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!

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!