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!
- 2021 Ronco Blanchis Friulano Collio (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): Flavorful, concentrated, and crowd-pleasing assembly of exotic fruits, apples, and lemongrass. $28 B+
- 2021 Zorzon Fruilano Collio (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): Broad, rich and authentic enough to get over the fact that its name sounds like a villain from the Power Rangers. $NA A-
- 2021 Muzic ‘Valeris’ Friulano Collio (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): A heady, sexy, perfumed beauty from the Collio hillsides. $NA A-
- 2019 Raccaro Vigna del Rolat Friulano Collio (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): An elegant, intellectual, and nutty take on a warmer NE Italian vintage. $32 A-
- 2016 Bodegas Volver ‘Volver’ Single Vineyard Tempranillo (La Mancha): Juicy, big, a tad burly, and intriguingly smoky. $25 B+
- 2019 Hahn Family Wines ‘SLH’ Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands): Fresh, big, and fun with lifted, brambly red berry notes. $28 B+
- 2014 Cambiata Winery Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands): Withstanding the tests of time with earthy, brambly and characterful panache. $NA B+
- 2012 Cambiata Winery Rocosa Loma Vineyard Tannat (Monterey): Peppery, meaty, and packed with rhubarb, heart, and heat. $NA B+
- 2013 Laurel Glen Counterpoint Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Mountain): Going into its “stewed plum and cigar box” phase with refined power and well-earned elegance. $40 A-
- 2015 Steele Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (Red Hills Lake County): This is chewy, charismatic, and certifiably delicious. $28 B+