Caparzo 2017 Brunello DI Montalcino (DOCG)

 

Caparzo 2017 Brunello DI Montalcino (DOCG), $32.29-$39.99, 92+ points, poured a blood-orange red with a broad clear meniscus and fat-stained legs.
Red fruit and floral aromas dominated hints of cedar and black tea, and were quite pleasant!
Caparzo is typically a bone-dry, medium-bodied, acidic red wine, and this vintage wasn't really different in those respects from the previous nine vintages I've had the pleasure of affording.
Flavors were consistent with the aromas plus notes of iron, strawberry, and anise.
Finished on a never-ending palate of a warm 14.5% alcohol infused spiciness.
Paired perfectly with my Tuscan-styled veggie/Italian sausage pizza.
Mid-palate did thin-out a bit, but at this price Caparzo once again gets my BUY recommendation for a high-end Sangiovese (think Chianti) red wine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Round Pond Rutherford~Napa Valley 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Round Pond Rutherford~Napa Valley 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $19.54-$24.99, 91 points, was a very light brass color with a broad clear penumbra.
Aromas of gooseberry, lemongrass, and hints of tropical fruit were robust.
Round Pond delivered a rather edgy/steely white wine with good acidity and intense flavors reflective of the aromas with tart lime, green melon rind, and ginger.
Finished very long on mouth-puckering citrus fruit and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried Ipswich clams.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Willamette Valley Vineyards Dijon Clone 2019 Chardonnay

 

Willamette Valley Vineyards Dijon Clone 2019 Chardonnay, $18.69-$23.99, 88 points, was a burnished medium yellow/gold color with a broad gray penumbra.
Aromas of sweet apple, tangerine zest, white chocolate, and a floral vibe were bright and robust.
This Northwest, not quite dry, white wine was rich, luscious, and tasty, showed more fruit, was cleaner than most American Chardonnay wines, and what it lacked in complexity it made up for in a gestalt of drinkability and its potential as a white table wine's pair ability.
Showed fair to good acidity, flavor notes of lemon, wet stone, and white grape which carried throughout the palate into the fair finish marked by a surprising 12.2% alcohol, all of which made for a great partner with my pork sirloin and veggie dinner.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Bastioni Della Rocca Puglia 2020 Primitivo (IGT)

 

Bastioni Della Rocca Puglia 2020 Primitivo (IGT), $12.74-$29.99, 90 points, poured core black grading to a deep ruby red with violet highlights, moderately fat stained legs, and a broad clear wine ring.
The aromas were fruit driven with a touch of cedar, and underbrush, but notably blackberries and cranberries grabbed my attention.
Unlike most of my acquaintances in Italian Zinfandel, this Primitivo was full-bodied, showed good acidity, an upfront succulent mouthfeel, and good flavors of cherry cola, anise, plums, a bit of wood, and mushrooms.
Finished a bit edgy, long, showed a spike of cayenne, chocolate, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired just okay with my cheese pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Lodole Rosso Di Toscana 2018 Red Wine (IGT)

 

Lodole Rosso Di Toscana 2018 Red Wine (IGT), $7.99, 86 points, poured core black grading to a deep somewhat unfiltered purple/red with a thin clear meniscus and light legs.
Aromas were a bit quiet, but plum, slightly sour red cherry, red raspberry with hints of cinnamon and cocoa were pleasant.
This Toscana was near full-bodied, a bit austere, showed good acidity, an underlayment of fine tannins, and a juicy flavor profile with blackberry dominating a rather thin palate, but red pepper, licorice, and sour/tart fruit carried deep into a long finish marked be a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired just fine with our supreme pizza.
Note the price! And remember that Trader Joe's has "good" wine at remarkable prices.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part VI?

 

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part VI?

Yes, I often buy a wine for my fascination with bird(s) on the label, but wineries like Duckhorn, Castellare, and Ken Wright Cellars have great wines as well as intriguing labels, which wineries understand are a seller's attraction for their wines.
Here is number six in an ongoing list of bird-based wine labels:

Are wine Labels going to the birds?

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part II?

 

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part III?

Are Wine Labels Going To The Birds Part IV?

 

Index-of-reviewed-wines

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Ferrari-Carano Russian River Valley, Sonoma, 2018 Chardonnay

 

Ferrari-Carano Russian River Valley, Sonoma, 2018 Chardonnay, $22.94-$29.99, 88 points, was a medium straw yellow color with a broad gray wine ring.
Aromas of sour apple, wood, and Chardonnay specific grape were quite dominate.
Russian River delivered a rather full-bodied and complex white wine dominated by oak, but subtle flavors of apple, ginger, and vanilla were nuanced with tart lemon zest, fair acidity, and a balanced 14.1% alcohol.
Finished long on oak, butterscotch, and the fading palate.
Paired okay with my sauteed pork loin.

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

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Loveblock, Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Loveblock, Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.24-$23.99, 91 points, was the lightest of yellow/gold colors with a broad penumbra of graying.
Aromas of Lychee, white chocolate, and hazelnut were lovely.
Loveblock gave much love with its bright acidity, intensifying flavors of lemon, ginger, and grassy notes all contained in light-bodied mineral wash.
Finished long on ginger-ale, tart lemon zest, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our Asian cuisine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Guarda Rios 2020 Tinto Red Blend

 

Guarda Rios 2020 Tinto Red Blend, $7.64-$17.99, 90 points, poured core black grading to a rich pomegranate red with violet highlights, a broad clear wine ring, and fat-stained legs.
Excellent aromas of newspaper accented a fruit-driven profile with whispers of cinnamon and mint.
This Tinto was full-bodied, dry, fruity, showed good acidity, a round mouthfeel, and soft tannins.
Finished long on the fading palate, tart red currants, red pepper, a hint of iron, and a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Texas burger.
Like red wine? I give this a best buy high QPR!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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King Estate Willamette Valley 2020 Pinot Noir

 

King Estate Willamette Valley 2020 Pinot Noir, $22.94-$29.99, 92 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus, and clear sticky legs.
Aromas of cherry pie (a descriptor that always pleases me), strawberries, mulberry, black tea, a floral note, and just a hint of pine needles were outstanding.
This dry medium-bodied red wine was vibrant, perfectly acidic, showed a supportive underlayment of tannin, and delivered tasty flavors reflective of the aromas within a pepper-spicy matrix which will offend some, but please spicy wine lovers like me.
Finished long, juicy, spicy, and with a comfortable 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly (I consider this PN to be a universally cuisine-friendly red wine), with our chicken wing smorgasbord and non-spicy steak tacos.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

With another vintage specific Cali Chardonnay list, someone just might think I like Chardonnay! 

Baileyana Grand Firepeak Edna Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $16.99-$22.99, 88 points

Charles Krug Carneros, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay, $20.39-$23.99, 91 points

Ferrari-Carano Russian River Valley, Sonoma, 2018 Chardonnay, $22.94-$29.99, 88 points

Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $33.99-$39.99, 94 points

Matanzas Creek Winery Sonoma County 2018 Chardonnay, $16.99-$24.99, 90 points

Napa Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $14.44-$19.99, 92 points

Riddle Edna Valley, Estate Bottled, 2018 Chardonnay, $6.99, 87 points

Rodney Strong Sonoma County Chalk Hill 2018 Chardonnay, $19.79-$21.99, 87 points

Trefethen Oak Knoll, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay, $29.74-$39.99, 92 points

V. Sattui Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $13.59-$37.99, 89 points

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Charles Krug Carneros, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay

 

Charles Krug Carneros, Napa Valley, 2018 Chardonnay, $20.39-$23.99, 91 points, was a medium unfiltered straw yellow color with a broad gray wine ring.
Aromas of apples, lemon zest, and just a hint of passion fruit were quite nice.
Charles Krug was a near full-bodied dry white wine with good acidity, a stoney mouthfeel, and sleek flavors of modest oak, gentle apple and lemon, and accented ginger.
Finished long on the fading palate, a whisper of lime, and a rather notorious 14.4% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my pineapple ham steak, and okay with my American grilled cheese.

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Frog's Leap Rutherford-Napa Valley 2018 Merlot

 

Frog's Leap Rutherford-Napa Valley 2018 Merlot, $36.54-$44.99, 89 points, poured a deep ruby red with purple highlights, a clear wine ring, and moderate stained legs.
Aromas were fruity with more notable strawberry and red raspberry leading the way for more nuanced plum, mulberry, cinnamon, and a hint of cocoa tying a bow.
This Merlot was a medium-bodied dry red wine with bright acidity (unusual for a Merlot), supportive tannins, stoney mouthfeel, and good flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of anise and chocolate.
Finished long on the fading palate, a bit tart (not a typical round/soft Merlot), a bit spicy, and on a European-type 13.3% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Steak and potatoes dinner.

Frog's Leap Napa Valley, Why it's a "Go to Winery."

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Portia Roble Ribera del Duero 2020 Tempranillo Red Wine

 

Portia Roble Ribera del Duero 2020 Tempranillo Red Wine, $14.44-$19.99, 92 points, poured core black grading to a deep purple red with a clear wine ring and sheets of stained legs.
Aromas of cinnamon, cloves, citrus, cedar, mint, red fruit, and a floral note were outstanding.
This Tempranillo was full-bodied, lush, dry, with good acidity, "sweet" tannins, and luscious flavors reflective of the aromas plus a late burst of cayenne pepper.
Finished well on the trailing palate with hints of iron and plum, closing with a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Italian meatball sub.
A big beautiful red wine with a small price tag.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino (DOCG)

 

Donatella Cinelli Colombini 2019 Rosso Di Montalcino (DOCG), $19.79-$36.99, 93 points, poured a bright cranberry red with an orange penumbra, a broad clear meniscus, and copious legs.
Aromas of strawberries, black tea, dried cooking herbs, and a hint of milk chocolate were lovely.
As is typical for Rosso Di Montalcino red wines, the medium body was quite dry, crisp, and moderately supportive with tannins and brightly acidic.
Flavors of hibiscus complemented flavors of strawberry, black tea, hints of milk chocolate, and an amazing escalating cayenne pepper.
Finished long, tart, juicy, and with a pepper infused 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beef stew and veggies.
The spiciness, tight-mouthfeel, and medium body may not accommodate a soft/round Merlot lover's palate, but for the everyday Chianti palate, this just might be the surprise you've been looking for.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINE

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Château Talbot Connétable Talbot Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Talbot Connétable Talbot Saint-Julien 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.05-$32.99, 93 points, poured a deep rosewood red color with purple highlights, a clear wine ring, and moderate fat-stained legs.
Aromas of red fruit, mulling spice, black plum, loam, and black tea were excellent.
Château Talbot delivered a rich luscious full-bodied red wine with good acidity, a firm supportive underlayment of tannin, and flavors which mirrored the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a bit of oak, cayenne pepper, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my pizza supreme.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Cantine Povero Priore 2017 Barolo (DOCG)

 

 

Cantine Povero Priore 2017 Barolo (DOCG), $33.99-$41.99, 93 points, poured a brilliant ruby red with an orange sheen towards the rim, a broad clear meniscus, and a necklace of thin clinging tears.
Aromas of floral cinnamon, citrus, black tea, rose pedal, and light red cherry were lovely.
This medium-bodied Barolo was a medium-bodied bone-dry red wine with bright acidity, crisp tannins, and a bounty of pepper spices with cherry cola and spearminty flavors.
Finished quite long on the tingling pepper, Damson plum, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Texas cheeseburger.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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