(image: NVWA) My latest piece for Napa Valley Wine Academy’s Pouring Points is live, and in it I pull no punches when it comes to defending pink vino: What Can We Learn from the World’s Top Rosé Wines?. The short version of the story: I’m sick and tired of the wine world treating Rosé like wine’s troubled middle child vying …
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Dog Point Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2022 $28 (92 points)
A focused, precise expression of Sauvignon Blanc, with makrut lime leaf aromatics, notes of fresh lemon sorbet and a touch of fresh ginger. Ends with plenty of lime zest details on the mouthwatering finish, where a note of orange blossom lingers. Drink now. 35,000 cases made, 8,000 cases imported. Source : 89cb7e10c478f32383f98ed86329f758
Read More »Bodegas Carlos Serres Rioja Reserva 2017 $18 (90 points)
A balanced, medium-bodied red, with ground black pepper, anise and clove serving as a spice thread that winds through bitter cherry and black raspberry fruit, medicinal herbs and vanilla. Reveals lightly chewy tannins and orange peel acidity. Tempranillo and Graciano. Drink now through 2028. 8,000 cases made, 6,000 cases imported. Source : 29074f0db52a3b9dcb0e9f14286eccd0
Read More »Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for June 5, 2023
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), and are presented links …
Read More »Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Port 2018 $25 (92 points)
Shows a nice core of dark currant and fig fruit that’s been steeped with anise, alder and bittersweet cocoa. Give this a little time in a decanter or cellar for another couple of winters. Possesses the stuffing to cover slow sipping over a weekend. Drink now through 2027. 6,000 cases imported. Source : aff3a2bd120cdc4a81a9874b00cc83cb
Read More »Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2022 $17 (90 points)
Fresh and crisp, with green apple, lemon and white grapefruit flavors on a sleek, mouthwatering frame, backed by plenty of clipped herbs and lemongrass. Drink now. 87,000 cases made, 50,000 cases imported. Source : cb34aaa317097c0732dcebded8aa00b1
Read More »Fonseca Tawny Port 10 Year Old NV (2023) $34 (91 points)
Fresh and bright in feel, with a nice mix of kirsch and plum notes, lined with a red licorice hint and backed by red teak and hazelnut husk accents. Drink now. 2,400 cases imported. Source : a46efd8c5a395cc20ea016e9ef73b563
Read More »Bodega Cuatro Rayas Verdejo Rueda Palacio de Vivero 2021 $12 (88 points)
Bright and light-bodied, this shows lime zest-infused flavors of crunchy white peach, tangerine, fresh tarragon and white blossoms, with a hint of saline on the snappy finish. Drink now. 30,000 cases made, 3,000 cases imported. Source : dc9a383da210db10404ec06f3689180a
Read More »Domaine Carneros Brut Carneros 2019 $36 (93 points)
Alluring for its sleek polish and precision, this sparkler has tiers of Asian pear, strawberry, fresh almond and ginger flavors that unfurl slowly. Drink now. 25,000 cases made. Source : 42360e3194add8bbc376248d00fb9539
Read More »Giovanni Viberti Barbera d’Alba La Gemella 2021 $19 (91 points)
Dark and rich, yet fluid, offering blackberry, boysenberry, plum and violet flavors. Supple and harmonious, leaving a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2028. 72,000 cases made, 5,000 cases imported. Source : 894b3f04546c748030026eb8d1436098
Read More »Turley Zinfandel California Juvenile 2021 $22 (92 points)
Jammed with fresh, lively fruit, this Zinfandel abounds with black raspberry, spice and orange zest accents that linger on the long, supple finish. Drink now through 2032. 11,300 cases made. Source : f01a84330e2eb9a773e0dbd6fb48fccc
Read More »Tohu Sauvignon Blanc Awatere Valley 2022 $16 (90 points)
Tangy tangerine, preserved lemon and dried mango flavors are intense and refreshing in this white, which has plenty of fresh acidity, with notes of dried ginger, lemon basil and lemongrass on the finish. Drink now. 600,000 cases made, 8,000 cases imported. Source : a799720fd4ef3877b59f2f58b7014b56
Read More »Dominio de Tares Mencía Bierzo Cepas Viejas 2018 $35 (92 points)
Minerally on the nose, with earth, iron and brine notes, while the palate shows baked blackberry, dried fig, Mediterranean herb and espresso flavors. Fresh and finely knit, with lightly chewy tannins firming the lingering, floral finish. Drink now through 2030. 10,000 cases made, 100 cases imported. Source : 50082ae12b84b7d1e8a2b0c6268ffa3b
Read More »Fattoria di Basciano Chianti Rufina 2020 $16 (90 points)
Supple in texture and saturated with black cherry, blackberry and violet flavors, this red is appealing now for the luscious fruit, with a long aftertaste that echoes the fresh berry notes. Sangiovese and Colorino. Drink now. 25,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. Source : f9a7e2acb776f1a7f8e4976b9e6158ad
Read More »A New Era (Dispatch From Collio, Part 2)
Generally, I am not at all a fan of most gender-focused/themed wine experiences. I mean, yes, we certainly need to support and call attention to groups of people who have been historically underrepresented in any given sphere such as wine, BUT… in my mind, we have winemakers. Some happen to identify as men, some as women, and all in all …
Read More »2018 Davis Bynum River West Vineyard Chardonnay
We were excited to get into this new addition to the Costco white wine section. Right off the bat the price caught our attention. $13.99 for Russian River Chardonnay? Usually you only find a Kirkland Signature bottle hitting that benchmark. Some later Internet searches turned up quite a bit of information on this bottle. Retail … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2018-davis-bynum-river-west-vineyard-chardonnay/
Read More »Bodegas Caro Malbec Mendoza Aruma 2022 $21 (90 points)
Elegant and approachable, offering aromas of violet and balsam that pave the way for a juicy, well-spiced core of huckleberry and black raspberry that lingers nicely. Drink now. 30,000 cases made, 9,000 cases imported. Source : db2575f662359bbbd5ecf4c6b136cfd1
Read More »Korbel Extra Dry California NV (2023) $15 (88 points)
For those who like a trace of sweetness, this sparkler has appealing tropical fruit, strawberry and spice flavors. Drink now. 345,000 cases made. Source : e06e1429c071670879c937ffb2abbe7b
Read More »Big Table Farm Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2021 $48 (93 points)
Fragrant and elegantly complex, this red has depth and delicacy, with raspberry, orange peel and forest floor accents that sail toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2031. 1,846 cases made. Source : 436fb6291add533406390d4b4b8f2f39
Read More »Viña Bujanda Rioja Crianza 2019 $15 (88 points)
A fresh version in a traditional style, focused more on a savory range of minerally iron and smoke, grilled herbs and black pepper than the flavors of wild cherry and ripe cranberry fruit, which show through the midpalate and the lightly chewy, spiced finish. Drink now. 30,000 cases made, 4,000 cases imported. Source : c4c598472e8c38e635e995d3eda460bf
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