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!
- 2018 Vietti Cascinetta (Moscato d’Asti): Delightfully floral, and, well, just downright delightful, actually. $18 B+
- 2019 La Gioiosa et Amorosa Prosecco Millesimato Rose (Veneto): A promising, elegant, refreshing, amiable start to the Prosecco bubbly rose journey ahead. $15 B+
- 2015 Villa Trasqua Fanatico (Chianti Classico Riserva): Aptly named; this combo of spices, earth, dried orange peel & tangy cherries is going to make a lot of fan boys (and girls). $28 A-
- 2018 Casreli Qvevri Mtsvivani ‘Amber Dry’ (Kakheti): Giving natural & orange wine – and Georgia – a good funky, fresh, fragrant name. $NA B+
- 2018 Askaneli Brothers Saperavi (Kakheti): Dark cherry action that’s deep & wide, fresh & earthy, exotic & approachable. $23 B+
- 2018 Troon Vineyard Syrah (Applegate Valley): Smoked meat, blackberries, black cherry, leather, black pepper, incredibly long finish… damn, what more do you want?? $30 A-
- 2018 Mia Nipote Sparkling Barbera (Livermore Valley): Bright, bursting with bouncy berry bodaciousness, and born beautiful. $48 A-
- 2018 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley): Jammy in just about all of the most justifiable ways and places. $33 B+
- 2019 Laetitia Vineyard & Winery Estate Chardonnay (Arroyo Grande Valley): Lemony tang and creamy dairy, both friendly and champing at the bit to entertain. $22 B+
- 2018 Diora ‘La Grande Majesté’ San Bernabe Vineyard Pino Noir (Monterey): Takes some time to wind up its panoply of black plum, tea, dried rose petal, & rhubarb, but once it does, watch out… $40 A-