There are a lot of these Italian whites that seem to just fly under the radar -- this is a fairly nice one. Distinct honey and floral aromas, with that same kind of sweetness on the palate, but a slightly waxy texture and acidity to cut it.
The nose shows a lot more funk than I would expect, but the palate is clearly chardonnay, if a little more spicy and herbal than I am used to, though the steely acidity is there.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Definitely a very clean wine, but a little headier and waxier than I generally like my whites. For the region, a little more acidity than i would expect.
Fair bit of brett on the nose, but the palate is a lot cleaner. The fruit is ripe and sweet, with a touch of herbs. Shows a touch hotter than I'd like.
Surprisingly mushroomy -- far more so than I would expect on such a relatively young champagne. Comes off a little unbalanced; the fruit a bit too tart and the acidity too high.
Somewhat non-Chablis-like, lacking a lot of the mineral cut and acidity. The chardonnay character is here, but shows a little more pineapple and tropical than I'm accustomed to in Chablis.
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Sweet, slightly candied red fruit on the nose and palate; good acidity on the palate, but also some unpleasant astringent elements alongside the tannins on the back end.
Very cool expression of a Bordeaux blend. A touch of graphite and lead pencil, with a leathery note and some black fruit. Classically styled and quite nice.
Very classically-styled Napa. Low oak, with dusty fruit and fairly generous fruit. Very true to type; not overdone -- enough acidity to help with the fruit here.
USA, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross - Seaview
Saline on the nose, with some riper fruit. The palate is large-scaled, with some of the salinity as well, but then there's some unpleasant oakiness on the back end. It's not overdone, but it's enough for me to find it distracting.
Watermelon on the nose. Definitely some natty things going on with the nose and palate here; the finish is brutally tannic. Weird stuff; not my cup of tea.
Interesting salinity on the nose to go with the red fruit. The palate is fairly approachable; relatively light, but finishes with some bitterness on the back end.
Lots of green pepper flavours here, with quite a bit of astringency as well. Extremely bitter on the back end. Seems very heady and high-alcohol as well, but there isn't any actual body to the fruit. Unbalanced.
Wanted to like this more given the producer, but just too big and heady, with lots of black fruit and a bit of eucalyptus. Finishes bitter and alcoholic.
Some spicy stuff going on here, with a little bit of lychee that reminds me of gewürztraminer. Fairly fruity on the palate with some nice acidity. Easy drinking.
Less of the unpleasant green things going on here, but you trade that in for some oiliness and herbal qualities. Not sure where the happy middle is with this grape, but this is a touch far on the richer style.
Fairly savory wine, with a touch of dirt on the nose and palate. This is large-scaled and lacking in elegance, despite the fruit seeming to be more on the red side, and the acidity slightly higher than expected.
Slightly volatile nose, with some ripe black fruit as well. Good overall density on the palate; the funky animale qualities do seem to show up here. Can definitely pick up some spice from the Rhone grapes.
Modern style of Napa cab, not overdone, by hardly interesting either. Can definitely taste the oak here, both in the bitter finish and a bit of vanilla. Veering very closely to the milkshake category.
Really dislike the somewhat stinky aromas on the nose here. Smells a bit like a fart; the palate is more pleasant with a good bit of acidity but otherwise nondescript.
Shows some classic syrah smells, though of the more ripe persuasion. Palate is a bit of a let-down; there's a cigarette ash quality that's not too pleasant, and the fruit comes off sweeter than it ought to.
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I like the slightly feral elements on the nose alongside a red-fruited if slightly funky profile, but the bitterness on the finish is a little too much for the rest of the good things in this wine to overcome.
Touch of peach on the palate here, which is fairly interesting. Comes off a little tart on the palate, but overall a pretty pleasant and approachable wine.
Nice strawberry tones here, but overall the body is too thin to hold up to the relatively high tannins. Fairly juicy and simple, but this would be a little more pleasant with fewer tannins (not possible, I know).
Fairly classic in style, with a rustic disposition and some black fruit. The vintage's acidity peeks through on the back end, and the fruit profile turns a little more red as well.
NV J. Lassalle Champagne Premier Cru Préférence Brut 90 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Slightly sweet, but very approachable, open, and tasty. A touch creamy, but drinks very nicely.
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2017 Domaine de Terrebrune Bandol Rosé 88 Points
France, Provence, Bandol
Moderately density on the palate, with a fruity, watermelon-inflected flavour. Juicy palate, but a mild bitterness on the finish.
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2016 Vignai da Duline Malvasia Chioma Integrale Venezia Giulia IGT 88 Points
Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
There are a lot of these Italian whites that seem to just fly under the radar -- this is a fairly nice one. Distinct honey and floral aromas, with that same kind of sweetness on the palate, but a slightly waxy texture and acidity to cut it.
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2015 Domaine Robert-Denogent Pouilly-Vinzelles Les Longeays 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Vinzelles
The nose shows a lot more funk than I would expect, but the palate is clearly chardonnay, if a little more spicy and herbal than I am used to, though the steely acidity is there.
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2016 Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc La Crau 88 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Definitely a very clean wine, but a little headier and waxier than I generally like my whites. For the region, a little more acidity than i would expect.
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2016 François Lumpp Givry 1er Cru A Vigne Rouge 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Givry 1er Cru
Fairly generous earth and mushroom on the nose. Quite rustic, but nice red fruit to help with those more backwards elements.
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2017 Domaine Diochon Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes 90 Points
France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Moulin-à-Vent
Never liked gamay, but this one I can get behind. None of the sucralose, but some crunchy red fruit, and a heap of backwards tannins. Very good.
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2011 Domaine Hauvette Les Baux-de-Provence Cuvée Cornaline 88 Points
France, Provence, Les Baux-de-Provence
Fair bit of brett on the nose, but the palate is a lot cleaner. The fruit is ripe and sweet, with a touch of herbs. Shows a touch hotter than I'd like.
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2015 Ruppert-Leroy Pinot Noir Champagne Brut Nature Les Cognaux 88 Points
France, Champagne
Surprisingly mushroomy -- far more so than I would expect on such a relatively young champagne. Comes off a little unbalanced; the fruit a bit too tart and the acidity too high.
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2017 Paul Thomas Sancerre Chavignol Les Comtesses 85 Points
France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
Slight bit of pineapple candy on the nose. The palate a bit thin, with lots of green herbaceousness. High acidity.
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2016 Domaine Laroche Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Vieilles Vignes 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru
Somewhat non-Chablis-like, lacking a lot of the mineral cut and acidity. The chardonnay character is here, but shows a little more pineapple and tropical than I'm accustomed to in Chablis.
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2013 Stony Hill Chardonnay 88 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
An odd blend of earthy funk and honey; the fruit is ripe, but there's acidity to balance it. Doesn't seem as clean as I like.
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2014 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir La Source Seven Springs Vineyard 88 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Sweet, slightly candied red fruit on the nose and palate; good acidity on the palate, but also some unpleasant astringent elements alongside the tannins on the back end.
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2012 Château Arnauld 90 Points
France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
Very cool expression of a Bordeaux blend. A touch of graphite and lead pencil, with a leathery note and some black fruit. Classically styled and quite nice.
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2016 Pian Delle Vigne (Antinori) Rosso di Montalcino 85 Points
Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino
Herbal, with a mild balsamic note, along with some red fruit. There's some bitterness on the finish that detracts from this.
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2014 Mayacamas Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 90 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley, Mt. Veeder
Very classically-styled Napa. Low oak, with dusty fruit and fairly generous fruit. Very true to type; not overdone -- enough acidity to help with the fruit here.
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2014 Enrico Serafino Alta Langa Oudeis Rosé 88 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Alta Langa
Fairly pleasant bubbly with a touch of breadiness at first, and finishing with a little bit of that tar and tannin thing. Touch of sweetness as well.
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2018 Tablas Creek Patelin de Tablas Rosé 83 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Very smoky (to a fault), with a finish that is really bitter; not something I'm looking for in a rose.
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2016 Nanclares y Prieto Albariño 88 Points
Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas
Very clear note of bosc pairs on the nose here. The palate has just that slight bit of oiliness that is nicely cut with the acidity.
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2015 Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Fort Ross - Seaview
Saline on the nose, with some riper fruit. The palate is large-scaled, with some of the salinity as well, but then there's some unpleasant oakiness on the back end. It's not overdone, but it's enough for me to find it distracting.
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2016 Bethel Heights Pinot Noir Æolian Estate 85 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Lots of strawberry on the nose; the fruit is very cheerful and bright, but the palate seems to be smothered by bitter oak.
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2006 R. López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia Flawed
Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
Slightly corked.
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2017 Douloufakis Liatiko Amphora 80 Points
Greece, Crete
Watermelon on the nose. Definitely some natty things going on with the nose and palate here; the finish is brutally tannic. Weird stuff; not my cup of tea.
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2016 Hudson Vineyards Phoenix 70 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Jammy fruit on the nose and palate; the oak here obliterates everything else but that intense fruit. Finishes incredibly bitter.
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2012 Jansz Wine Company Vintage Cuvée 88 Points
Australia, Tasmania
A little more tart than your typical champagne (even the low-dosage versions). Bright and fresh, but this could use a little more oomph on the palate.
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2018 Frog's Leap La Grenouille Rouganté 83 Points
USA, California
Watery and thin. Alcoholic water? Seems kinda pointless.
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2018 Shaw and Smith Sauvignon Blanc 83 Points
Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Adelaide Hills
Has a Kabinett-like quality in its gummy fruit candy, but that sweetness is not a good look for sauvignon blanc.
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2016 Xavier Monnot Meursault Le Limozin 85 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Meursault
Not as fat as some other 2016 white Burgs I've had; in fact it's on the thin and weedy side with too much acidity. A slightly smoky nose as well.
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2015 Ceretto Barbaresco 85 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Interesting salinity on the nose to go with the red fruit. The palate is fairly approachable; relatively light, but finishes with some bitterness on the back end.
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2013 El Enemigo Gran Enemigo 80 Points
Argentina, Mendoza
Lots of green pepper flavours here, with quite a bit of astringency as well. Extremely bitter on the back end. Seems very heady and high-alcohol as well, but there isn't any actual body to the fruit. Unbalanced.
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2016 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot Napa Valley 70 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Par for the course. Awful stuff; plummy nose (so at least it's true to the grape) and a heap of bitter tannin.
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2016 Henschke Henry's Seven 83 Points
Australia, South Australia, Barossa
Wanted to like this more given the producer, but just too big and heady, with lots of black fruit and a bit of eucalyptus. Finishes bitter and alcoholic.
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NV Marc Hébrart Champagne Premier Cru Cuvée de Réserve Brut 88 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
A slight hint of mushroom but also fairly herbal. Acidity seems to be a bit pronounced.
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2018 Robert Sinskey Vineyards Vin Gris of Pinot Noir 88 Points
USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros
Some spicy stuff going on here, with a little bit of lychee that reminds me of gewürztraminer. Fairly fruity on the palate with some nice acidity. Easy drinking.
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2015 Peter Michael Sauvignon Blanc L'Apres-Midi 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Knights Valley
Less of the unpleasant green things going on here, but you trade that in for some oiliness and herbal qualities. Not sure where the happy middle is with this grape, but this is a touch far on the richer style.
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2017 Plumpjack Chardonnay Reserve 83 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Oak is too prominent here, but at least it doesn't leave bitter tannins on the back end. Heavy-handed and clumsy, not much elegance in this wine.
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2017 Domaine des Terres Dorées (Jean-Paul Brun) Côte de Brouilly 80 Points
France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Côte de Brouilly
Typical candied red fruit from gamay on the nose and palate, but the finish is bitter and clipped.
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2016 Comando G La Bruja de Rozas 83 Points
Spain, Madrid, Vinos de Madrid
Fairly savory wine, with a touch of dirt on the nose and palate. This is large-scaled and lacking in elegance, despite the fruit seeming to be more on the red side, and the acidity slightly higher than expected.
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2010 Chateau Musar 93 Points
Lebanon, Bekaa Valley
Slightly volatile nose, with some ripe black fruit as well. Good overall density on the palate; the funky animale qualities do seem to show up here. Can definitely pick up some spice from the Rhone grapes.
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2015 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley 83 Points
USA, California, Napa Valley
Modern style of Napa cab, not overdone, by hardly interesting either. Can definitely taste the oak here, both in the bitter finish and a bit of vanilla. Veering very closely to the milkshake category.
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NV Laherte Frères Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature 88 Points
France, Champagne
Some green apple flavours. Overall too tart and lean. Needs a bit more body to go with all the acidity.
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2016 Davis Family Vineyards Rosé de Noir Dutton Ranch 85 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Sweet, with some gummy candy-like flavours going on here. Reminds me a bit of Pop Rocks. Really expensive ones.
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2017 Château Sainte Marie Madlys 83 Points
France, Bordeaux, Entre-Deux-Mers
Too sauvignon blanc heavy is my guess. There's that odd gummy bear smell on the nose, but the palate overall is unpleasantly green.
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2017 i Clivi Ribolla Gialla 83 Points
Italy, Delle Venezie
Really dislike the somewhat stinky aromas on the nose here. Smells a bit like a fart; the palate is more pleasant with a good bit of acidity but otherwise nondescript.
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2016 Melville Syrah Estate 85 Points
USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
Shows some classic syrah smells, though of the more ripe persuasion. Palate is a bit of a let-down; there's a cigarette ash quality that's not too pleasant, and the fruit comes off sweeter than it ought to.
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2016 Dominio Pingus Ribera del Duero Flor de Pingus 85 Points
Spain, Castilla y León, Ribera del Duero
Fairly hard to decipher; just a big wall of closed down black fruit and tannin. One of the few wines tonight where it was clear age would improve it.
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2015 Domaine Bois de Boursan Châteauneuf-du-Pape 83 Points
France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape
I like the slightly feral elements on the nose alongside a red-fruited if slightly funky profile, but the bitterness on the finish is a little too much for the rest of the good things in this wine to overcome.
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2017 Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel California 60 Points
USA, California
Jammy without any redeeming acidity (or structure, for that matter). Hard to drink, even in an ironic way.
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NV Gonet-Médeville Champagne Premier Cru Brut Blanc de Noirs 90 Points
France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru
Touch of peach on the palate here, which is fairly interesting. Comes off a little tart on the palate, but overall a pretty pleasant and approachable wine.
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2018 Domaine Charles Audoin Marsannay Rosé 88 Points
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Marsannay Rosé
Touch of florals on the nose here, with a slightly candied quality to it. Juicy, and fairly drinkable.
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2015 Caves Coopératives de Donnas Donnas 85 Points
Italy, Valle d'Aosta, Donnas
Nice strawberry tones here, but overall the body is too thin to hold up to the relatively high tannins. Fairly juicy and simple, but this would be a little more pleasant with fewer tannins (not possible, I know).
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2016 Lingua Franca Pinot Noir The Plow 88 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Hint of mushroom on the nose. The fruit here is ripe and juicy; on the overripe side of ripe for sure. Touch of sweetness as well.
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2016 Jacques Lemenicier Cornas 90 Points
France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Cornas
Fairly classic in style, with a rustic disposition and some black fruit. The vintage's acidity peeks through on the back end, and the fruit profile turns a little more red as well.
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2017 Rall White 90 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region
Slight hint of smoke on the nose. The palate is a little herbal and green, but overall has a nice balance of density and acidity.
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2016 Vuurberg Reserve 85 Points
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
A bit of volatility in the form of balsamic on the nose. The palate is quite bitter, and the alcohol pokes out as well.
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2015 Richard Kershaw Wines Syrah Clonal Selection Elgin 85 Points
South Africa, Cape South Coast, Elgin
There's a bit of Sharpie marker on the nose here. High-toned, with some strawberry as well, but the palate here is bitter and a little disjoint.
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