Being an independent critic is nice in the fact I don’t have to worry about upsetting a winery that sends me free samples. They are not working for you the consumer and here are two good examples of that.
Wine 1: 93 points
Vinous
Review Date: 09/2023
“The 2021 Pinot Noir Our Lady of Guadalupe is a rich, textured wine. Red/purplish fruit is super primary in its first impression. Rose petal, cedar and cinnamon are some of the notes that fill out the layers with a bit of coaxing. Readers will find an opulent, juicy wine, very much in keeping with Dave Phinney’s style. Aging is 13 months in French oak, 54% new. This is a terrific showing from Phinney’s new OLG label. (AG)”
My Review: 2021 Our Lady of Guadalupe Pinot Noir – USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (10/4/2025)
Haskell’s Fall Grand Tasting (Bloomington, MN): Ok another complete disaster Orin Swift wine. They don’t make any good wines and that is not an opinion it is a fact. I am sure some lame critic gave this 92 plus without looking. Doesn’t taste like pinot and really not that sweet for an Orin Swift wine. Dirt, muted fruits, spice and twigs. Top 10 worst of the year 3 Day Wine Review. Can’t believe tracker users are in the 90s on this one and one 97. Haskell’s in MN is dumping this junk at $42 a bottle. (69 points)
Wine 2: DC 93JS 93JD 92WA 92WS 92VN 91
2021 Le Vieux Donjon Chateauneuf-de-Pape
My review: 2021 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape – France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (10/4/2025)
Haskell’s Fall Grand Tasting (Bloomington, MN): Ok will start off by saying declassification should have happened here. This wine is terrible for $50 and any critic giving this over 85 needs to check their palate. I tried this 3 separate times over 3 hours and not one time would I pay over $10 for this wine. Weak on the fruit and water downed. Some pepper and spice but not much going on here. Top 10 worst wines of the year for sure. (75 points)
