Time to Read:

1–2 minutes

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!

NV Lucien Albrecht Cremant d’Alsace Brut (Alsace): Dried pineapple, honeysuckle, and a sense that all is right in the world. $23 B+
2014 Lodi Native Macchia Wines Maley’s Lucas Road Vineyard Zinfandel (Lodi): The Natives are calm, and showing lovely balance of power and restraint. $NA A-
2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot (Napa Valley): At $25, this would be a tasty, complex driven red; at this SRP, it’s best to steer clear. $50 B+
2018 Markham Vineyards Merlot (Napa Valley): Serviceable plummy, and serving up more than enough tastiness. $25 B+
2019 Sonoma-Cutrer ‘The Cutrer’ Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): Step right up and witness the ripe pear fireworks display! $30 B+
2018 OG de Negoce N 31 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel (Sonoma County): Most of the spice, game and deliciousness that you need, for half the cash outlay. $14 B+
2017 Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot (Columbia Valley): Dark plums, dark olives, dark spices, dark oak, bright future. $65 A-
2017 Trapiche Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza): A juicy, fresh, Go-To pick that’s stock-up-for-the-Winter material. $20 B+
2017 Bodegas Bianchi Particular Cabernet Sauvignon (San Rafael): If you like your coffee strong and your crème de cassis even stronger… this one’s for you. $31 A-