The Weekly Wine Journal reviews wines, wine makers, wine bars and wine events. If you would like to be reviewed please contact me.
My name is Tim, I am the owner/writer and chief bottle washer, I sometimes have guest writers, if you would like to write, please contact me
Why am I doing this? I love to write and I love wine. Simple as that. I love the stories behind the wines, I love the technical information. I love getting out in the world and sharing my experiences.
How do I conduct the wine reviews?
As of January 2011 I have started using a point system based on Wine Spectator’s 100 point scale:
- 95-100 Classic: a great wine
- 90-94 Outstanding: a wine of superior character and style
- 85-89 Very good: a wine with special qualities
- 80-84 Good: a solid, well-made wine
- 75-79 Mediocre: a drinkable wine that may have minor flaws
- 50-74 Not recommended
Some of the wines are purchased with my own hard earned money and some are samples sent from the winery. I will make note of it. If you are a vineyard/winery/winemaker and would like your wine reviewed contact me. I cannot guarantee that I will review all the wines I receive.
I subscribe to the idea that it is important to consume the entire bottle to get a true idea of all the aspects of the wine. Though maybe not all in one night! I do not taste thousands of wines a year mainly because of the cost but also I prefer to taste less wine, but taste more of it. Less is more? I like to review each wine at least twice, sometimes wines can taste different depending on mood, presentations, factors not directly attributable to the wine itself. And I also like to see how the wine is aging.
Special attention is taken to ensure that the wines are stored and tested at the correct temperatures. Wines are decanted, though I always take the first sip right after opening the bottle, and then subsequent samples are taken at regular intervals throughout the analysis which is usually spread over 3-6 hours and then again 24 hours later.
Want more? How about a Podcast interview at meetmyfollowers.com
Contact:
weeklywinejournal (at) gmail (dot) com
Twitter: @wklywinejournal
and @timhilcove
This is great info, but who are You?!
I’m Tim
Went to Costco at two locations in the Bay Area, but both only were
stocking the 2009 Vintage – no 2997 vintage was still available. Have you
tried the 2009? Crews
Hey Tim,
While Eric’s place gets all the coverage, have you tried the tasting rooms at his neighbors? Not a quarter mile up the road is Oak Creek Vineyard and Winery, and next door, Javelina Leap. Oak Creek’s site grown Zin recently won a Whole Foods people’s choice tasting in Scottsdale. People’s choice awards are the only ones that really matter. Who cares what you experts think?
Javelina is doing great things too. Just up the road a bit you’ll find the old Page Springs Restaurant has been transformed under new ownership into Up The Creek Grill. No more beige prime rib and canned three bean salad, hoo haw!