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 Moshin Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir (Sonoma County): Hitting a lively stride, with juiciness on the one foot, and earthiness on the other. $42 A-
- 2016 Iris Vineyards Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley): Busting out more smoked meat than a Slim Jim commercial. $23 B+
- 2018 Wente Vineyards Niki’s Pinot Noir Rose (Arroyo Seco): Deep in all of the places that it counts – color, flavor, zest, and tastiness. $30 B+
- 2015 Groth Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville): Plummy promise peeking out from behind a jumble of leather and wood. $63 A-
- NV Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee Brut (Champagne): If this isn’t your first-pick, go-to NV Champers, you miiiiiiight need to get yourself some help… $58 A-
- 2016 Ferraton Pere & Fils Cotes du Rhone Samorens (Rhone): Who said that nobody likes a show-off? Cuz they were dead wrong. $17 B+
- 2017 Martinshof “Lobster” Grüner Veltliner (Niederösterreich): You probably wouldn’t kick it out of bed when you’re eating oyster crackers. $15 B
- 2015 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Vigna Cappella di Santo Stefano (Barolo): There’s beauty to behold in the boldness of its powerful, burly frame. $100 A-
- 2018 Femar Vini Epicuro Nero d’Avola (Sicilia): Smooth talking character, trying to convince you to grill some inexpensive burgers. $7 B-
- NV Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut Cava Magnum (Catalonia): Two tons of big, elegant fun for more-or-less small change. $24 B