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...

 

Bogle Zinfandel 2022

Pretty ruby hue with aromas of nice ripe blackberry in the bowel with some hints of blueberry pie and gentle sweet/savory spice. 

Palate- For such a young wine it is balanced and always reliable with Zin profile of rich blackberry with a touch of sweet savory spices. (Compare here with previous reviews of the same wine.)

One of my "go to" Zins because of the above and the value price point of $10 or less when on sale. Sunday night Chicago style deep dish pizza is our routine (flown in from Chicago) and this is perfect. Raise a glass!

7 Deadly Zins Zinfandel (Lodi) 2021

 

Dark garnet hue with aromas of very nice blackberry and black cherry fruit and the slightest touch of pie crust.

Palate--Integrated first impression with a nicely textured structure giving a thickish mouth feel. Silky tannins and while the finish is quick it is decent if a little chewy.  

From one of the better known Zin regions of California the Lodi has emerged as a contender for value Zins of which I find myself drinking more than any other varietal. Sonoma is still my prefered Zin AVA but alas they have gone above my preferred price point.  This Zin I found for $14 but in the last couple years it has escalated from the $12 mark to closer to $20 which to me is overpriced. At $14 it is a decent Zin so raise a glass!

Gabbiano Pinot Grigio 2022

Pale straw hue with aromas of sweet summer fruit with a lightly spiced in the middle, scented baby powder and more fruit.

Palate--Nicely balanced with acidity and off dry mid palate.  Lots of flavors going on here (see previous review) but finishing quickly. 

I reviewed this back in January and as I am want to do, I like re-reviewing wines I have had before checking for consistency.  This just as nice as I thought it was the first time around. 

I paid $9 for this Pinot and I will pair it with homemade fish chowder and it will be prefect.  Raise a glass!

Alverdi Barbera 2022

 

Darker magenta hue with aromas of red berries spiced with notes of cinnamon, earth, savory spice and cocoa.

Palate--*Watery texture, with a slightly off putting first impression but flavors are "ok" without any wowing factors. 

I paid $9 for the Trader Joe's offering and it's "meah!" I won't be buying it again.

*Actually after breathing this improved markedly and I would indeed buy it again.  Raise a glass!

La Sonriente 2023 Garnacha

Beautiful ruby hue with aromas of light cherry hints of sweet spices, with a touch of savory on the edge.

Palate--Lighter bodied, with off dry sweet impression but not sweet, lively and well made with enough structure to carry some fairly bold memnu pairings.  Finishes very quickly but then this is Grenache which is very easy to drink.

This Spanish creation is the same grape called Grenache in other parts of the world and is a bargain  at $7 at Trader Joes, so raise a glass!

Four Vines "Old Vine" Zinfandel (*Lodi) 2021

 

Deep garnet hue with aromas of blackberry, (butterscotch)  red fruit, sweet red berries above the rim.    

Palate--Stately first impression, mature structure with balanced integration of all things with big rich dark berry flavors galore, with a finish that lingers.

This previously reviewed nice Zin, is worthy of many purchases and at $9 (Trader Joe's) it is a great value.

I am pairing it with one of our favorite dinners--Maine venison chili--and we already know from many iterations of this that it goes GREAT so raise a glass!

*Lodi-- is one of California's many "AVA's" (American Viticultural Areas) which must meet certain standards to be able to put that on the label. At $9 it is a go-to for my favorite dishes!  Raise a glass!

Richebois Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2023

 

Purple hue with aromas of tightly wound fruit, cherry cream bon bons, cranberry, and finessed savory spice.    

Palate--Impressive stately first impression, with luxuriant texture and balanced structure for such a young wine. Fruit still very tightly wound and needs time to open up and more time in bottle to arrive at what I think is a berak out waiting to happen.

At $8 (a Trader Joe's bargain) this is the kind of wine you grab a half case at least and lay 4 away for maturing, and enjoy the other two now.  Raise a glass!

Vignobles Lacheteau (Loire Valley) Vouvray 2023

Previously reviewed this lovely French delight is a pale straw hue with aromas of ripe pineapple, stone fruit, perfumey baby powder and a kiss of citrus.

Palate--Off-dry, sweet front with loads of solid acidity to carry the sweet foundation with a fleeting but definite finish of summer fruit. 

Vouvray is made with Chenin Blanc and is one of my fave white wine varietals.   A Trader Joe's offering at $7-$8 and it would be a bargain at $15 and it is a definite Raise a glass! 

Maison Nicolas Pinot Noir 2022

Light garnet hue with aromas of strawberry sweet spice,  

Palate--Watery first impression, light bodied, flavors of strawberry juice and gentle spices with sweet nuances. Finishes quickly leaving only a fleeting taste of strawberry.

This $10 French Pinot is not spectacular nor should it be at this price point.  It's "meah" so you decide...

Spasso Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2023

 

Ruby hue with rustic cherry and forest floor, boysenberry and sweet black cherry.

Palate--Unremarkable first impression, with astringent fruit, dried berries, quickly finishing.

$9 Trader Joe's offering and not great but ok with pizza and pasta with heavy tomato base.