Tuatea Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) 2024

 

Straw hue with aromas of summer stone fruit, lemon/lime, and baby powder.

Palate--Robust acidity, with grassy notes and classic "new world" Sauvignon Blanc flavors with a slightly ongering zest that says, "Drink Me!"

It has been a good while since I have had a Sauvignon Blanc and I always loved the grassy notes in a new world, S. Blanc.  They are versatile pairing well with all kinds of light cheeses, or all by itself chilled down for pool side pleasure.

New Zealand has been making Sauvignon Blanc for a good while now and Marlborough is one of the premier regions for the grape. At $10 (or less) at Trader Joe's I will be pairing this with a concoction I'll create of shrimp and scallops over pasta and it will work very well so raise a glass to Summer!

Cecilia Beretta (Valpolicella *Ripasso) "Superiore" 2022

Ruby/garnet hue with aromas of a slight hint of mint (?) with fragrant hints of spices and a candy berry note at the rim.

Palate--Understated, herbal cherry profile with interesting if non-descript notes of earthy spice.

Very recently reviewed with a different sense about it.  Never-the-less at $12 (Trader Joe's) this is a nice wine made by a storied producer so raise a glass!

*Ripasso essentially means a "redo"!  The short explanation is that another great wine called "Amarone" pronounced "Ahm a ROH nay" is a great Italian wine made from partially dried grapes and the wine is fermented with skins etc. After the Amarone wine is completing its process, the skins are reused when making a "ripasso" wine. It adds character, some structure and is just a nice change to the ordinary.

La Sonriente Garnacha 2023

Slightly opaque garnet with aromas of baked bread, vibrant juicy cherry berry fruit

Palate-Slightly tart first impression with somewhat tight fruit, and needs to open up. Tart cranberry and cherry/berry fruit.

Third review of this wine although one was an earlier vintage.  At $7 (Trader Joe's) it's a solid value so raise a glass! 

Josh Cellars "Hearth" Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Youthful garnet hue with aromas of blackberries and blueberry pie, and gentle spice.

Palate--Pleasant and relaxed structure with bold rich, ripe berries, unsweetened dark chocolate mid palate and plenty of spice.

Recently reviewed, this bargain sale Cabernet was $7 and I bought all the store had. At its normal $14 price point it would still be a nice value so raise a glass!

Chateau Haut Claribes (Boprdeaux Supérieur) 2022

Inky dark "black" hue with aromas of sour cherry, blackberry, sweet fresh berries above rim, floral bouquet of spring flowers. Lovely!!!

Palate-Hefty first impression with weighty mouth feel, intensely rich, big young bold berries and loads of   other "things" trying to burst out. Wow!!!

This is a gargantuan big, bold, young, and lots waiting to come of age but will take another 3-5 years to be at its prime. This $9 Trader Joe's selection is ridiculous in value and I will be getting more to lay down. Pairing with my bone in ribeye charcoal grilled! Raise a glass! 

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2022

Deep purple with garnet rim and aromas of classic Zin with zesty, spiced berries, dark plum 

Palate--Consistent Bogle profile with heads up dark berry fruit with loads of zippy spicing and structure.

I wait for this go on sale at our local grocery stores and find it for $9.  I'll grab it every time so raise a glass!

Cecilia Beretta Valpolicella Ripasso "Superiore" 2022

Youthful purple/garnet hue with aromas of dried cherries, fresh floral spring flowers, with a *bright red berry like citrus note.

Palate--Lively acidity but not over-whelming, with lively red berry and perky structure bolstering the cherry notes.

I reviewed this same wine back in January and it was a somewhat different profile. It is the Trader Joe's value offering at $12 from a storied producer. I will pair it with my own carbonara and I know it will be grand so raise a glass! 

*I don't believe in all my years I have ever used such a description...  :) 

Schloss Biebrich "Troken" (NV)

Very pale straw with aromas of lightly sweetened lemon lime 

Palate--Off dry first impression with fresh, light citrusy fruit. Quick finish.

This is a regular of mine as I love the econ0my of it and how well it goes with Asian cuisine, and other hard to pair dishes like curry... At the $7 price point at Trader Joe's ya just can't get any better value so raise a glass!

*Richebois Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2023

Purple/garnet hue with aromas of watermelon first impression with pomegranate, cranberry and a red floral suggestion at the rim.

Palate--Clean vibrant acidity, with a crisp mid-palate of assertive red berry fruit and cherry nuances.
The youthful structure will only mature over the next t years to a very nice expression of the Cotes Du Rhone Villages quality.

The classic Cotes Du Rhone Villages blend is GSM--Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and this expresses more GM than S.  :)  Such a value wine from Trader Joe's yet again for around $9 it HAS to be acquired! 

BTW--pairing it with my wife's baked chicken thighs and root vegetables. So raise a glass!

*Reviewed this wine just a couple months ago so compare for consistency and education!

Poggio Al Casone (Toscana) 2019

Lovely and mature garnet hue with aromas of bright cherry, a hint of menthol, cherry licorice.

Palate--Nicely mature wine with rather mellow acidity for a Tuscan but never-the-less quite lovely on balance, with a fleeting cherry licorice finish.

Another Trader Joe's offering that is a crazy bargain at $8 (reference price of $20. It is a nice wine I will try to get more of. Raise a glass!