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.  

Corvelia Zinfandel (Paso Robles) Lot 23

Purple rich hue with a bouquet of pronounced spicy Zin aromas with a hint of coffee I never noticed before and an almost floral, overtone.

Palate-Hefty front palate with nice first impression, mouth watering acidity, chewy tannins, spicy richness with juicy fruit. Finishes with a lingering dark brooding berry goodness.

This was reviewed previously in January of this year. Some stark differences which could be due to any number of things not the least of which is that my body is quite beaten up (fatigued) from caring for my ailing bride with a very serious Leukemia. Living out of a hotel in Boston for a month; trips to Boston weekly now (350 mile RT.) And it takes a toll. Please note the only reason I mention this is because the condition of your body every time you sit down to review a wine all kinds of variables can come into play.

 

With 2.6 million views to date, I want to educate a bit as well as just give my experienced and professional opinions.  At $10 this is a no brainer.  Raise a glass!

Saint-Julien Du Domaine Madone Pays D'OC MERLOT 2024

Opaqueish garnet with purple notes with a bouquet of a touch of years, dried cherries, and dark cherry on the edge.

Palate--Juicy structure with a metallic mid palate, angular in its youth,dried cherry, with lip smacking tannins that are youthful needing some time to mature. Finishes quickly without a lasting impression. 

This was marked $20 but marked down to $10. At $10 it's ok.  I will pair it with oven roasted chicken thighs and root vegetables. 

I'd give this a pass!
 

LuLu Chardonnay (Washington) 2021

Delicate golden hue with aromas of tropical fruits, vanilla, citrus and green apple.

Palate--vibrant acidity, with a delicate structure yielding tropical fruit flavors, tangy citrus, and a subtle finish that lingers.

I am making baked salmon with a dill sauce to go with this Washington State Chard. Listed at $19 I paid $9 for it which is the right price point. It doesn't have the oomph to be a $20 Chard.  Raise a glass! 

Saint-Hillaire Brut 2023

Gentle golden hue with aromas of lemon/lime, hints of vanilla, with dancing pin-prick bubbles.

Palate--Notes of lemon/lime with a clean citrus, off dry palate, and a fleeting creamy mouth feel.

This was my pairing for our daughter's Easter ham. Saint-Hillaire has a storied and aged history but in the end ya just want to drink it. It was a decent pairing and at $18 a pretty decent value so raise a glass! 

*The photo of the wine is set in my daughter's home where she is an accomplished artist. Ya might want to check out her work; it is quite stellar and sit with a glass of bubbly and admire her works.

https://williamsfineartdealers.com/shop
 

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel LODI 2022

Pretty magenta/purple hue with aromas of sweetly spiced tomato jam and/or spiced apple rings and lovely Zin fruit through and through.

Palate--Lovely first impression sitting integrated and balanced in the mouth with everything just playing in harmony. Varietal fruit abounds and structure is finessed and lovely. 

I bought a couple cases of this over a year ago and the store where I found these was sold out finally.  I was bummed. Then a couple months ago they had more of this incredible Zin again at the $7 price point. I had them hunt in their back room as they only had a couple out front. They found more--EUREKA! 

I love this Zin and will pair it with my own french onion/bacon tart (pizza) and it is fabulous based on history!  Raise a case!!!

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!