Diora La Petite Grace Monterey Conty 2018 Pinot Noir

 

Diora La Petite Grace Monterey Conty 2018 Pinot Noir, $16.14-$21.99, 92 points, poured a deep dark pomegranate red with a broad clear wine ring and copious fat-stained legs.
Aromas were milk chocolate, cocoa, and more chocolate with black cherry accents, hints of red raspberry, and a floral vibe.
An unusual near full-bodied Pinot with good acidity, significant tannins, and rich flavors of, yes, chocolate, cherry cola, Kirsch, and red raspberry.
Finished long on the trailing palate, iodine, and a surprisingly balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spiced pork loin.
I loved this Pinot Noir, but a bit out of varietal-character.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2018 Merlot

 

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2018 Merlot, $23.99-$27.99, 88 points, poured core black grading to a deep purple/red with viscous fat-stained legs and a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas were overwhelmingly herbal with hints of tobacco and cocoa. 
A full-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, firm grainy tannins, Damson plum, red raspberry, Teaberry gum, and cayenne pepper flavors.
Finished long on the high 15% alcohol-infused spiciness, iron, and slightly astringent tannins.
Paired okay with my beef lasagna.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Cadis 2019 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie (DOC)

 

Cadis 2019 Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie (DOC), $8.99-$9.99, 87 points, was a deep straw yellow color with graying at the rim.
Aromas were lovely floral notes with hints of pineapple and stone-fruits.
A light-bodied dry white wine with good acidity and up-front flavors reflective of the aromas, but faded a bit mid palate, and yet gained a nice minerality towards the finish which concluded fairly on lemon and green melon notes with a balanced 11.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my fried haddock plate.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Six Stones Rogue Valley, Oregon, 2018 Pinot Noir

 

Six Stones Rogue Valley, Oregon, 2018 Pinot Noir, $14.99-$17.99, 87 points, poured a crystalline ruby red color with light stained legs and a very broad clear wine ring.
Aromas were a bit weak, but soft and clean cherry pie notes, red raspberry, and a floral vibe were pleasant.
This was not quite a medium-bodied dry red wine, showed good acidity, and easy, but angular tannins, and good flavors of cherry bitters, Pinot Noir specific grape, and a touch of bay-leaf.
Finished long and fruity with a hint of red pepper, chocolate covered Maraschinos, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my chicken stew. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Chronic Cellers Paso Robles 2018 Purple Paradise Red Wine (Zinfandel)

 

Chronic Cellers Paso Robles 2018 Purple Paradise Red Wine (Zinfandel), $17.09-$18.99, 90 points, poured a deep fuchsia with dark magenta highlights, fat hanging legs, and a bleeding clear meniscus.
Aromas of ripe briar fruit, mulberry, and hints of tobacco, chocolate, and violets were rich and fruity.
A full-bodied dry red wine showed firm (borderline astringent-late palate) tannins, good acidity, and flavors of licorice, white pepper, mulberry, blueberry, mint and blackberry.
Finished long on the trailing palate, exaggerated licorice, and a BIG 15.3% (Trick or Treat) alcohol.
Varietals were 77% Zinfandel, 15% Petite Sirah,4% Syrah, and 4% Grenache.
Paired perfectly with my spicy tacos, but only okay with my spice-rubbed rare rib eye.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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A to Z Oregon 2019 Chardonnay

 

A to Z Oregon 2019 Chardonnay Wineworks, $15.29-$17.99, 91 points, was a very light brass color and clear at the rim.
Aromas were magnificent floral notes with hints of passion fruit and sun-warmed white grape skins.
This was a light-bodied dry white wine, a bit unusual for a Chardonnay, but more a fruity/floral Chablis-like Chardonnay; showed good acidity and flavors of Lychee, lemon oil, and jasmine tea.
Finished long and clean on the trailing palate, a good minerality, a hint of ginger, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired PERFECTLY with my New England clam chowder.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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A to Z 2019 Oregon Riesling

 

A to Z 2019 Oregon Riesling, $16.99-$18.99. 92 points, was the lightest of yellow/gold colors and turning water clear towards the rim.
Aromas of sweet Macintosh apple, pome blossoms, watermelon, and Necco wafers were OUTSTANDING!
This was a light-bodied almost dry white wine with bright acidity and good juicy flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, ginger, a hint of the barest petrol notes, guava, and a well-balanced 12% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spicy Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Ruffino Riserva Ducale 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva

 

Ruffino Riserva Ducale 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva, $16.14-$25.99, 90 points, poured a deep cranberry red with a broad clear wine ring and fat hanging stained legs.
Aromas of rose, black tea, and soft red raspberry were lovely.
A medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and good flavors reflective of the aromas plus hints of hibiscus and mint were a bit lean.
Finished long on the fading palate, cherry bitters, white pepper, and a balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my meat-lovers pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Riddle Edna Valley, Estate Bottled, 2018 Chardonnay

 

Riddle Edna Valley, Estate Bottled, 2018 Chardonnay, $6.99, 87 points, was a medium straw yellow color and clearing only at the rim.
Aromas of lemon zest, a hint of cantaloupe, apple cider, Chardonnay specific grape, and a whiff of bacon fat were good.
A medium-bodied dry white wine with good acidity, a bit tart and lean with flavors reflective of the aromas managed to deliver a competent Chardonnay which paired well with our BLTs and a dessert of lemon/vanilla golden cake.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a bit of wood, white pepper, and a well-balanced 14.1% alcohol. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Clos Du Val, Yountville-Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Clos Du Val, Yountville-Napa Valley 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, $38.24-$89.99, 95 points. poured core black and grading to a lovely Burgundy red with moderate sticky-stained legs and a fairly broad meniscus.
Aromas were soft underbrush, a hint of shoe polish, cassis, running-brook spring waters, and a floral vibe; not profuse, but pleasant.
This was a full-bodied dry, opulent, and delicious red wine showing strong flavors of tobacco, cassis, red raspberry, and a hint of hibiscus.
The mouth-feel was round up-front, but firm tannins accelerated a leaner late palate; acidity was good and contributed to an overall balanced red wine.
Finished long and spicy with hints of iron, minerality, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our beef chili on Pepper jack tostadas.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château De La Dauphine Fronsac Grand Vin 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château De La Dauphine Fronsac Grand Vin 2016 Bordeaux Red Wine, $24.99-$35.99, 92 points, poured core black grading pomegranate red with fat hanging and stained legs, and a sliver of a silver wine ring.
Aromas were strongly red currant with soft floral notes, somewhat herbal, and with a strong whiff of alcohol.
A full-bodied bone-dry red wine with bright acidity, firm grainy tannins, and an intense alcohol (14.5%) infused cayenne pepper garnished red fruit flavor with herbal accents.
Finished very long on the trailing palate, iron, and a heavily steeped black tea.
Varietals were 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Paired well with my roast beef.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES
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Zuccardi Serie A, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019 Malbec

 

Zuccardi Serie A, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019 Malbec, $15.29-$16.99, 91 points, poured core black transitioning to a deep purple/red towards the violet and clear penumbras and copious sticky legs.
Profuse aromas of plum, black fruits, flowers, and a hint of milk chocolate were excellent.
A full-bodied dry red wine with soft, easy, and round tannins supported a cornucopia of fruit (not a fruit bomb), dried cooking herbs, and a hint of a Snicker's bar.
Finished long, silky, and spicy with a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my gravy meatloaf dinner.
If you haven't tried a Malbec, and if you like/love Malbec, but haven't tried this Zuccardi, then at this price, you'll be amazed.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Les Alliés 2018 Sancerre

 

Les Alliés 2018 Sancerre, $19.99-$24.99, 91 points, was a medium copper/gold color, and grading a light grey color towards the rim.
Aromas were dominated by apple notes with hints of vanilla, cantaloupe, and ripe mandarin.
A light-bodied white wine with bright acidity and flavors reflective of the aromas with a hazel-nuttiness.
Finished long on the trailing palate with an intensifying ginger excitement activated by a warm 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my breaded baked cod.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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North By Northwest (NXNW), Walla Walla Valley, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

North By Northwest (NXNW), Walla Walla Valley, 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, $16.99-$59.99, 89 points, poured a pomegranate red with a broad clear wine ring and moderate hanging legs.
Aromas were almost completely shut-down, but hints of black cherry, barely ripe mulberry, and a floral vibe were okay.
This was more a medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon, of which I have had several, and generally speaking I find them a bit out of character, but often quite tasty, as I have found this NXNW: showed good acidity, austere grainy tannins, and tart red fruit flavors accented with iodine, spearmint, and minerality.
Finished long on an intense cherry cola, red pepper, iron, and a warm 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with my spicy beef stew.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Château Sérilhan, Grand Vin Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Sérilhan, Grand Vin Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe 2009 Bordeaux Red Wine, $21.24-$24.99, 90 points, poured a deep purple/red with black singe, sticky stained legs, and a broad clear meniscus.
Aromas were slightly "dumb", but hints of black fruit, clove, lilac, and petrichor were good.
A full-bodied dry red wine with bright acidity, and firm grainy tannins managed to transfer and magnify the aromas onto the palate from stem to stern.
Finished long on the trailing palate with anise, a hint of red pepper, and a bold 14% alcohol.
Paired well with my spice-rubbed rare filet mignon.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2016

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Fior di Vino 2017 Chianti Classico

 

Fior di Vino 2017 Chianti Classico, $7.99, 87 points, poured a medium magenta purple/red grading towards pomegranate red with a broad clear wine ring and modest legs.
Soft aromas of red cherry, rose pedals, and terra cotta were good.
A medium-bodied dry red wine with an underlayment of grainy tannins and bright acidity supported up-front weak flavors mirrored to the aromas, but gained in intensity mid-palate with accenting black tea, eucalyptus, and citrus notes.
Finished long, a bit tart, and with strong iron notes, but a balanced 13% alcohol capped this high QPR red wine.
Paired okay with my pizza supreme.
Comments: A Trader Joe's find at a great price for a competent Chianti.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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A to Z Oregon 2020 Chardonnay

 

A to Z Oregon 2020 Chardonnay Wineworks, $15.29-$17.99, 89 points, was the lightest of straw-yellow and graying clear towards the rim.
Aromas began strongly Grany-smith apple, but gained an Oreo-cookie cream smell and sort of a neutral beechwood; all very subtle.
A barely medium-bodied dry white wine with fair flavors reflective of the aromas, but with a tinge sour with a hint of cantaloupe, developing black pepper, and intense and long in the finish with rich ginger flavors.
Alcohol was a balanced 13%.
Paired okay with my BLT.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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