Ming Liang

8.7

My first Finger Lakes bottle.
Mineral driven. Lime, a bit orange peel, and faint hint of petrol (or soap?). Though bone dry, on the palate it feels quite substantial. I don’t drink Riesling often, but this is nice. — 3 days ago

Ming Liang

9.3

Probably the best Zin I’ve had. Though not very complex, but it’s rich and deep yet manages to be light on its feet. Nose of prune, cranberry juice, ripe plum, cinnamon, dates, fermented tea leaf, syrup and hint of smoke. Dark chocolate and spices come on strong on the palate but balanced by a minty feel. Round and soft tannins. Super smooth and velvety.

16 months in combination of American, Irish, and French oak barrels, 20% new. For $30, it’s the best value out of the entire Montelena lineup IMHO. — 14 days ago

Ming Liang

9.2

2011 was the last less than ideal vintage with cool summer and rainy fall before a run of consecutive great vintages, but I found the 2011 has the added layer of freshness with a bit more herbaceous and green note. And maybe that’s where one can find value (at least relatively for an insignia).
— 24 days ago

Ming Liang

8.9

Spotted this at a wine store sitting right next to the 2016 vintage for the same price. Bought it without hesitation not knowing much about the producer. Am I glad I did!
Earthy, smoky, spicy, with hint of raisin and vanilla. Fruit has faded a bit but acidity is still very vibrant. Powerful entry but finishes off with gentle smooth tannins. Nice.
The bottle is very heavy - probably the heaviest 750ml bottle I’ve ever had. — 6 days ago

Ming Liang

8.9

After tasting a Chris Ringland Shiraz recently, I wanted to go back to the Clio again, this time with the 2015.

Intense, deeply concentrated, and luscious. The rich and ripe black fruits along with the profound dark chocolate and vanilla are almost overwhelming. Well polished sweet tannins. The finish is beautifully soft and long. The wine is so delicious that it provides you with instant gratification. Now I need to try some aged ones. — 18 days ago

Ming Liang

8.8

Rich and opulent but untamed at this young age. Very good potential but needs another 3-5 years of bottle age. Would buy again. — a month ago

Ming Liang

8.9

I bought couple of bottles of each vintage when the CVNE Grand Reserva showed up at Costco for $19.99. To me this is the best deal one can find for a Rioja.
The 2012 feels leaner, more red fruits, and the oak is more restrained, which I really like. A consistent performer year in and year out. — 11 days ago

Ming Liang

8.8

I’m not a big fan of Albariño, but this one really hits the spot. Slightly fizzy. Lime, peach, green apple, and hint of grapefruit and pear. Minerality came through on the palate with piercing acidity, yet somehow it manages to have the roundness feel. Hint of saltiness at the end. Good intensity throughout. Fabulous value. — 15 days ago

Ming Liang

9.0

One of my favorite bubbles other than Champaign. This time I just chilled it slightly. The dosage of ice wine does make a difference with a plush and rich palate. With stone crabs. Yum! — 22 days ago

Ming Liang

8.8

His Three Rivers Shiraz is beyond my pay grade, so when I spotted this bottle while in Australia at the price of around $20, I decided to brought it back to the US. A big, powerful and jammy Shiraz that packs tons of blacks and blue fruits with incense, tobacco, mint, chocolate, and vanilla. Vibrant and broad, with sweet tasty tannins. But it’s the untamed heat at the end that’s just too much for me.

Chris is also the wine maker for Alto Moncayo and El Nido, 2 of the hottest Spanish Bodegas. — a month ago