BANFI San Angelo PINOT GRIGIO 2024

Pale green hue with aromas of light citrus, green melon, and subtle tropical fruit.

Palate--Tart first impression, with bitter mid palate, a suggestion of tropical fruit, a touch of citrus on a bitter ending.

I am not a fan of Pinot Grigio but I splurged(ish) $20 for this one and it is not even palatable for my liking. I had a Pinot Grigio a couple months back and it was less than $10 I think.  It was actually enjoyable.  This one is getting dumped. Understand this is not a "flawed" wine, just a very crappy example of Pinot Grigio.  AVOID!

FYI. see my review of Gabbiano Pinot Grigio from 2025 for a nice $9 Pinot...

MUMM Sparkling Brut Rosé

 

This California sparkler is a pretty pink/orange hue with black cherry fruit wafting above the rim on a hint of citrus and sweet spice.

Palate--pin prick bubbles scintillate the palate making ready for an off dry debut in the mouth. Flavors are subtle on a crisp palate with a fairly quick finish.

I paid $24 for this eye pleasing California bubbly and it's a fresh quaff so raise a glass!

Famille Perrin Cotes Du Rhône Réserve 2022

Scintillating ruby hue with aromas of raspberry, tomato jelly, a touch of bakery bouquet, and

Palate--Mouth watering acidity, tightly wound (young profile) a touch flat (again due to youthfulness) and a very quick finish.

This is the classic GSM Rhone blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) just seems flat even for such a young wine, especially as "Reserve" wine at that. I think it will improve as it ages another year but not even sure of that. 

I think I paid around $12 for this and it's pretty darn good, for a distinguished history of the producer. I will pair it with roasted chicken thighs and root vegetables and it will show better than it is all by itself.

Clemente VII Chianti Classico 2021

Opaque deep purple with aromas of dried cherry, rustic spices and wood.

Palate--Silky tannins, rigid acidity, nice mid palate vibrancy, with lingering finish. 

At the $20 price point it is a lovely Chianti Classico and it was paired with a stew my daughter made with polish sausage. It was a perfect compliment so raise a glass!

LAGUNILLA Reserva 2018 (Rioja)

This Rioja (pronounced Ree-oh-hah) has a slightly *bricked garnet hue with aromas of savory spicy, ripe cherry/berry with fresh dough in the middle, accented with more spices and hints of wood.

Palate--Acidic foundation in front with integrated fruit throughout, mature tannins, and a lasting finish that cries out, take another quaff!

Tempranillo is the signature grape of the Rioja and some can get very pricey.  This is a blend of mostly Tempranillo with Garnacha, (Grenache) and another blending grape. At the $15 price point this is a very nice wine being excellent with food more than a sip on its own kind of wine. If you manage to find one with this kind of age on it grab it and be rewarded.  Raise a glass.

*Bricking is a term describing the "brick red" hue again red wines will reveal showing that their time is limited. This one is peak and will hold and improve for another couple years so drink up!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel 2022

Crystalline ruby hue with aromas of vibrant Zin fruit, with a tart nuanced cranberry notes, but overall just pure quality Zinfandel at a ridiculously bargain price.

Palate--Balanced, lovely first impression of purity and prudence, but ready to drink Zinfandel even better than a previous review of this wine back in January. 

I bought a couple cases of this the first time around and then my source dried up. I stumbled upon it again and bought another case. For $7-- That's SEVEN DOLLARS--this is just a crazy value.  If you happen upon it, grab all you can.  Even at twice the price, this is a very nice Zinfandel so raise a glass!

BTW--Pairing it with braised, smoked pork hocks over egg noodles and it will be glorious!  

Badiolo Chianti Riserva 2022

Brilliant cherry juice hue with aromas of lightly rustic, cherry/blackberry bouquet, with a sweet mid-glass sweet floral flowers.

Palate--Very nice first impression weighing lightly on the palate, with robust structure although a bit thin in the flavor profile somewhat unusual for the many Chiant's I have had over the decades. It could be it's youthfulness and needs a couple more years to come around.  

It is never-the-less a very light but delightful Chianti and will be nicce with my homemade pizza tonight.  I paid $13 for this marked down from $19.  Raise a glass!

Cross Springs Zinfandel (Lake County) 2023

Brilliant ruby with pleasant aromas of cranberry, sweet spice, bread dough, spiced apples.

Palate--A touch tart (in a good way) first impression, nicely structured, lighter body, nice spicy Zinfandel fruit, quick finish.

If you follow this blog you know that I am heavy on the Zinfandel reviews. This sale Zin was listed at $18 at an out of state liquor store so I grabbed a couple bottles. I am glad I did not pay the aforementioned price but am super glad I bought two bottles at $7.50 each! Pairing it with my fabulous French onion and bacon tart (pizza) with blenderized cottage cheese and sour cream on top of which goes a ton of previously crisped bacon bits. 

What's not to love?  Raise a glass!

Warres Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2010

Inky Dark blackish purple with aromas of rich ripe raisins, prunes, rose petal and spiced apple rings.

Palate--Thickish, intensely sweet but balanced acidity with mouth filling rich, ripe lovely raisiny, pruney, fruit.

The beauty of late bottled vintage porto (LBV) is that you get some of the glory of expensive, very aged vintage port at a fraction of the cost.

I don't remember what I paid for this treat but I am sure it was not the listed reference price of $36, perhaps $22!

Whatever it is a lovely treat and can be enjoyed all by itself, or even better with semi-sweet dark chocolate, or try it with strawberries and whipped cream!  You will swoon!!!  Raise a glass!

Inscription Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) 2023

Lighter bodied, light ruby hue with a subtle and fleeting tangerine rind, with a sharper tart strawberry nuance.

Palate--slightly tart first impression with a somewhat tightly wound raspberry mid palate. Finish is fleeting.

This is not a great example of the storied Willamette Valley AVA known for some really nice Pinots. 

Fortunately I padi only $9 for this otherwise $17 wine.  Even at $9 it is a pass. I am pairing it with cheese curds, 4 cheese tortellini, with shrimp and green peas in a self created cheese sauce. 

I previously reviewed this wine back in December and had the same basic review so.........