Wine Reviews
These are my most recent wine reviews. I drank each of these wines and this is what I think about them. My opinions about each wine are my own.
Wine reviews by: Jessyca Frederick |
My Latest Wine Reviews
2023 Domaine les Aphillanthes 'Clementia'
Subtle white flowers and honey on the nose, apple and jasmine on the palate, all obscured by oxidation. Medium-acid and light bodied.
I was disappointed with this one, primarily because it was oxidized and didn’t have the pronounced fruity, floral, or honeyed characteristics I expect from Rhône white wines.
Consumed: August 2024
Last updated: September 2, 2024
2021 Meadows Estate Syrah Rosé
Bone dry but tons of red fruit, medium-acid, with a rather long finish for a rosé — thank you, Syrah!
This dark rosé was not overpowering, as I expect from a rosé of this color, and it was surprisingly fresh-tasting three years after the vintage.
Consumed: August 2024
Last updated: September 2, 2024
A bright, food-friendly red blend where each grape in the cuvée could be detected by its contribution to the blend.
I really enjoyed this bright, medium-bodied red wine from South Africa. A smooth, berry-forward mix of red and black fruits made it delightful both during and after dinner.
Consumed: August 2024
Last updated: September 2, 2024
2022 Ninety Plus Cellars California Pinot Noir Lot 179
The wine was not perfect, but at a quarter of the price of most boutique California Pinot Noir it delivered great fruit and was very smooth.
Easy-drinking, red berry fruit-forward Pinot Noir of exceptional value, if not much character. It lacked structure and finish.
Consumed: April 2024
Last updated: May 3, 2024
2021 Tablas Creek Vineyards Patelin de Tablas Blanc
I smelled white fruit and enjoyed an appley mid-palate (the Grenache Blanc), a hint of Meyer lemon, and a nice minerality supported by mild acidity.
This delightful blend of five different Rhone white grapes from six different wineries showcases the whole point of blending — to produce something better than the sum of its parts.
Consumed: April 2023
Last updated: May 3, 2024
2020 Long Street Winery Chardonnay, Sonoma County
A nice, solid Chardonnay. Well-balanced, structured but not oaky, round but not buttery, not too much alcohol, not too much acid.
I really liked this. Sometimes I like a good Chardonnay that isn’t too much of anything and which lets the fruit shine. This was that.
Consumed: May 2023
Last updated: May 3, 2024
2021 Ninety Plus Cellars Barbaresco Lot 181
At $28 I’m only a little disappointed. I expected more tannins and body from an Italian red wine, but was an experience worth having at that price.
The reason to keep trying new wines is because you never know what you may find that seemed intimidating. If you’re tired of Pinot Noir but like bright cherry red wines, give Barbaresco a try!
Consumed: April 2024
Last updated: May 2, 2024
2023 Ninety Plus Cellars Sancerre Lot 126
Really nice, but kinda pricey. Not for Sancerre in general, just for what it is. But it’s sold out at the winery because Sancerre is having a moment.
Great typicity with a lemon, mineral, saline, flinty thing going on. This is part of their Reserve Series, but it felt overpriced, even at $33.
Consumed: April 2024
Last updated: May 2, 2024
2022 Ninety Plus Cellars Barbera d’Alba Lot 27
This wine reminded me to not be so tied to my earlier impressions of regions and grapes. I really enjoyed this Italian red, which is something I don’t say too often.
Great value at $19. I enjoyed the rich aromatics, tart cherry, fine tannins, and a nice long finish, but it really needs food because it’s so bright.
Consumed: April 2024
Last updated: May 2, 2024
2017 Ken Brown Wines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
A beautiful example of what put Sta. Rita Hills on the map of world’s best Pinot Noir regions.
Another wine in the long list of "I like blends" where the "entry level" wine is among my favorites at a producer.
Consumed: May 2023
Last updated: December 17, 2023
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Notice: I hold no formal wine credentials. I am a wine geek who has consumed 1000+ of bottles from 100+ different wine clubs and 1000s more bottles that didn’t come from those wine clubs. I do not accept payment for wine reviews, and I do not accept payments to influence my opinions. I happily accept free wine (and I buy wine).
Why read my wine reviews: Wine taste is subjective. What I like may not be what you like. I try to leave room for you to form your own opinions, so I don’t provide a score or a rating. I do point out wines that are an incredible value or truly not worth the money. I note flaws, wines that don’t have typicity (because this matters if you are buying wine without having tasted it yourself), when wines are out of balance, and when wines lack appropriate body.
I don’t like wasting money (or anything for that matter). I’m careful about where I spend my money and my mindset as a reviewer is to be careful about where you spend yours. I don’t believe a high price tag equals quality and I know for sure there are wines of very good quality that are also a great value.
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