Reviews

Of course we had to scoop up this new Barolo the minute we saw it, especially at that $23.99 price point. That puts it in striking range of the always amazing, and fan favorite, Kirkland Barolo which is $19.99. Sometimes these inexpensive Barolos can be hit or miss, and luckily this one turned out to … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2019-cascina-boschetti-gomba-barolo/

There’s an intriguing, waxy texture to the floral, orchard fruit and smoky flint layers. Subtle baking spice and honeysuckle notes bring warmth and depth contrasted by fresh celery and thyme accents. The mouthwatering, vibrant finish is lined with cool stone and dried herb details. Drink now. 5,000 cases made, 800 cases imported. Source : cd3eccc64ca8fd4eb5e95ab3ce04808f

Compact and savory, this version slowly reveals dusky rose petal and mineral accents built on a structured core of black cherry and plum. Finishes with precise tannins and nice length. Best after 2026. 12,000 cases made, 1,289 cases imported. Source : fc481bd0feea25021a4eef183d74152b

(credit Moone-Tsai) Established in 2003, the Moone-Tsai winery has quickly risen to the top of the class of Napa County wineries. Mary Ann and Larry founded the winery with Mike Moone, former President of Beringer Wine Estate. Mary Ann Tsai also worked at Beringer and elsewhere until she and Larry Tsai decided to found their own winery.  They source fruit …

The post Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for September 30, 2024 appeared first on 1 Wine Dude. 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) …

An attractively built version, with a vibrant core of acidity and tannins framed by steely flavors of cherry and cranberry, all laced with crushed stone and black tea tones as this finishes with snappy tannins. Drink now through 2032. 14,330 cases made. Source : 189da51d4e31cc589bd2b37568d26a79

An interesting trend we’re seeing is more of the Kirkland bottles arriving earlier in the year than they have in prior vintages. This is another example of a wine where we reviewed the prior vintage just 7 months ago. The new (and very delicious) Kirkland Brunello came in a few months early. Toscana a little … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2022-kirkland-signature-napa-valley-red-blend/

There was a massive, barely noticed update to the Costco mobile app. And get this, it finally lets you search the inventory at Costco stores, right from your smartphone. This is huge news as it can save countless trips to stores searching for bottles. And other items too. And it works really well. Let’s take … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/how-to-search-wine-inventory-at-any-costco-store/

Cune is a producer who we always associated with red Tempranillo wines, and in a very good way, so it was a surprise to us to see this Albarino pop up from them at Costco. It also seems to be getting increasingly more difficult to find good Albarino under $15 as prices on many of … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2023-cune-albarino-rias-baixas/

It’s been a while since we’ve seen Kris in stores. For a while, it was a staple in the white wine section. Then it fell off the map for a bit, at least around the stores we frequent. So we were happy to see it again, and coming in at $8.99 which is $1 or … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2023-kris-pinot-grigio/

Look what we found. The latest vintage of the ultra popular Kirkland Cotes du Rhone Villages is out in stores. It’s a September arrival (barely) this time; October last vintage, and actually March before that, so hoping we see some steadiness to this timeframe. We love having these on hand all fall and winter long. … Source : https://costcowineblog.com/2023-kirkland-signature-cotes-du-rhone-villages/

This is sturdy and fresh, with a copper hue and loads of blood orange, freshly squeezed tangerine and dried garrigue. White cherry and grapefruit notes chime in, bringing a pleasing bitterness to the densely built palate. Finely sculpted tannins guide the long, tangy finish, marked by a mint detail. Distinctive and delicious now, this rosé will age well for years …

A dense, serious Sancerre, with waxy pear and orchard fruit cut with pithy lemony acidity. Mineral depth anchors all the opulence, while a salted brioche note plays out on the long finish. Complex and ageworthy, with green herbs and a lot of energy and cut. Drink now through 2032. 3,300 cases made, 1,500 cases imported. Source : 574157bc87aa47ec360b0ee9fcc5d4f2

An intense red, evoking cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, mineral, tobacco and wild herb flavors. Silky and sappy, with fine-grained tannins lingering on the finish. Overall, this shows finesse. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now through 2032. 11,000 cases made, 7,000 cases imported. Source : e259233e0228ec7d8d4790eef81f3458

Elegant and nuanced, this red opens with subtle river mint and floral thyme notes that meld with a refined and juicy core of wild strawberry and spiced black cherry flavors that linger nicely around fine tannins. Drink now through 2034. 3,000 cases imported. Source : 10a591a27c0bcd36e741dfbcf111bd91

This is the 4th edition of Richard Mayson’s detailed treatise on the Douro, first published in 1999.  It is an extensive reworking of the previous edition with updates on the vintages, the producers and the Douro wine industry.  However, the focus of this book is clearly on Port.  Mayson has written another book, The Wines of Portugal, that puts the …

The post Ready, Willing, and Benable appeared first on 1 Wine Dude. (image: Benable.com) As I prepare for jumping into a longer series of pieces covering my recent trips to Italy’s Asolo Prosecco Superiore region, as well as highlights from another trip to nearby Cortina for the fantastic VinoVIP tasting, today I’m throwing out a quick hit to let you …

The core of cherry, pomegranate and raspberry fruit is detailed with Tuscan scrub, iron, vanilla and tobacco notes as this intense red builds in power to the expansive conclusion, where its fruit, mineral and wild herb flavors converge. Shows fine balance and length; this just needs time to absorb the oak. Best from 2027 through 2043. 5,000 cases made, 2,000 …

Steeped strawberry and cherry fruit flavors are enmeshed with fine, dusty tannins and the tang of plum skin acidity in this balanced red. Features pretty, fragrant hints of tar, minerals, graphite and eucalyptus. Well-spiced finish. Drink now through 2029. 2,500 cases imported. Source : 17da3fadb95d2bc833ae6a6256f4600a

Trester Goetting, Winemaker at Monte Bello [©drwinkler] Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, Ridge Vineyards is one of America’s most historic and unique wine estates. It sits at 2600’ near the top of Monte Bello Ridge overlooking Silicon Valley with limestone soils, a rarity in California.  A San Francisco doctor discovered the site in 1885, terraced the slopes, planted …