Chris Cardoso

2 months ago | winespectator.com | Aaron Romano |Chris Cardoso

Napa Valley has a new appellation. Thirteen years after Coombsville was created by the federal government as an American Viticultural Area, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau has approved Crystal Springs of Napa Valley. Learn more about Crystal Springs as well as other recent developments in Napa in the Jan. 31 - Feb.

Oct 21, 2024 | winespectator.com | Chris Cardoso

Washington state’s Columbia Valley continues to be among the best regions in the United States for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its terrain is diverse with alluvial and loam soils over volcanic bedrock, and its climate is continental with dry, hot days and cool nights. These conditions deliver Cabernets that are structured and elegant, as our latest Tasting Highlights shows with delicious Evergreen State reds that scored at least 90 points on our 100-point scale.

Oct 14, 2024 | winespectator.com | Chris Cardoso

Oregon’s Willamette Valley encompasses more than 5,000 square miles between the Oregon Coast and Cascade mountain ranges. For millions of years, tectonic plate collisions pushed these mountains out of the Pacific Ocean, forming the crescent-shaped valley and giving it a diverse array of volcanic and sedimentary soils. This week’s Tasting Highlights explores the intricacies of a few Willamette Valley subregions with eight outstanding-rated wines that earned 90 points or more on our 100-point scale.

Oct 10, 2024 | winespectator.com | Chris Cardoso

As the weather cools and the days get a bit shorter, hearty red wines can be go-tos for those fall evenings nestled in. Look no further than Australia for great, value-driven reds to accompany you at the dinner table or on the couch. Our latest Tasting Highlights features excellent Australian wines made using grapes like Shiraz (aka Syrah) and Cabernet Sauvignon across various regions Down Under. That includes a GSM blend of Rhône grapes, one of Australia's signature styles.

Oct 3, 2024 | winespectator.com | Greg Warner |Chris Cardoso |Aaron Romano

A Los Angeles return: After a four-year hiatus, acclaimed restaurant Somni is reopening in West Hollywood, Calif. Somni (meaning “dream” in Catalan) was founded by chef Aitor Zabala and culinary leader and humanitarian José Andrés in 2018; despite being limited to just 10 guests each service, the restaurant rapidly grew in popularity. It also earned Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence for its wine list in 2019 and 2020.