Trinity Oaks Pinot Grigio – California – 2016

Pinot Grigio? Maybe, but it’s a weird one. Texture is a bit thick, like pear juice, and the main flavor notes are fruity, but not sweet. Not much nose, with little of interest on the palate, but the finish is remarkable: flowers and grapefruit linger around for...

Gainey Chardonnay – California – 2014

Candy hints with vanilla on the nose, but otherwise it’s typical Cally chardonnay: lots of oak and vanilla overwhelm the grape. Tart finish evaporates quickly. A just-right level of sugar and acid keeps this from a lower score.

Grans-Fassian Riesling – Germany – 2016

Not sweet by Mosel standards so I was surprised to see so many reviews calling this is a sweet wine. Mild sugar and ample, and quite typical, fruit notes of mild apple, peach and pear. There’s nothing that would make this stand out from others rieslings from the...

Saint M Riesling – Germany – 2016

Ripe green apple is overpotent here, adding a bit too much tang to keep this from a higher ranking, but it’s spectacular nevertheless. A bit too fizzy for me as well. Just-right sweetness and bracing acidity. If you’re a reezfan you’ll love it, if...

Forever Young Sauvignon Blanc – Chile – 2016

Grassy apple-y goodness that is marred only by a noticeable lack of citric bite. This is so smooth, it’s unlike any SB I’ve tasted, and would probably be a great first SB for fans of California chardonnay looking to branch out. For me, though the lack of...

Leviathan Red – Napa California – 2013

Napa is King of red blends and expectations were high for this Leviathan. However, despite silky smooth tannins and a complex set of flavor notes, this didn’t knock my socks off. There’s fresh red cherry here but perhaps a bit too fresh, resembling cherry...

Domaine Long Depaquit Chablis – France – 2015

A bit too understated, disappears quickly and will wilt if paired with anything other than the tames dishes. Drinkable but almost comes off as a bargain pinot gris. As forgettable as a third party vice presidential candidate. (Go ahead, name one. That’s this...