Alto Limay
Select Pinot Noir 2014
A fragrant PN from Patagonia. Red cherry, cranberry, and lightly candied strawberry upfront, followed by rose petals, cinnamon spice, and forest floor. An energetic medium to full body with fresh acidity and soft tannins. Quite delightful. — 16 days ago
Starmont Winery and Vineyards
Carneros Chardonnay 2013
Fresh and crisp nose of apple, apricot, pear, light vanilla, and hint of white flower and chalky minerals. Bottle age has given the bright acidity some round edges. Very pleasant. — 24 days ago
Raymond Vineyard & Cellar
Reserve Selection Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
The catchy suede label is actually quite fitting for the wine because suave is the one word came to mind when I drank this.
Blueberry, fig, pine cone, and dark chocolate. Rich, textured but quite balanced. Velvety tannins. A bit pretentious.
— a month ago
Agricola Punica
Barrua Isola dei Nuraghi Carignane 2014
This is just like the sunny Sardinia: intense, rustic, and yet beautiful. Nice mix of red and dark fruits. Tobacco, baking spice, cured meat, and port-like bitter sweetness. Round acidity. Tannic.
A cooperation between Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia and a local coop. Made of dominantly Carignano with small percentage of Cab and Merlot, 18 months in French oak barrel, 30% new. I regret to open the bottle this young. — 15 days ago
Caves Velhas
Reserva Magna Carta Vinho Regional Alentejano 2009
I had the best house red at the 70-year old Restaurante Fialho in Evora, the charming capital of the Alentejo region. Til this date I regret not bringing couple bottles home.
This 10-year old Alentejo blend evoked the memory of the pleasant experience. Nice mix of red and blue fruits, with developing tertiary notes. Full body with fresh acidity and and still very solid tannins. Will cruise for another 5 years easily. — 20 days ago
Zenato
Alanera Rosso Veronese Corvina Blend 2015
A hearty Corvina blend that delivers the profile of a baby Amarone pedigree yet provides early drinking pleasure.
Aroma and tastes of plum, raisin, toffee, sweet spice, and tobacco. The palate, though not as rich and luxuries as an Amarone, was round and warm. Lingering finish. 13.5% abv feels a bit heady.
50% of the fruits, including a small percentage of Cab and Merlot, were dried for about 45 days.
A great buy for less than $15.00. Should continue to improve with further bottle aging. — a month ago
Dominio del Plata (Susana Balbo)
Signature Mendoza Malbec 2016
Fruit forward with a nice mix of floral and meatiness on the nose. Fresh acidity and ripe tannins. — 15 days ago
Écluse
Petite Sirah 2015
Voluminous and layered, this wine pretty much stayed unchanged since I last had it about 2 years ago. The sweet and dense fruit core is especially impressive.
Every bottling coming out of this winery is well crafted. Highly recommended. — 15 days ago
Écluse
Lock Vineyard Improv Red Blend 2015
The 2015 Improv is a rich and brooding wine compared to the 2014 vintage that I can remember. Blackberry jam, stewed plum, burnt brown sugar, cedar, vanilla, and light herbs. Big body and dense texture. Wish for a brighter acidity, but the depth of flavor and lingering long finish more are more than made up for it.
47% Merlot, 29% Petite Sirah, and 24% Petit Verdot. — 24 days ago
Ming Liang
Tropical fruits heaven on the nose: guava, lychee, pineapple, and hint of star fruit. Round acidity, perhaps a bit dull, but the tingling Sichuan peppercorn like finish was amazing. — 9 days ago