Palate--Intense sweetness on a bed of bold structured foundation with silky tannins, and gargantuan prune and uber ripe plum on a luxuriant mattress of intense fruit flavor with a surprisingly quick finish.
I snagged this at a state liquor store for $18 and all you can say about port wine is that done right it is extra-terrestrial. I am pairing this with a slice of Harry and David's dark chocolate "something" (foreground of pic) and it is going to be otherworldly! At $18 you MUST raise a glass!
Palate-- Supple presentation with robust Zinfandel fruit all over the place, balanced structure, a touch of wood mid-palate and a short finish.
This a really nice Zin from LODI (California) and I grabbed about 3 cases a couple years ago from a state liquor store which always has crazy great buys. I found this Zin (2019) selling for $7.50 a bottle! I was sorry I didn't buy more before they ran out. So on a trip down to Mass. we go to the NH Liquor store that has these great buys and NO sales tax. So I grabbed 1 case at the same ridiculous $7.50 a bottle. All I can say is raise a case!!!
Corvelia Zin 2023 ($10) against the above: Another bargain Zin with a classic Zin profile and bouquet. See previous review. I like the 2022 TC a touch better than the 2019 as it stands but both are SUPER values so raise a glass!
Palate-- Mouth watering acidity with unctuous dark berry and raspberry, a strong herbal presence mid-palate but shallows out with a fleeting finish.
A bit of a watery texture which is disappointing. This wine was given 92 pts by the esteemed Wine Enthusiast. I am not tasting that...
I paid $21 for this Zin with a reference price of $40. I would have been VERY disappointed at $40 and I am even disappointed at the $21 I paid. I regularly drink Zins for half that price and they are as good, maybe better. At the $21 price point I would give it a pass much less the $40 mark...
Ruby hue with aromas of crushed dried italian herbs, rustic cherry.
Palate--Acidic front with dried herbal fruit up front and mid palate, oregano, dry finish. Mouth watering acidity, and a bond dry presentation.
This Trader Joe's offering at $8 is always a winner and at 4 years old it is reaching its peak but will drink enjoyably for another 2-3 years. Raise a glass!
Having a Lou Malnatti's Chicago style deep dish pizza I have shipped in routinely and at this time of Christmas cheer, reach out to someone you don't know and just say, "Merry Christmas!"
Palate--a mouthful of spicy blackberry and blueberry with a cozy structure and mouth filling flavors that linger.
I have had a different bottling of this Scotto Zin by the case it is such a bargain at $9 at Trader JOes. This is the first time I have seen this "Legacy Series" which also runs $9. It has a bit more character than the other bottling but both a supre values so raise a glass.
Light golden hue with aromas of sweet vanilla laced with lime and green apple.
Palate--Off dry, but more dry than "off" with a steely mid-palate and citrus notes and a quick finish.
This Alsatian blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer is a tad disappointing not because of the wine as much as my expectation that it would be a touch "sweeter" to pair with my Asian cuisine tonight. I think it will "work" but I do not think it will be an enhancement to the meal.
I paid $16 for this at a European specialty shop in rural Maine. It's not at all substandard, i just had different expectations. That is my fault because I should have known that as al Alsatian creation it would be bone dry more than anything. So, it is good wine so raise a glass!
Dark slightly opaque garnet hue with aromas of Crushed dried red berries, plum with spiced apple rings, and something else....
Palate--Somewhat staid first impression but flavors fighting to burst out. Confusing presentation but there is something pretty nice hiding underneath its youthfulness. Relaxed structure, easy to drink, should be a good food wine (baked chicken with root vegetables pairing) quick finish but makes you want to go back for more.
A Trader Joe's offering at $10, I will be buying more so raise a glass!
Lovely eggplant hue with aromas of spicey dark berries, and a youthful presentation.
Palate--Mouth watering structure with relaxed tannins and a big burst of spicy berry mid palate with a warm lingering finish.
This is a welcome sight at Trader Joe's as it disappeared for a couple years but found it this past week. It needs another 1-2 years to mature but is a nice bargain at $10 so raise a glass!
Palate--Mouth watering structure with subdued fruit on opening, and essentially no finish.
Right now, out of the gate this is a big disappointment. Willamette Valley, Oregon is a well known Pinot Noir AVA. (American Viticultural Area) ie., a wine region that meets certain requirements and merits this distinction) for first class Pinots. Hopefully this will open up into something much greater than what it is on first blush.
I am having it with turkey pot pie made with--what else-- left-over Thanksgiving turkey. This is a Trader Joe's offering at around $12 but showing around $22 on-line. The Wine Enthusiast gives this wine a 90 point score which is absurd from what I am tasting. At any rate, if this wine surprises me and opens up I will update this post.
Palate-- Fruit forward on a foundation that is well structured. There is a special twist mid-palate, and espresso, home baked berry pie, and somewhat lingering finish that makes you look forward to the next gulp!
This $10 value from Trader Joe's is one of the better wines I have had in a long time. In fact I just got home from the store where I bought the 1 bottle and grabbed several more. Raise a glass!
