I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

• 2018 Raccaro Collio Bianco (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): A “back up the truck and jam pack that sucker” bargain that fully delivers on the region’s herbal, citric & gorgeously elegant promise. $36 A
• 2017 Gradis’Ciutta Collio Bianco Riserva Collio Goriziano (Friuli-Venezia Giulia): A lovely mouthful of honey-drizzled, grilled and candied pears and apple slices. $NA A-
• 2013 Castello di Spessa San Serff Collio Bianco (Collio): A heady, long, and lemongrass-tinged delight that should please pretty much anybody. $NA A-
• 2021 Barberani Castagnolo Orvieto Classico Superiore (Umbria): Juiciness is driving this bus, with almonds riding shotgun. $18 B
• 2017 Bodegas Ramon Bilbao Crianza (Rioja): A spicy, vibrant, quaff-able take on an old standard. $17 B+
• 2016 Cameron Hughes Lot 676 White Blend (Santa Barbera County): More than your $$’s worth. Honey, grilled citrus, honeysuckle, peach, and heft! $14 B+
• 2007 Pure Cru Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Balsamic, toasted nut, black fruit compote, maple syrup, smoke, blackberry reduction… smells like someone’s cookin’ up somethin’ tasty. $50 B+
• 2017 Hess Persson Estates Panthera Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): Get your potently seductive cougar juice right here! $45 B+
• 2021 Quivira Vineyards Wine Creek Ranch Rose (Dry Creek Valley): A bolder—but still reverential take—on the Provence style. $22 B+
• 2014 Brack Mountain ‘Bench’ Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast): Great value here. Still fresh, earthy, meaty, & silky, with a shiny red berry nose. $22 B+