I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), so you can get right to the point and decide if they’re for you (or not). Cheers!
- 2013 Cavalli Tenuta degli Dei Chianti Classico (Tuscany): TART AF! Ash, graphite, cedar, stewed red plums, balsamic… Folks, this is quite nice drinking right now. $50 A-
- 2016 Rocca delle Macie ‘Roccato’ Cabernet Sauvignon (Tuscany): Dark, bold, and affectionately—but forcefully—grippy. $50 A-
- 2011 Bodegas Faustino V Reserva (Rioja): Think wafts of sweet tobacco and red fruit aromas on a soft, plushy pillow. $25 B+
- 2018 Dutcher Crossing Proprietor’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley): Big and bountiful, generous in its dark fruit flavors and silky presence. $36 B+
- 2018 Tom Mackey Cellars Woolard Family Vineyard Merlot (Sonoma Valley): You’d better be a BIG fan of dirt, ‘cuz they don’t come much earthier than this. $NA B+
- 2020 Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir (Sonoma County): Pretty pomegranate, sensual star anise, tempting tea leaves. $45 A-
- 2020 Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Chardonnay (Sonoma County): If you can find a better Sonoma County Chard for the money (spoiler alert: you probably won’t), please call me. $35 A-
- 2018 Chalk Hill Estate Red Proprietary Blend (Chalk Hill): Sultry, buxom, & characterful. $75 A-
- 2020 Sokol Blosser Estate Pinot Noir (Dundee Hills): Herbal, earthy, intellectually stimulating, and basically totally lovely. $45 A-
- 2019 Pindar Barrel Select Reserve Merlot (North Fork of Long Island): A joyously plummy, exuberantly spicy graphite overload. $35 B+