by Winepisser | Dec 13, 2021 | Quick Review
A dimwitted cheerleader who would have a better career in advertising. The nose is cotton candy dipped in window cleaner. On the tongue, it’s slightly better, without the notes of industrial cleaner. Super sweet despite the “semi-seco” labeling, as I...
by Winepisser | Dec 11, 2021 | Quick Review
That middle-aged guy with the faux leather windbreaker and second-hand Porshe is clearly compensating for something. A meaty nose promised a possibly great pairing with beef, but things fell flat quickly. The main notes here are ripe red fruit (too ripe, in fact) and...
by Winepisser | Dec 11, 2021 | Quick Review
That quirky new indie film was supposed to be great, but in the end the poster was better than the movie. Serviceable and super cheap chardonnay that hits the right notes but just very, very quietly. Notes of vanilla, lemon, with a medium level of sugar. Paired nicely...
by Winepisser | Dec 4, 2021 | Quick Review
Your date was so pretty in her sundress, and so charming as she explained her new tattoo, that the both of you forget you were eating free breadsticks at Olive Garden. After so much Sauvignon Blanc and Albarino, it’s easy to forget there’s a lighter, less...
by Winepisser | Dec 2, 2021 | Quick Review
A young, erudite university student who has affected a smoking jacket and pipe, but isn’t old enough to smoke. Smooth tannins, mild tobacco on the back end, otherwise the force of young red fruit is strong with this one. Lack of any nose at all will make you...
by Winepisser | Dec 2, 2021 | Quick Review
A sassy aunt who came uninvited to your house, but had enough funny anecdotes to forgive her. Nose is honey, palate is over-bracing and maybe over-dry. Needs some sugar to lighten the semi-tart twang. There are floral and melon notes, but your face will be scrunched...
by Winepisser | Dec 2, 2021 | Quick Review
Remember that last PowerPoint presentation on modern accounting principles? This is that. Boring red blend that sucks the joy out of the individual components. No nose to speak of, and some fairly routine flavor notes (oh, look, red fruit!) Pair it with something...
by Winepisser | Dec 1, 2021 | Quick Review
A top-down Lotus drive through a citrus field on Sunday morning. Fantastic alby that proves the breed. This bears the barrel-fermented labeling and is a step up from the other La Val’s without it. Buttery but by texture, not the fake margarine of California...
by Winepisser | Nov 28, 2021 | Quick Review
Flimsy white lingerie leads to trouble. Nose is pure SB, but mild: asparagus and lemon. On the palate, the semillon comes alive with floral notes and melon. Finish is also floral. 13% alcohol? You’d never guess it, so swig with caution. This is a bit delicate,...
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
A great conversation with an old school chum that you remember years later, even if you forget what the topic was. The grape here is Alicante Bouschet, AKA Garnacha Tintorera. Aerated and filtered due to bungled cork pull, it immediately filled the room with grapey...
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
My bottle had significant slight cork taint which shaved off a full star. Pushing past that I found the usual Albarino notes of apple and lemon and crabgrass. Dry with a 12.5% booze meter that you’d never suspect, as it drinks light like a lower alcohol white....
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
A walk through the park with your first love, but it’s 30 years later and you’re reminiscing about those apple candies you ate as a kid. Proving yet again that the Zuccardi brand does very little wrong, even with their cheaper street-level offerings, this...
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
Gunpowder truck blows up near a pepper mill, enterprising vintner bottles the ashes. I rated this same vintage back in 2019, and hated it. Back then I wrote, “You poured your old uncle a nice glass of cab while he was grilling, but he’s easily confused, and...
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
If Dr. Frankenstein had stitched together his creation, and it came out an Adonis. This is a blend of three different vintages: tannat 2017, malbec 2018 and cab franc 2016, so you won’t find a year on the bottle itself. Jammy notes upon opening give way to more...
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
The actress who shows potential, but never wins the Emmy. For me, cabernet franc is a wine I keep thinking will become a red fave, but never quite crosses the finish line. Here’s a great example. This was served with a pass through an aerator, and the nose was...
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
Suicidal diabetic decides to end it all by bathing in maple syrup. Someone took a winery and drowned it in pure, liquid glucose, then fermented the wine in bottles of sugar glass. To be clear this is not the Viña Viejo Chenin Blanc that won a 5-star review previously....
by Winepisser | Nov 25, 2021 | Quick Review
“I get all my Riesling from Chile,” said no one ever. There’s a certain minerality that affects white wines coming from the country and this reez doesn’t escape it. There are hints of typical Riesling green apple but it’s overtart and...
by Winepisser | Oct 29, 2021 | Quick Review
Low-rent housing district installs new fountain to attract tenants. Tacama is no great producer, so set your expectations accordingly. Grape up front, but settles down later and a vegetable hint emerges. Not bad for the price, which is dirt cheap. Should be packaged...
by Winepisser | Oct 29, 2021 | Quick Review
The latest sex toy proves popular with suburbanites. Peach for sure, some citrus behind it. Nice finish, very bright overall. Moderate sugar. A great example of New World viognier. Pair with light meats, fish, or your favorite softcore porno.
by Winepisser | Oct 29, 2021 | Quick Review
Your mysterious car park pal has a cousin. This was served without aeration and proved fine right out of the bottle. Would have likely improved with some time in the air. Nose is slight cherry, but once in the piehole it’s leather and much darker fruit. Nice...
by Winepisser | Oct 29, 2021 | Quick Review
Mysterious figure in a dark car park winds up being a great pal. Great Rioja with notes of slate, green apple, a tiny hint of spice. Comes off as part Sauvignon blanc, part Gewurztraminer, but all its own at the same time. Very different from typical Old World...
by Winepisser | Jan 15, 2020 | Quick Review
Noseless and tepid, a hint of strawberry but only if you squint.
by Winepisser | Dec 31, 2019 | Quick Review
Crisp and very clean Hungarian Tokaj, notes of melon and slight grass. Was served over chilled which probably hindered the tasting. Nice floral nose.
by Winepisser | Dec 24, 2019 | Quick Review
Just in time for Christmas I tried this Scrooge of a wine: bitter and unpleasant, and overdue for a visit from the Ghost of Cabs Past. Very disappointing. Nose is black cherry, palate is finely aged gasoline.
by Winepisser | Dec 15, 2019 | Quick Review
Dull reez with little zip and less character, like a beaten up Volkswagen that’s had its radio stolen.
