Reviews

Powerful and fragrant, with roasted pineapple, apricot and yellow peach flavors that are ripe, juicy and fleshy, with terrific intensity and an appealing touch of salted caramel on the long finish. Drink now through 2034. 1,400 cases made, 168 cases imported. Source : 6c13123fc761069761e31999b9d284b2

A nice fresh, crunchy style, which keeps the off-dry edge honest, this sports lime, fennel and pippin apple notes, with a honeysuckle-infused finish. Drink now through 2023. 2,472 cases made. Source : 55b1049bfee24fb1dca2cd8dc2c14f05

The most widely planted grape variety on earth, Cabernet Sauvignon wines made in the Western Hemisphere are some of the world’s best. We’ve been fortunate to taste many of them over the years, and we’ve written about them in several in-depth reports. See, for example, our report on the Cabernet Sauvignons of Paso Robles and those of Chile. In this …

A few years back we found the Aresti Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva at Costco for $7.99.  We noticed the high ratings and low price so couldn’t wait to get into it.  Our verdict was much the same, and we rated it 88 points. Now, we have their Sauvignon Blanc that is also coming in at the same price of $7.99.  A …

This is superb for the silky texture and pure flavors of cherry, raspberry and rose. Elegant and linear, yet with a solid spine of tannins for support. The sweet, ripe fruit and floral accents return on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2040. 500 cases made, 200 cases imported. Source : 1c35cb6c4cdcc32a658ccd6437c39c82

A rich yet lively white, featuring a mix of floral, apple and peach flavors, with a light grapefruit peel note on the finish. Drink now. 54,000 cases made, 34,000 cases imported. Source : a705686144dfa2fd25ccaa459df67dec

Wonderfully exotic and aromatic, with candied grapefruit peel and neroli oil up front, followed by a tinge of beeswax that folds over on the palate around lime, Meyer lemon and wild fennel. The texture is sleek and has a slightly waxy feel, but the vibrant mineral acidity lifts everything on the refreshing finish. Drink now through 2026. 300 cases made, …

Well-built if a bit angular, this Pinot offers appealing raspberry, dusky spice and black tea flavors that finish with a tannic bite. Best from 2023 through 2030. 4,000 cases made. Source : 65cd5a359661b69f8158bb95c028f797

Caressing, with underlying richness, but stays very refined overall. Boasts beguiling damson plum, blood orange and mulled pomegranate notes infused with subtle sandalwood, red tea and savory accents. A mineral note checks in on the finish, playing with the fruit beautifully as the two linger prettily. A special wine. Drink now through 2032. 160 cases made. Source : b1151ec4ea014aa35ae66dcf143a508e

A bright and juicy white, showing a mix of savory, grassy flavors and passion fruit, with underlying salinity. Ends with mouthwatering tanginess. Drink now. 7,500 cases made, 800 cases imported. Source : 0262cc8435c8db8a59df9da03cf2dc94

During our Zoom interview on June 15th, we had a chance to catch-up with Randy Ullom who is the Winemaster for Kendall Jackson. In his Winemaster capacity, Randy oversees the entire Kendall-Jackson portfolio. During the interview we covered four of his new-release Chardonnays. We also talked about how I have been covering Randy’s […] The post Winemaker Interview Series – …

There’s not really a story as to why we picked out this wine other than it was a bottle we’ve never seen at Costco before, and figured we’d report back to you on what we find. And it turned out to be a fantastic pick. You can see on the Costco placard the wine’s previous vintages received a string of …

Offers lots of energy, with a burst of plum and blackberry fruit backed by bouncy anise and bramble accents, all carried by fresh, lively acidity. Light savory details add range on the finish, as the fruit takes an encore. A bit showy in style, but most folks won’t complain about that. Drink now through 2030. Source : 2b53f200a152b67a2e63736785f7a71c

A balanced, medium-bodied red, with baked black plum and cherry fruit layered with light tannins and hints of herbs, citrus and spice. Fresh and accessible. Drink now. 10,000 cases made, 500 cases imported. Source : 7b06e5383862ae034c243a84c965f0fa

A fresh, aromatic red, offering cherry, strawberry, spring meadow, mint and mineral flavors. Firm, vibrant and long, with excellent harmony and intensity. Drink now through 2027. 1,250 cases made. Source : bdc6235d31bf44ee17816671b83478e0

Sleek and easygoing, with cherry, orange peel and spice flavors. Drink now. 4,000 cases made. Source : fd585ce463be2c5956539ebc84faf6ef

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 …

An expressive red, packed with black currant, black cherry, licorice, leather, iron and spice flavors. Sleek and vibrant, this is also deftly balanced, lingering with fruit and licorice accents on the long aftertaste. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Drink now through 2030. 3,800 cases made, 1,500 cases imported. Source : 88b2cd15b2bbf27d477eb8bf0d454a75

A fun quaff, a touch sweet yet appealing for the ripe pear, cantaloupe and cinnamon accents. Drink now. 32,300 cases made. Source : 44b70999fceb1e180b84f40a85421945

Boasting a leafy, underbrush aroma that gives way to cherry, blackberry and plum fruit as well as an earthy component, this is otherwise fresh and long. Slightly off-kilter. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best from 2024 through 2032. 1,500 cases made, 500 cases imported. Source : 94bb476739d682f5b5fe0c9eae1ee497