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!
2015 La Valentina Spelt Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva (Montepulciano d’Abruzzo) : A meaty mouthful that feels downright savage. $20 B+
2018 Quinta da Fonte Souto Alicante Boushcet (Alentejo) : Tight, dark, toasty, and—like all the wines from this standout producer—bloody serious! $43 A-
2017 Jeff Runquist ‘R’ Primitivo-Zinfandel (Amador County) : Spicy, tangy, and still fresh. He knows what he’s doing, people. $30 B+
2021 Three Sticks ‘One Sky’ Chardonnay (Sonoma Mountain) : Hella good. Spicy ginger, vibrant exotic fruit and lime, baked green apples, and elegant brioche. Commence smacking of the lips. $70 A
2021 Three Sticks ‘Origin’ Durell Vineyard Chardonnay (Sonoma Valley) : Big, but lovely. Honeysuckle, white peach, nectarines, lemon meringue, and watercress. Fruity, expressive, and with a nice line of minerals that almost totally counters the weight. Wow. $70 A
2012 Pedroncelli Block 007 Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon (Dry Creek Valley) : Fresh and powerful, and distinguished in its older age with cigar box, stewed plums, and blackcurrant magic. $NA A-
2010 Liparita Yountville ‘V Block’ Cabernet Sauvignon (Yountville) : grip ’em and rip ’em! Dates, ripe black plum, dried blueberries, this one’s juicy, meaty, and cola-fueled. $60 A-
2018 WALT Wines Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands) : Revisiting, and the trip back is total majesty. Stunning right now, but you really need to like your acidity! $80 A
2018 Dixie & Bass Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Red Mountain) : Plummy, woody, and sporting RM’s textbook chewy structure. $22 B+
2010 Coyote Canyon Winery ‘H-H Michael Andrews’ Reserve Red (Horse Heaven Hills) : The major theme is tangy red plum fruit, the subtext is elegance. $40 B+
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