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.........

Canto Del Principe "TRE CIPRESSI" Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2019

 

This lovely cherry hued Brunello has bright red fruit, cinnamon, cherry, mulled wine, and leather with a classic "bricking" at the rim.

Palate--Integrated, very relaxed tannins, bright cherry and berry filling the mouth. 

This is a delicious and inexpensive Brunello which is why although it is made well, it is rather shallow when you know what Brunello can be...and you'll pay handsomely for it. 

I paid around $18 for it and it is decent for the money but not a representation of how fabulous the grape can be.  But like I said, Brunellos can age well and you'll pay MUCH more than this $18 sample.

I am pairing it with Ny strip steaks made in doors in a hot iron skillet. The pairing should be glorious so raise a glass!

"The Originals" Horse Heaven Hills RED WINE 2022

A dark, eggplant hue with amazingly big black berry and caramel aromas wafting up from the glass. Blackberry cobbler at the edge.

Palate-- Minerally front, confusing mid palate, with a shockingly tepid impression in the mouth. Essentially NO finish.

This is one of the strange wines that are amazing before you taste them.  And then on the palate it is a huge flop. This might explain why it was marked down to $7. Horse Heaven Hills is a very respectable AVA in Washington state and known for some value cabernets Even at $7 this is a dud! 

What's the Best Wine for Superbowl Sunday?

 

BEER!   Go Pats!

SPHERE (Paso Robles) [California AVA] "RED WINE" 2021

SPHERE  (Paso Robles) [California AVA]  "RED WINE"  2021Garnet hue with what looks like "bricking" already. A pleasant fruity bouquet of mixed fruit, consisting of red berries, cherry, and warm mulled wine.

Palate--Lively acidity, a confusing of a melange of red fruits and spices with a touch of a bitter finish.

OK--First this is the objective review regardless of price etc. It is not a great wine to be sure and it is not in some ways even a good wine. BUT--There are a zillion wines "out there" (many which have an animal on the label (because animals sell...) which are twice the price of this wine and are absolutely "manufactured" plonk. This is a genuine effort made from an amalgam of fruit from all over the region og the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area) which has some gravitas!

So here is the get a grip factor: This wine is $5!  Read that again 5 bucks! and for that you get an honest wine, that will be fine with crackers and a host of stronger cheeses and a tomato based pasta dish and on and on.  Serve it with a bit of a chill on it and it will be even better.  For $5, at Trader Joe's RAISE A GLASS!