Sheep Ranch "Matchbook" Malbec 2023

Garnet hue with aromas of subtle root beer, ripe berry with a slightly rustic twinge, and berry pie.

Palate--A burst of acidity first impression with bold tannins that need some time, tightly wound, restrained fruit all of which points to a wine not quite ready to be enjoyed as much as it could. 

This Malbec (not the usual grape you think of when you think California) but it is well constructed and just needs more time in bottle like a couple years... This wine lists around $18 and might be worth it if you have the time to try one now and lay a couple bottles down. I believe you would be rewarded if you have the inclination. 

RAIMUND PRÜM Riesling. "Essence" 2023

 

This German Riesling is a beautiful golden hue with a bouquet of nice tropical fruit hints, subtle citrus, with sweet baby powder notes on an apple pie crust bouquet.

Palate--A seductive first impression with a classic "off dry" presence with subtle tropical fruit melange that is more shallow than I would have expected. It finishes quickly and is very nice yet disappointingly "one dimensional." 

At $15 I would expect a bit more as Mosel (Germany) Riesling is one of my favorite white wines. It lacks the acidity that I look for in a nice Riesling but since it has been a while since I have had this grape I am sure it will pair well with my Chinese dinner take out so raise a glass!

EPICURO "Aglianico" Puglia 2024

Intense and beautiful, cytaline youthful purple hue with aromas of blackberry and a spicy presence.

Palate--First impression is rich and metallic with gobs of ripe blackberry through and through. 

This youthful Aglianico is a touch thin, and quickly fleeting but then again this is a $6 Trader Joe's offering which is a delicious casual, and affordable red wine for Pizza although I am pairing it with my homemade Beef stroganoff. 

Serve this when you need an affordable but reliable wine with casual company, and hors d'oeuvres with friends who are there for the company and not the food.  Raise a glass! 

Three Finger Jack "Wild Country" RED BLEND 2023

Really pretty translucent garnet with expansive bouquet of lush ripe red berry, sweet plum, mellow savory spice, 

Palate--A touch watery in the mouth as first impression with rigid acidity, but loads of rich ripe red and black fruit, with a hint of those spices in the bouquet on the rear palate. Finishes quickly but leaves your palate clean!

I paid $15 for this Lodi (California) creation and it is tasty, a well crafted.  It is very young but drinking nicely even in its youth. It should drink well for the next 4-5 years I would say. I will be pairing it with our traditional Sunday night pizza and it will do quite well. This would be a versatile wine working with a host of robust meats and sauces, strong cheeses, or all by itself so raise a glass!

Porto Morgado LBV 2021

 

Deep deep eggplant hue with aromas full of dark ripe berries, a touch of raisiny richness  but needs to warm up (from cellar temp which is 55 degrees)

Palate--Intensely rich with massive ripe black berry on a silky foundation that sits "thick"in the mouth. It is wondrously textured, sweet but simple in that it is not complex never-the-less begs to be drunk.

I have been drinking bottles and bottle of Porto Morgado ports for years because they are offered routinely at Trader joes for an absurd price of $7 several years ago, to a still ultra value price of $9.  This *LBV (*Late Bottled Vintage Port) is again offered at a ridiculous price of $16.  I have NEVER seen this wine at Trader Joe's for the many years I have been shopping there. I was giddy as a school boy seeing this for the first time and at such a TJ's value price.  See it; grab it, drink it; buy more! Raise a glass!

For a desert treat, drink port with strawberries, or bleu cheese or my favorite, semisweet dark chocolate which is lovely! 

Late means that, unlike true vintage Port (aged two years before bottling and released to be aged much longer), producers release LBV four to six years after the vintage.

Once bottled, LBV should be ready to drink, not several years down the road. LBV that is true to its name should have some of the character of a vintage—balanced fruit and tannin from a single year and good depth of flavor.

CLAYHOUSE Adobe Red Blend 2020

 

Intense deep purple with garnet glow.  Aromas of strong black cherry and ripe plum. 

Palate--Supple first impression with lovely integration and structure. Uber fruity all over with straight forward ripe fruit all around. Well made and easy to drink and will pair well with my home made onion/bacon tart (pizza).

This wine is a bit of a mystery of what the "blend" is.  My guess would be Petite Sirah, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon but I could be out to lunch...

 I paid $8 for this but it runs around $20.  It's a super value at $8 and decent at $20 so raise a glass!!!

Chateau HYOT Reserve 2022

A surprising brick red at the rim which is premature in my book.  Aromas of dark fruit, 

Palate--Surprisingly bitter front as first impression with soft tannins, rich berries mid palate and a thin construction,with not a lot going on here.  I want to be generous and say perhaps that it needs more time, but I am not seeing more time as helping.

Perhaps my above review explains why I have seen this wine at $45 on line and then again I have seen it at $27 and even less than that. I am pairing this with a charcoal grilled Sirloin and I am hoping that it is better with food (as most Bordeaux wines are.) 

With dinner--this wine is much more friendly but not great even at the $14 price point I found it at. 

Flor DE Zalin (Red blend) 2021

Light on the pour with ruby presentation with aromas of dark berries with an edge of shadowy spices.

Palate--with a firm presentation of very berry flavors which are rather nondescript. 

This Spanish red is a blend of 40% Carignan (pronounced Car-in-YAN) 40% Syrah and 20% Grenache.  The Syrah seems to have gotten lost, the Grenache is the backbone of fruity goodness, and the Carignan is a classic blending grape. 

        I expected more from this wine, but it is unremarkable and at $12 from Trader Joe's, I would give it a pass. I am having it with venison/bacon burgers and cheese curds! Meah...

"OVZ" Old Vine Zinfandel 2022 (LODI)

Lighter garnet hue with nice aromas of lively almost perfumy sweet red berry, and a berry fruit compote.

Palate--Nice acidity, with expressive foundation, of juicy cherry berry and "sweet" yet not sweet mid-palate that is enchanting. Although it is lighter bodied it is fully expressive of very nice fruit!

I bought this at an out of state liquor store for $11 which is a great price for this *LODI--Oak Ridge Winery--creation. I paid $11 for it and I am glad I bought at least two bottles.  Raise a glass!

*LODI is one of many California AVA's (American Viticultural Area) which are select areas of grape growing that have met certain stringent requirements to get the particular designation. In this instance it means that a certain percentage (usually very high) of the grapes used in the wine-making have to be from this particular location.  NAPA for example is a well known AVA but there are over 200 around the country. Wines from an AVA are reliably "better" than say a label showing just "California."  Generally speaking, means the grapes used in that wine can be from anywhere in California. 

Logan Farrell Chardonnay (NAPA Valley) 2023

Straw hue with aromas of Lemon and tropical fruit compote with citrus flower notes.

Palate--Lacking structure right out of the gate, flaccid in the mouth, not impressive and not worthy of the NAPA branding. Still Lemon beam mid-palate but then gets overwhelmed by the lack of character. 

I just reviewed this review with a previous review I did of this same wine a year ago. Sadly very consistent. I am glad I only bought a couple bottles. Live and learn!  

Rossino Merlot (Veneto) 2022

Light but pleasant fruity bouquet with a hint of gentle spice on a crystalline ruby hue.

Palate--Acidic first impression withgood fruit but quite angular and needs anoter year or two to settle down. Finish is quick, uncomplicated and drinkable.

This Italian red from the Veneto region lists at $17 which is high but I paid $8 for it which is a nice price. Buy two, drink one now and lay the other one down for a couple years.  Raise a glass!

Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir (Central Otago) 2023

Crystalline ruby hue with aromas of  raspberry/strawberry with a candy like fragrance in the bouquet.

Palate--Surprising acidity with non-descript subdued flavors. 

New Zealand makes some spectacular wines; this is not one of them...

$25 list. I paid $12 for it and that was too much...