Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for November 6, 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), so you can get right to the point and decide if they’re for you (or not). Cheers!
- 2019 Mathis Sonoma Valley Grenache (Sonoma Valley): Young! A testament to this label that they are getting this kind of fantastic structure. $32 A-
- 2019 Mathis Uberblend (Sonoma Valley): Succulent, silky, with dark plums and sour black cherry, and meaty, cola complexity. $35 A-
- 2020 Lake Sonoma Winery Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): A good intro to the RRV Chard experience in general. $20 B
- 2019 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley): An oaky, sexy, fun, and fruity showing. $27 B+
- 2017 Ryder Estate Pinot Noir (Central Coast): As welcoming as a CA Central Coast sunset view. $19 B
- 2018 Eden Rift Vineyards ‘Valliant’ Chardonnay (Central Coast): This is lemony, hearty, and perfumed. A fine example of a bigger CA style, and a banger of a bargain. $28 A-
- 2018 Sosie Red Blend Stagecoach Vineyard Blocks K4 & K1 (Napa Valley): A robust, rich, ridiculously good stunner for the price. $50 A
- 2020 Luke Cabernet Sauvignon (Wahluke Slope): This is smoky and that ain’t no jokey! $25 B+
- 2021 Troon Vineyard Syrah (Applegate Valley): Lithe, stemmy, leathery, floral, and aiming for the hipster set. $35 A-
- 2022 Troon Vineyard Vermentino (Applegate Valley): Had to do a double take to make sure this wasn’t actually from Tuscany! $30 A-
