Wine Reviews


IDF1countrydescriptiondesignationpointspriceprovinceregion_1region_2taster_nametaster_twitter_handletitlevarietywinery
4374143740ItalyHere's a round and approachable Aglianico that shows a softer side to what is southern Italy's most noble grape. This offers delicious blackberry flavors layered with nutmeg and a hint of vanilla along with smooth tannins.Mastro8815Southern ItalyCampaniaKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeMastroberardino 2011 Mastro Aglianico (Campania)AglianicoMastroberardino
4374243741USThe regular Brut bottling is the star of the new Michelle lineup (formerly Domaine Ste. Michelle). Yeasty and foamy when first poured, it settles into a light and pleasing sparkler, with gentle hints of lemon curd and fresh cream.Brut8814WashingtonColumbia Valley (WA)Columbia ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine Michelle NV Brut Sparkling (Columbia Valley (WA))Sparkling BlendMichelle
4374343742USThis is a creamy, tasty, delicious wine, showing a rich mix of vanilla, lemon curd, peach and melon flavors. It coats the tongue generously and has an appealing purity.Traditions8813WashingtonColumbia Valley (WA)Columbia ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine Milbrandt 2012 Traditions Chardonnay (Columbia Valley (WA))ChardonnayMilbrandt
4374443743ItalyThis fragrant Malvasia opens with enticing floral aromas that recall acacia and yellow flowers. The palate offers creamy peach flavors, with hints of thyme and sage that are balanced by edgy acidity and a crisp finish.Tasto di Seta8822Central ItalyColli PiacentiniKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeCastello di Luzzano 2012 Tasto di Seta Malvasia di Candia (Colli Piacentini)Malvasia di CandiaCastello di Luzzano
4374543744ArgentinaWiry aromas of red plum and cherry are offset by deeper, more baked and stewy notes. This drills away with hard tannins and punchy acidity, while cherry, plum, mint and earthy flavors finish with baked, chocolaty power. The blend is 40% each of Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, with 20% Merlot.Primogénito Blend8829OtherPatagoniaMichael Schachner@wineschachBodega Patritti 2008 Primogénito Blend Red (Patagonia)Bordeaux-style Red BlendBodega Patritti
4374643745FranceProduced from Grand Cru vineyards on the Montagne de Reims, this dry wine has been given some bottle age to soften the intense acidity. That makes for an attractive, balanced wine, the apple flavors working alongside almonds and yeastiness. The aftertaste is fresh and full of citrus flavors.Comte Audoin de Dampierre Cuvée des Ambassadeurs Extra Brut8874ChampagneChampagneRoger Voss@vossrogerComtes de Dampierre NV Comte Audoin de Dampierre Cuvée des Ambassadeurs Extra Brut Chardonnay (Champagne)ChardonnayComtes de Dampierre
4374743746ItalyDelicate aromas of wisteria, jasmine and a whiff of white orchard fruit mingle in the glass. The bright palate offers tart Granny Smith apple, green pear and lime alongside racy acidity and a soft mousse.Rive di Ogliano Contrada Granda Brut8830VenetoConegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco SuperioreKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeMasottina 2014 Rive di Ogliano Contrada Granda Brut (Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)GleraMasottina
4374843747USA spicy aroma of ginger cookies meets dark, blackberry flavors on the palate of this medium-bodied, pure-tasting wine. The gushing fruit flavors are compelling and palate-cleansing, with light tannins and acidity keep it fresh and lively.Dunnigan Hills8815CaliforniaLake CountyJim Gordon@gordone_cellarsMatchbook 2013 Dunnigan Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (Lake County)Cabernet SauvignonMatchbook
4374943748CanadaTechnically off dry, with 14 g/L residual sugar, this also boasts substantial acidity. The ripe fruits include spicy apple, Meyer lemon and orange marmalade, with a round, food-ready mouthfeel.Reserve88British ColumbiaOkanagan ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine Mission Hill 2013 Reserve Riesling (Okanagan Valley)RieslingMission Hill
4375043749ItalyBread crust and golden apple aromas lead the way and follow through to the lively palate along with citrus zest and toasted hazelnut. Bright acidity and brisk, persistent bubbles offset the rich flavors.Satèn Brut8826LombardyFranciacortaKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeMonzio Compagnoni 2010 Satèn Brut Chardonnay (Franciacorta)ChardonnayMonzio Compagnoni
4375143750SpainThis barrel-fermented Viura is crystalline on the nose, with tropical fruit aromas, minerally apple notes and a touch of yeast. Balanced and properly acidic, this tastes like nectarine, lemon and persimmon, while the finish is balanced, zesty and a touch oily in texture.8816Northern SpainRiojaMichael Schachner@wineschachMuga 2014 Viura (Rioja)ViuraMuga
4375243751FranceFrom 45-year-old Gamay vines, Stéphane Aviron created an open, fruity wine that has fresh cherry flavors cut with acidity and a dry edge of tannin. A smoky as well as juicy character adds interest and spice.8813BeaujolaisBeaujolais-VillagesRoger Voss@vossrogerPotel-Aviron 2014 Beaujolais-VillagesGamayPotel-Aviron
4375343752PortugalThis wine is dry and structured, with fresh acidity. It is perfumed by red berry and cherry aromas and an attractive touch of spice. The aftertaste is crisp, light and fruity, ending sweet.Eirados Late Bottled Vintage88PortRoger Voss@vossrogerQuinta Santa Eufemia 2010 Eirados Late Bottled Vintage (Port)PortQuinta Santa Eufemia
4375443753PortugalThis is a light and fruity wine that has some attractive red berry flavors and lively acidity. There is a tannic background that gives the a sense of structure, although the dry core lacks some fruit tones.Late Bottled Vintage88PortRoger Voss@vossrogerQuinta Santa Eufemia 2010 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)PortQuinta Santa Eufemia
4375543754PortugalThis wine is dense, tough and dark—a black plum-skin texture is concentrated and firm, giving a big and powerful wine that is solid. Drink from 2017.Late Bottled Vintage88PortRoger Voss@vossrogerQuinta Seara d'Ordens 2010 Late Bottled Vintage (Port)PortQuinta Seara d'Ordens
4375643755USA heavy chaparral element consumes the nose of this wine, with sagebrush, eucalyptus, pencil lead and just a touch of elderberry fruit. The palate is all about tart cranberries and sour cherries, with a bit of graphite minerality holding it together. It's a brisk and earthy sipper.8825CaliforniaSta. Rita HillsCentral CoastMatt Kettmann@mattkettmannSanta Barbara Winery 2013 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)Pinot NoirSanta Barbara Winery
4375743756SpainCidery apple aromas come with a stony accent and modest yeasty complexity. A crisp, lean, focused mouthfeel and zesty flavors of lemon-lime and green apple finish citrusy and direct.Gran Cuvée Reserva8814CataloniaCavaMichael Schachner@wineschachSegura Viudas NV Gran Cuvée Reserva Sparkling (Cava)Sparkling BlendSegura Viudas
4375843757FranceCreamy aromas predominate on the nose and carry through to a round, rich palate. This is generous, full and bready, with a lot of earthy flavors on the midpalate. While there is balance, there is little fruit and lots of yeasty character.8828AlsaceCrémant d'AlsaceAnne Krebiehl MW@AnneInVinoSipp Mack 2011 Sparkling (Crémant d'Alsace)Sparkling BlendSipp Mack
4375943758ItalyDelicate scents of yellow fruit and acacia flower float from the glass. The vibrant palate offers green apple, lemon and lime framed in bracing acidity and a firm, persistent perlage.Particella8822VenetoValdobbiadene Prosecco SuperioreKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeSorelle Bronca NV Particella (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)GleraSorelle Bronca
4376043759USWoody, wet herbs of oregano and thyme mix with bitter chocolate, a whiff of smoke and extract cranberry and blueberry on the nose of this winery's top-end bottling. Dark flavors of black cherries, blueberries and pencil lead show on the highly structured palate.Astral8890CaliforniaHappy Canyon of Santa BarbaraCentral CoastMatt Kettmann@mattkettmannStar Lane Vineyard 2011 Astral Cabernet Sauvignon (Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara)Cabernet SauvignonStar Lane Vineyard
4376143760FranceThe nonvintage Taittinger cuvée, with its lively mousse, is soft and creamily fruity. While the bottle tasted was young, it had enough ripe white fruits and lime-juice flavors to balance out the freshness. Typically for Taittinger, Chardonnay is an important element in the blend, giving the wine its final mineral tautness.Brut Réserve8842ChampagneChampagneRoger Voss@vossrogerTaittinger NV Brut Réserve (Champagne)Champagne BlendTaittinger
4376243761FranceCrisp, textured and fresh, this is a tight, nervy and mineral wine. Bright apple flavors are lifted with intense acidity. This bottling is still young, very dry and taut and needs to age.Perle de Nacre Extra Brut88ChampagneChampagneRoger Voss@vossrogerVincent Couche NV Perle de Nacre Extra Brut Chardonnay (Champagne)ChardonnayVincent Couche
4376343762USSmooth and fruity, this all-stainless effort carries a citrusy tang into the finish. It quickly settles into a good flavor groove, with suggestions of fresh-baked bread.8817OregonDundee HillsWillamette ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine Winter's Hill 2014 Pinot Gris (Dundee Hills)Pinot GrisWinter's Hill
4376443763FranceChiroubles is highest of the Beaujolais cru villages, producing wines with good structure. This wine, with its firm tannins, shows some aging potential. It has acidity and ripe red-plum flavors over a dry core. Drink from 2017.Eté Fleuri8818BeaujolaisChiroublesRoger Voss@vossrogerVignerons de Bel Air 2014 Eté Fleuri (Chiroubles)GamayVignerons de Bel Air
4376543764USThis wine leaps out of the glass with fresh and bright aromas of strawberry blossoms, ripe raspberries, red flowers and a tiny bit of iron. The flavors are reminiscent of a potpourri satchel, with dried hibiscus flowers, tart cranberries, sour cherries and touches of pencil lead.8820CaliforniaSanta Barbara CountyCentral CoastMatt Kettmann@mattkettmannWindrun 2013 Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)Pinot NoirWindrun
4376643765USFruit from six vineyards that comprise the winery's vineyard-designate series is blended into this village cuvée. At first it seems stiff, almost severe, remaining tightly wound for hours. Gradually the fruit emerges, with rhubarb, cranberry and raspberry notes, and highlights of citrus rind in a high-acid finish.Villages Cuvée8826OregonWillamette ValleyWillamette ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine St. Innocent 2013 Villages Cuvée Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley)Pinot NoirSt. Innocent
4376743766USA pale-colored rosé made entirely from Pinot Noir, this skates near off-dry territory, with perceptible sweetness. It's fruity, soft and round, with forward flavors of cherries and cream.Zenith Vineyard Oeil de Perdrix8820OregonEola-Amity HillsWillamette ValleyPaul Gregutt@paulgwine St. Innocent 2014 Zenith Vineyard Oeil de Perdrix Rosé (Eola-Amity Hills)RoséSt. Innocent
4376843767ItalyTropical fruit, white peach and almond aromas come together on the nose and follow through to the green-apple driven palate. It's vibrant, with racy acidity and a rather brisk perlage.Extra Dry88VenetoValdobbiadene Prosecco SuperioreKerin O’Keefe@kerinokeefeTenuta 2 Castelli NV Extra Dry (Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore)GleraTenuta 2 Castelli
4376943768PortugalA complex blend of four grapes, this wine is rich, rounded and ripe. There is a juicy character to it, with spice and some firm, extracted tannins in the background. At this stage, it is still too dry and tannic and the wine needs time for the black fruits to come forward. Drink from 2017.Morgado da Canita8813AlentejanoRoger Voss@vossrogerHerdade dos Machados 2013 Morgado da Canita Red (Alentejano)Portuguese RedHerdade dos Machados
4377043769USThis is a svelte but muscular wine with a deep red color, abundant black cherry and plum flavors and a rich, velvety texture. Lively acidity keeps all that ripeness in balance. It's full bodied, substantial in fruit flavor and will be great to pair with big proteins.School House Vineyards8828CaliforniaSierra FoothillsSierra FoothillsJim Gordon@gordone_cellarsVal du Vino 2012 School House Vineyards Barbera (Sierra Foothills)BarberaVal du Vino

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