Reviews

(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 …

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

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

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 …

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 …

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/

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

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

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

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