Notes from 50 years in wine
Wine has been my life’s work for over 50 years—from Ashbury Market to Wine.com. What began as a family buisness became a lifelong pursuit of tasting, storytelling, and discovery. This is where I share the wines, the moments, and the journey—one glass at a time. 🍷
A Luncheon with Beni di Batasiolo
In November 2022 with the San Francisco International Wine Competition in full swing, I took a day off to attend a luncheon with Fiorenzo Dogliani, his associates, and members of the wine trade. The respite from judging was well worth it. With a backdrop of the cuisine from Perbacco, Mr. Dogliani featured five single vineyard Barolos from 2013, a reserve from 2012, and an old soldier from 1996. This opportunity allowed all of the guests in attendance to take a slower and more deliberate look at the wines as opposed to the usual “cattle call” crowded events. Here are my impressions and scores of the eight wines that were presented.