Badiolo Chianti (Riserva) 2022

Thin and watery looking on the pour showing a slightly "bricked" rim on a diminished garnet frame. Aromas of milk chocolate (unusual for Chianti) with a floral touch of spring red flowers, all on an enticing Sangiovese bouquet.

Palate--Characteristic acidic foundation with a decently balanced palate of tightly wound red berries with a fleeting finish.  

I am not sure what to make of this wine as it stands. It is young and should mature into a better profile in another couple years. Right now however I am a little skeptical. It was priced at $19 but reduced to $13.

I just noticed I reviewed this wine in just a couple months ago and my review was considerably different/better. 

What to make of it??? I will suspend judgement until the wine has had a chance to open up and see if it is better with my dinner which will be homemade kale and italian sausage soup with cheesy herb bread (also home made) I'll update later on...

Buehler Chardonnay "Russian River" 2021

Light golden hue with ample aromas of tropical fruit, citrus, vanilla, sweet green apple.

Palate--Classy for the price, nice balanced structure, rigid acidity, vibrant tropical fruit flavors with citrus highlights. Finishes quickly but with class.

Previously reviewed back in June of 2025. Not up to the standards of what I am used to from this producer but a value at $10 so raise a glass.  Pairing it with baked Salmon with dill sauce...

Member's Mark Cabernet Sauvignon (Private Reserve) [Sonoma, Alexander Valley] "SallyVine Vineyard" 2023

Dark garnet hue with aromas of pronounced berry fruit above the rim, intense ripe fruit in the bowl, lovely spice, with more berry fruit.

Palate--A bit tart, with a touch of a watery mouth feel. Nice fruit forward but not quite the expectation of a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma much less Alexander Vineyard. 

Well, the pedigree is outstanding, this label tells you MUCH about the wine's origins. AVA specific--Sonoma; Alexander Valley and vineyard specific, Sallyvine Vineyard. Normally a Cab from this pedigree would tun more around $40 and up...  

Sam's Club offers it for around $12 and you get what you pay for. My suspicion is that these Sam' Club wines are made specifically for Sam's Club and again these are not like buying other Cabs from the same areas. Caveat emptor!

 

Tree Fort Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles) 2021

Garnet hue with some intensity and a bouquet rising from the glass of rich ripe dark berry fruit with gentle spice and a sweet spice overtone like chinese five spice resting on a bread dough base. Nice!

Palate--Decent first impression with a bold presentation mouth filling dark fruit, that lingers with a strong finish. 

I paid $8 for this AVA cabernet marked down from $18! At $8 it's a bargain and will be pairing it with pan fried sirloin steak and it will be grand.  Raise a glass!

Broadbent Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2017

Inky dark purple nearly black with beautiful aromas dried currants/raisins, luscious deep ripe plum. I could just sit and sniff this bouquet for a good while...

Palate--Dense, thick profile of mouth watering, rich, luxuriant silky mouthfeel, that is ever so tantalizing. The rich, plum pudding and densely sweet (in all the right ways) on a balanced foundation.

This is a masterfully made LBV and if you love Port--real port...which ends in an "O" or it isn't "real" you will adore this delightful quaff. I love Port with semi-sweet dark chocolate, or strawberries, or rich cheeses like a quality bleu, etal. But I LOVE a quality Porto all by itself as well.

I don't remember what I pad for this but it was around $20 I believe and it is a BARGAIN! Raise a glass!

Lustrous Chardonnay (Russian River Valley Sonoma) 2024

This Chard from one of my favorite California AVA's is lovely gold hue with pronounced aromas lovely lemon laced with a sweet beam of something like "cherry" ( cinnamon?) almost with crisp green Granny Smith apple on a good chard foundation with a touch of vanilla.

Palate--Mouth watering acidity, nice first impression with structure finesse, lemon galore, vanilla bean and creme brulee nuances.

Because of what I pad for this at Trader Joes, I was lowering my expectations despite its pedigree. NOT disappointing!!! *For $9 this is a BUY a case lot and raise a glass!!!

*The Wine Enthusiast gives this $19 Chard 90 points and for once I AGREE! 

Gaetano Di Aquino Chianti "Riserva" 2022

Brickish red hue with aromas of rustic forest floor with sweet berries, and perhaps a suggestion of wintergreen and spruce.

Palate--Sharp acidity out of the gate with lively structure--though immature--a seriously good fruity foundation that will mature over the next 5 years yielding a super value Chianti from this producer I have followed for years. Finishes quickly yet urges you to keep drinking!

I have been drinking and reviewing this wine since 2009! 17 years of reviewing various vintages at various times and always comes in at the ridiculous price point of about $8! A perennial winning selection from Trader Joe's which I will be pairing with my wife's chicken Cacciatore and it will be superior so raise a glass! 

Cross Springs Zinfandel Lake County 2023

A lighter cherry pour seemingly a little watery, maraschino cherry bouquet, a touch of wood, and space on the end.

Palate--First impression is very nice, with an integrated and supple foundation with prominent Zin goodness, a rather pronounced cherry mid-palate, decent structure and a fairly quick finish but the finish is quite nice.

I was prepared NOT not like this and I cannot even say why. Perhaps it was the somewhat "watery" looking light hue on the pour but the palate is much better than I pre-judged.  I paid  $7.50 for this bargain Zin which is a steel!

I will be pairing it with my homemade venison chili which uses some Zin in my recipe.  The wine pairs very well with the Ancho chili powder, brown sugar, cayenne and bacon. I have had this combination at least 50 times and it never gets old. So grab one or three and raise a glass!

Castle Rock Pinot Noir "Monterey Co." 2021

Watermelon juice hue on the pour with delicate aromas of strawberry with slight spice. On second glance there seems to be slight "bricking" at the rim, a sign of aging...

Palate--Big out of the gate, with metalic first impression with slightly tart raspberry/strawberry, and a lingering finish that is crisp if quick.

I found this at an out of state liquor store marked down to $7.50. Castle Rock makes super value Pinot's from actual AVA's (American Viticultural Areas) which puts them at a higher level of quality. (Usually...)  

At this price,  Raise a glass!

Storybrook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Napa Estate (Mayacamas Range) 2019

 

Crystalline hue with the clarity 0f a ruby gem stone. Bouquet is fresh with an interesting but ever so subtle touch of mint in the bowl, with classic spicy Zin fruit, and raspberry on the end.

Palate--First impression is a bit disappointing with a somewhat awkward profile, a tad watery, and never which quite develops. Seriously disappointing. Finishes shallow, and quickly. Hmmm???

What to make of it?  Well this wine was listed at $46 as it's normal price but the State liquor store where I love to shop out of state always has some spectacular bargains. This however, even at the $21 I paid for it is--wait for it--disappointing. 

Just for kicks I am tasting a much guzzled $10 Zin I love from Trader Joes and candidly, gimme the $10 Zin!  I calls em as I tastes em so until this gets marked down to $10 it will not be a repeat.