McIntyre Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay 2018

Holy Moly, this is my kind of Chardonnay! The 2018 McIntyre Chardonnay is out of Santa Lucia Highlands, which is in Monterey, which is in the Central Coast of California. The strongest aromas on the nose are ginger and banana and vanilla, followed by pineapple, cooked apple, and buttered biscuit. Uuuuuungh!!! When was the last time that I expressed my love for Chardonnay...

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Ferllen Gran Reserva Malbec 2014

The color of the 2014 Ferllen Gran Reserva from Mendoza, Argentina is a dark cherry red. The nose is just amazing! There's aromas of plums, cranberries, roses, vanilla, dark chocolate, sea salt, and sweet tobacco. This is another one of those wines that you could smell all night without drinking and be happy. On the palate it's medium bodied with a silky smooth mouthfeel...

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Joey Casco is on The Sommeliers Choice Awards "Top Wine Influencers In 2020 You Need to Pay Attention To"

Once again I've been included in the Sommeliers Choice Awards "Top Wine Influencers You Need to Pay Attention To". WOOHOO!!! :) As you've seen, I've only been posting a few times a week this year instead of almost every day like last year. My reviews are shorter and more to the point, and I've been putting far less effort in obtaining website traffic. But it's so...

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Ferllen Reserve Malbec 2017

The 2017 Reserve Malbec from Ferllen is from a Single Vineyard located in Los Chacayes, Uco Valley, Mendoza. Fermentation took place with 100% indigenous yeasts, then 100% of it spends 18 months in used French barrels. The color of the wine is a beautiful cherry red. There's granite minerality over aromas of blackberries, plums, vanilla, a bit of sour milk (in not a bad...

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Dominio Fournier Reserva Ribera del Duero 2014

Ah yes! Ribera del Duero, Spain! One of my favorite red wine regions in the whole world! And I've got two wine from there by Dominio Fournier lined up! First it was their 2016 Crianza and then now I'm on to their 2014 Reserva. The 2014 Reserva is also from the Finca El Pinar vineyard like the 2016 Crianza, which sits on the fluvial soil of the Duero River....

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Dominio Fournier Ribero del Duero Crianza 2016

Ah yes! Ribera del Duero, Spain! One of my favorite red wine regions in the whole world! And I've got two wine from there by Dominio Fournier lined up for today and this coming Thursday! First it's their 2016 Crianza and then it will be their 2014 Reserva. The 2016 Crianza is from the Finca El Pinar vineyard, which sits on the fluvial soil of the Duero River. It's 100%...

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Hess Select Rosé 2019

This is the third and final wine on this round of Hess reviews, and we're going pink! The 2019 Hess Select Rosé is 100% Pinot Noir from several California appellations, fermented in stainless steel, and has a 13.5% ABV. It's got a beautiful and vibrant pink color, a medium body, and a balanced acidity that keeps things fruity without getting tart. There's a cloud...

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Hess Select Pinot Gris 2019

This is the second wine of three by Hess that I'm in the midst of reviewing right now, and I've saved the best for a Sunday. Ever since I first had their Pinot Gris I've been ranting and raving about it. I mean, it's just awesome. And this is the latest vintage. The 2019 Pinot Gris was fermented in stainless steel to make it all about lively fresh fruit, and it underwent...

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Hess Select Central Coast Pinot Noir 2018

It was just in January that Hess had a few reviews on the blog and they're back again for three more, and this time they're all from their Select selection. I'm starting off with their 2018 Central Coast Pinot Noir. It's 100% Pinot Noir from the 667 and Pommard clones. The Sarmento Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands is "featured" in this vintage, although I'm not entirely...

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Viña Zorzal Graciano 2016, March Wine Pick

Graciano is pretty much the Spanish alternative to Pinot Noir and it's become one of my favorite underrated varietals. Viña Zorzal's Graciano is not only an affordable one but it also offers crazy quality for the price. I mean, this stuff is poured by the glass at Michelin star restaurants, for crying out loud. It's medium bodied with tightly grained tannins that...

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