Banfi Principessa 2020 Gavi

 

Banfi Principessa 2020 Gavi, $10.79-$11.99, 90 points, was the faintest yellow gold at the core quickly grading to a faint brass color and finally water-clear.
The delightful aromas were a light lime zest, gentle perfumed orchard flowers, and just an acceptable whisper of sour lemon.
A light-bodied dry white wine with good acidity and crisp flavors reflective of the aromas with a nice nuttiness that tied the ribbon around this excellent offering from Banfi!
Finished long, tangy, and white-grape fruity.
Alcohol (12.5%) was a bit higher than I last experienced eight years ago, but the wine was just way more enjoyable, and that may be due to just how fresh this vintage was.
Paired perfectly with my fried Peruvian bay scallops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Fattoria Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)

 

Fattoria Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $22.94-$28.99, 92 points, poured a medium cranberry red with a broad clear meniscus and moderate sticky legs.
Fabulous floral aromas were matched by cocoa, mulling spices, and ripe dusty cherry fruit.
A medium-plus body managed to deliver good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and flavors that mirrored the aromas with hints of black tea.
Finished long, a bit tight, dry, with incredible pepper spiciness, iron, Kirsch, and a warm 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Penne Alla Vodka and steak.
Always a great red wine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Vignobles Lacheteau Loire Valley 2019 Vouvray

 

Vignobles Lacheteau Loire Valley 2019 Vouvray, $10.99, 87 points, was a very light brass color and graying midway towards the rim.
Aromas of Mandarin zest, lemon oil, and dusty lime peel were good.
A light, maybe a shade heavier than light-bodied, and a not quite dry white wine that showed fair acidity and unobtrusive flavors reflective of the aromas was/is an apropos white table wine (a tasty tipple).
Finished tart and tangy, but a bit thin; alcohol was a mild 12%.
Paired fine with my fried Ipswich clams.

A side note: I was so busy I forgot that yesterday was my eleven years of wine blogging with 3724 posts; I'll have to pick-out a special wine to celebrate! :)  

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Ferrari~Carano Sonoma County 2017 Merlot

 

Ferrari~Carano Sonoma County 2017 Merlot, $25.99-$29.99, 90 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with sticky stained sheeting and a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas were rich profuse cinnamon, clove, red fruit, and plum.
A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, soft supportive tannins, and flavors reflective of the aromas with a whisper of oak excelled.
Finished long on the trailing palate, warm spices, a hint of Kirsch, a bit of smoke, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my spiced rack of lamb.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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David Moreno Crianza (Seleccion Familia) 2016 Rioja

 

David Moreno Crianza (Seleccion Familia) 2016 Rioja, $16.21-$21.99, 91 points, poured an opaque pomegranate color with copious stained legs and a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas of strawberries, red raspberries, plum, Bordeaux lily, and white pepper were excellent.
A medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with firm grainy tannins throughout managed to deliver the aromas onto the palate with black tea.
Finished long on the trailing palate, cherry cola, warm spices, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Varietals were 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha.
Paired perfectly with my Greek-spiced lamb rib-chops.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Massolino Serralunga D'Alba 2016 Barolo (DOCG)

 

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Massolino Serralunga D'Alba 2016 Barolo (DOCG), $33.99-$57.99, 93 points, poured a burnt pomegranate color trending cranberry-red towards the rim with thin copious stained legs and a broad clear meniscus.
Soft red fruit aromas with hints of black tea, cinnamon, and hibiscus were excellent.
A medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with firm embracing tannins and bright acidity which carried what might appear to be a "single minded" flavor profile, but indeed was a delicious reflection of the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, flowers, and a lovely alcohol-infused (14.5%) cayenne pepper.
Paired perfectly with my spiced rack of Australian lamb with broiled asparagus.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Dry Creek Heritage Vines, Sonoma County, 2018 Zinfandel

 

Dry Creek Heritage Vines, Sonoma County, 2018 Zinfandel, $16.99-$23.99, 90 points, poured a plum-purple with a broad clear meniscus and copious hanging legs.
Aromas were herbal with toast, black grape, briar fruit, and floral notes.
A full-bodied dry red wine with fair acidity, mellow tannins throughout, and flavors reflective the aromas provided a tasty, soft, round, and pairable tipple.
Finished long on the fading palate, easy spices, and a potent 14.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 77% Zinfandel, 22% Petite Sirah, and 1% Carignane.
Paired nicely with my pizza supreme.

Dry Creek Vineyard, why it's a "go to" winery.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Boyd-Cantenac Margaux Grand Cru Classé 1855, 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Boyd-Cantenac Margaux Grand Cru Classé 1855, 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $50.57-$59.99, 95 points, poured an opaque ruby red with copious stained legs and a broad clear meniscus.
As I do too often, I just grabbed a bottle of wine from the rack and opened it, but as soon as I took my first whiff I knew I grabbed something special; aromas of smoky red cherry, sweet candied cinnamon, peat, and flowers were exceptional.
Full-bodied dry red wine with firm supportive tannins throughout, good acidity, and complex cerebral flavors that keep you guessing managed to beguile me.
Finished fruity, herbal, and spicy with a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed filet-mignon.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Milbrandt Vineyards "XYZ", Washington State, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Milbrandt Vineyards "XYZ", Washington State, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $9.79-$15.99, 86 points, poured a bright pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus, and moderately fat legs.
Aromas were fruit forward with red raspberry, blackberry, and dusty red currant, plus subtle hints of flowers, coffee, and cocoa (very nice).
A full-bodied round Merlot-like Cab with fair acidity and soft tannins (especially for a 2018) which displayed mulberry and mint flavors.
Finished a bit soft with easy spice notes and a balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired fine with my spice-rubbed T-bone steak, tomato salad, and fried red-skin potatoes.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sketch Book, Mendocino County, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Sketch Book, Mendocino County, 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, $8.49-$20.99, 89 points, poured a deep rosewood with purple highlights, a broad clear wine ring, and fat stained legs.
Aromas were very grape-like with a cornucopia of other fresh fruits and fresh-washed linen.
A full-bodied round dry red wine with fair acidity and an upfront soft mouth-feel that delivered rich fruity flavors until the long finished crashed-in with a great counter-punch of iron, a hint of clove, pepper spices, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Roast beef.
As a young red wine, this Cabernet Sauvignon, which reminded me of a more mellow Merlot, has a high QPR (Quality/Price/Ratio) making it a great gift now or for Christmas.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Schild Estate Barossa Valley 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Schild Estate Barossa Valley 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, $12.49-$16.99, 88 points, poured core black trending opaque unfiltered and dull ruby red with stained hanging legs and a clear wine ring.
Aromas were a cornucopia of wild berries: currants, mulberries, and briar fruit with subtle hints of underbrush, cocoa, and a touch of wood.
A near full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity and an underlayment of tannin managed to price perform.
Flavors reliably reflected the aromas and was fruit-driven with an alcohol accentuation.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a hint of citrus, and what seemed to me as an understated 14.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my spice-rubbed T-bone steak.
This is not a soft/round red wine, but rather a more austere rendition that may appeal to those who like young Bordeaux red wines, or even young super Tuscans.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES
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Colene Clemens Dopp Creek Chehalem Mountains, Oregon, 2018 Pinot Noir

 

Colene Clemens Dopp Creek Chehalem Mountains, Oregon, 2018 Pinot Noir, $22.94-$28.99, 92 points, poured a lovely and vibrant rosewood red with thick hanging legs and a broad clear meniscus.
Rich aromas of red raspberry, a hint of French funk, and summer underbrush were delightful.
A medium-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, fine easy tannins, and delightfully friendly flavors of red raspberry, ripe melon rind, a hint of milk chocolate, and black grape-skin were outstanding.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of white pepper, a touch of spearmint, and a well-balanced 14.1% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my BLT on an English muffin.
A perfect example of why I love Northwest Pinot Noir, and that disproving the notion that a great PN can't be had for less than $40.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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AIX-en-Provence 2020 Rosé

 

AIX-en-Provence 2020 Rosé,  $13.50-$16.49, 88 points, was a light peach-pink and clear only at the rim.
On the nose peach rose to the fore, but Necco wafer candy was a close second, and with a floral vibe the wine showed brilliantly.
A light-bodied French Rosé with fair acidity and a bit anemic flavors reflective of the aromas, but still a wonderful pairing with my spicy Mexican, a real gulper, especially on a hot sultry summer day.
Finished long and steely with a more vibrant sense of the acidity.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Louis Jadot 2014 Burgundy White Wine (Chardonnay)

 

Louis Jadot 2014 Burgundy White Wine (Chardonnay), $12.74-$16.99, 87 points, was a a medium straw-yellow color and clear only at the rim.
Aromas of slightly sour apple and hints of minerality, lemon, and vanilla were okay.
A medium-bodied dry white wine with fair acidity and flavors that followed the aromas with Chardonnay grape specific notes were quite good, steely, and clean, but the finish faltered a bit with but whispers of ginger, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my alfredo pork with spinach and cheese ravioli.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Bee You Wine Company Monterey County 2019 Riesling

 

Bee You Wine Company Monterey County 2019 Riesling, $8.99, 86 points, was a light brass color and clear towards the rim.
The aroma was a single scent of mineral spring water.
A near medium-bodied off-dry white wine with fair acidity and good flavors of guava, honey, and lemon meringue.
Finished fair on the fading palate, a hint of black pepper, and a well-balanced 11.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Asian cuisine. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Altovinum Evodia, Aragon, Spain, 2017 Old Vine Garnacha

 

Altovinum Evodia, Aragon, Spain, 2017 Old Vine Garnacha, $9.99-$13.99, 90 points, is the same wine I tasted and reviewed  just over a year ago, but let it be said this is always a high Quality/Price/Ratio red wine, and one that I often give as a gift/introductory Spanish red wine; it was wonderful with our spicy chili, but I would served this with almost anything (hyperbole accepted).
The only difference in the passing of the year or so was the color appeared to me to be more a deep garnet red. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château De France Pessac-Léognan 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château De France Pessac-Léognan 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $22.94-$26.99, 89 points, poured an impenetrable ruby red, a bleeding meniscus, and stained hanging legs.
Aromas of chocolate, a bit of the barnyard, Bordeaux lily, and ripe mulberry were good.
A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, a firm underlayment of tannin, and flavors reflective of the aromas made for a solid red table wine.
Finished well on a 13.5% alcohol infused pepper spiciness, a touch of sour plum, and a more noticeable tannic presence.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed T-bone steak. 

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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