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!
- 2016 Domaine Mittnacht Freres Riesling ‘Les Fossiles’ (Alsace): Limes, lemons, and lots loveliness. $25 B+
- 2017 Ravines Wine Cellars Chardonnay (Finger Lakes): White peaches, white blossoms, and the kind of craftsmanship that ought to make a lot of Right Coast winemakers jealous. $19 B+
- 2020 Bonny Doon Vineyard Beeswax Vineyard Picpoul (Arroyo Seco): Beeswax is the delightful, perky bees’ knees, in this case. $16 B+
- 2016 Mira Yountville Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Tons going on here, all in floral, spicy, rich and velvety ways. $75 A-
- 2018 Youngberg Hill Vineyards Natasha Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley): Christmas has arrived early; at least, you’ll think that with all of the plums and spices on offer here. $60 A-
- 2019 Youngberg Hill Vineyards ‘Aspen’ Chardonnay (Willamette Valley): Vivacious yellow apple, white flowers, peaches, great texture… as if we needed yet another reason to get excited about this variety in WV… $40 A-
- 2017 Matetic Corralillo Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley): When pomegranate and a sense of lift both decide to get serious. $28 B+
- 2017 Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Carmenere (Peumo): Like ’em dark & herbal? Then you, my friend, are in luck, and might wanna think about stocking up… $18 B+
- 2017 Bouza B6 Parcela Unica Tannat (Canelones): Whooooooaaaaa, Nelly! Pulls no punches, and will fight you until you fire up a steak on the grill for it. $45 A-
- 2019 Bodega Bouza Albarino (Montevideo): Loaded to bear – and almost popping at the seams – with bold, round texture. $27 B