JJ Buckley Fine Wines Blog

Whether you've been enjoying fine wines for years or have only just ventured into this exciting world, there's no better time to consider building a wine collection. A wine collection consists of any number of wines you've chosen to store for a short or long period, based on their quality, vintage, rarity and your personal preference.

One of life's greatest joys is the experience of savoring a glass of fine wine. Some wines you might choose to drink immediately, while others you'll prefer to let age, allowing you to enjoy the vintage's full complexity years later. There's an important connection between how wine is stored and how it ages. If you're more of a collector than a wine drinker, or if you prefer to postpone enjoying your wine until it reaches a certain age, it's important to make sure you're storing it properly.

2018 looks to be the best vintage for Napa Valley and Sonoma County in several years. Harvest is just about complete. Winemakers to whom I’ve spoken have been genuinely enthusiastic.

Forget old stereotypes. Merlot can make great wines, wines of balance with tannins, acidity, fruit and savoriness tugging at opposing corners to create a taut, exciting glass of red. Here's what you should know about Merlot

“Natural wine” shows up in many restaurants, shops, and wine discussions—or arguments—these days. It gets much more attention today than it did even three or four years ago. Despite the growing popularity and the very traditional methods many of its producers use, natural wine is new to a lot of people. And, even among those who drink it, there is confusion about what natural wine is.