Gary Farrell Russian River 2021 Pinot Noir

 

Gary Farrell Russian River 2021 Pinot Noir, $39.85-$48.99, 92 points, poured a royal ruby red color with a broad clear meniscus and fat stained-legs.
The lovely aromas of floral perfume, cherry pie, and hints of warm chocolate brownies were outstanding.
It has been wrongly said that you can't find a great Pinot Noir for under fifty dollars: Gary Farrell is not an inexpensive Pinot, but for about forty dollars I trusted that this vineyard would not disappoint. In this case, I rarely taste a wine before I eat (usually I give attention to a wine during and after my meal), but I had so much anticipation for a great pre-Thanksgiving Pinot I couldn't wait.
Medium-plus dry-bodied red wine with good acidity, supportive grainy tannins, and delicious cherry fruit and herbal flavors which carried long into the fine finish of Kirsch, red pepper spice, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol didn't let me down.
Paired perfectly with our baked chicken dinner.

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Magaddino Terre Siciliane 2022 Zibibbo IGP

 

Magaddino Terre Siciliane 2022 Zibibbo IGP, $13.01-$17.99, 88 points, the lightest of brass colors and was gray to clear midway towards the rim.
Dominate citrus aromas, best at lime juice with a hint of lemon oil, mint and white blossoms were gentle and lovely.
My first Zibibbo white wine reminded me of a crisp one dimensional Viognier, and this Zibibbo was dry, bright, tasty, citrusy, and quite pairable, having served me perfectly with my baked Haddock.
Finished fair on the bright acidity, a hint of white chocolate, the faintest marjoram, and a delicate 12% alcohol. Sometimes less alcohol is my preference (must be old age)!
Serving Thanksgiving dinner to elegant friends, want a white wine with decorative gravatas, looking for Q/P/R (quality/price/ratio), and want to keep those guests awake? Then I certainly would choose this one. Do a blind tasting and stump your local sommelier.

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La Madrid Mendoza Single Vineyard 2019 Cabernet Franc

 

La Madrid Mendoza Single Vineyard 2019 Cabernet Franc, $10.19-$22.99, 88 points, poured a bright ruby red with cranberry red and rose-pink highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and sticky stained-legs.
The aromas were floral, herbaceous, red-fruity, and showed a hint of mint.
A full-bodied dry red wine with good acidity, supportive underlayment of soft tannins, and tasty anise flavor nuanced with red raspberry, plum, and crisply excited pepper notes.
Finished long on tannin, a bit tart, and with a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired well with my T-bone steak.
If you're interested in a Cab-Franc, at this price I wouldn't pass this one up.

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Clos Henri Marlborough Single Vineyard 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Clos Henri Marlborough Single Vineyard 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $25.49-$34.99, 93 points, was a light brass color with yellow/gold highlights.
Aromas of fresh-cut grass, gooseberry, faint dusty vanilla, a hint of grapefruit and pome blossom vibes were quite lovely.
As with many Kiwi SBs, this Clos Henri showed bright acidity flavors of citrus, but late palate and finish were intense lemon/lime with ginger and white pepper notes.
Alcohol content was a well-balanced 13.5%.
Paired perfectly with my baked haddock filet.
I've only spent this much money on a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc once before, but that wine couldn't hold a candle to this 2022 Clos Henri, and this was my highest scoring one at that.

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Fontanafredda Serralunga d'Alba DOCG 2008 Barolo (Italy) Revisited Eight Years After

 

Fontanafredda Serralunga d'Alba DOCG 2008 Barolo (Italy) Revisited Eight Years After, $14.99-$25.99 (500ml), 93 points, poured a deep garnet red with an amber sheen, much micro-sediment, a remarkably clear meniscus, and fine glass sheeting.
Aromas of steamed sweet plums, subtle notes of mint, pine needles, and minerality with a floral vibe were quite good.
This sixteen-year-old Barolo was near full-bodied, showed good acidity, shadows of fine grainy tannin, a tasty reflection of the aromas with warm pepper spices and a hint of espresso.
Finished long on the fading palate with a hint of iron and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our spaghetti and meatballs.
Better now than when tasted in 2016.

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Castellare 2021 Chianti Classico (DOCG)

 

I don't buy Castellare Chianti for the wine labels, those are lovely ribbons on beautiful packages.
Okay, I review what seems to be a bias towards Italian wines, and that has a few good reasons: largest wine producing country, availability, and great wines.
Castellare 2021 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $18.69-$23.99, 93 points, poured a bright ruby red with amber highlights, moderately stained legs and clear meniscus.
Aromas of softly perfumed red cherry, whispers of tar and tea, nuanced the herbaceous character of this wonderful 2021 Chianti Classico showing bright acidity, angular mouthfeel with grainy tannins, and luscious flavors adorned with warm pepper spices.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hints of mint and iron, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my loaded Giuseppe's pizza.

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Dennis Tsiorbas
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Il Borro Lamelle Toscana 2022 Chardonnay (IGT)

 

Il Borro Lamelle Toscana 2022 Chardonnay (IGT), $25.21-$32.99, 93 points, was a light brass color graying midway towards the glass rim.
Aromas of perfumed fresh-cut hay, soft Necco wafer notes, and dusty mandarin peel were lovely and fresh. 
This Tuscan Chardonnay brags on its organic bona fides, but I brag on it being lean, clean, and perfectly balanced: showed good acidity, light to medium-bodied, and accompanied with steely flavors reflective of the aromas and brisk white pepper/ginger notes.
Finished long on the trailing palate with a hint of cantaloupe, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my baked haddock filet.

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Chronic Cellars "Sir Real" Paso Robles 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Chronic Cellars "Sir Real" Paso Robles 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.59-$17.99, 87 points, poured a dark cranberry red shading close to ruby red with a broad clear wine ring and fat-stained legs.
This Cab had a very grapey smell with red cherry, a hint of milk chocolate, and a floral vibe.
Chronic Cellars does a good job at producing successful table wines and this full-bodied cab was no different: showed fair acidity, soft round tannins, fruity flavor profile with hints of dried cooking herbs and chocolate.
Finished great on a spicy infused 14.3% alcohol with a hint of mint.
Paired well with my grass-fed cheddar cheeseburger.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tenuta Di Arceno 2020 Chianti Classico

 

Tenuta Di Arceno 2020 Chianti Classico, $23.99-$31.99, 91 points, poured an opaque pomegranate red with a clear meniscus and fat stained-legs.
The earthy/herbal aromas were nuanced with black tea and hints of red fruit.
Unlike most Chianti Classico red wines, this one was near full-bodied, this one was typically dry, showed fine grainy tannins, and tasty floral flavors with red fruit, dried cooking herbs, and hints of cayenne pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hints of fig, red cherry, and a big but balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my meatball sub.

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Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Alexander Valley Vineyards, Sonoma County 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $16.99-$21.99, 89 points, was a pale-yellow gold color and graying midway towards the rim.
The aroma of dusty hay dampened the lemon zest, vanilla, and wood notes.
Alexander Valley delivered a cut and dry light-bodied white wine with good acidity and straight-forward flavors reflective of the aromas with bright ginger notes.
Finished long on a fabulous ginger and a big but comfortable 14% alcohol.
Paired well with my chicken club sandwich.

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Dutton Goldfield Dutton Ranch Russian River 2021 Chardonnay

 

Dutton Goldfield Dutton Ranch Russian River 2021 Chardonnay, $23.99-$39.99, 92 points, was a medium brass color graying towards the glass rim.
Aromas were an excellent balance of lemon, apple, and floral notes.
Dutton gives us in vintage 2021 a clean medium-bodied dry white wine with good acidity, a bracing mouthfeel, and deep flavors reflective of the nose with hints of wood, fig, and citrus.
Finished long on the fading palate, green melon, orange zest, and a sweet-spot 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my chicken-club sandwich and my fried jumbo shrimp.
At under $25 you can impress those at the Thanksgiving table with a balanced Cali/Chablis Chardonnay.

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Seghesio Sonoma County 2021 Zinfandel

 

Seghesio Sonoma County 2021 Zinfandel, $15.26-$25.99, 89 points, poured a bright ruby red with a very broad clear meniscus with massive sticky and stained-legs.
Soft aromas of briar fruit, a floral vibe, and smoky wood notes were pleasant.
This is my twelfth Seghesio Zinfandel and a good one at that (QPR); bone-dry medium bodied, fine grainy tannins, good acidity, and tasty flavors reflective of the aromas with iron and pepper spices late palate.
Finished long, showed hints of rose pedal, iron, cayenne pepper, and a big but balanced 15% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spinach/cheese/ and beef ravioli.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Stoller Family Estate Willamette Valley 2022 Pinot Noir

 

Stoller Family Estate Willamette Valley 2022 Pinot Noir, $17.89-$24.99, 89 points, poured a cloudy pomegranate red with a broad clear wine ring and many thin legs.
Aromas of mulberry, cherry fruit, black tea, and a hint of rubber were pleasant.
This Willamette Pinot was medium-bodied, showed good acidity, mellow grainy tannins, and good cherry fruit flavors with hints of red pepper, dried cooking herbs, and a hint of citrus.
Finished long on minerality and a super well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Asian cuisine and batter-fried chicken breast.
I seldom miss with a Willamette Valley Pinot Noir and Stoller was/is no exception.

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Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana IGT 2018 Red Wine

 

Brancaia Tre Rosso Toscana IGT 2018 Red Wine, $18.69-$24.99, 92 points, poured a deep cranberry red with ruby highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and thin copious stained-legs.
Aromas of dynamic red fruit, beech wood, perfumed rose pedal, and hints of sweet spices and milk chocolate were complex and pleasant.
This Toscana was near full-bodied, dry, showed firm grainy tannins, bright acidity, and tasty flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long, tart, showing red raspberry, cayenne pepper, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 90% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Merlot.
Paired perfectly with my meatballs and spaghetti.

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StellaTerre Siciliane 2022 Moscato (IGT)

 

StellaTerre Siciliane 2022 Moscato (IGT), $8.94-$12.99, 87 points, was a light brass color with platinum highlights and a broad gray penumbra.
Aromas were subtle notes of lemon peel, ginger, autumn pine needles, and dusty orange blossoms.
This tasty Moscato was medium-bodied, showed fair to good acidity, less sweet (semi-sweet) than most others I've had, no effervescence, slightly tart, and flavors faintly akin to the aromas.
Finished on the trailing palate with a hint of grapefruit and an unobtrusive 10% alcohol.
Didn't particularly pair well with my hot buffalo wings but was wonderful with my Turkish halva.

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Copyright 2020-2024, all rights reserved Dennis Tsiorbas
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Hook and Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Chalk Hill, Estate 2021 Cabernet Franc

 

Hook and Ladder Los Amigos Ranch Chalk Hill, Estate 2021 Cabernet Franc, $18.70-$45.99, 90 points, poured an opaque garnet red with purple highlights, thin bleeding meniscus, and fat stained-legs.
Aromas of subtle cinnamon, black cherry, sun ripened blackberry, cedar and herbal notes were complex and pleasant.
It's been several years since I've had a straight domestic Cab/Franc, and this was a good choice: round mouthfeel, full-bodied, fair acidity, soft tannins, tasty flavors that mirrored the nose, a bit herbaceous, and textually similar to my last French Malbec but with far more interesting flavors.
Finished long, showed a smidgeon of pepper spice, a slight astringency, and a big but balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Spaghetti and meatballs.  

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Silverado Napa Valley 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Silverado Napa Valley 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, $46.36-$62.99, 93 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and clinging fat legs.
Good aromas of floral notes were accented with ripe black fruit and cardamom.
It's been more than six years since I've had a Silverado Cab and for the life of me, I don't know why, except that there's just so many wines to taste and three surgeries have hindered indulging my wine tasting in general. This 2019 was wonderful, soft yet supportive, tasty but complex, and rich though not overly expensive (As a more or less average wine drinker I like to keep the cost under $50.00).
Finished long on cayenne pepper, iron, plums, anise, and a big but balanced 14.6% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my meatballs and spaghetti.

2019 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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