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 Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Brioso (Agrelo): it must be in the Xmas spirit, because this fine red is feeling downright generous in just about every aspect. $45 A-
- 2018 Dominio del Plata Susana Balbo Signature Rose (Uco Valley): Strawberries for daaaayyyyyysssssss, y’all! $20 B
- 2010 Gat SHamron Winery Merlot (Shamron): Far from tired; in fact, serving up an energetic, meaty, savory meal with plenty of black olive garnish. $NA B+
- NV Besserat de Bellefon Cuvee des Moines Brut (Champagne): Yeasty, citric, long, & somehow weighty while being light as a feather; beware that ultra-crisp apple bite, though. $40 A-
- 2017 Ferzo Pecorino (Terre di Chieti): Pear, orange, and cheese starter, served on fine slate plates. $26 B+
- NV Croft 430th Anniversary Celebration Edition Reserve Ruby Port (Portugal): Forcefully pushing it’s tasty, booze-soaked cherries on you. $24 B
- 2015 Quinta do Vesuvio Pombal do Vesuvio (Douro): Spices, herbs, bramble, red fruits, violets, deliciousness… it’s exceedingly difficult to stop drinking this. $28 B+
- 2015 La Jota Vineyard Merlot (Howell Mountain): A classic in the making; revealing shades of personality, from sultry to burly and back. $85 A
- 2016 Dutton Estate Winery Dutton Palms Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): Rich, toasty, tropical, nuanced, long, and just a bit too full of itself for its own good. $49 A-
- 2016 Dutton-Goldfield McDougall Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): Earthy and sneaky – as in, deceptively rich for all of its Seaview vibrancy. $62 A-