Benton-Lane
Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2021
This one is growing on me as it opens up in the glass. Very earthy, coniferous forest floor. Only very slightly darker than the 2021 burgundy Pinot we compared it to. Alcohol feels a little hot towards the end. Again, it needed a bit longer to open up in the glass for me. First sip felt like it needs air. I’m getting some minerality that reminds me of crustacean shells after they’ve been cooked. That subtlety that I find very desirable especially in reds. The tannin is really just on the tongue and somewhat towards the front of the mouth and on the lips but it doesn’t linger as long or in as many places as I want. Acidity doesn’t quite pop compared to the Burgundy Pinot Noir we tasted side-by-side. If the non-flavor elements of this wine were at the same quality as the flavor profile, I would fucking love this wine. 85-88 depending on your preference. We tasted this after the burgundy red, so let’s call it wine 2. — a month ago
Punta Crena
Vigneto Ca da Rena Riviera Ligure di Ponente Pigato 2022
I don’t typically like sweeter entries but this one worked. — a month ago
Doña Paula
High Altitude Valle de Uco Malbec 2022
Acceptable but you can do better Mendoza Malbec from this vintage at this price point. Needs to be paired with food, not the most pleasant drinking on its own. — 22 days ago
Frenzy
Mount Richmond Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Great up until this notably bitter finish that I found unpleasant. — a month ago
Maison Champy (Domaine Champy)
Cuvée Edme Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2021
Ruby light red. Some strawberry raspberry. Inviting nose, something woody with creamy vanilla. Like my moms’s panna cotta with a red berry and black berry compote. Round on the palate, the woody quality shows in the tannin. Shmedium acidity that keeps this moving on the palate and drinkable at room temp. I like the structure and focus. 87-88. Definitely looking into more Burgundy Pinot. This was the first ordered wine of the tasting. — a month ago
Presqu'ile Winery
Santa Barbara County Syrah 2021
You can find better syrah at this price range — a month ago
Deep Down
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Emanuel had this a month ago
Finca El Origen
Reserva Mountain Character Valle de Uco Malbec 2022
Outrageously nice value for $13. This is maybe only my second or third Malbec but this was by far my favorite On the nose I get some dark fruits, baguette, anise. Tannins could be better incorporated (maybe this changes with age?) but they’re there, acidity is there but the body hides it. Definitely get some chocolate towards the end, lightly toasted tobacco on the finish. Magenta rim, deep opaque purple color. Yeah probably one of the best red wines I’ve found at this price point in 2024. I would definitely buy again and recommend to a friend. — a month ago
Diatom
Santa Barbara County Chardonnay 2022
Tart and dry lemon meringue pie, delivers on acidity, beachy minerality, kinda cheesy quality like goat or sheep but not buttery or popcorny. Yellow fruits like yuzu with some Asian pear. medium+ body, I think unoaked(?) gives this a roundness with well incorporated tannin providing a subtle bitter finish but alcohol is a bit too hot towards the very end for me. Probably served best as a well chilled food wine. I’ll check out the 2023 vintage and compare. 88 for the ‘22 vintage. Would recommend and buy again under $20. Drink it as an aperitif, sacrifice a glass for moules marinieres avec frites, and share what’s left with your dinner guests. — a month ago
Emanuel Reitano
More malolactic than citric acid but lovely nonetheless. Paired very well with shrimp scampi. — 22 days ago