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!
- 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-
- 2022 Dutton-Goldfield Emerald Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir (Green Valley): Structured by their standards, in a very, very good way. Boysenberry, rhubarb, blackberry, sure blueberry, wild herbs and bramble, and an intense spirit. $75 A
- 2022 Dutton-Goldfield ‘5 Wells Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (Russian River Valley): Cranberry, black tea leaf, truffle, lots of warm spices, rhubarb jam, dried lilac… this is one sultry MF! $75 A-
- 2022 Dutton-Goldfield Rued Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): Jasmine, honeysuckle blossom, pungent lemon, Bosc pear, white fig, just-ripe apricot, hints of earth… great texture with just a bit of astringency… ginger, tons of citrus, buoyant acidity, hint of salt, complex and long. Well, it’s just fantastic. $55 A
- 2022 Dutton-Goldfield McDougall Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): Lifted, bright, delicate but demanding, floral but gamey, and worth every penny. $78 A
- 2022 Dutton-Goldfield Angel Camp Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley): Dark, big, and tiiiiiiiigggghhhhhhhttttt! $74 A-
- 2023 Troon Vineyard Druid’s Fluid White (Applegate Valley): A bit of funk, a good deal of freshness, and a ton of authenticity. $25 B+
- 2023 Troon Vineyard Druid’s Fluid Red (Applegate Valley): Black pepper, dried violets, and tasty, genuine goodness. $25 B+