This wine won Platinum at the Critics Challenge back in June, and it’s still firing on all cylinders. The oak...
MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2018
Russian River Valley tends toward cherry cola aroma and flavor profiles, and that tendency is on full display in this...
Starborough, Marlborough (New Zealand) Sauvignon Blanc 2020
This is a great go to, all-purpose Sauvignon Blanc that runs the gamut from solo glass to tapas accompaniment. Easy to...
C’est la Vie, Sta. Rita Hills (Santa Barbara County, California) Pinot Noir 2018
This Pinot Noir shows its provenance with what I like to call “Santa Rita Funk” – a damp earthy...
Quipster, California (United States) Merlot 2020
Here is an easy to drink, crowd pleasing Merlot that satisfies with bold cherry, cassis and oak spice, and a budget...
Rabble, Paso Robles (Central Coast, California) 2019
Lively oak spice takes the lead here, with brambly black and red berries lying just underneath. It’s ready...
Raffaldin, Swan Creek (North Carolina) Sagrantino 2019
There’s not a lot of this variety planted domestically, and I’m reasonably certain that there is not much...
Scattered Peaks, Napa Valley (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Here is a nice value in Napa Valley Cabernet from legendary Napa winemaker Joel Aiken. Its fruit character is just...
St. Desir, Pays d’Oc IGP (Languedoc, France) Syrah-Merlot 2020
Let’s drink a toast to experimentation with blending with this fine mix of Syrah and Merlot. The cassis driven...
Suben, Landwein Rhein (Germany) Riesling 2020
This off dry German Riesling pops with freshening acidity, lively citrus and a solid stony mineral core that’s ready...
McIlroy Cellars, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2019
I love the extraction on this wine – it seems to get everything out of a not-too-ripe picking choice. It shows...
Mettler Family Vineyards, Lodi (San Joaquin County, California) Old Vine Zinfandel 2019
This wine has been slowly dialed back from its original bombastic style, and I for one applaud the choice. Fear not...