Bethel Heights
Æolian Eola - Amity Hills Estate Pinot Noir
Fantastic aromas that unfold in layers, beginning with concentrated raspberries, earth, and tobacco smoke, then developing into orange peel, menthol, tanned leather, vanilla, brown sugar, molasses, and butterscotch. Bigger than a Burgundy but still packs plenty of complexity and depth. — a month ago
La Scolca
White Label Bianco Secco Gavi Cortese 2012
I judge Gavi by it's mineral content. This delivers with gratuitous marlstone, wild mushroom, washed Parmesan rind, and preserved lemon peel bouquet with background aromas of cantaloupe, lemons and peaches. Reminds me of a Chalonnaise White Burgundy--in the best possible way. — 2 months ago
Chehalem
Stoller Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014
Concentrated cherries with deep aromas of volcanic soil, smoke, and brown sugar descending into sasparilla, vanilla, moss, and peat. Very well structured and intense but not overpowering. — 22 days ago
Domaine Marc Kreydenweiss
La Dame Wiebelsberg Grand Cru Riesling 2007
Drinking at its peak with complex aromas of petrol, wet silica minerals, dried apricots, vanilla, vetiver, must, lemon, and flowers. Very layered like an exotic perfume. Outstanding. — a month ago
De Angelis
Lacrima Christi del Vesuvio Bianco Coda di Volpe 2015
A bit simple. Aromas of smokey minerals and grilled peaches with background of apples and white grape juice. Some floral elements but subdued. Easy to drink but by no means a bargain for the quality. — 2 months ago
Gomez Cruzado
Reserva Rioja Tempranillo 2010
Almost a cross between Ribera del Duero and Bordeaux with more tannins than Tempranillo usually delivers. Aromas of Bing cherries, cedar, red currants, leather, dried leaves, earth, with hints of dried herbs. — 2 months ago
Sinclair Estate Vineyards
Vixen Wahluke Slope Red Rhone Blend 2011
Interesting red blend made of 40% Petit Verdot, 31% Syrah, 13% Mourvedre, 8% Malbec, 8% Merlot. Flush with raspberry, cherry, and blackberry and dark chocolate aromas with background layers of caramel, cedar, orange peel, and baking spices. Together, reminds me of Black Forest cake. — 25 days ago
Giacomo Grimaldi
Dolcetto d'Alba 2015
This is supposedly a great example of dolcetto, but I found it one dimensional. Smells like blackberry pie with a side of dirt. I should mention I have never found a dolcetto I like. — a month ago
Toschi Vineyards
California Pinot Noir
Tasted 2012 vintage in 2014: Too saturated to be a serious Pinot Noir, but if you like juicy, fruity, cherried wines that won't get in the way of food, this is a good bargain. — 2 months ago
Tobin Spratte
Classic youthful SLH pinot flavors of cherry cola, rose petals, menthol, and eucalyptus that evolve into brown sugar, cherry cobbler, earth, milk chocolate, and iced tea. Incredible depth. Lengthy finish. — 5 days ago