Gaetano Di Aquino Chianti "Riserva" 2022

Brickish red hue with aromas of rustic forest floor with sweet berries, and perhaps a suggestion of wintergreen and spruce.

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! 

Cross Springs Zinfandel Lake County 2023

A lighter cherry pour seemingly a little watery, maraschino cherry bouquet, a touch of wood, and space on the end.

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!

Castle Rock Pinot Noir "Monterey Co." 2021

Watermelon juice hue on the pour with delicate aromas of strawberry with slight spice. On second glance there seems to be slight "bricking" at the rim, a sign of aging...

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!

Storybrook Mountain Vineyards Zinfandel Napa Estate (Mayacamas Range) 2019

 

Crystalline hue with the clarity 0f a ruby gem stone. Bouquet is fresh with an interesting but ever so subtle touch of mint in the bowl, with classic spicy Zin fruit, and raspberry on the end.

Palate--First impression is a bit disappointing with a somewhat awkward profile, a tad watery, and never which quite develops. Seriously disappointing. Finishes shallow, and quickly. Hmmm???

What to make of it?  Well this wine was listed at $46 as it's normal price but the State liquor store where I love to shop out of state always has some spectacular bargains. This however, even at the $21 I paid for it is--wait for it--disappointing. 

Just for kicks I am tasting a much guzzled $10 Zin I love from Trader Joes and candidly, gimme the $10 Zin!  I calls em as I tastes em so until this gets marked down to $10 it will not be a repeat.  

Corvelia Zinfandel (Paso Robles) Lot 23

Purple rich hue with a bouquet of pronounced spicy Zin aromas with a hint of coffee I never noticed before and an almost floral, overtone.

Palate-Hefty front palate with nice first impression, mouth watering acidity, chewy tannins, spicy richness with juicy fruit. Finishes with a lingering dark brooding berry goodness.

This was reviewed previously in January of this year. Some stark differences which could be due to any number of things not the least of which is that my body is quite beaten up (fatigued) from caring for my ailing bride with a very serious Leukemia. Living out of a hotel in Boston for a month; trips to Boston weekly now (350 mile RT.) And it takes a toll. Please note the only reason I mention this is because the condition of your body every time you sit down to review a wine all kinds of variables can come into play.

 

With 2.6 million views to date, I want to educate a bit as well as just give my experienced and professional opinions.  At $10 this is a no brainer.  Raise a glass!

Saint-Julien Du Domaine Madone Pays D'OC MERLOT 2024

Opaqueish garnet with purple notes with a bouquet of a touch of years, dried cherries, and dark cherry on the edge.

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!
 

LuLu Chardonnay (Washington) 2021

Delicate golden hue with aromas of tropical fruits, vanilla, citrus and green apple.

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! 

Saint-Hillaire Brut 2023

Gentle golden hue with aromas of lemon/lime, hints of vanilla, with dancing pin-prick bubbles.

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
 

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel LODI 2022

Pretty magenta/purple hue with aromas of sweetly spiced tomato jam and/or spiced apple rings and lovely Zin fruit through and through.

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!!!

BANFI San Angelo PINOT GRIGIO 2024

Pale green hue with aromas of light citrus, green melon, and subtle tropical fruit.

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...

MUMM Sparkling Brut Rosé

 

This California sparkler is a pretty pink/orange hue with black cherry fruit wafting above the rim on a hint of citrus and sweet spice.

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!

Famille Perrin Cotes Du Rhône Réserve 2022

Scintillating ruby hue with aromas of raspberry, tomato jelly, a touch of bakery bouquet, and

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.

Clemente VII Chianti Classico 2021

Opaque deep purple with aromas of dried cherry, rustic spices and wood.

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!

LAGUNILLA Reserva 2018 (Rioja)

This Rioja (pronounced Ree-oh-hah) has a slightly *bricked garnet hue with aromas of savory spicy, ripe cherry/berry with fresh dough in the middle, accented with more spices and hints of wood.

Palate--Acidic foundation in front with integrated fruit throughout, mature tannins, and a lasting finish that cries out, take another quaff!

Tempranillo is the signature grape of the Rioja and some can get very pricey.  This is a blend of mostly Tempranillo with Garnacha, (Grenache) and another blending grape. At the $15 price point this is a very nice wine being excellent with food more than a sip on its own kind of wine. If you manage to find one with this kind of age on it grab it and be rewarded.  Raise a glass.

*Bricking is a term describing the "brick red" hue again red wines will reveal showing that their time is limited. This one is peak and will hold and improve for another couple years so drink up!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel 2022

Crystalline ruby hue with aromas of vibrant Zin fruit, with a tart nuanced cranberry notes, but overall just pure quality Zinfandel at a ridiculously bargain price.

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!  

Badiolo Chianti Riserva 2022

Brilliant cherry juice hue with aromas of lightly rustic, cherry/blackberry bouquet, with a sweet mid-glass sweet floral flowers.

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!

Cross Springs Zinfandel (Lake County) 2023

Brilliant ruby with pleasant aromas of cranberry, sweet spice, bread dough, spiced apples.

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!

Warres Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2010

Inky Dark blackish purple with aromas of rich ripe raisins, prunes, rose petal and spiced apple rings.

Palate--Thickish, intensely sweet but balanced acidity with mouth filling rich, ripe lovely raisiny, pruney, fruit.

The beauty of late bottled vintage porto (LBV) is that you get some of the glory of expensive, very aged vintage port at a fraction of the cost.

I don't remember what I paid for this treat but I am sure it was not the listed reference price of $36, perhaps $22!

Whatever it is a lovely treat and can be enjoyed all by itself, or even better with semi-sweet dark chocolate, or try it with strawberries and whipped cream!  You will swoon!!!  Raise a glass!

Inscription Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley) 2023

Lighter bodied, light ruby hue with a subtle and fleeting tangerine rind, with a sharper tart strawberry nuance.

Palate--slightly tart first impression with a somewhat tightly wound raspberry mid palate. Finish is fleeting.

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.........

Canto Del Principe "TRE CIPRESSI" Brunello Di Montalcino Riserva 2019

 

This lovely cherry hued Brunello has bright red fruit, cinnamon, cherry, mulled wine, and leather with a classic "bricking" at the rim.

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!

"The Originals" Horse Heaven Hills RED WINE 2022

A dark, eggplant hue with amazingly big black berry and caramel aromas wafting up from the glass. Blackberry cobbler at the edge.

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! 

What's the Best Wine for Superbowl Sunday?

 

BEER!   Go Pats!

SPHERE (Paso Robles) [California AVA] "RED WINE" 2021

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!

Josh Zinfandel Reserve (Bourbon Barrel Aged) 2021

Gorgeous deep purple hue with aromas of spicy Zin fruit and goodness of well made joy.

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!

Porto Morgado Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2021

Deep deep aubergine hue with aromas of a tightly wound bouquet full of dark ripe berries, but needs to open up and come to room temp.

Palate--Intensely rich with massive ripe black berry on a silky foundation that sits "thick"in the mouth. It is wondrously textured, sweet but simple in that it is not complex never-the-less begs to be drunk.

I have been drinking bottles and bottle of Porto Morgado ports for years because they are offered routinely at Trader joes for an absurd price of $7 several years ago, to a still ultra value price of $9.  This *LBV (Late Bottled Vintage Port) is again offered at a ridiculous price of $15.  I have NEVER seen this wine at Trader Joe's for the many years I have been shopping there. I was giddy as a school boy seeing this for the first time and at such a TJ's value price.  See it; grab it, drink it; buy more! Raise a glass!

*The respected Wine Enthusiast explains Late Bottled Vintage Port thusly: Let’s start with the definition. LBV = late, bottled, vintage.

Late means that, unlike true vintage Port (aged two years before bottling and released to be aged much longer), producers release LBV four to six years after the vintage.

Once bottled, LBV should be ready to drink, not several years down the road. LBV that is true to its name should have some of the character of a vintage—balanced fruit and tannin from a single year and good depth of flavor.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir (California) 2024 *(label not exact...)

 

Pretty garnet hue with a spicy front, and strawberry/raspberry body. 

Palate--There's not a lot here and even though $10 it is palatable. Please note however that Castle Rock makes some really nice Pinots for only a couple bucks more. 

This is labeled "California" which means it is a blend of Pinot Noir grapes from all over the state. These always tend to be of lesser quality but still very drinkable.  Try their Central Coast Pinot Noir or their Mendocino Pinot's and raise a glass!

St-Francis "Old Vines" Zinfandel (Sonoma) 2021

 

Intensely deep, nearly black, hue with wonderful "Zinny" aromas of savory spice, maple on the edge, spicy raspberry. 

Palate--Vibrant first impression with lip smacking acidity and intensity with bold, full bodied structure. Fruit is gargantuan--raspberry/cranberry--even if still immature needing a couple more years. Lingering finish that has more berries saying, drink me!

I splurged (for me) and it did not disappoint. I departed from my typical $10 price point paying around $18 (I think) and I am glad I did.  I will be pairing it with charcoal grilled sirloin on the grill even at 7 degrees outside. Raise a glass!

Famille Perrin Côtes Du Rhône Reserve 2022

Deep Purple hue with aromas of subdued perfumy luscious berry fruit, with gentle spicing with???

Palate--First impression is a lusciously textured elegant presentation with everything presenting in a balanced and non-ostentatious way. It is ready to go out of the bottle but will benefit from an hour or two of breathing. The finish is surprisingly quick...

I am pairing this seductive GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) blend with my wife's dinner of what is called, "Marry Me! Chicken..." IDK!  Never had it but we'll see how it goes. Check my previous reviews of a different vintage.  Pretty similar. 

This is a Trader Joe's value offering for around $12 and it's a winner so raise a glass!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel 2022 (LODI)

Lovely deep eggplant hue with big aromas of spicy dark berry and a deeper dark floral note that mimics strawberry cream bon bons.

Palate--Clean presentation on the palate with intense flavors of all that is in the nose. It is supple, vibrantly spicy and delicious! 

Yes I have reviewed this recently and I always re-review my wines because the simplest change in the room where you are reviewing, the simplest change in your health (on coming cold) cooking odors, you never know. 

This Lodi California AVA produces lots of Zinfandels and honestly, while Sonoma was always my favorite AVA, what I am tasting out of Lodi is winning me over and often times they are close to half the price of a Sonoma Zin. 

I just ground some marginal beef to make bacon cheese burgers with mac N cheese. This will be perfect! At under $8 raise a glass!

Lobster Reef Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough) 2023

Straw hue with aromas of grassy goodness, lemon/lime, and wet stones.

Palate--Classic S. Blanc profile (New World) with racy acidity, loads of grass, lemon, and lime with palate cleansing freshness.

I had this tonight with Maine lobster and steamers with my wife of 52 years celebrating her end of her current chemo therapy due to a hideous blood dyscrasia called AML--Acute Myeloid Leukemia... 

We have a long road ahead but we grab all the victories when we can. I found this nice Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand--a powerhouse New World wine region--and this is a great example of the grape which is vastly different from the French version that goes back centuries...

At $12, it was perfect with steamer clams and lobster so raise a glass!

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc + Viognier (White blend) 2024

Gentle golden touched hue with aromas of Lemon, creme brulee, Granny Smith green apple.

Palate--Lightly dancing on your tongue with a slight sparkle, off dry, with loads of tropical fruit, lovely balanced acidity and a creamy finish.

Chenin Blanc used to be a jug wine back in the 70's and was considered "plonk" a cheap wine barely palatable but enough alcohol to give one a buzz. It was the "Rodney Dangerfield" of wine grapes and got No Respect--rightly so...As time went on this grape which was and is a staple of the Loire Valley of France. It is a beautiful grape making a wonderfully seductive wine. 

Viognier-pronounced Vee-Ohn-YAY, was a blending grape for all kinds of wine. It is in its own right another very nice floral known for its beautiful bouquet. At around the $12 price point you cannot beat it!  I am pairing it with baked chicken legs with root vegetables and I know from experience it will be GREAT--so raise a glass!

Sin Zin Sonoma 2020. (Sonoma)

Purple with garnet tint hue and aromas of red berries, dried cranberries.

Palate--Balanced first impression with prominent berry goodness and  Zin spice with a finish of darker berries.

Previously reviewed I do not remember what I paid for it but I know it wasn't the listed price of $16-20. It is a decent Zin worth grabbing if you can find it under $16. Pairing it with Sunday night pizza ala the iconic "Lou Malnati's" deep dish pizza.  Living in Maine but being Chicago born and bred, we crave "real" pizza... Raise a glass and a pizza from Lou's aka "A Taste of Chicago."  

Please note--I get NOTHING for this endorsement! :) 

Corvelia Zinfandel (Paso Robles) 2023

 

Deep rich eggplant hue with aromas of saltines, charred wood, and blackberry pie with gentle spice.

Palate-- Rich, spicy, fruit forward with deep dark black berry, lip smacking tannins and a fleeting finish. 

Corvelia has been one of my Trader Joe's faves since it arrived. Their Cabernet is also one of my faves and both at $10 cannot be beaten.  Reviewed before numerous times, I am having this my wife's homemade beef stew so raise a glass!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel (LODI) 2022

Dense aubergine hue with aromas of dark berry fruit, maybe a note of root beer, red berries, and cherry.

Palate-- Wonderful mouth feel on opening with lovely dark fruit and rich spices galore, well made and a rich textured finish. 

It isn't just a lovely Lodi Zin it is well made and I found it for $7.50 a bottle so I bought a case! It sells for twice that and is a buy at that price! 

Tonya Pitts of the Wine Enthusiast nails the review! A great wine for the price and even nice if twice the price!  Raise a glass!

Conundrum 2022

Nice purple hue with aromas of brooding berries with a gentle spiciness and a more light hearted cherry presence.

Palate--Relaxed structure on first impression with a elange of red fruit, where nothing stands out yet is integrated with a nice mouth feel and flavor profile. 

This is a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon which is a popular blend for California. They are always lively, fruit forward and east to drink. 

I am winging a pasta dish with store bought 4 cheese tortellini. I will create some kind of tomato based sauce which will pair well with this fruity wine.

I paid $15 for this and it is a decent value so raise a glass!

Taylor Fladgate Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2019

Inky dark blackish eggplant hue with aromas of sweetly spiced stewed raisins with a sweet above-the-rim punch.

Palate--Silky texture with a lovely bed of seductive, thickish gorgeous, intense, spiced currants with a velvety finish that lingers.  

Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusiast gives this $14 LBV 93 points. I was sceptical until I tasted this. Wowing at this price point so raise a glass and asip this followed by dark semi-sweet chocolate and ENJOY!

Roth Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Alexander Valley) 2022

Garnet hue with aromas of Cranberry and red berries with cherry cream bon bon notes.

Palate--Nice first impression with balanced flavors, integrated structure, mouth watering acidity and a tightly wound core that needs age and breathing. 

I see a reference price on this wine for $30 but I found it for $20.  It is unremarkable due ot its age but will improve for at least 5 years and will reward hanging on to one.  I am paring it with charcoal grilled NY Strip and it will be wonderful I am sure.

At $30 I would be disappointed; at $20 It is a raise a glass kind of value from Sonoma.  

Masciarelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2022

 

Deep dark purple with aromas of dense brooding dark berry with yeast and touches of cherry! 

Palate--Mouth watering, acidity with stringent structure and nice dense dark fruit mid palate...with a slightly metallic finish.

Masciarelli is a reliable name with a great history and a proven track record over many decades. Thi is a nice food wine and I am serving with a very simple pasta and tomato sauce. At $13 you can't go wrong so raise a glass!

Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2023

 

Light golden hue with aromas of lemon-lime and pineapple, tropical fruit salad and powder.

Palate-Nice first impression with balanced acidity and *off dry structure and fruitiness that is luscious and mouth watering.

Charles Smith has been creating Washington State wine at a bargain level for decades and he does it better than anyone!  I obtain the wine at Trader Joe's for around $10 and it is better than most wines like this at twice the price. 2023 is one of the better vintages so raise a glass!

*Off dry is a description of white wines which people tend to say taste "sweet" and they don't like sweet wines so they have determined NOT to like the wine.  BUT--An "off-dry" wine is a wine like this which gives the impression of tasting sweet but is actually bone dry because the definition of a sweet wine is one which has residual sugar left behind that has not been fermented into alcohol. 

Sin Zin Zinfandel 2020 (Sonoma County)

Ruby/garnet hue with aromas of crushed dried savory herbs, bright cherry and red berry bouquet, with the slightest floral note at the edge of the rim which I cannot pin down.  Very nice!

Palate-Mouth watering acidity, on a supple frame with notes of ***"too much structure and too little fruit..." Finish is nearly non-existent.

I just read a review of this wine from 2 years ago by the renown James Suckling. I followed him when he was with the Wine Spectator and found him to be reliable and with similar tastes as mine. His score and description of this wine (again--2 years ago) is nothing like the wine I have in front of me. I can only surmise that in those 2 years of aging, either my bottle was stored/shipped poorly or I am losing my taster's edge. 

At any rate, I think I paid less than the market price of around $16-$18 and it is disappointing. 

Sutter Home Chardonnay [cooking sized bottle] (just for fun...)

 Light golden hue with aromas of lemon, vanilla, and gentle spice.

Palette--First impression is you can tell it is wine, not much in the area of flavors that were present in the bouquet. 

This is a 187ML bottle bought in a 3 pack at the supermarket which my wife buys for making soups and things.  I don't know what she pasy for these but they have ben sitting around at room temp for months.

There not much here but if I had been tasting this blind, I would have said something like, "get it good and cold, serve it at pool side or with friends who just want to let their hair down and have fun." 

Don't think of it as "Chardonnay" one of the premier wine grapes of the world, but as a pool-side sipper with light appetizers and good friends who really don't care about the pedigree of wine. Sutter Home was one of my earliest wines some 50 years ago so they are not exactly a flash in the pan kind of winery. 

 

Josh Reserve Zinfandel (bourbon barrel aged) 2021

Deep purple hue with a touch of ruby and aromas of rich fruit, spice, 

Palate--Nice first impression and even though just out of fridge, the body and flavors are rich delicious. Straight forward rich dark spicy berries and a hint of espresso. Not sure why, but I like this more than I did in my recent review of the same wine.

Trader Joe's received a limited shipment of this wine and were dumping it for $10 which is about half of what I believe it goes for. If they have more the next time I am near TJ's I will be grabbing more.  Raise a glass!

New Year's Eve: A time for bubbly!

New Year's means drinking; sadly TOO much for many, but let moderation rule and you can enjoy the celebratory contribution of bubbly to the New Year's party.

 Bubbly takes all kinds of shapes, styles, quality and price tags. Many tend to use the word "Champagne" when what they mean is a sparkling wine. ie., carbonated. 

Champagne is a type of "Bubbly" that is grown and produced out of the Champagne region of France! All Champagne is "bubbly" but not all bubbly is Champagne. Candidly--Champagne is the best of the best of all bubbly's but comes with a price tag as well. And since few have the palate to appreciate the extra cost--which can run into the hundreds of dollars per bottle--you are throwing money away.

Sparkling wines will run in the area of $10 and up but no where the price of Champagne. If you ha e a Trader Joe's near you, they sell several bubblies which are down right drinkable and you will pay under $15 per bottle. 

Mumm's Napa Brut Prestige is probably my favorite for the price. But even that has escalated to over $20 a bottle....  

Spanish sparklers tend to be a pretty nice bargain. Called "CAVA" they are ubiquitous, fun a tasty. Price point $12-$18 

Korbel is a California sparkler and for the price is OK.

A couple to avoid--Barefoot Bubbly... Cook's and Yellow Tail 

If you have read this far--Search this blog for key words New Years, or bubbly, etc.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon "Columbia Valley" 2022

Deep rich eggplant hue with brooding aromas above the rim of "bready" bowl of jammy dark berry compote.

Palate--Hmm...An unremarkable first impression with sily structure, tightly wound fruit, and a fleeting finish. (just opened and needs to warm up... ). After warming up some it is fuller and more varietal which is what you expect when a wine comes to temp which is why you let it "open up" if you store it at cellar temp. which is 55 degrees F.

At the $12-$15 price point it is a decent Cabernet so raise a glass!

 

Cockburn's "Special Reserve" Porto

 

Essentially black hue with deep aubergine hue at the rim with a bouquet of lush brooding dark prune fruit with a sweet spicy presence above the rim, and nearly floral rose petal notes.

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!

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel 2022 (LODI)

Purple hue moving toward ruby toward garnet with aromas of spicy plum, blackberry, and sweet/savory spice.

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!

BA CA Home Base Zinfandel Dry Creek Valley (Sonoma) 2021

Purple with some depth and aromas of sweet plum and nuanced herbal notes.

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...

Monte Antico "Toscana" 2020

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!" 

SCOTTO Family Cellars Old Vine Zinfandel. "Legacy Series"

Slightly opaque garnet to the rim with ampol aromas of blueberry danish, tomato juice, and lightly floral with spice.

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.

Hugel "Gentil" 2023

 

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!