Richebois Côtes Du Rhône Villages 2021

 

A burgundy-red hue with aromas of spicy black berry and dark cherry preserves. A very nice perfumey sweet enticing bouquet above the rim. 

Palate--Nice first impression with dark, brooding fruit on a very nice foundation and decent tannic structure. Finishes quickly.

I was leary of grabbing this at the $8 price point but am glad I did. This is a decent Cotes Du Rhone wine from a producer I am not familiar with but should be!  Pairing it with charcoal grilled pork chops so raise a glass!

BTW  This is a Trader Joe's selection...

Mark West Pinot Noir (California) 2021

Lighter ruby hue with lovely aromas of summer berries, and candied fruit squares with a raspberry touch.

Palate--Nice first impression, with loads of strawberry, raspberry behind that, on a lovely structured foundation that makes it way too easy to drink and want to go back for more.  

This is certainly not a fantastic example of the storied Pinot Noir, but then again I didn't pay $300 for it.  At $12 it is a pleasant quaff which would be nice chilled or served as I am to pair with a baked salmon Valentine's dinner for my bride of almost 50 years. Raise a glass!

Famille Perrin Cotês Du Rhône Villages 2019

Intense nearly black, dark hue with big aromas of ripe blackberries,  with sweet candied black cherry bon bons; cocoa? lovely bouquet!            

Palate--Nice first impression out of the gate with bold spicy, dark berry fruit with a pronounced steely rear palate, loads of terroir, and a decent finish that lingers a while.

This S. France is a GSM blend (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre,) grapes and is a crazy bargain at the $12 price point. Previously reviewed with fairly consistent qualities.  Baked chicken with garden vegetables will be lovely with this wine.  Raise a glass!

Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 20

Dark purple hue with aromas hitting my nose from three feet away, sweet, violettes, perfumy fragrances of sweet dark berry fruit, savory spices on the rim.

Palate--Drinkable and enjoyable even at this young age, with loads of fruit and a structure to give it some class.

This is another of one of my favorite value wines (previously reviewed) for $10 and it tastes like a wine costing considerably more. This is a Trader Joe's offering and I have had many bottles of this along with their Zinfandel which I haven't seen in their stores ina good while. 

Having left-over Ziti and this will be another winner!  Raise a glass!

Bogle (California) Zinfandel 2019

Magenta hue with aromas of spicey dark berry and an aroma of pickled cucumber which is a first for this often reviewed wine...

Palate--A bit subdue from what I am used to with this wine with spiced berry, integrated, flavors carry through and finishes with a burst of Zinfandel goodness!

I have drunk many bottles of this value Zin.  At around $8-$10 a bottle you really can't do much better. Grilling out in February in Maine winter, and will have BBQ'd pork chops and it will be great!  Raise a glass! 

Bord Elegance Cotes Du Rhône Villages--Laudun-- 2018

 Medium bodied with nice ruby hue and aromas of sweet fruit above the rim, gently spiced red fruit int he bowl; needs to breathe!

Palate--Robust first impression with lots going on with dark berries, savory spice, and a finish that hangs on for a good while!

This previously reviewed "Cotes Du Rhône Villages" by the talented folks at Brotte winery is a lovely creation that is juicy, tart raspberry, and full of great flavors. I know I didn't pay the $25 reference price on this wine but it is a solid wine at that price. So finding it at half that is even more fun. Raise a glass.

Querceto Chianti Classico 2018

Pretty crystalline garnet hue with big cherry bouquet, gentle savory and sweet spices.

Palate--Nice structure, lovely, classic Sangiovese "cherry", with balanced spices. Fades pretty quickly.

I have had cases and cases of Chianti's from this great producer. Having tasted this wine in its home of origin will stay with me til I die.  There are several level of productions from Querceto and each one is a great value. Pairing it with baked Ziti--a wonderful comfort food pairing on a savage Maine winter night where temperatures will hit around 17 degrees below zero fahrenheit. 

I paid around $12 for this and I will be buying more when I have the opportunity. Raise a glass!

Chateau St. Michelle Gewurztraminer 2021

Pale straw hue with aromas of peach, apricot, pineapple, an a hint of lime!

Palate--Scintillating *"spritzig" on the tongue, with a less than stellar acidity although adequate. Ample flavors of stone fruit and tropical fruits. Super quick minerally finish.

This Washington state Gewurz is not the best Ste. Michelle has made. This is tepid both in structure and complexity and the palate profile is weak. It is still tasty, (because I am a big fan of the grape) but this one would be better served chilled down as an aperitif rather than as a food wine. 

Even at $9 I would pass on this particular vintage but Ste. Michelle makes solid, quality wine over all so give them another chance! 

*spritzig is German for sparkling (natural carbonation)

I need your help if you will.

 I am finding that I find it difficult to get to my own blog on my cell phones or computer using a search engine. I would really appreciate some of you telling me how you access my blog.  You should be able to reply here.  Thank you in advance!     PB of the Winecaskblog

Quivira Zinfandel 2017 (Sonoma Dry Creek)

 

Aubergine hue with aromas of perfumy, rose petal, lovely Zin bouquet with spicy sweetness on the edge.

Palate--*On opening--Silky, slightly tart, watery, thin texture, with austere fruit that is tightly wound. 

*After 90 minutes of breathing it is a delicious Zin with cranberry juice and a nice strawberry beam finishing with gentle black pepper at the very end... 

*This wine has been open for only a couple minutes and needs to BREATH!  I am confident it will be a totally different wine when it has been given some time! And I was right.  This is found at the $25 price point which is a bit hefty for the wine but it's a nice Zin and a nice gift from a friend. Raise a glass.

Stone Castle Vineyards Merlot 2018 *Updated review

Ruby hue with slight bricking on the rim.  Aromas of summer strawberry, sweet spring flowers, beautiful candided, cherries and a brief hint of mint right on opening.

*Palate--Tart first impression, with subdued fruit all around, one dimensional, flat mid palate.

Well, this happens and it is disappointing when it does.  The bouquet of this wine is quite enticing but unfortunately, sometimes a wine seems to give everything it had to the bouquet and leaves the palate high and dry. It is possible that it will open up and improve with breathing but I am not optimistic.

This wine is from Kosovo which is why I bought it.  You just don't see many wines from this part of the world. It has been aged for a year in French oak but it didn't help this wine at this point. With the slight bricking at this relatively young age, any contribution from the oak has been lost.  

*I will update this when has had time to breath.

        After giving it a day, even before we were done with dinner the previous night the wine was better as a "food" wine.  Tasting it about 20 hours later, this wine reminds me of a Tuscan Sangiovese.

The wine is still rather acidic but it works with the right pairing. I just took a taste with a piece of aged Gouda and it works really well.  So for a country that isn't known for its export wine industry, for the price of around $8 I would recommend giving it a try. It is at least a different wine experience.  Raise a glass!

Les Sommets Liés Corbieres 2020

 

Eggplant hue with aromas of bright red apple with bright cherries, with a lovely sweet floral suggestion of lilacs. 

Palate--"*Sweet" first impression with spicy, delicious red fruits, a well done structure, lip smacking acidity and a pleasant but quick finish.

The Languedoc-Rousillion region is one of the best wine values in France. The wines are fruity, well balanced, have character and gives you a big bang for the buck!

I think I paid about $12 (if that) for this really beautiful bargain so raise a glass!

*In this case "Sweet" does not mean sweet. I emphasize this because many do not like "sweet" wines but a truly sweet wine means it has residual sugar which has not been converted to alcohol. This is a well made quaff from Southern France 

Casa Santos Lima "Confidencial" Tinto Reserva 2018

 

Pretty Garnet hue with aromas of cherry, sweet cherry hard candies above the rim, gentle sweet spices. (Needs to breath)

Palate--Lovely first impression with a nice balanced acidic foundation which catapults the brimming flavors of ripe raspberry and cherry filling the mouth. Finishes quickly but again, breathing may enhance this.

This is one of those "buy more now" kinds of value wines that are much better than their price tag (under $10)

This will only get better with some air time so open it, breathe it, and raise a glass! 

 (check previous review of same wine from a couple months ago.)

Rough and Ready Wine Productions Petite Sirah vs. Petite Verdot (Lodi) 2021

Youthful dark purple hue with aromas of bold blackberries with a blueberry hint and sweet hard candies with a grapey/cherry edge at the end.

Palate--Nice bold mouthfeel, big blackberry flavors which seem to end quickly but that could be my convalescing palate post covid. 

Petite Sirah, not to be confused with Syrah, is a very dark, very big fruity grape which is often used as a blending grape but also stands on its own when done in balance. Petite Verdot is classic blending grape of Bordeaux and imparts an intense, deep blackish-purple hue. There has been some "trials" in the past few years by wineries putting Petite Verdot as a varietal meaning bottling it on its own merits. It hasn't caught on (yet) but can be an interesting quaff.  

I think I paid about $8 for this youngster and for the price it is ok if you like the big, bold fruit bomb kinds of wine which I do when paired properly.  This one will be going with our home-made italian sausage soup and it will be just fine so raise a glass! 

Post covid update

 Drinking wine without thought or discrimination can be done and at time should be done. Just "enjoy" what you're drinking and if you're not enjoying it, dump it!  "Life is too short to drink bad wine." 

So my smeller/taster is recovering but it has a ways to go yet. Thanks for your loyal patience! Raise a glass!

Postponement of reviews due to Covid...

 As many of you know I am sure that one of the symptoms of Covid is a loss of smell/taste. Alas--My smeller is out of commission. For some people they regain their senses of smell and taste in a few days, for others it may be several months. Hopefully mine will be short lived. 

Until then--raise a glass!

Castle Rock Pinot Noir (Mendocino) 2020

 

Very pretty light crystalline ruby hue resembling a gorgeously polished gem stone.  Aromas of unique subtle milk chocolate with a definite citrus (grapefruit) on the edges, with a raspberry/strawberry beam.

Palate--Structured elegantly with a balanced presentation of the aromas, now to the tongue. It is juicy, with a stately palate not normally found in this level of wine. This is not your average Pinot and I believe will yield more when it breathes. Finishes quickly for now... Raise a glass!

Montes limited Selection Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere 2017 (sorry bottle label will not paste in)

Black cherry hue with aromas that re green et the rim, with sweeter berries pushing the green aside.

Palate--Bright red berries with start structure, tar, hint of espresso at the back and nice fruit through out with that green edge and a touch of burnt wood. 

Montes is a notable Chilean vintner with solid production of Cabernets.  This one is a blend with 30% Carmenere fruit from the Colchagua Valley.

This is a tasty creation form Montes and the blend is well done!  I paid around $12 for it and it will pair well with our BBQ'd chicken on the grill so raise a glass! 

La Zorra La Moza Rufete 2015

 

Rusty garnet hue is just starting to show some aging. Plum with ripe red berry and blackberry notes with gentle spices.

Palate--Rather flat first impression, with a soury/tart front palate, lip smacking dry as dust tannins, and super quick finish.

This is not a great Spanish wine.   I paid around $6 for this closeout wine and it needs to be closed out! 

Pass this one by!

Easton Zinfandel (Amador County) 2016

Lighter garnet hue with nice aromas of ruby red grapefruit, perfumey violet, sweet and tart pie cherry hint.

Palate-- Lovely first impression with a nice tartness and integrated flavors of luscious red berries, cherry cream, with a finish that lingers and leaves a nice "drink me more" ending. This is a distinctive Zin with the characteristic of giving one a fresh "first impression."

This was a present from a friend--a fellow oenophile-- who knows my love of Zinfandel and is much appreciated.

Around $20, this is nice treat so raise a glass!

Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Porto

 

Intense nearly black purple hue with aromas of something I have no descriptor for; it's something like dark berries and plum and bing cherries all rolled into one. Sweet cherry berry dark chocolate candy cordials with sweet baking spices and spiced apples you have at Thanksgiving.

Palate--Textured like thick silk, glorious ultra pure sweet fruit of ripe black plum, and a lingering finish that goes on and on and on. Marvelous! 

I don't remember what I paid for this but I believe it was only around $16 and what a great find!

Pairing it with Christmas plum pudding!  Raise a glass for sure!!!

Lincourt Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2013

Light golden hue with aromas of perfumy honeysuckle, orange, and numerous tropical fruits with a hint of citrus. Lovely!

Palate--Mouth filling flavors of all the things in the bouquet with a great razor sharp acidity on an ultra fruity foundation.  Finishes a little quick but reminds you to go back for more!

This has never seen oak and is absolutely lovely even at this late age for what would be a production level table wine. A 10 year old chard at the price point I paid is absurd, but then I find that most assessments of how long a wine will last are woefully lacking. 

I have had this for a few years and I think I paid around $10 for it though I see it on line closer to $15. This is a serious Chard, well made and a ridiculous value.

I am pairing it on this new year's eve with a seafood chowder consisting of Maine Lobster, Maine scallops, and wild caught Gulf shrimp. If you can find this, it has years left on it so raise a glass and remember that for all the crazies in the world today, there is a Creator who is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent and is utterly in control. His ways are not our ways He tells us in the book of Isaiah, so raise a glass! 

  

Norton D.O.C. Malbec 2017 Mendoza

 

Pours like a two year old wine with a very young hue with residual purple on a garnet frame.  Aromas of nice black berry and red berry bouquet with yeasty notes. 

Palate--A tart first impression with a subdued mid palate with light berry flavors on an awkward foundation finishing quickly.

What is DOC on the title line?  It tells you a lot about the wine in general. DOC is the lowest categorization that many wines can have depending on the laws of any given area of the world.  They all differ. What this means here is that all the fruit in this wine are sourced from all over the Mendoza region of Argentina. That isn't "necessarily" bad it just means that the wine is table wine quality meaning everyday economical drinking for the most part.  

I paid $9 for this bottle which usually runs around $14. It is not up to the standard of Norton which is generally well made, economical wines.  This one is a pass!  But Norton is a solid maker so try another!

New Years Eve means "Champagne?" (2022)

 

Let's get one thing straight, There are a zillion "sparkling" wines but only ones made from the grapes of Champagne, France are actually "Champagne!" All others from all over the world are just "Sparkling wines."

Now about New Years Eve and popping those corks: Call them bubbly, or sparklers, but NOT Champagne.

Okay now that, that is out of the way, what about that big celebratory POP that people love to do when they open their gassy wines? First of all, the proper way to open a sparkling wine of any type is to place a towel over the cork and slowly work the cork out of the wine bottle until it is nearly to the point where it will POP.  Take your dominant hand while still holding the towel over the wine bottle and ever so gently maintain pressure DOWN on the cork while at the same time you are twisting the very secured cork under the towel back and forth and the goal is to actually release the gas with a nearly silent psssst! THAT is how you remove a cork.

Now this is very practical! You may not care opening that $10 bottle of bubbly and losing half the bottle of wine to the floor as it explodes shooting your wine into oblivion. But when you have a more pricey of bottle of bubbly or a $50+ bottle of Champagne, and you waste half a bottle in a showy explosion you may think differently about that POP.

There is one exception to this sound advice and that is if your bubbly is "Barefoot Bubbly" by all means shoot it all over the place but in your mouth...  Raise a glass!

William Hill Chardonnay (North Coast) 2019

 

Crystalline light golden hue with aromas of tropical fruit salad with a beam of citrus, and stone fruit

Palate--Tropical fruit galore with a buttery mid-palate, and finishing with still more fruit and more! Structurally sound with creamy mouthfeel and a long lasting finish that goes on and on and on! 

This is a really super Chardonnay around the $15 price point and it is a BARGAIN! It is super fruity making it wonderful as an aperitif but because it is dry even though it tastes sweet, it will do right by my menu for this evening.

I will be pairing it with bacon fat sauteed Maine scallops, and a rice pilaf.  This is a pretty easy to find wine so GRAB one and try it out.  Really nice--but I think I said that already... Raise a glass!

ILauri "Le Pinciaie" Montepulciano D'Abruzzo (Riserva) 2017

Pronounced ruby hue with aromas of raspberry, and gentle spices on the rim. 

Palate--Tart first impression with mineral beam, razor sharp acidity, austere first impression and this after breathing it for several hours. It finishes with a nice Montepulciano reminder and lingers for a bit.

*I had a glass breathing on the counter for 3 hours and that is the above review. I just re-reviewed it with a fresh pour from the bottle and it sports a bit of cherry, with the acidity toning down a touch with a richer beam of varietal flavor mid palate.  This is odd in my many decades of experience. *I am thinking this will be a much better wine with food when I pair it in a while with grilled Prime sirloin steaks, double baked potatoes, and home grown green beans. 

*It was indeed very nice with my grilled sirloins accentuating the grilled char, while toning down the bitterness of said char. 

$20 seems to be the price point on this wine.  Raise a glass!

 

Famille Perrin Cotes Du Rhone Villages 2019

Brilliant ruby hue with a bouquet of bread yeast, bright summer black cherries, cocoa, chocolate covered cherries, and savory spice.

Palate--Big bold, fruit with lots of complexity in this very nice GSM blend. Plenty of savory red berry relish, but has a surprisingly quick finish. 

This is a really nice Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre (GSM) blend for the money. I may have paid $12 for it and it's a winner at that price!  If you find it, grab it and buy several. This will be around for several more years and only getting better. Raise a glass! 

Shannon Ridge "Buck Shack" Zinfandel 2018 (Bourbon Barrel aged)

Gorgeous dark garnet/cranberry jelly hue with aromas of subdued dark berry fruit with a very gentle spice on the edge.  

Palate--Lots of fruit upfront, with a steely edge, bold, big mid palate with tons of blackberry jam and a finish that is fleeting.  (This is upon opening and needs some time to open up. *Check back...)

*After an hour: Loads of dark berry fruit, a beam of something like dark baker's chocolate, and still a quick finish.

I reviewed this (a different bottle) at the beginning of the month not realizing I had done so. The aging mind is frustrating... LOL! This Zin, with fruit from Lake County is supercharged with an alcohol level of 15.9% which is crazy over the top! 

After I reviewed this I checked on line for a price point since I paid $7 for it. It is listed at $25-$35 which is nuts! And while I respect the folks at the Wine Enthusiast I take great exception at their 92 point rating.  I would give it an 88 which is vastly different than their score. 

At any rate, I would not want to pay anywhere near the "list price" for this wine but at $7 I love it! 

I am pairing it with a French onion tart made with loads of smoky bacon, cottage cheese and sour cream on  pizza dough.  One of my wife's favorites. At that price raise a glass!

Dry Creek Chenin Blanc (Clarksburg) 2021

Light gold hue with aromas of fresh apricot nectar, stone fruit, vanilla pudding.

Palate--A bit weak on first impression with a lack luster structure although the acidity does seem to escalate as you swish. Off dry with a melange of tropical fruit flavors but the structure is wanting in this Chenin.  *Unusual considering the people who made it...

*24 hours later, A slightly creamy touch in texture, loads of fruit and vanilla and a lingering finish.  In my arena of preference, I love my whites to have a razor sharp acidity. This one is not but it is also not flawed or poorly made. In the end it comes around and is a lovely Chenin--another really under-rated wine grape.

I don't recall what I paid for it but I expect it was around $13 and you haven't tried many or any Chenin Blancs, you are depriving yourself of a great wine that pairs well with Asian, Indian, cuisine.  Raise a glass!

Holiday cheer: Some thoughts... (Highly abbreviated) a REPOST!

Do you plan ahead for your festive meals, celebrations and get-togethers with respect to what beverages to serve or do you just wing it?

If you are more the planner, remember this when pairing wine with meals, appetizers or whatever. Instead of thinking red wine with red meat, white wine with white meat and seafood, and what about vegetarian or those cheesy appetizers?

Change your focus from the old red with red, white with white etc. Instead think more of the sauces being served with the courses, and the spices being prominent with them all.  For example if you were serving an asian type of chicken dish, your typical white wine would be horrid. Asian spices need something sweet to offset the heat and intensity of the typical spices. If you don't, the Chardonnay will taste horrible and the meal will as well. Asian spices must be served with sweeter or "off-dry" varietals and blends like Reisling, or Gewurztraminer. These will mitigate the "heat" of asian and even mexican type spices. The possibilities are many.

Vegetarian dishes do well with a variety of wines, both read and white as well as sparkling wines. Again, think in terms of what spices will be prominent in your vegetarian dishes. And don't overlook the resurgence of rosés from all over the world.

Bleu cheese with those appetizers? Another sweeter wine will offset the saltiness of the bleu cheese and make both taste wonderful. 

Finally--sparkling wines from all over the world are inexpensive and pair well with 
"almost" anything. Just avoid the highly advertised wines like "Barefoot" and a myriad bunch you only see advertised this time of year. For just $2-5 more a bottle you can get "real" wine that has some character and will enhance your hard preparations.

If in doubt, shoot me a question!

Confidencial Reserva 2018

 

Slightly brickish red with aromas of sweet cherry berry above the rim a touch of coca in the glass with loads of spicy goodness.

Palate--presents with a slightly steely front and a subdued structure which at first seems lackluster but emerges with breathing. Solid cherry berry fruit on the tongue with a nicely balanced structure. Finishes fairly quick but leaves a desire for another sip.

This Portuguese creation is rather nice and agreeable in an overall way. There's more subtleties emerging as the wine opens. This is a food friendly wine and is a stand alone by itself as well. It is a blend of 10 grapes which can usually hurt the wine but this is a rare exception. At $10  Raise a Glass!!!

*A day later: wonderfully integrated, balanced, supple and delicious!!!

Josh Cellars Chardonnay 2020

Crystalline straw hue with nice aromas of vanilla, clover honey, and lovely stone fruit.    

Palate--Mouth filling flavors, with a nice structure, nicely acidic down the middle, peaches, apricots and and a hint of citrus.

This is a nicely made Chardonnay that delivers a lot of class for money. At the $15 price point and is being paired with my wife's seafood chowder.  It will be perfect. So raise a glass!

 

Alamos Red Blend 2020

 

Purple hue with bounding aromas of ripe red berry fruit and a touch of sweet spice with a note of savory with the subtle lift of stewed tomatoes.

Palate--Fruit forward with loads of berries, and an immature structure giving an angular first impression. More berries come through after the swallow and a lingering pleasure of yet more red fruit.

Alamos is one of the successful Argentinian vintners who seem to have mastered the popular profile whatever wines they make.  The signature grape of Malbec is always done well, and they have made strides in Cabernet Sauvignon as well.  This wine is majority Malbec.  At $8, it's tasty and goes well with my grilled steak tonight so raise a glass!

La Buelle De L 'Ouest Brut

A lovely orange/gold hue with aromas on opening of summer peaches, fading to fresh green apples, and burnt orange with notes of vanilla and caramel.   

Palate--A rather flabby structure with lethargic bubbles which disappear quickly. Mid palate is weak as is the rest of the wine. 

Not sure what I paid for this but I see it on line for a lot more than what I know I would have paid for it. The bouquet is the only thing this has going for it.

I believe this is from the Loire region of France from which comes some really great value wines. This however is not one of them. It is okay for my wife and me as we decorate our Christmas tree but this is one to pass up!

Holiday cheer: Some thoughts... (Highly abbreviated)

Do you plan ahead for your festive meals, celebrations and get-togethers with respect to what beverages to serve or do you just wing it?

If you are more the planner, remember this when pairing wine with meals, appetizers or whatever. Instead of thinking red wine with red meat, white wine with white meat and seafood, and what about vegetarian or those cheesy appetizers?

Change your focus from the old red with red, white with white etc. Instead think more of the sauces being served with the courses, and the spices being prominent with them all.  For example if you were serving an asian type of chicken dish, your typical white wine would be horrid. Asian spices need something sweet to offset the heat and intensity of the typical spices. If you don't, the Chardonnay will taste horrible and the meal will as well. Asian spices must be served with sweeter or "off-dry" varietals and blends like Reisling, or Gewurztraminer. These will mitigate the "heat" of asian and even mexican type spices. The possibilities are many.

Vegetarian dishes do well with a variety of wines, both read and white as well as sparkling wines. Again, think in terms of what spices will be prominent in your vegetarian dishes. And don't overlook the resurgence of rosés from all over the world.

Bleu cheese with those appetizers? Another sweeter wine will offset the saltiness of the bleu cheese and make both taste wonderful. 

Finally--sparkling wines from all over the world are inexpensive and pair well with 
"almost" anything. Just avoid the highly advertised wines like "Barefoot" and a myriad bunch you only see advertised this time of year. For just $2-5 more a bottle you can get "real" wine that has some character and will enhance your hard preparations.

If in doubt, shoot me a question!

Sebastiani "Red Wine" (Northcoast) "Bourbon Barrel" 2018

 

On the pour the hue is an intense purple nearly black. That alone lead me to a Syrah and/or Petite Sirah/Zinfandel blend. Intense dark berry aromas with violets, and plum. 

Palate--Silky first impression with gobs of jammy dark berry fruit, ripe plum and a hint of cinnamon. It lingers on the finish. 

Their flavor profile on the label was nothing like my own tasting. At any rate, this is a 20 megaton fruit bomb and well made as I would expect from Sebastiani. When I began my oenophilic exploration/education back in 1978, Sebastiani was one of my favorite producers.  They were always reliable, and produced a great value wine that had character and style. My current location for the past 33 years however, is a rural state and I basically never see Sebastiani wines here in Maine. 

I picked this one up at a New Hampshire liquor store. This will carry on for years and is full of rich berry flavors. How I wish Sebastiani were present in our fair state of Maine.  :( 

I will be pairing this with my wife's homemade turkey pie as we try and kill the left-overs of Thanksgiving. Raise a glass!

Di Giovanna Nero D'Avola 2020

 

Slightly bricked red hue with aromas of yeasty crust of bread, cherry.

Palate--Austere with a harsh presence, staid fruit with an acidity that will seer your taste buds... Finishes abruptly.

This is NOT what I am used to with what is one of my favorite "simple" Italian wines. This, the signature grape of Sicily is a delightful, straight forward wine with brimming cherry flavors and occasionally red hots candies.

Holy pucker city!  I'll see if airing this out helps but right now it is not very pleasant.

Buck Shack Zinfandel 2018 (Bourbon barrel aged) (Lake County, Cal.)

Dark garnet with aromas of milk chocolate, classic Zin bouquet, with dark fruit, cinnamon on opening but exits quickly  

Palate--OK Zin flavors, with jammy dark berry fruit, zesty savory spice and a slightly lingering finish with another touch of cocoa.

I paid $7 for this on a close out and it's ok at that price.  The regular price was supposedly around $20. I wouldn't want to pay that for this wine but at $7 I'll take it all day.  

A few wine makers are experimenting with bourbon barrels for aging their wine.  It definitely changes the profile and the few I have had I tend to like the change.  But give me conventionally well made Zin any time!  

I am pairing this with a moose dish tonight It is what we do in Maine so raise a glass!

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2022

*Additional comment added a day later at bottom.

Purple grape juice hue with aromas of orange circus peanut candies which you wouldn't expect from a red wine but there it is. The slightest hint of fresh grape over the rim with a floral loveliness in the bowl.

Palate--Sour first impression with more soreness throughout. There are some suggestions of grape but this is the worst Nouveau I have had in memory.

Beaujolais Nouveau is a "special" wine made in a special way and released with a VERY special fan fare. From vinification to release the wine is only 6 weeks old!  It is released worldwide on the the third Thursday of November at midnight and there is a raucous bacchanalia in Beaujolais and a lot of headaches and perhaps regrets in the morning.

At $12 it is fun to be a part of such a worldwide festival but as a wine beverage, it isn't worth the headache the morning after. The best part of this wine is its bouquet which is quite lovely but this wine isn't fit for drinking so, "Dump a glass!"

* I always like to check back with a bad wine that is not corked, it just seems BAD.  On rare occasions a wine that honestly horrible the first day mellowed out and was drinkable the next day. This Nouveau however was simply wretched and dumped...The first in all my years of drinking Nouveau.

Sebastiani Pepperwood Grove (California) Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Brilliant ruby with bricking around the rim. Aromas of light cherry, mint, red berries, wonderful sweet cherry candy, gentle spices. (Amazing)

Palate--Lively acidity, integrated structure, slightly tart and wonderful cherry fruit all over the place. Finishes with a much classier ending than ever expected.

OK--This was a gift many years ago and has been in my cellar for over a decade. The original regular 750ml bottle cost about $8.    

This is now the third time in a few years I have been blown away at older wines which were not "expensive" wines on release and really shouldn't even be drinkable at this state of their existence. But the large format wines, (*Double Magnum in this case) which this is, tend to age much better than the 750ml bottle.  Still this honestly should have been only fit to pour down the drain.  Instead it will be THE wine served with the Thanksgiving feast.

*Dbl-magnum equals 4 bottles of wine.

Thanksgiving day wines! (repost)

A Thanksgiving Day meal with friends and family provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy nice wine. Because so much fuss is made over food and wine pairings in general, I find people get a little stressed out about what to serve guest on this special day. Fortunately, many wines have a much broader range than they get credit for. With that in mind, I have some basic suggestions that might help.

If you are planning a very traditional Thanksgiving meal, complete with Turkey and all the assorted sides,

Rule #1 You need to abandon the adage saying, "White meat, white wine..." This couldn't be worse advice considering all the hefty spices, gravies and sauces at Thanksgiving. In fact, because of that very fact, a red wine is the best pairing but not just any red wine. So without getting too complicated--and boring--I'll cut to the chase.

 A host of red wines work well like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Merlot. All of these varietals have a pretty broad range, except maybe the Zinfandel. However, I put Zinfandel on the list because it works well with cranberry sauce and heavy starches like mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. And as far as bang for the buck, my go to is Zinfandel. 

In order to make things even more festive at the table, I suggest you offer guests two wines. This is especially easy if you are able to provide you guests with two wine glasses and allow them to pour and sip as they like. Simply place the bottles on the table and allow your guests to discover the different pairings as they please.

As a rule of thumb, plan for at least a half bottle per person while at the table. That may seem like a lot but, there are only 4-- 5oz. pours in a 750ml bottle! So which two wines? Try offering one Cabernet Sauvignon and one Pinot Noir, perhaps both from American wineries in the spirit of the holiday. While there a many very nice $12 Pinot Noirs, stay away from the bottom of the barrel Cabernets.  If you are able spend closer to $15 - $20 for your Cabernet.  Washington State is making some really good value Cabs at this price point.

While wines at the dinner table are often the focal point, don't forget that you can create a special experience with wines before and after the meal. A nice bubbly is a great way to start the festivities, especially with assorted appetizers or finger food. (I like a Cava from Spain which are ubiquitous and very inexpensive. It will say Cava on the label) 

To finish things off, try a nice dessert wine or Champagne. Something sweet but light, for example a muscat or icewine, should help wash down the pie. Do this before the coffee.

Above all else-  It is a time for special consideration of the King of all Creation who came to Earth to redeem all who put their trust in Him. Raise a glass to a Thanksgiving table complete with wine!

Breca Rosé 2020

Interesting orange, amber hue with aromas of orange circus peanut candies, (seriously) light banana, sweet melon, and a hint of citrus.

Palate--Off dry with a bitter line on the mid-palate which is actually rather nice, a slightly medicinal rear, juicy structure and a finish that is dry and fruity.

This Catalyaud (Spain) is made from the Garnacha de Aragon grape and is a nice quaff at $10. Serving it now with cheese and crackers before the big Thanksgiving Day meal with family. Give thanks with a grateful heart...  and Raise a glass!

Brotte Bord Elegance "Laudun" 2018

Lighter ruby hue with yeasty aromas out of the bottle, cherry berry, raspberry fruit in the bowl with perfumed fruity bouquet.

Palate--Impressive first impression with a lot of happiness going on: Loads of fruit, with berry pie filling, dried cherry pie filling, and savory spices on the edge. 

This is from "Laudun"in the S.E. region of France and located in the great Cotes Du Rhone appellation  consisting of Grenache and Syrah. It seems to run around $28 but I found it for $14.  Right now I am eating aged Gouda with a sweet *** and it is a very nice pairing.  Later on I will be having left-over savory Prime Rib and I expect it will be quite adequate.   

At $28, definitely raise a glass; at $14 as I paid for it, raise a helf case!  

Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais 2020

 

Purple hue with aromas of cocoa, sweet strawberry

Palate--Lively presentation on the palate, with expressive Gamay flavors, a nice acidic line, delightful, strawberry fruit, finishes quickly.  

This is one of the better I have had so raise a glass!

Beaujolais explained:

Gamay is THE grape of Beaujolais and there are several levels of Beaujolais by which to judge the price and quality of what you can expect. 

Beaujolais--The first tier of blended Gamay grapes from anywhere in Beaujolais but nonetheless generally quite a decent quaff with a variety of cheeses and food or all by itself as this one is a really nice example. Generally about $10 and a delicious easy quaff.

Beaujolais Villages--The next step up in quality and price. To use this designation on the label all the grapes must come from mmore select parcels of land.  The price point tends not to be all that significant but a couple bucks generally.

Beaujolais Cru of which there are 10.  These are: Saint-Amour, Fleurie, Moulin-á-Vent, Juliénas, Chiroublés, Chénas, Juliénas, Chiroubles, Morgon, Régnié

All the grapes must be from these express regions and they express different qualities of their terroir. The price are a bit higher ranging from the upper teens to up to $30 or so. 

Finally-- Beaujolais Nouveau among which TODAY is the annual, release of Nouveau (or "new" Beaujolais) which is done to great fan-fare in France as this lite, uncomplicated gentle quaff of Gamay is only 6 weeks old from harvest to bottle and always released world-wide on the third Thursday in November. I would have reviewed one here but living in Maine we don't see much in the way of such wine. I will endeavor to review one when I find one.  In the meantime, Gamay is just a delightful grape so raise a glass!

Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 20

Nearly midnight hue with nice aromas of rich ripe plum, blackberry pie, sweet and savory spices and a lot more going on.

Palate--Supple tannins, with a rich *fruit bomb first impression. Huge dark berry presence with all sorts of dark berries as well. Finishes with a warmth and flavorful ending which hangs around for a good while. 

Constructed in the "new world" way for the popular palate that neither likes paying $50 and beyond for a lovely quaff nor waiting a decade to be able to enjoy what's in the bottle.  It finishes with a lingering reminder of what is in the bottle. 

There is a depth here that goes well beyond its price point of $10. Is this a complex, Napa Cab, NO. But neither do you have to take out a loan to buy it or get on a list and hope you make the cut for the chance to purchase a bottle. I have had a good number of Corvelia Cabs and Zinfandels and am I big fan.  Struggling for that Thanksgiving turkey accompaniment? Read my previous post about Thanksgiving pairings, or just buy this wine and raise a glass!

*Fruit bomb is derogatory to some people. It is NOT to me. 

Thanksgiving Day Wine Pairings??? What to serve...

A Thanksgiving Day meal with friends and family provides a perfect opportunity to enjoy nice wine. Because so much fuss is made over food and wine pairings in general, I find people get a little stressed out about what to serve guest on this special day. Fortunately, many wines have a much broader range than they get credit for. With that in mind, I have some basic suggestions that might help.

If you are planning a very traditional Thanksgiving meal, complete with Turkey and all the assorted sides,

Rule #1 You need to abandon the adage saying, "White meat, white wine..." This couldn't be worse advice considering all the hefty spices, gravies and sauces at Thanksgiving. In fact, because of that very fact, a red wine is the best pairing but not just any red wine. So without getting too complicated--and boring--I'll cut to the chase.

 A host of red wines work well like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, and Merlot. All of these varietals have a pretty broad range, except maybe the Zinfandel. However, I put Zinfandel on the list because it works well with cranberry sauce and heavy starches like mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes. And as far as bang for the buck, my go to is Zinfandel. 

In order to make things even more festive at the table, I suggest you offer guests two wines. This is especially easy if you are able to provide you guests with two wine glasses and allow them to pour and sip as they like. Simply place the bottles on the table and allow your guests to discover the different pairings as they please.

As a rule of thumb, plan for at least a half bottle per person while at the table. That may seem like a lot but, there are only 4-- 5oz. pours in a 750ml bottle! So which two wines? Try offering one Cabernet Sauvignon and one Pinot Noir, perhaps both from American wineries in the spirit of the holiday. While there a many very nice $12 Pinot Noirs, stay away from the bottom of the barrel Cabernets.  If you are able spend closer to $15 - $20 for your Cabernet.  Washington State is making some really good value Cabs at this price point.

While wines at the dinner table are often the focal point, don't forget that you can create a special experience with wines before and after the meal. A nice bubbly is a great way to start the festivities, especially with assorted appetizers or finger food. (I like a Cava from Spain which are ubiquitous and very inexpensive. It will say Cava on the label) 

To finish things off, try a nice dessert wine or Champagne. Something sweet but light, for example a muscat or icewine, should help wash down the pie. Do this before the coffee.

Above all else-  It is a time for special consideration of the King of all Creation who came to Earth to redeem all who put their trust in Him. Raise a glass to a Thanksgiving table complete with wine!

Frisk Riesling 2021

Straw hue with aromas if lime, mandarin orange, tropical fruit.     

Palate--*Spritzig, fruity, sweet impression, (off-dry) a melange of tropical fruit salad. Structure is a touch weak regarding acidity but actually pretty decent for a $7 Riesling.

Riesling is one of those forgotten grapes which is sad. It is the signature grape of the famous Mosel Saar Ruwer-- Germany. Traveling the Mosel River as I did, the terraces of vineyards are so steep that I thought, "if a vineyard worker stumbled they weren't going to stop until they reached the river." The region is peppered with storied parcels that have been making wine for centuries. 

But the stunner here is that this Riesling is from Australia! Not bad at all for the people down under.

I paid $7 for this at Trader Joe's and I would do it again! Raise a glass.

*  Spritzig is the German word used for "sparkling meaning fizzy, carbonated, whatever term you can identify with. The carbonation is a product of the process of making the wine. It is not added as in soda.

Chateau Haut Biraud 2020

Pretty garnet midnight hue with aromas of coffee, green undertones, sweet berry goodness

Palate-- Puckery tannins holding fort on the dark berry prevalence with a super quick finish. (This is on opening.) There is much more here and I will resume after it has had time to open up. I like what I'm seeing and tasting at the moment!

This is a young Bordeaux made from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon located in the "Entre-Deux-Mers.' 

Breathing only accentuates what is there and it is pleasant. I see it for $20 on line but I found it for $13. Raise a glass!

M. Chevallier Sparkling Brut Cava (NV)

This is a Trader Joe's regular and at the 
$12 price point is a very nice value sparkler.

It is a pale golden with aromas of lemon curd, vanilla pudding, creme bruleé, tropical fruit galore and pineapple.

Palate--The evervescence is fine, pin point bubblers with a liveliness on your tongue. It is dry yet nicely fruity, cleansing your palate with tropical fruit flavors. 

Serve this chilled down as an aperitif, or an accompaniment to those hard to pair Indian, Asian cuisines.  It is a wonderful value at $11 so raise a glass!

Querceto Chianti Classico Riserva 2018

Hue has purple remnants with a garnet bowl and aromas of classic Sangiovese (the grape) with sweet cherry, a hint of black licorice, savory spices, and more lovely fruit.

Palate--Lovely fruity front with excellent acidic Sangiovese structure, well balanced at this age and excellent drinking right now!

Querceto is one of my favorite Chianti's having memories of sitting in an Italian restaurant in the home of this wine with the waiter aerating our Querceto pouring it from glass to glass.  This is a really nice Riserva (*Reserve) and will be superior with my home-made venison spaghetti. (and it was!) 

This is listed at $25 but I paid $15. I used to get this wine a lot at $12...

 At $15 this is a no brainer so raise a glass!

* Any wine that posts "Reserve or Riserva" is a wine that has had added attention choosing only the best grapes of the vineyard and perhaps some special attention in the way the wine was made. They tend to cost 10-20-% more.

Canoe Ridge "The Explorer" Merlot (Horse Heaven Hills) 2017

 

Dark purple he with distinctive aromas of overly ripe plum, (not a bad thing) and a pronounced "something" which I just cannot put my finger on. I'm not sure I like it though...

Palate--Mouth filling flavor with firm structure, big bold, dark berry mid-palate, expresso at the end. This is a very BIG wine with a lasting finish that is also "warming." 

This is a BIG wine (have ai said that already?) LOL   with a lot of expression and the structure to go for another 10 years.  This is a different kind of Merlot and perhaps the Horse Heaven Hills AVA is the reason. It is big, bold, trying to become balanced and finishes with a lasting berry ending.  If I  have the chance I will buy another and lay it down for a couple years anyway. I believe the longer you give this wine, the better it is going to be!  It prices at $40 but I found it for $15. Nice find so raise a glass! 

Maison Nicolas Pinot Noir 2021

Light cherry hue with aromas of yeasty bread above the rim with wonderful Pinot bouquet of strawberry juice and even a suggestion of maple syrup, cola or rootbeer.

Palate- Thin first impression with steely center. Raspberry midbeam and a clunky structure. Finishes almost before it starts. 

Ok even for $10 this is a substandard Pinot and gives a bad impression of the grape which can cost a thousand of dollars for one bottle from one of the hallowed Chateau of Burgundy. When one speaks of a "Burgundy" they are referring to Pinot Noir.

The basic elements are present here but they are bare bones. You can find some pretty nice Pinot Noirs from Oregon and Washington state at the under $15 price point which are wonderful by comparison. I'd give this one a pass!

OK on retrospect, this is better than at first. Actually it is pretty darn good. Before you serve it, breathe it for an hour or so and you will reap big dividends!  RAISE A GLASS!

Bergeyre Labadie Merlot-Tannat Reserve Cotes De Gascogne 2021

This is a very young wine with an intense, immature dark purple hue with aromas of berries, savory spice, ripe cherry-berry juice and red grapefruit! 

Palate--Fresh out of the gate with unidimensional structure that will take shape as it opens up. First impression is new world style even though an old world creation, and it works for the new world palate! Chewy tannins that are gentle yet pronounced only because they are young. It has been about 20 minutes and it is already showing itself to be a delightful quaff. 

Tannat is not a well known grape in America or Europe even though it is a significant grape grown in the Gascogne region of France. It is the preeminent grape of Argentina being grown throughout much of S. America and Australia.  

Although this wine is priced as high as $40 I paid $10 for it at a state liquor store. It's a nice wine at the latter price point so raise a glass (at that price point)

Guardians Sapervavi Kakheti 2021

Intense black/garnet hue with subdued aromas of brioche, light red berry, hard cherry candies, and a hint of licorice fighting to emerge. 

Palate--Gentle first impression with light tannins, nuanced structure, satisfying red berry flavors with a touch of savory spice.

This is a gentle and tasty wine with a lovely first impression and would be delicious with all manner of (lighter) cheeses and food. 

This wine comes from the country of Georgia and may be my first wine out of thousands from this region of the world. At $13, I'm glad I grabbed it. It is is nice experience and and easy quaff so raise a glass!

Aravail Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Decently dark plum hue with aromas of lightly yeasted baked bread, subtle hint of cocoa, green fruit, savory spice, and lovely dark berries. (Nice bouquet for having just been opened.)

Palate--Tart first impression with a steely middle, green hints, crushed dark berries with a suggestion of vanilla cream candy.

This Central Coast (California) Cab is better than I expected and should improve with more breathing and a bit warmer as my ambient cellar this time of year is in the low 60's which is a great storage temp. but too chilly to be fully appreciated. I paid $12 for this and I wouldn't go out of my way to buy another but it is a decent offering at this price point so raise a glass!