Il Barone La Amorosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 New Years 2025

Nearly black in the bowel and deep magenta on the pour with immense aromas of rich ripe plum and blackberry, a suggestion of vanilla cream, and a thickish look to it on the swirl.

Palate-- (First impression on opening: Young, tart, supple tannins, vibrant acidity, mouth filling flavors of muscular dark berries, with oak notes and leather.)

(2nd tasting with some breathing: graphite and floral notes arising from the bouquet; Palate--Initial tartness has completely disappeared, leaving mouth filling blackberry and plum fruit galore on a rich luxurious bed.)

(3rd tasting: with dinner of charcoal grilled Prime Rib...Needless to say this was an amazing, elegant and gloriously perfect accompaniment.)

I can't afford this kind of wine (will run you around $100+)  so I am grateful for the wonderful gift that it was. Thanks Beege. :) 

López de Heredia Rioja Reserva Viña Bosconia 2009

Opaqueish bricking at the rim with classic "aging" garnet hue and aromas of classy Tempranillo with cherry and plum notes with gentle spice.

Palate--Supple texture with steely foundation with savory spices mid palate, balanced all the way around but still not at its peak. Finish lingers in both texture and a blackberry trail.   

Even at this age it has time to grow but I wouldn't wait. Open it and raise glass! (about $40+)

Louis Eschenauer *Sauternes 2022

 

Light golden hue with aromas of mango, tropical fruit, hint of cinnamon and honey.

Palate--Ultra sweet first impression with a sufficient balance of acid to carry the immense sweetness.  Silky, thick texture in the mouth, like drinking velvet and a really nice honey finish although quick.  

I bought this finding it for $10 (375ml) which is a rare find. It certainly is not the classic Sauternes as made by Chateau D'Yquem but then I had one many years ago and it was $105 for the same size bottle.

Nevertheless it has been such a long time since I had any stripe of this wine so I am glad I grabbed it  Raise a glass!

*Wine geek stuff here:   The Sauternes region of France is world renown for dessert wines which can get very pricey. They are generally made primarily from Sauvignon Blanc grapes and Semillon which have been allowed to sit on the vine until they shrivel like raisins, concentrating the sugars into super sweet wine. As you can imagine, you don't get much juice out of a raisin hence part of the reason for the high price. Additionally the grapes are allowed to become infested (hopefully) by a fungus called Botrytis which also intensifies the residual sugars making an intensely sweet wine.  If the making of the wine does not allow for a high acidity the wine will be too sweet or "cloying" which makes for a syrupy kind of wine and not too enjoyable. 

Martellozzo Prosecco "*Vino Frizzante"

Pale straw hue with aromas of green melon, sweet spice, and tropical fruit cocktail and a touch of lime. 

Palate--Tepid bubbles, lacks depth but what's there is pleasant enough with everything you smell in the bouquet. Finishes before it starts and is a bit watery.

In some ways this sort of describers your typical "Prosecco" which while being an unremarkable wine is wildly popular.  There are so many alternatives that are much better but some how this generic wine sells well and, well, people like what they like!  This wine runs about $8 at Trader Joe's so all I will say, is "Caveat Emptor."            HAPPY NEW YEAR!

*Vino Frizzante means fizzy wine...