Very nondescript, kitchen sink blend of Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. If anything, the wine shows the Viognier character the most (musk, perfume, oily texture) to go along with the very fruity profile. 11.6% abv
An undrinkable, messy blend of Zin, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Barbera, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. 14.3% abv, volatile acidity, and absolutely no flavor profile. This is the kind of wine we would make at the end of a big tasting party by combining the dregs of remaining bottles.
Hard wine to pin down, but definitely interesting as it has a spicier grip on the back of the palate than your normal pink wine. Outside of the lingering finish, it's not all that much.
The final of my four bottles and, by far the best. This fully mature wine is a pure expression of Howell Mountain Merlot - Dried plums and berries, fig, violet, bay leaf, mint, truffle, coffee, cocoa, leather, tobacco, cedar, baking spice, and dried herbs. Some unresolved tannin is still prevalent on the long, long finish. Would recommend decanting only to remove sediment and to drink within 30-60 minutes. This fades quickly.
Compared to Rias Baixas Albarino, I found this quite reticent on the nose - truly having to dig deep for flavors of peach, mango, and honeysuckle. The ripe nectarine and beeswax viscosity are well balanced by crisp acidity on the palate. There is a slightly bitter almond flavor on the finish.
Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León
Truly enjoy the savory, earthy, leesy/cheesy wild flavor of this wine. Burgundian take on ancient Verdejo vines (80-100 years old) that were never affected by Phylloxera due to being planted in sandy soils. Concentrated berries are fully fermented then aged on lees in stainless steel tanks for 9 months. However, a small portion was fermented and aged in barrel and large barriques to give the wine added complexity. Native yeasts give off those wild, savory flavors. Elegant and rich.
Tasted blind, incorrectly identified as Central Valley Grenache Blanc.
Focused and polished, this displays juicy citrus, pear, and peach flavors combined with rich floral aromatics of honeysuckle, citrus blossoms, and lilies. Smooth in the mouth, a lower acid makes for a more approachable varietal take compared to Italian versions. This had a lot of fans.
Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza
Compared to many other Barbera d'Asti, this was quite drinkable with a noticeably softened acidity due to spending 12 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle before being released. Unfortunately, there just wasn't much complexity or intensity.
Tasted blind. Incorrectly identified as an old-vine North Coast Carignan.
Floral, stemmy, cherries, roasted plums, cranberry... riper red fruit. Cinnamon and allspice from a kiss of oak. Youthful, but hints of earth and leather. Higher acidity (but not Burgundy high) and lower tannin. Definitely made to enjoy now.
2019 Otra Cosa Land of the Sun 82 Points
USA, California, South Coast, Riverside County
Very nondescript, kitchen sink blend of Pinot Grigio, Viognier, and Sauvignon Blanc. If anything, the wine shows the Viognier character the most (musk, perfume, oily texture) to go along with the very fruity profile. 11.6% abv
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2019 Otra Cosa Pillar of Earth 60 Points
USA, California, South Coast, Temecula Valley
An undrinkable, messy blend of Zin, Merlot, Cab Sauv, Barbera, Syrah, and Petite Sirah. 14.3% abv, volatile acidity, and absolutely no flavor profile. This is the kind of wine we would make at the end of a big tasting party by combining the dregs of remaining bottles.
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2019 Honig Cabernet Sauvignon Pink 86 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
Hard wine to pin down, but definitely interesting as it has a spicier grip on the back of the palate than your normal pink wine. Outside of the lingering finish, it's not all that much.
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1997 Beringer Vineyards Merlot Bancroft Ranch 94 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Howell Mountain
The final of my four bottles and, by far the best. This fully mature wine is a pure expression of Howell Mountain Merlot - Dried plums and berries, fig, violet, bay leaf, mint, truffle, coffee, cocoa, leather, tobacco, cedar, baking spice, and dried herbs. Some unresolved tannin is still prevalent on the long, long finish. Would recommend decanting only to remove sediment and to drink within 30-60 minutes. This fades quickly.
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2018 Barr Estate Winery Albariño 87 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Compared to Rias Baixas Albarino, I found this quite reticent on the nose - truly having to dig deep for flavors of peach, mango, and honeysuckle. The ripe nectarine and beeswax viscosity are well balanced by crisp acidity on the palate. There is a slightly bitter almond flavor on the finish.
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2018 Ossian Quintaluna 92 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León
Truly enjoy the savory, earthy, leesy/cheesy wild flavor of this wine. Burgundian take on ancient Verdejo vines (80-100 years old) that were never affected by Phylloxera due to being planted in sandy soils. Concentrated berries are fully fermented then aged on lees in stainless steel tanks for 9 months. However, a small portion was fermented and aged in barrel and large barriques to give the wine added complexity. Native yeasts give off those wild, savory flavors. Elegant and rich.
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2018 Tangent Pinot Gris Paragon Vineyard 89 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Edna Valley
Tasted blind, incorrectly identified as Central Valley Grenache Blanc.
Focused and polished, this displays juicy citrus, pear, and peach flavors combined with rich floral aromatics of honeysuckle, citrus blossoms, and lilies. Smooth in the mouth, a lower acid makes for a more approachable varietal take compared to Italian versions. This had a lot of fans.
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2016 Aresca Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza Nizza Monferrato, Agliano 87 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza
Compared to many other Barbera d'Asti, this was quite drinkable with a noticeably softened acidity due to spending 12 months in barrel and 6 months in bottle before being released. Unfortunately, there just wasn't much complexity or intensity.
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2017 Calera Pinot Noir Central Coast 90 Points
USA, California, Central Coast
Tasted blind. Incorrectly identified as an old-vine North Coast Carignan.
Floral, stemmy, cherries, roasted plums, cranberry... riper red fruit. Cinnamon and allspice from a kiss of oak. Youthful, but hints of earth and leather. Higher acidity (but not Burgundy high) and lower tannin. Definitely made to enjoy now.
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