Logan Farrell Chardonnay Napa Valley 2023

Pale straw hue with aromas of light lemon, subtle tangerine rind, baby powder, Chinese five spice.

Palate--First impression is hugely disappointing with a flacid structure that almost makes me not want to keep it in my mouth. Flavors of unbalanced lemon, bitter mid-palate, and a fleeting finish--which is pretty much a blessing...

Okay then -- I saw this at one of my fave liquor stores and it was on closeout for $8.99. I did a double take seeing it was a NAPA Chard which just didn't make sense. The tag said regular price was $17.99. (Normal decent NAPA chard will run  you 2-3 times that...)  Since I live 75 miles away I thought do I buy a case (Napa Chard would be a steal at such a price) But instead I bought only 2 bottles since I had never heard of this producer.  Boy am I glad I did. Even at $8.99 this is a PASS.  No, it is not flawed, it is just poorly made wine. 

McManis Cabernet Sauvignon (Lodi) 2023

Deep garnet/purple hue with aromas of coffee, spiced apple rings with cocoa and dark berries.

Palate--Steely, with juicy foundation, straightforward spiced fruit, with adequate tannins for a few good years of again.

At the $12 price point this is a decent value wine well made and will improve over the next couple years. I will have it tonight with charcoal grilled venison burgers.  Raise a glass!

Firesteed Pinot Noir 2022 Oregon

Lighter magenta hue with aromas of  candy apple and strawberry with light sweet/savory spices on the end.

Palate-- Light acidity with tart profile, tightly wound fruit waiting to break out.  Finishes non-descript with a clunk kind of ending. Disappointing...

Oregon makes some great Pinot noirs! This is not one of them.  This Oregon *sourced Pinot leaves a lot to be desired. I paid $12 for this and I won't be repeating the mistake.  PASS!

*Sourced means the grapes for making this wine could have come from anywhere in the state of Oregon. Quality can be iffy, although sometimes there are great bargains to be had when the Oregon **AVA's have had bumper harvests. They sell their grapes of good vintners make bargain wines.

**AVA  American Viticultural Area-- Officially recognized locales with the state that have lived up to specific criteria of quality etc.  Eola-Amity Hills are one such AVA as is Willamette Valley...  There are many and they will be on the label of the wine if they qualify...