Wine Reviews

Ratings Explained

84 & Below – Not Posted ‘cause we won’t drink it
85 + A good wine. Buy if the price is right
90 + A very good wine, in our humble opinion
95 + An awe inspiring wine – Possibly life altering

All wine reviews are based solely on the personal tastes of the authors.
Disclosure: Samples are designated by an “S” beside the wine reviewed.
We’re still objective. Robert Parker doesn’t buy his wines either

Feb 122013
 
2010 Emeritus Pinot Noir Hallberg Ranch, Russian River Valley, CA, $47 (S) – 93

Year after year Emeritus Pinot Noir creates on of the great food pairing Pinots. Very accessible from the first pour. A sensual garnet color precedes a nose of dark fruit, smoke and blueberry. The soft mouth-feel is beautifully balanced with good food pairing acidity offering flavors of blueberry, blackberry, raspberry and spice with subtle notes of cinnamon. Previously only available in restaurants and wine bars, the beauty is now available from the winery. Buy This Wine

Jan 232013
 
2011 Giordano Fiano “Apulia Collection”, Puglia, Italy, $12.50 (S) – Rating 90

A super value white patio sipper with a delightful floral nose with notes of citrus and green apple. The palate offers flavors of pear, citrus and apricot with crisp acidity and a pleasing tartness. Pair with Asian food, sushi or a summer salad with poppy seed dressing. Buy This Wine

Jan 222013
 
2010 Van Duzer Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR, $30 (S) – Rating 91

An extremely approachable and eminently enjoyable Pinot Noir. The nose offers aromas of dark fruit, spice and just the tiniest hint of campfire smoke. The palate is treated to bright berry flavors, dark cherry, blueberry and ripe raspberry with subtle notes of cola and smoke. The wine is very well-balanced with soft tannins and enough acidity to pair well with the chicken in wild mushrooms we served. Buy This wine

Wine Guerrilla Conte Vineyard Zinfandel 2010

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Jan 132013
 
2010 Wine Guerrilla Conte Vineyard Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA, $35 (S) – Rating 4.2

A delicious field blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Alicante Bouschet, Grenache, and Carignane with a deep nose of spicy cherry pie offering notes of tobacco and leather. Give the wine at 15 minutes to open and you’ll be rewarded with well-integrated tannins and rich complex flavors of dark cherry, dark spice and ripe plum with pleasing notes of espresso and leather in the long finish. This wine screams out for a cold snowy night, a warm fireplace and a good book. Buy This Wine

Silver Buckle Lodi Chardonnay 2011

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Jan 132013
 
2011 Silver Buckle Lodi Chardonnay, CA, $18 (S) – Rating 90

Served at a get-together of wine lovers, this Chardonnay was a big hit. Creamy without being flabby. Lush tropicals on the nose, pineapple, ripe pear and a hint of green apple. A round mouth-feel with a subtle hint of sweetness and zippy acidity. Flavors of tropicals,  green apple, ripe pineapple and pear with notes of minerality. Buy This Wine