Victor Hsu

9.5

Graceful as a ballet dancer—heady notes of yeasty and nutty roundness (think morning fresh baked bagel with almond and hazelnut) punctuated by the staccato of gently sour citrus (lemon, lime, citron, yuzu), balanced by minerals and delightful fizz. Drinks much younger than it is, so if you are lucky enough to have more of this ambrosia there’s no rush to empty out your cellar (20 is the new 10, as the Boomers would say). Enjoyed this gem at Hayato Restaurant in LA (best Kaiseki I’ve ever experienced) with my daughter Rachel and her friend Lindsay right after they finished taking the California Bar Exam. Best of luck, girls! — 4 days ago

Victor Hsu

9.0

Smooth and supple red, very drinkable with or without food. Deeply earthy like a Mt. Etna wine should be, but not heavy. Enjoyed the 2022 vintage with lamb ragu at Nando in Manhattan Beach. — 4 months ago

Victor Hsu

8.9

Inky and dense, with aromas of violet and dark fruit. Multiple flavors hitting the palate, including blueberry and blackberry with a hint of earth supported by a tannic backbone. Still tight and a bit alcoholic; decanting improved things a bit but needs more time in the bottle. Good but not great. — 5 months ago

Victor Hsu

8.9

Nicely concentrated Sicilian red, with muscular tannins backed by deep and dark fruit with somewhat sharp acidity. Reminds me of a young California Central Coast red blend. Nice pairing with red sauce pasta but probably better after four or five years of softening in the bottle. Had the 2023 vintage with Paccheri Lisci (spicy pork sausage sugo, fennel, sage, pecorino) from Jame Enoteca in El Segundo, CA. — 4 days ago

Victor Hsu

9.4

Revelatory Montepulciano with Italian essence but Bordeaux character. Medium bodied with earthy fruit and restrained tannins, combined with notes of leather and cedar box and a hint of soy sauce. Mouthwatering food wine; the 2013 vintage is definitely ready to enjoy now. First glass was at Mother Wolf in LA (date night with Dreama) and most recently a bottle at home with my own beef stroganoff on a Sunday night. What a way to top off the weekend! — 3 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.3

One of the best — 5 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.2

Luscious and unctuous but not over the top syrupy. Perfumed and balanced; a delight with food like nuts, cheese and flatbread but also great on its own. Enjoyed the 2018 vintage in Vegas with William and Shari, celebrating our February birthdays. Happy Birthday to us! — 6 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.3

Wonderfully rich and round Central Coast Pinot, with a heady perfume and balanced acidity. More ripe fruit than earthy mineral flavors but it’s all there. A rare treat; only ten barrels produced. Great pairing with Costco roast salmon and dill. Had the 2022 vintage—not too young to enjoy! — 10 days ago

Victor Hsu

8.7

Balanced and crisp; nice accompaniment to Chinese food. No minerally petrol notes, which I love, but drinkable nonetheless. Enjoyed the 2022 vintage with the family celebrating Uncle George’s 95th birthday at Mandarin King in Northridge. — 3 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.1

Fresh, fruity and juicy, with sweetness balanced by acidity. Low alcohol and quaffable, perfect for a warm day. Pairs exceptionally well with corned beef and cabbage. Nice find at Costco. 2023 vintage. — 4 months ago