Category: wine mini-reviews

2017 Tenuta Masselina ‘Masselina Albana’ (Romagna Albana): Whie peach, white blossom, and a penchant for pairing with fine cheeses. $NA B+ 2013 Tenuta Masselina Sangiovese di Romagna Riserva (Emilia-Romagna): Making bramble and tobacco seem fresh, elegant, and – above all – full of potential. $NA A- 2016 Tre Monti ‘Thea’ Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva…

2014 Dry Creek Vineyard The Mariner Meritage (Dry Creek Valley): Both classy and, one could argue, now classic in a Fitz Henry Lane painting kind of way. $40 A- 2016 Hess Collection Panthera Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): A promising start, for sure, though still needs to rise above the inevitable cougar-juice cheap shots that are…

2017 Sidebar Kerner (Mokelumne River): Probably more richness and intrigue than we mere mortals deserve from this kind of price-point… $28 A- 2011 LangeTwins Centennial Zinfandel (Lodi): Tender and succulent slabs of smoked brisket IN YO FACE!!! $55 B+ 2013 Brack Mountain Cyprus Cabernet Sauvignon (Knights Valley): An embarrassment of riches in soft, herbal-tinged blackcurrant…

2016 Renato Ratti Barbera d’Asti (Piedmont): Brash, bold, and beautifully bountiful of brambly, berry fruit. $25 B+ 2014 Tenute Cisa Asinari Marchesi di Gresy Martinenga (Barbaresco): Perkily picking itself up and confidently wiping the topsoil from its leather jacket sleeve. $60 A- 2017 Donnafugata Bell’Assai Frappato Vittoria (Sicily): Floral, friendly, and fun, and capable of…