Canti Prosecco Millesimato 2018
The old reliable of the E-Mart sparkling aisle. I gave a ₩20,000 Prosecco 4 stars. Three weeks into logging wines I wrote 'a spumante, lightly enjoyed' — and here's why that bottle is still the right call.
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Wine Notes
12 full articles, rewriting my log from the oldest bottle forward.
Juan Gil Blue Label '18 Meses' Jumilla 2017
Wine Spectator 94, Vivino 4.2, 15.5% alcohol. A Spanish monster the community adores — and I gave it 3 stars and wrote 'Not bad.' Why this wine got a raw deal that night.
Ruhlmann Crémant d'Alsace Rosé Brut 'Harmonie de Rosé'
A 100% Pinot Noir crémant rosé from an Alsace family domaine that has grown vines since 1688. Vivino says 3.9; I gave it 3 and wrote "Delicious crémant." A bottle where the score and the note disagree.
Kendall-Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2014
America's best-selling Chardonnay for more than 30 years. I gave the 2014 three stars and the 2021 four. The reason I scored the same wine differently twice is not that the wine changed — I did.
Mouton Cadet Rouge Bordeaux 2016
The best-selling Bordeaux in the world. The community gives it 3.6; I gave it 3 and wrote "Ordinary Bordeaux." Why that one line was exactly right — and why this wine keeps selling anyway.
Viña Tarapacá Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
An old Maipo name, in business since 1874. James Suckling 93, Vivino 3.9, and regularly on sale in Korea for around ₩20,000. My note was one word — 'Good.' — and I gave it 3.5.
Almaviva 2016
Chile's own 'first growth', made jointly by Rothschild and Concha y Toro. James Suckling 97, Wine Spectator 95. I've drunk it three times in six years, and my first note was exactly two words: 'Strong pepper.'
Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2017
I found 'gasoline' in a ₩20,000 Riesling from Costco. Evergreen Vineyard in Washington State, 12% alcohol, and a wine built from the ground up for spicy food.
Villa Antinori Rosso Toscana IGT 2016
The Antinori family's 'face' wine, made since 1928. The community gives it 3.8; I gave it 4.5, for one reason — with fried chicken, its aromatics and balance were as perfect as a Burgundy Pinot.
Dom Pérignon Vintage 2008
The vintage Richard Geoffroy called a 'miracle year' — the first 50:50 Chardonnay–Pinot Noir blend since 1990. My first five-star Champagne. Twenty-two critics average 96 points; the world average price is about ₩720,000.
William Hill Central Coast Chardonnay 2015
The community gives it 3.6; I gave it 5. A ₩20,000-range California Chardonnay where pear, apple, peach, banana and honey all burst at once.
Domaine Antonin Guyon Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 2013
Grand cru Pinot Noir from the mid-slope of the Corton hill. Critics give it 91, Vivino 4.1, but I gave it 3 stars. A wine you shortchange by serving too cold, and one that gets better the next day.