Requiem Red Blend 2020

 Dark purple hue with aromas of Blackberry and plum with spice accents and brighter fresher dark berry above the rim.

Palate--Big mouth filling berry with a lackluster structure. Syrah is taking center stage with a mellowing of the overall picture thanks to the Merlot. Finishes a bit shallow but pleasant.

This Columbia Valley (Washington State) made in a popular style, this will appeal to the red wine lovers who like loads of fruit, ready to drink. It is a 50/50 blend of the two grapes mentioned.

Pairing it with home-made lasagna this evening.  I see it on line for $22 although I paid $10 for it.  At $10 I like it, at $20, not so much!

Match Book Rosé of Tempranillo 2022

 

Interesting orange hue with aromas primarily of sweet Chinese 5 spice, and gentle raspberry.

Palate--Vibrant acidity, a light citrus note in the mid palate, tart raspberry, a lighter finish but nice.

This rosé, made from the pride of Spain (the Tempranillo grape), is a well made food worthy rosé. Tonight I will have it with Brats, four cheese tortellini, salad and fresh garden string beans sauteed in butter. 

I found this for $9 marked down from $18.  Raise a glass at $9!

Hidden Hills Estate Shiraz 2021

 

Deep purple as expected from this grape with aromas Slight hint of ruby red grapefruit, gentle fruit above the rim not characteristic of the grape, subdued but very nice ripe berry fruits, plum and savory yet sweet spices.

Palate--Absolutely silky texture, with seductive tannins that grow while on the palate.  Lots of dark and mixed berries fighting to get out; needs time to come around and open up.  Fleeting finish but c'mon, read below...

Mclaren Vale is one of Australia's great wine regions and they produce gazillions of tons of grapes which means BIG production which is why they can offer this wine for the ridiculous price of $6 at Trader Joes. It is not classic Shiraz but it's a great price so...

Should improve over the next 2 years and be a value wine to be grabbed.  Raise a glass!

Chateau Hyot Reserve 2020

 

Beautiful crystalline magenta hue with lovely aromas of sweet red berry, then more mature darker red fruit with plum and a hint of mocha and cinnamon.

Palate--Bold presentation with loads of minerality on the first impression, rigid acidity, ample plum and pie cherry underneath.  

This is from the Castillon a sub region of Bordeaux and is really well made and should be holding for a number of years beyond  In fact it will only improve for the next 3-5 years, If you have the discipline buy several and lay a couple down for the future and I believe you will be rewarded.

Pairing this tonight with strip steak grilled with charcoal. At $45 retail, found it on sale for $15 and it is a bargain so raise a glass. 

Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé 2023

Bright tart cherry with an nice citrus beam even if a bit unusual, with a note of mandarin orange!

Palate--Steely front with the same citrusy mid palate with cherry notes and citrusy finish that lingers.

Tavel is the only area in the Rhone Valley of France which has made a quality Rosé for decades.  When the world was producing nothing but "Plonk" in many countries Teval made a lovely wine which iit is to this day. It has Character, finesse, structure and is well worth seeking out. At the $10 price point at Trader Joe's. 

I will pair it with my chinese dinner and it will be great so raise a glass!

Columbia Crest Grand Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Washington State 2020

 

Youthful purple hue with aromas of Beautiful dark berry fruit with subtle notes of savory spice.

Palate--Relaxed tannins with nice fruit forward rich berry presence, ripe plum in the middle and a lasting finish that keeps on giving.

Columbia Crest is the highest point on the breathtaking glaciated Mt. Rainier. My name happens to be recorded in the book at the summit having been as climber back in the 80's.  Living there for about 3 years we loved the majestic vista, Rainier Nat'l Park and this was all before the Silicon Valley migration to seattle.

Columbia Crest Wines have established themselves as reliable value producing wines that you can buy without hesitation. This is no exception.  At the $12 price point raise a glass!

Four Vines Old Vines Zinfandel 2021 (Lodi)

Bouquet is rather lighter than usual with pronounced strawberry bouquet, with chilled tomato juice notes, and spices.

Palate--Nice fruity front with aging strawberry notes with savory spices, a twinge of dark cocoa in the finish.

It's been a while since I have had Four Vines Zinfandel and I always enjoy them. At the $12 price point it's a no brainer! Raise a glass...

Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2014

Purple deep hue in center of bowl with a tinge of bricking at the rim. Aromas of raw beef, in the bowl with unique minced meat nuances, and more but needs to open. Smoked mushrooms,...

Palate--Mature structure with sophisticated tannins, nice balance with acid and structured, around fruit that eludes me! 

This will be a nice pairing with my strip steak (charcoal grilled) for my bride and our 51st anniversary. Funny thing is I bought this recently at a Sam's Club and thought it was $10. It was in the wrong bin and I was surprised to see my receipt at home for $25.  But even at that, this is a  very nice wine, and worth every bit of qhat I paid for it so "Raise a glass!"

 

Foncastel Picpoul De Pinet 2023

 

Lighter golden hue with aromas of Cantaloupe, musk melon with a squeeze of lime juice on top with sweet vanilla pudding on the edge.

Palate--Vibrant mouth feel, nice acidity with loads of zesty fruit, lovely structured wine with a nice mouth feel and finish that lingers.

The Languedoc region of France is a reliable producer of all manner of the wines they ship and they are always a very nice value.  This is no exception. 

Serve this chilled at pool side, with cheeses and crackers, or pair it with a variety of seafoods and French onion soup as I am having tonight.  At $13, this is a definite raise a glass!

Masciarelli Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2021

Opaque, garnet hue with aromas of subtle milk chocolate, cherry berry, strawberry licorice.

Palate--Clean cherry and berry flavors with rigid acidity, mid-palate savory spices and cocoa, finishing with a black licorice ending.

This is one of my favorite budget Montepulciano D'Abruzzos and never disappoints. It goes with all kinds of Italian themed dishes but I served it with my wife's special dinner of boneless rib eyes on the charcoal and hardwood grill. It was perfect.  I grabbed this for $9 at my favorite wine shop in Portland, Maine and will return tomorrow to see if I can score any more.  Raise a glass!

Cooperativo Sociale "Primitvo" 2020

 

Purple/garnet hue with aromas of nice sweetish red/purple flowers, violets, with a savory yet sweet spice note overlying it all.

Palate--Decent first impression, with relaxed tannins and structure. Notes of Berry beams down the middle, with nuances that remind of numerous fruity, Italian wines, but honestly not much of *Zinfandel.

I am having this with indoor pan grilled Bratwurst--due to heavy rains, sauteed onions and green peppers on top and it will be great! 

*Primitivo is the genetic "parent" of what we know as Zinfandel. Zinfandel was unique to the United States although S. Africa and Australia now produce Zinfandel as I understand.  I have never seen one however. 

My wife bought this for me for Father's Day and I believe it runs around $16. Raise a glass!

J. Lohr Wildflower Valdiguié 2022

Purple hue with aromas of fresh grape, some spice, and since we just came through a rain on my ripe strawberry patch, well, there you go!    

Palate--Cranberry driven first impression with a sweet tartness, andsome stern minerality.

I'm not sure about this wine as a matter of preference. It is a decent enough summery kind of wine chilled down well, and reminds me of Beaujolais Nouveau in the sense that it can be quaffed without having to parse every nuance of the grape but rather just enjoy it with friends.

I am going to have it with charcoal grilled venison burgers and we'll see what happens. For around $9 its worth a try.

Warres LBV (Late Bottled Vintage Port) 2009

Brownish purple hue with aromas of prune whip, raisin,  super sweet, dark, brooding fruit.

Palate--Silky textured, sweet prune, currant, raisin, lingering, lovely mouth filling dark prune flavors with a lasting finish that reminds you what you were just blessed with.

This is a great treat my wife gave me for Father's Day and it is wonderful! Since most normal human beings cannot afford "Vintage Port" LBV is a great way to experience a close proximity to Vintage Port. This is thickish, balanced, complex and glorious in its presentation. 

For a splurge of $35 enjoy it all by itself or try it with strawberries or dark Chocolate and Raise a Glass!

Joseph Handler Riesling 2022 (Pfalz)

 

Very pale gold hie with aromas of tropical fruit, melon, green apple, and oil.        

Palate--Very slight "spritzig" (sparkle) with balanced flavors of tropical melange and gentle sweet baking spice.

I LOVE Riesling! People will say it is SWEET but it is actually FRUITY! Sweet means there is unfermented sugar remaining in the wine which is not the case.

Another Trader Joe's bargain at $6 grab some, chill it down and serve it on the deck, patio, pool-side all by itself or with fruit and light cheeses.  Raise a glass!

Corvelia Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 21 (Paso Robles)

Deep purple hue with aromas of  Rich dark berry, plum and black berry and savory spices.    

Big first impression with rich, ripe jammy berry fruit, well structured, youthful, tasty and savory. Finish lingers a while with rich dark berry goodness and blackberry pie.

Reviewed many times because it is such a value wine from Trader Joes. At $10 for an AVA Cab is a bargain and Corvelia is super so raise a glass!

Spasso Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2021

Deep dark plum hue with aromas of berry fruit tart, with baking spice, Washington State cherries.

Palate--Relaxed structure, almost lazy but not, big spicy front with berry in the middle. 

Hmmm, not sure what to make of this.  First--the label is eye catching and fun! I love Montepulciano D'Abruzzo and maybe it's youthfulness is getting in my way.  Not in a bad way, just ambivalent.  I am going to guess the structure of this will make this an exceptional food wine, so I withhold judgement *until I get my charcoal grilled lamb shanks of the grill.  

*My cumin laced grilled lamb shanks was spectacular with this wine!  Or should I say this wine was spectacular with my lamb shanks?  

Whatever; at $9 for this bottle, it was a perfect pairing and made you want more of everything.  So, raise a glass!

Bogle Pinot Noir 2021 (California)

A rather dark hue for Pinot Noir with aromas of strawberry and bright red fruit.

Palate--Nicely constructed even if a bit harsh, with a big lip smacking foundation, decent fruit and some sweet/savory spices.

Bogle is reliable and a value wine producer. At $7 for this wine on closeout (more likely to see it upwards of $10-12). Reviewed previously, so compare.  Raise a glass!

Frei Brothers Chardonnay (Russian River) 2022

Pale straw hue with aromas of tropical fruits, pear and steamed fruit cocktail.        

Palate--Balanced front with masterful structure, brimming with stewed pears, vibrant chinese five spice, with a lingering finish, and lovely integrated acidity making it a very powerful, food friendly quaff. 

The Russian River AVA of Sonoma is one of the best America has to offer of this iconic varietal. I will be putting it through its paces with tonight's spicy shrimp, and polish sausage pasta.  

At the $20 price point, Raise a glass! 

Monterra Merlot (Monterey) 2021

Garnet hue with purple highlights and aromas of rather "grapey" bouquet which is unexpected from a Merlot or actually ANY wine that is not made for guzzling or is plonk.

Palate--Understated, but with red berry fruit with spices at the edges, and not  the "grapey" presentation it gave in the nose. Still not very "Merlot" like.

This is a Trader Joe's offering and even at $7 it is fleeting barely drinkable though the uninitiated would never notice.  If you don't mind plonk, there is worse but this is not characteristic Merlot. Pass...

Cameron Hughes Lambrusco Lot 841

 

Grapey color and grapey bouquet with a slight apple aroma.

Palate--Effervescent on the palate with bright, grapey, cheery, flavors with a very quick finish.

Lambrusco is a very playful, uncomplicated, easy to drink red wine with low alcohol content (8.5%) and is wonderful chilled down and served with light appetizers or all by itself llpool side or just enjoying a Summer day.  I think I paid around $9 for it and it is simple, lively and refreshing so raise a glass!