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Dan Carkner

Dan Carkner

Blue Label

Lamole di Lamole Blue Label Chianti Classico 2012

Tuscany D.O.C.G., Italy
2484 days ago

Dan reviewed this wine:

Floral with ripe berries on the nose. Bright and juicy on the palate. Tart cherry and cinnamon with anise and leather linger on the palate through the long finish. Very mellow tannins are present enough to provide structure but this wine is ready to enjoy now. Treat yourself to a glass while you unwind or serve with roasted pork or lamb in a garlic-rosemary mustard crust.

Orestiadi Ludovico 2009

Sicily I.G.T., Italy
2484 days ago

Dan reviewed this wine:

Toasted hazelnut leaps from the glass before you even get close. Smoky cassis, licorice, and prune emerge upon closer inspection. New leather, black olive, and earth join in on a nose that will keep on giving if you devote the time. Jammed berries, dried prune and fig with some olive and forest floor dominate the palate in this bold, brooding wine. Big, chewy tannins and medium acidity suggest this could age a few more years yet. Food with fat content is necessary if drinking this wine now. Think thick-cut, medium rare striploin steak with a roasted shallot cream sauce and crumbled blue cheese.

Selección Especial Reserva

Ardal Selección Especial Reserva 2006

Ribera Del Duero D.O., Spain
2484 days ago

Dan reviewed this wine:

Dark plum, cassis, and blackberry on the nose with anise, earth and woodsmoke joining in. Vanilla spiked berry compote, florals, and olive shine on a palate backed by grippy tannins in a wine that deserves food. Well caramelized beef shortrib with a cranberry demi glace would do nicely.

Selección Crianza

Tobía Selección Crianza 2013

Rioja D.O.C.A., Spain
2484 days ago

Dan reviewed this wine:

Stewed dark berries, cassis, earth, and baking spices draw you in on the nose with cinnamon and leather emerging. Jammed berries, prune, and florals lead the way while earth, leather, and wood influence play supporting roles. Well integrated tannins are slightly grippy but enjoyable drinking this wine on its own. Drink this with a medium, bone-in ribeye simply seasoned and brushed with rosemary butter.

2484 days ago

Dan reviewed this wine:

Violets, anise, and earth complement the blueberries and ripe cherry aromas. A velvety texture and medium body present flavours of blueberry tart, bright cherry, baking spices, earth, and old leather. The tannins are medium and would stand up to rich braised meats and traditional, tomato based pastas.

Dan Carkner

First Wine

Spumante Bambino

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Unusual Wine Experience

Seeing a 1960 Pommard on the table at a big Christmas party, nestled in with the Yellowtail and $15 Italian magnums. No one knew the difference. A bit past it's prime but what a surprise to see it sitting there

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Current Fav Wine

Value priced Dao, Rioja

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