For me to have two duds in a row is rare. I usually research all my wines and make sure they are good but the 2nd wine the Marietta Christo was not researched first and paid the price. One of the worst wines I have tasted in years and cellar tracker agreed. Simply bought it on experience from previous vintages which is a mistake.
2015 Eola Hills Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Winemaker’s Reserve – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (7/16/2021)
Day 1: No better than the last time. A to Z would be better. Celery, cardboard and some fruit. Just not what I expect from Willamette Valley.
Day 3: Still the same sweet style Pinot Noir that I dislike. I can see where if you just swallow this wine you will enjoy but move this around in your mouth and tell me this is 90 points! (78 points)
2017 Marietta Cellars Christo – USA, California, Sonoma County (7/18/2021)
Day 1: A bit sweet for my tastes. Liked other vintages better. Red hots, spice and chalk. As others have noted not a good wine. Really disappointing 14 and 15 were solid but this is a complete bust. Will of course try over the course of 3 or 4 days to see if it improves. 80 points
Day 2: This will be a worst wine of the year candidate. HOT, red hots you ate as a child. Spice, ripe fruit and no balance to the wine. Not sure if it is the whole vintage of this wine or a bad batch. 75 points
Day 3: Heat has died down but quality is still low. Dirt, spices and some fruit. Better than day 1 and 2 due to the lack of heat but still a poorly made wine. 81 points
Recommendation: Don’t buy! (80 points)
2018 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico – Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG (7/20/2021)
Day 1: After a few terrible wines in a row this is a refreshing change of pace. Rustic, cherry, rose petals, spice, wood and raspberries. Nice fruit on this wine and very vibrant. Aging potential on this wine. 13.5% alcohol. 91 points (91 points)