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 LBV 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!