Deep ruby hue with expressive aromas of rustic wild dark berry and plum fruit with a spicy herbal nuance at the rim. Lovely!
Palate-Textured, pure fruit with velvety presence with bold dark berry flavors, tart raspberry, with a lasting finish. The lively structure finishes well with a touch of pucker.
Not sure if I have had this but it is a keeper at the $20 I paid for it whereas it runs about twice that. Pairing with Omaha Steaks bacon wrapped pork medallions. Raise a glass!
Palate--Tart first impression with off dry presentation, and all the fruits listed above in the bouquet are there on the palate with a light white pepper suggestion although subdued.
I probably paid $10 or less for this Austrian production. I have not had a "Grüner in years as it reminds me of Prosecco which I am not a fan of. Grüner Veltliner is the signature grape of Austrian wine and I do not feel qualified to comment on it beyond my own personal preference. I am glad I bought as I have not had Grüner in years. I will be pairing it with my wife's new creation of chicken breast with spinach and parmigiano cheese. Not sure how it will pair but I will let you know!
Straw hue with a touch of green with subtle sweetened lime and green apple...ish
Palate--nondescript, subtle citrus but pretty vacuous with a dry finish.
Freixenet is about my fave inexpensive but delightful Cava. So I was out f state and needed an off dry light wine to pair with indian takeout... Prosecco is NOT a wine that I seek out--ever. But I grabbed this and chilled it down a lot.
With my indian cuisine it was not good and and as a wine it is not good. My conclusion after not a bunch of Prosecco's admittedly is that they are sort of "drinkable" but that's about it. This one is pourable--down the sink.
Sadly I paid $15 for this and that was $16 too much. I think I'm done with Prosecco...
Palate--Consistent texture from beginning to end with balanced and finessed complexion. Mouth watering acidity carried to the end with a rather fleeting finish.
I found this a couple years ago the first time at an out of state liquor store I frequent when enroute to Boston. It was on sale for $7 which is ridiculous so I grabbed a half case I think, and once I tasted it over the intervening months I probably consumed a couple cases until they ran out. Then there was a couple year hiatus and then BOOM, another production year of this bargain Zin at $7. As usual, it will be accompanying our Sunday night Pizza ritual after church. Raise a glass!
Palate--Thickish, gorgeous, intense, ripe, jammy blackberry and plum pie with a mid-palate presence of more rich wondrous dark fruit.
Late Bottled Vintage Port is a glorious best kept secret in the world of Port wine. It is a fraction of "Vintage Port" which is another world all together and you pay dearly for it. Late Bottled Vintage Port or LBV Porto is a value porto that normal people can afford and this one is SUPER. At the price point of under $20 it is a MUST BUY. I am pairing this tonight with ripe fresh home grown garden strawberries and semi-sweet dark chocolate which is a decadent pairing. So raise a glass!
Palate--Gentle first impression with balanced structure, relaxes tannins, bold dark berry fruit, some unsweetened baker's cocoa mid palate, and a please yet subtle finish.
Previously last reviewed in December of 25 with similar notes. I paid $7 for this on close out and bought nearly a case but alas this is my last bottle. It is a very nice Zin at its normal price of $15 and even better at $7. Pairing with bacon, onion french tart. Raise a galss!
Cherry hue with aromas of vibrant blackberry, sweet musty fruit.
Palate--Nice first impression with nice structure and prominent juicy mid palate with loads of black cherry goodness. Finishes quickly but ends well.
Like the gorgeous mountain Rainier is, the peak-- Columbia Crest makes reliable, great value wines and this is not exception. Pairing with Omaha Steaks Burgers! At $10--raise glass!
Golden hue with aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, lemon curd and vanilla pudding.
Palate-- Very nice balanced foundation of acidity and a wonderfully perfect "off-dry" first impression with mounds of tropical fruit, vanilla, lemon and a decent finish.
This is a STUPID CRAZY value wine from Trader Joe's. I paid a ridiculous $6 for this gem and I hope they have more when I return. It is stunningly well made and one of the best German values I have found in a looooong time! I made homemade seafood chowder and even after forgetting to add "cream" it was a fabulous pairing. Raise a Glass!
Sturdy garnet hue with aromas of cherry bonbons, a touch of minerals, and steel.
Palate- A relaxed presentation and first impression, with a puckery mid palate and bright fruit with gentle hints of savory, with a pleasant if subtle finish.
This Sangiovese from Umbria is quite different from those of Chianti. It is more sophisticated (and that is NOT a dig at Chianti) but show the originality of the effects of climate on grape profiles.
This was a gift and at around the $35 price point it is a nice treat which I am pairing with grilled Omaha Steaks. It will be perfect and I am looking forward to it after another hard trip to Boston for my wife's Stem Cell Transplant care. Raise a glass!
It's Summer and picnics, days out to the lake, a ride in the boat, a blanket thrown on the ground or a lovely afternoon on your deck screams, "CHILLED BOTTLES OF WINE!"
There's confusion regarding when and why you might want to chill a bottle of wine. One basic tenet of enjoying wine is serving it at the right temperature but why is that important? Putting it simply, the colder a wine is, the less flavorful it will be.
So why would you even consider chilling down?
1. An inferior wine--price is not necessarily a good guideline--but it may help in your decision. Poorly made "cheap wines" can be off putting and I am not being snobby here. If you follow this blog you know I tend to focus on $10 price point wines because those are what most people are willing to spend. So truthfully, inexpensive red and white wines can actually benefit taste. So putting a "little chill" on the wine may enhance your enjoyment of it. And if the wine is actually a touch off-putting, a chill of about 1/2 hour in the fridge can make it taste better!
2. THIS IS A BIGGY! Do NOT put an ice cube in your wine if it is a touch warmer than you like. Why? Because the ice melts and dilutes out the "good" that WAS in the glass!
Some suggestions for chilling wines and this is utterly dependant on your personal preference!
Vinho Verde wines are ubiquitous Portuguese light wines that have a green tinge to them hence the name which means "green wine." These are quite the bargain (often) under $10!
Sparklers should always be chilled and these run the gamut of countries, and price points. But for that sunny pool-side fun, or picnic in the park, chill these down and keep them on ice (not ice in the glass) and enjoy them in the heat of the day.
As for RED WINES I get pickier about serving temp. but still you do not want warm red wine. (Actually "cellar temp." and/or what used to be considered "room temp" was 55 degrees harking back to the days of gargantuan castles... So for this blog entry, stay with the rosés, or even a Beaujolais (pronounced Bo Zho Lay).
At the end of the day YOU know what you and your friends like so be sensible, seize the day and take time to smell the roses giving thanks to the ONE who made it all. Raise a glass!
Palate--Acidic first impression loads of blackberry and spice with a somewhat lingering finish of blackberry pie.
Previously reviewed not long ago, this is another Trader Joes special at the $10 price point. It is a nice, simple, pizza wine, all purpose pasta with tomato based sauce, or appetizer cheeses one is likely to put out. It's "ok" but don't think of it asd "Cabernet Sauvignon"--the KING of wine grapes but rather a friendly share with your friends kind of wine. Since you asked--OK not really, I will be having this with my Sunday pizza ritual. Raise a glass!
Very pale goal hue with aromas of faint --off dry tropical fruit, pineapple, green apple.
Palate-A tiny bit of "life" in the palate with a steely first impression, flaccid in every way, almost nothing there, unremarkable, no finish.
The bottle is blue glass which is odd in and of itself as wines from the Mosel--the premier wine region of Germany-- is typically bottled in green glass.
This Member's Mark Magnum is very pass uppable... (I made that word up...)
Opaqueish garnet with bricking in the bowl. Aromas of smoky red berry and some mature ie., aged wine showing its time in the bottle.
Palate--Acidic first impression with a mature presence on a sturdy foundation and a fleeting finish.
Cherry/berry front palate with bold structure and loads of mouth watering, sustaining influences for a number of years of improvement.
I paid $10 for this bargain Rioja ($23) made from 100%Tempranillo (pronounced Tem-pra-NEE-O and is a nice compromise between "Old World--must be aged a decade" and "New World-- at it's prime close to release."
I reviewed this wine a couple years ago and it is aging so I would open it and drink it over the next several months though should hold for another year.... Raise a glass!
Palate--Nice first impression with nice structure and prominent juicy mid palate with loads of black cherry goodness. Finishes quickly but ends well.
"Columbia Crest" Is the summit of Mt. Rainer rising 14,400 feet above sea level. It is a trademark of sorts of Washington State. I climbed it when I lived out there in the early 80's with a team of experienced climbers traversing the "Gib Chute" a semi-technical route. My name is in the log book at the summit for posterity.
Like the gorgeous mountain it is, Columbia Crest makes reliable, great value wines and this is not exception. At $10--raise glass!
Palate--Stately first impression unlike an Italian Sangiovese with a more relaxed foundation and not nearly as acidic as a Chianti. Needs more time to come into the fullness of a delicious wine.
This creation from Napa Valley is made superbly well, more "crafted" than made, and a gift from my son. Not sure of the price but the quality says--higher than I am used to paying. What a treat! Raise a glass!
Nice dark garnet hue with aromas of dense dark berry fruit, slightly stinky cheese (in a good way)
Palate--brooding fruit on a dense foundation with acidity galre, young, waiting to erupt with a balancing act as it ages. It is dense and thickish...
This is not the best an Aussie Shiraz can show but at this price point of $7 marked down from $19, it needs a couple more years to balance out some of its angularity.
Pale straw hue with gentle aromas of citrus, vanilla an a sweet presence of spring flowers.
Palate--Lively first impression with a slight spritzig (fiz) on a delicious if subdued lemon/lime foundation with a fleeting finish.
Served this with bouillabaisse made by my daughter and the soup was wonderful and the wine was a nice complement to the dish. Around $18 this Chenin Blanc--the signature grape of the French Vouvray region is a lovely white that can run the gamut of styles but always reliable as a fresh, palate cleansing quaff so raise a glass!
Palate--Relaxed structure on first impression with a solid mid palate of confused fruit fruit, with a slightly lingering finish that is equally ambiguous.
Previously reviewed this in October of 2025 with similar ambiguity and conclusion. It's an okay quaff for $8 but not classic Zin. You decide.
Palate--Dark berries on the palate bursting with youthful poignancy even with 6 years of aging. It has an elegant first impression with a bold profile that will keep this wine going for another 5 years or more.
The Touriga Nacional is the signature grape of the Douro region of Portugal. This is a " crafted" wine with finesse and staying power. I paid $11 for this $25 wine elsewhere. It will be great with my wife's roasted chicken thighs and root vegetable so raise a glass!
Palate--Characteristic acidic foundation with a decently balanced palate of tightly wound red berries with a fleeting finish.
I am not sure what to make of this wine as it stands. It is young and should mature into a better profile in another couple years. Right now however I am a little skeptical. It was priced at $19 but reduced to $13.
I just noticed I reviewed this wine in just a couple months ago and my review was considerably different/better.
What to make of it??? I will suspend judgement until the wine has had a chance to open up and see if it is better with my dinner which will be homemade kale and italian sausage soup with cheesy herb bread (also home made) I'll update later on...
Palate--Classy for the price, nice balanced structure, rigid acidity, vibrant tropical fruit flavors with citrus highlights. Finishes quickly but with class.
Previously reviewed back in June of 2025. Not up to the standards of what I am used to from this producer but a value at $10 so raise a glass. Pairing it with baked Salmon with dill sauce...
Dark garnet hue with aromas of pronounced berry fruit above the rim, intense ripe fruit in the bowl, lovely spice, with more berry fruit.
Palate--A bit tart, with a touch of a watery mouth feel. Nice fruit forward but not quite the expectation of a single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma much less Alexander Vineyard.
Well, the pedigree is outstanding, this label tells you MUCH about the wine's origins. AVA specific--Sonoma; Alexander Valley and vineyard specific, Sallyvine Vineyard. Normally a Cab from this pedigree would tun more around $40 and up...
Sam's Club offers it for around $12 and you get what you pay for. My suspicion is that these Sam' Club wines are made specifically for Sam's Club and again these are not like buying other Cabs from the same areas. Caveat emptor!
Palate--Decent first impression with a bold presentation mouth filling dark fruit, that lingers with a strong finish.
I paid $8 for this AVA cabernet marked down from $18! At $8 it's a bargain and will be pairing it with pan fried sirloin steak and it will be grand. Raise a glass!
Palate--Dense, thick profile of mouth watering, rich, luxuriant silky mouthfeel, that is ever so tantalizing. The rich, plum pudding and densely sweet (in all the right ways) on a balanced foundation.
This is a masterfully made LBV and if you love Port--real port...which ends in an "O" or it isn't "real" you will adore this delightful quaff. I love Port with semi-sweet dark chocolate, or strawberries, or rich cheeses like a quality bleu, etal. But I LOVE a quality Porto all by itself as well.
I don't remember what I pad for this but it was around $20 I believe and it is a BARGAIN! Raise a glass!
This Chard from one of my favorite California AVA's is lovely gold hue with pronounced aromas lovely lemon laced with a sweet beam of something like "cherry" ( cinnamon?) almost with crisp green Granny Smith apple on a good chard foundation with a touch of vanilla.
Palate--Mouth watering acidity, nice first impression with structure finesse, lemon galore, vanilla bean and creme brulee nuances.
Because of what I pad for this at Trader Joes, I was lowering my expectations despite its pedigree. NOT disappointing!!! *For $9 this is a BUY a case lot and raise a glass!!!
*The Wine Enthusiast gives this $19 Chard 90 points and for once I AGREE!
Palate--Sharp acidity out of the gate with lively structure--though immature--a seriously good fruity foundation that will mature over the next 5 years yielding a super value Chianti from this producer I have followed for years. Finishes quickly yet urges you to keep drinking!
I have been drinking and reviewing this wine since 2009! 17 years of reviewing various vintages at various times and always comes in at the ridiculous price point of about $8! A perennial winning selection from Trader Joe's which I will be pairing with my wife's chicken Cacciatore and it will be superior so raise a glass!
Palate--First impression is very nice, with an integrated and supple foundation with prominent Zin goodness, a rather pronounced cherry mid-palate, decent structure and a fairly quick finish but the finish is quite nice.
I was prepared NOT not like this and I cannot even say why. Perhaps it was the somewhat "watery" looking light hue on the pour but the palate is much better than I pre-judged. I paid $7.50 for this bargain Zin which is a steel!
I will be pairing it with my homemade venison chili which uses some Zin in my recipe. The wine pairs very well with the Ancho chili powder, brown sugar, cayenne and bacon. I have had this combination at least 50 times and it never gets old. So grab one or three and raise a glass!
Palate--Big out of the gate, with metalic first impression with slightly tart raspberry/strawberry, and a lingering finish that is crisp if quick.
I found this at an out of state liquor store marked down to $7.50. Castle Rock makes super value Pinot's from actual AVA's (American Viticultural Areas) which puts them at a higher level of quality. (Usually...)
At this price, Raise a glass!
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!
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!
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
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!!!
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...
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!
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.
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!
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!
Palate--Very nice first impression weighing lightly on the palate, with robust structure although a bit thin in the flavor profile somewhat unusual for the many Chiant's I have had over the decades. It could be it's youthfulness and needs a couple more years to come around.
It is never-the-less a very light but delightful Chianti and will be nicce with my homemade pizza tonight. I paid $13 for this marked down from $19. Raise a glass!
Palate--A touch tart (in a good way) first impression, nicely structured, lighter body, nice spicy Zinfandel fruit, quick finish.
If you follow this blog you know that I am heavy on the Zinfandel reviews. This sale Zin was listed at $18 at an out of state liquor store so I grabbed a couple bottles. I am glad I did not pay the aforementioned price but am super glad I bought two bottles at $7.50 each! Pairing it with my fabulous French onion and bacon tart (pizza) with blenderized cottage cheese and sour cream on top of which goes a ton of previously crisped bacon bits.
What's not to love? Raise a glass!
This is not a great example of the storied Willamette Valley AVA known for some really nice Pinots.
Fortunately I padi only $9 for this otherwise $17 wine. Even at $9 it is a pass. I am pairing it with cheese curds, 4 cheese tortellini, with shrimp and green peas in a self created cheese sauce.
I previously reviewed this wine back in December and had the same basic review so.........
Palate--Integrated, very relaxed tannins, bright cherry and berry filling the mouth.
This is a delicious and inexpensive Brunello which is why although it is made well, it is rather shallow when you know what Brunello can be...and you'll pay handsomely for it.
I paid around $18 for it and it is decent for the money but not a representation of how fabulous the grape can be. But like I said, Brunellos can age well and you'll pay MUCH more than this $18 sample.
I am pairing it with Ny strip steaks made in doors in a hot iron skillet. The pairing should be glorious so raise a glass!
Palate-- Minerally front, confusing mid palate, with a shockingly tepid impression in the mouth. Essentially NO finish.
This is one of the strange wines that are amazing before you taste them. And then on the palate it is a huge flop. This might explain why it was marked down to $7. Horse Heaven Hills is a very respectable AVA in Washington state and known for some value cabernets Even at $7 this is a dud!
SPHERE (Paso Robles) [California AVA] "RED WINE" 2021Garnet hue with what looks like "bricking" already. A pleasant fruity bouquet of mixed fruit, consisting of red berries, cherry, and warm mulled wine.
Palate--Lively acidity, a confusing of a melange of red fruits and spices with a touch of a bitter finish.
OK--First this is the objective review regardless of price etc. It is not a great wine to be sure and it is not in some ways even a good wine. BUT--There are a zillion wines "out there" (many which have an animal on the label (because animals sell...) which are twice the price of this wine and are absolutely "manufactured" plonk. This is a genuine effort made from an amalgam of fruit from all over the region og the Paso Robles AVA (American Viticultural Area) which has some gravitas!
So here is the get a grip factor: This wine is $5! Read that again 5 bucks! and for that you get an honest wine, that will be fine with crackers and a host of stronger cheeses and a tomato based pasta dish and on and on. Serve it with a bit of a chill on it and it will be even better. For $5, at Trader Joe's RAISE A GLASS!
Palate--Robust, perky first impression with loads of fruit forward joy in a well made and integrated Zinfandel.
The perfect pizza wine in my opinion and many other comestibles for sure. It was a bargain buy when I bought it on close out at about $7 which is less than half what it might normally run. If you see it, grab a few bottles. This will only get better and better for the next 5 years. Raise a glass!
