Belhara Estates Single Vineyard Malbec 2021

 

Deep rich, eggplant hue with aromas of "thick" ripe blackberry fruit, maybe a hint of blueberry, pie crust, spices, and more.

Palate--Finessed first impression with silky tannins, bold dark berry fruit flavors, spice, rich rear palate with a lingering finish of more blackberry fruit.

This previously reviewed wine just a couple months ago is a very nice expression of the Malbec grape, the signature grape of Argentina. A "Single Vineyard" wine is generally significantly higher in price because of limited production and consistency of quality and care over a particular parcel of grapes. To think of finding a single vineyard wine of any strip for around the $10 price point is foolhardy and yet here it is. 

Another Trader Joe's super value wine is worth buying in a case lot as it will only get better for the next 5-7 years so raise a glass! I am pairing it with BBQ'd chicken thighs and it will be perfect!

Reserve des Chastelles Tavel Rosé 2023

Beautiful pink hue with bigtime strawberry nose.

Palate--An acidic beam is front and center, with sharp strawberry, raspberry notes and biting citrus in the background with an apple finish at the end.

Rosé fell out of fashion in the 70's being peddled as a crappy, cheap quaff kind of made for people who don't like wine.  It was virtually all "plonk!"  Then years later something happened and wineries started taking rosés seriously and made some very nice ones.  During those year Tavel (France) was one of the rare standouts who took pride in making something of a work of art and for some reason a global change took place as global wineries took it seriously and the Rosé revolution took hold.

This is a $10 Trader Joe's offering that is quite a genuine wine with character and place so raise a glass!

Joseph Handler Riesling 2023

Pale Straw hue with aromas of green apple, melon, powder, sweet lemon

Palate--Slight sparkle with tropical fruit compote, ripe melon, green apple.

Reviewed in June I still review wines I have had even recently.  I do this to test myself and keep myself on track, (consistency) but also to look for bottle variation, and or a wine beginning to fail. 

Another Trader Joe's value at $6 and while not head turning, it is a sound enough wine at $6 to recommend it so raise a glass!

Val Delle Rose Morellino DI Scansano 2021

 

Dark aubergine hue with aromas of dried cherries, roasted bread, 

Palate--Watery first impression but big robust, Tuscan fruit, spices, rigid acidity, wood, and a lingering finish that has staying power.

This is a gripping Tuscan creation, with vibrant structure and will reward one with the ability to age this wine for several more years. There's a lot going on here that just hasn't had time to reveal its power. 

I will be pairing this tonight with my wife's homemade Italian soup and it should be a perfect pairing.  It was listed at $25 but I found it for $15.  Raise a glass!

Wild Thing 2021 Old Vine Zinfandel (Mendocino County)

 

Dark cherry hue with aromas of big bold black cherry with plenty of 'Zinny" spice.

Palate--Tart first impression with an austere structure, "hot" with watery texture and fleeting Zin fruit.

My wife picked this up while traveling and paid $22 for it. I would not have purchased this wine as I am familiar with it and it isn't a $20 wine... But the love of my life thought she was getting a "treat" for her husband so I will drink it with delight and being reminded (though I don't need a reminder) of why we have been married for over 50 years.  

This will be OK with my grilled bratwurst so it will be a good meal!  For what it's worth, the Wine Enthusiast gave this wine 93 points and a vigorously complex bouquet and palate. I would give it an 86...maybe.

Navesu 2022 Verdejo (Rueda)

 

Straw hue with a distinctive bouquet of citrus, and a hard to pin down basket of wonderful aromas. 

Palate--Tart first impression with rigid acidity, citrus galore, unripe peach, and a melange of exotic spices.

The Verdejo grape is a Spanish concoction with an interesting profile. The Rueda region of Spain is the home of this pungent grape. It is a novel treat with an exciting palate with nice acidity to cleanse the palate of anything buttery or fat laden. I paid $7 for this mark down from $15 and it's a nice experience so raise a glass! 

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2021 (California)

Nearly clear but slight straw hue with aromas of lime, white summer melon, and stones.

Palate--Super minerally first impression a tad "flabby" for my preference, (meaning lacking acidity) nice fruity lime and melon with wet stones, and a clean finish that is quick.

I paid $6 for this marked down from $15 at an out of state liquor store. Geyser Peak is one of the many wines that takes me back in time my early days of wine exploration.  We're talking late 70's...

I live in Maine so on this Labor Day my wife of 51 years took in a portion of the coastline with a spectacular day in Rockland, Camden and Belfast. After coming home I ordered 2 soft shell lobsters, and a pound of steamer clams. They are cooked for you and you just pick them up.  Total cost excluding the wine--$30.  Raise a glass!

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2021

Dark purple/garnet hue with zesty blackberry pie, oak and spice.

Palate--Concentrated blackberry, with a note of blueberry, and wood.

This oft reviewed wine is a go to when I find it on sale ($9) and it pairs well with such a variety of foods and drinks well all by itself. Tonight it will  be served with our Sunday night tradition of pizza; Lou Malnatti's imported from Chicago by the case and the pair never disappoints so raise a glass!

Conde Valdemar Rioja 2019

 

Dark garnet with lovely bouquet of cherry, cola, savory spice!

Palate--Tart first impression; constructed very nicely with juicy tannins, flavors of  big, balanced and integrated cherry fruit through and through with a nice lingering finish. Drinking at its prime...

This needs to open up and will be even better than it is which is pretty darn good! For some loose change under your car seat, you can enjoy what good wine tastes like so raise a  glass at $14!

Shannon Ridge Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

 

Medium garnet hyue with aromas of rich plum and dark berries with savory spice 

Palate--Unremarkable first impression with spicy berries maybe a touch of blueberry, and a berry pie finish.

I paid $12 for this and it is, well as I said, unremarkable. It is what you get for $12 in a Cab so I guess you can't complain but it is tiring. 

I just read a review of this wine from the Wine Enthusiast and I swear, there has to be dumbing down of "wine reviews."  This wine was rated 93 points which is absurd, and the reviewer defies science with 367 nuanced aromas and tastes. Yes I am exaggerating but you catch my drift.  Don't believe it! This is a big reason why I stopped getting the Wine Enthusiast. Caveat Emptor...

Wente Vineyards Mount Diablo Highlands "Red Blend" 2021

 

Magenta hue with aromas of red hot cinnamon candies, sweet cherry-berry and a touch of baking spice.

Palate-Elegant first impression with supple tannins, balanced acidity, integrated wild berries and a rear palate of savory spices. Finish lingers a good bit and then flees.

This $10 Went creation is nice treat for the price. Pairing it with pizza tonight so raise  a glass!

Rodney Strong "Red Blend" 2019 Sonoma

 

A lovely dark garnet hue with aromas of blackberry jam, sweet black cherry with a touch of spice at the edge.

Palate--First impression is a tantalizing "sweet" dark berry with a mid palate of vibrant spices, and solid acidity. Tannins are mature and easy to drink. Finishes with a bitter (the pleasant kind) presence that lingers a good while.

The price posted on this is $23 but I paid $10 for this Rodney Strong Sonoma creation. I like it a lot. If I have the opportunity I will snag some more so raise a glass!

Rosa Dell Olmo Langhe Nebbiolo 2021

Lighter garnet hue with aromas of Light nuances of cherry cinnamon, and spice    

Palate-- Juicy structure, with mouth watering tannins, spice up front, red bright fruit and and a spicy finish.

This previously reviewed Nebbiolo grape is not "classic" but a good example of the varietal. Another Trader Joe's value selection at $9 it is a definite "Raise a glass!" (see previous review) 

Chateau De Ribebon 2020 Reserve

Purple hue with garnet rim and aromas of ripe plum, blackberry, a touch of cedar, woith ash and spce at the end.

Palate--Pronounced front palate with sateely front, relaxed tannins adequate fruit mid palate but short finish and nothing remarkable over all.

I had this wine about a a half a million years ago when I was cutting my teeth on all things wine. It was just "OK" then and it is just "OK" now.  I don't get the 90 point rating the Wine Enthusiast gave it but oh well.  I paid $15 for this marked down from $25.  $15 is a good price point and it well pair well with my charcoal grilled "short cut" steak.  So raise a glass at the lower price.

Passione Reale Appassimento 2021

Intensely dark purple almost black hue with aromas of blackberry pie, light sweet savory spices, dusty fruit in the bowl.

Palate--Silky texture with balanced acidity and tannins, even keeled fruit from beginning to end with a finish of bold black cherry pie filling.

I paid $15 for this somewhat unremarkable wine even though it is well made and rather elegant.  Never-the-less it is subdued from beginning to end never really showing its stuff. It was on sale from $25 and I am glad I did not pay that for it but it is a very nice quaff for the $15 price point.  

I am pairing it with a homemade pasta dish of my own creation with herbs from my wife's gardens. It will be superb so raise a glass at $15!

Children of the Revolution Pinot Noir 2022

Pale strawberry hue with aromas of cinnamon and cherry above the rim, a touch of spice but the win is cold so it needs to warm up a touch.

Palate--Nice first impression with a very nice "nuanced bitter" first impression which is quite endearing. What follows is not exactly "classic" pinot profile but decent enough. Spicy strawberry comes to the fore with a fleeting finish.

This Aussie wine presents itself as somehow a step above non-vegan humans as if using "dairy products or fish" according to the wine's label, is somehow immoral. The label states: "Our wine is clear and so is our conscience. Join the revolution."  

Forgetting the non-sense the wine is "ok" for the $8 I paid for it but comes with a $16 price tag which it is not worth. If you see it for $8 grab it; it's different, but that's about it.

Pet-Nat Amuse Bouche 2023

Pale pink hue with tight aromas of peach...

Palate-- Hint of burnt toast(?) with very dry profile and mild presence of stone fruit.

This is an austere quaff which I opened to pair with our take out Asian cuisine. Never having had it I presumed it would have a touch of sweetness. It is bone dry but actually did it good job with our take out.  

I paid $10 for this at Trader Joe's and while it's OK I don't think I would buy it again. But it is a "naturally" made wine meaning there is nothing added to it not even yeast etc. It is in fact the way wine was made for centuries. If for no other reason give it a try for the uniqueness of it and raise a glass.

Bogle Zinfandel Old Vine 2021

Deep black cherry hue with big Zinny aromas of dark Berry fruit, a hint of licorice, fresh black cherry, plum. 

Palate--Everything in the bouquet is there in the palate. It is juicy in structure, much tastier than its price point would indicate, which it is a regular offering on my dinner table.

This many-times-reviewed Zin is a go-to staple in my house whenever I find it for around $9. Tonight it will be served with left-over shells, garlic bread, and tossed salad. Raise a glass!

Warre's Heritage Ruby Port

 

Deep rich, eggplant purple hue with aromas of prune, perfumey red flowers, [needs to warm up]

Palate-- Wonderfully sweet port, with deep voluptuous intense, uber-ripe plum and prune whip, with lovely structure to carry the intense sweetness without being cloying. Flavor is intense, long lasting with a lasting finish, and leaving you wanting for more of the same.

This is a $20 price point port and is a fine example of want can be done with Port wine short of full blown, expensive "Vintage Port." I LOVE port and I enjoy the $8 Trader Joes's value port and I have had a 99 point Wine Spectator vintage port and while it is extraordinary, I cannot afford such wine very often. If you have the means, do try it out; it is other worldly.  But LBV ports (Late Bottle Vintage Ports) while not being "Vintage ports" are a fraction of the price and marvelous in their own right.

Drink it solo, or indulge with fresh strawberries, semi- sweet dark chocolate, rich brownies or whatever chocolate delights you. It is a match made in heaven.  So raise a glass!

MBALI 2023 Chenin Blanc/Viognier blend

Light golden hue with a touch of green and big bouquet of juicy, ripe pears, vanilla.

Palate--Lack luster first impression with a lazy profile, but loads of off dry pears and green melon and a pleasant slightly bitter mid palate which is endearing. It finishes fresh with a pleasant linger.

This delightful S. African creation is Chenin Blanc and Viognier (pronounced Vee oh Nyay!)

Lovely Chenins come out of S. Africa and have for years. This one is delicious and chilled down is a terrific aperitif on a hot summer day but I will be pairing it with my wife's homemade Swiss chard soup.

Raise a glass!