Category: wine mini-reviews

2017 La Rioja Alta S.A. Vina Ardanza Reserva (Rioja): Deep, bright, elegant, and still one of region’s most consistently awesome buys. $42 A-

2020 Tenuta Cucco Bricco Voghera (Barolo): Put your old school hat on for this earthy, tangy, and developed tribute to Piedmont’s yesteryear. $92 A-

2017 Bertinga ‘Punta di Adine’ (Toscana): All the lines are clearly delineated in this focused, structured, assertive, and delicious display. $100 A…

2023 Loew Vineyards ‘Beloved’ (Mt. Airy): Welcome to MD, where the future of Pinot Blanc is as as bright as this white is refreshing… Now, where are the blue crabs… $23 B+

2012 Bridges Wine Co Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): Earthy, with lots of tea, dried flowers, dried blueberries, dark plums, and slight sense of immortality. $NA B+

2021 Goosecross Cellars Tempranillo (Napa Valley): Sour black cherry, anise, tobacco, licorice, black pepper, & dried violets in a smooth and spicy mixture. $57 A-…

2022 Auteur Sonoma Coast Chardonnay (Sonoma Coast): Nectarine and honeysuckle. And pretty much pure delight. $50 A-

2020 Roederer Estate “Clark Road Vineyard ” Brut Sparkling Wine (Anderson Valley): Fab confab of ripe apples and fresh-baked biscuits. $55 A-

2022 Post & Beam Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Basically a high-end Napa party in a bottle. $55 A-…

2015 Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Roussanne Vieilles Vignes (Rhone): Totally stunning in its seemingly unstoppable quest for a bit of immortality. $140 A

2022 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley): Tea leaf, rhubarb, wild raspberries, and a slightly less wild sense of polished richness. $50 A-

2022 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): A lovely study in contrasts—high-toned, vibrant, and yet still sports good body. $40 A-…