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 Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache (Barossa): Friendlier than your neighbor’s Labrador retriever. $20 B+
- 2018 Cantine Argiolas Serra Lori Rose Isola dei Nuraghi (Sardinia): Fun-loving, seeking salmon burgers, prefers bitter, sarcastic jokes. $18 B
- 2016 Chateau des Capitans Julienas (Beaujolais): Perkiness that belies a decent amount of backbone grit. $22 B+
- 2016 Georges Duboeuf Domaine des Rosiers Moulin-a-Vent (Beaujolais): A little too much iron in its blood, but it’s still got plenty of energy. $24 B+
- NV Domaine Mittnacht Freres Cremant d’Alsace Extra Brut (Alsace): Quaternity of apples, pear, vibrancy, and deliciousness. $24 B+
- NV Volage Cremant de Loire Brut Rose Sauvage (Loire): A misnomer, for sure; there’s hardly anything savage or boorish about its stylized, earthy purity. $29 B+
- 2015 Alloro Vineyard Riservata Pinot Noir (Chehalem Muontains): Savory black cherry goodness awaits, if you’re willing to open up the pocketbook – and fancy a bit of a treasure hunt. $50 A-
- 2017 Left Coast Cellars Queen Bee Bubbly (Willamette Valley): A gimmick probably shouldn’t be this juicy and interesting… but it is. $36 B+
- 2017 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): Walking a fine line, balanced between buttery and lively, and not slipping even once. $40 A-
- 2016 Dutton-Goldfield Angel Camp Vineyard Pinot Noir (Anderson Valley): Uncharacteristically large, but also full of largesse – the deep, dark, balanced, intriguing kind. $58 A-