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!
- 2017 Susana Balbo Brioso White Blend (Valle de Uco): There’s pretty much nothing about this floral little number that isn’t tasty, or expressive. $24 B+
- 2016 Dominio del Plata BenMarco Expresivo (Mendoza): Herbs, violets, and more sexiness than Right Said Fred could have handled. $34 B+
- 2016 Bodegas Forjas del Salnes Leirana Finca Genoveva Albarino (Rias Baixas): Vibrant lemons, having a seaside vacation within spitting distance of the sea spray at a superb high-end resort. $50 A-
- 2014 Atlantida Tintilla (Vino de la Tierra de Cadiz): Basically, a Parliament album; funky, bright, fun, and beautiful. $38 A-
- 2013 Elo Monastrell (Yecla): Chewy dark berries and blue flowers, approaching with very funky dance steps $35 B+
- 2016 BookCliff Vineyards Riesling (Grand Valley): Rich in its way, and politely, without being obnoxious about it. $14 B-
- 2017 Chateau Grand Traverse Dry Riesling (Old Mission Peninsula): It showed up with both flowers and more than enough energy for all of us. $13 B-
- 2016 Riverbench Estate Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley): You’ll think that it’s a tad too buttery; and you’ll be totally wrong. $26 B+
- 2016 Tolosa Winery Estate Pinot Noir (Edna Valley): Leather clad sultry characters that are selling leather, then relaxing in leather chairs while putting on more leather. $68 A-
- 2014 Louis M. Martini Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Sonoma Valley): Flashback to the wine biz of the `90s, in all of the right ways. $90 A