Spice, spice and more spice -- and it works to great effect here because the fruit is up to the task. I like the...
Baileyana, Edna Valley (California) Chardonnay 2017
There’s something about Edna Valley that’s just right for Chardonnay -- at least the way that I like it, which...
Ranchero Cellars, Paso Robles (California) 2016
Winemaker Amy Butler’s Tempranillo/Carignan blend shows serious structure, deep black fruit and dry earth minerality...
Eberle Winery, Paso Robles (California) Muscat Canelli 2018
Gary Eberle has championed this wine since long before the Moscato craze, and no doubt he’ll be staying with it long...
Kevin O’Leary, California (United States) Moscato 2017
A pleasant off-dry Moscato that nails the floral aromatic profile and delivers sweet stone fruit and spice on the palate...
Racine, Pays d’Oc IGP (Languedoc, France) Chardonnay 2017
An easy to like Chardonnay from a new shop at home program called Wine Insiders, and like a lot of their portfolio,...
Halter Ranch, Adelaida District, Paso Robles (California) Grenache Blanc 2017
A rocking good glass of ripe grilled peach and lemon zest, with a creamy midpalate and a crisp finish that brings a light...
Santa Barbara Winery, Sta. Rita Hills (Santa Barbara County, California) Dry Riesling 2016
There are, thankfully, still small pockets of Riesling planted around California that become wines like this one. ...
Duck Hunter, Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc 2018
I like the restraint in the Marlborough wine -- it’s got all the gooseberry, grapefruit and herbs that you want, but...
Ghost Hull, Monterey County (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
This wine was made just a few miles from the MIWC judging site, and the short trip appears to have worked in its favor...
Trella Vineyards, Umpqua Valley (Oregon) Tempranillo 2016
This grape is well on its way to becoming the signature red of the region, and this is a fine example of why. Black...
Due Ragazze Vineyards, El Dorado County (California) Barbera 2016
This Barbera gets a nice accent from the inclusion of twenty five percent Petite Sirah, which, believe it or not, serves to...