ruggero di Bardo, Susumaniello, 2019 | Puglia, Italy – January 11, 2021
• Palmaz Vineyards, Riesling “Louise” 2017 | Napa Valley, California – January 4, 2021
• Marchesi di Grésy, Barbaresco, Martinenga 2017 | Piedmont, Italy – December 28, 2020
• Amiral de Beychevelle, St.-Julien 2017, Château Beychevelle | Bordeaux, France – December 21, 2020
• Mi Sueño Winery, Syrah Napa Valley 2017 | California, USA – December 14, 2020
• Château Lassègue, Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2017 | Bordeaux, France – December 7, 2020
• Poliziano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2017 | Tuscany, Italy – November 30, 2020
• Georges Duboeuf, Beaujolais Nouveau 2020 | Beaujolais, France – November 23, 2020
• Castello di Fonterutoli, Chianti Classico, Gran Selezione DOCG 2017 | Tuscany, Italy – November 16, 2020
• Domaine Faiveley, Mercurey Premier Cru, Clos des Myglands, Monopole 2018 | Burgundy, France – November 9, 2020
• Tablas Creek Vineyard, Côtes de Tablas, Adelaida District, Paso Robles 2018 | California, USA – November 2, 2020
• Meyer-Näkel, Blue Slate, Pinot Noir 2018 | Ahr, Germany – October 26, 2020
• Tenuta Sant’Antonio, Amarone della Valpolicella, Antonio Castagnedi 2015 | Veneto, Italy – October 19, 2020
• Alma Rosa, El Jabali, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2018 | Santa Barbara County, California, USA – October 12, 2020
• Travaglini, Gattinara 2016 | Piedmont, Italy – October 5, 2020
• Bénédicte & Stéphane Tissot, Patchwork, Chardonnay 2018 | Arbois, France – September 28, 2020
• Quinta da Alorna, Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva, 2015 | Tejo, Portugal – September 21, 2020
• Domaine Zind-Humbrecht, Zind, Vin de France, 2018 | Alsace, France – September 14, 2020
• Casa Madero, 3V, 2018 | Valle de Parras, Mexico – September 7, 2020
• TerraVentoux, Terra Solis Intuition, 2017, Ventoux, France – August 31, 2020
• Honig, North Coast, CA, Sauvignon Blanc 2019 – August 24, 2020
• Rustenberg, John X. Merriman 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa – August 17, 2020
• Clos des Lunes, Lune d’Argent, Bordeaux Blanc, 2018 – August 10, 2020
• Luigi Maffini, Kleos, Cilento Aglianico 2017, Italy – August 3, 2020
• Château Belá, Riesling 2018, Sturovo, Slovak – July 27, 2020

WINERY PROFILES

Champagne Charles Heidsieck, Reims, France
Champagne Drappier, Urville, France
Champagne Gaston Chiquet, Dizy, France
Champagne Jean Lallement, Verzenay, France
Champagne Laurent-Perrier, Tours-sur-Marne, France
Champagne Nicolas Maillart, Ecueil, France
Champagne Piper-Heidsieck, Reims, France
Champagne Vilmar & Cie, Rilly-la-Montagne, France

BEST OF LISTS

Best Kosher Wines
Best Non-Vintage Champagnes
Best Prestige Champagnes (Tête de Cuvée)

WINE DINNERS

Chef Celestino Drago, Managing partner Piero Selvaggio, GAYOT’s Wine & Spirits Editor Dirk Smits, Sophie Gayot



Exclusive: Restaurateur Piero Selvaggio Joins Drago Centro’s Team

Watch Dirk Smits discussing with Piero Selvaggio the wines served during the dinner.


Sophie Gayot, Chef Celestino Drago, Managing partner Piero Selvaggio, GAYOT’s Wine & Spirits Editor Dirk Smits





About a private dinner where these wines were served.

Opening bottles of long-aged wine can be a hit-or-miss experience. Find out which vintages from several French selections still provided sublime sipping with my tasting notes.



WINE CLASS

Champagne Bottle Sizes
Grape Varietal Definition: Aglianico
Grape Varietal Definition: Riesling
Grape Varietal Definition: Sémillon
Health Benefits of Wine

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