St. Michael Weinkellerei Qualitätswein 2023 Riesling

 

 

St. Michael Weinkellerei Qualitätswein 2023 Riesling, $8.99-$14.99, 89 points, was a very light yellow/gold color with a broad water clear penumbra.

Aromas of peach, dusty apricot, pome blossoms, and very subtle hints of lemon peel and petrol were elegant.
This Qualitätswein (quality) white wine was off-dry to slightly sweet, light-bodied, showed fair acidity, and delivered upfront flavors of Granny Smith apple and Honeydew melon, mid-palate was a bit thin, but finished well on tart citrus, rock candy, and a balanced 10% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried spicy sea scallops, and okay with my Asian cuisine.

Many tell me that they don't care for sweet wines, so, this might not be for them; I see this as a buy wine for the rest of us.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Montegiachi 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva

 

Montegiachi 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva, $21.49-$45.99, 91 points, poured an opaque Burgundy red color with a clear wine ring and fat stained-legs.
Aromas of perfumed ripe strawberries, black tea, with hints of milk chocolate, a floral vibe, and cinnamon were deep yet soft.
This Chianti Classico Riserva was a bone-dry medium-bodied red wine with firm grainy tannins, good to bright acidity, and a delicious plank of flavors reflective of the aromas with a bit of smoked paprika.
Finished fair on pepper spiced infused alcohol (14%).
Paired fine with my focaccia veggie pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection 2021 Pinot Noir

 

Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection 2021 Pinot Noir, $25.49-$31.99, 89 points, poured a burnished pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus and clear glass sheeting.
Smells of a perfumed rendition of the Pinot Noir specific grape with hints of cinnamon and mulberries were just okay.
Typically, medium-bodied, showed good acidity, soft grainy tannins, good flavors of cherry fruit, citrus, and tart notes of the grape specific.
Finished long on red cherry and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beef stew.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Louis Guntrum Rheinhessen 2020 Dry Riesling

 

Louis Guntrum Rheinhessen 2020 Dry Riesling, $17.05, 79 points, was a light brass color with yellow/gold highlights and a clear meniscus.
Aromas of faint dusty cardboard, petrol, and lemon zest were okay.
This Riesling was medium-bodied, showed fair acidity, and thin flavors reflective of the aromas with a hint of ginger and melon rind.
Finished long on the fading palate and a dry 12% alcohol.
Paired poorly with my fried cod loin.
Not a fan of this white wine and wouldn't buy it again (JMO) even for under $9.00.
I don't think, in almost fifteen years, that I've had three wines in succession that I disliked so much.
Hopefully my next wine (Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection 2021 Pinot Noir) won't follow in their path of disappointment.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved Dennis Tsiorbas

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Cavit Trevenezie 2023 Moscato IGT

 

Cavit Trevenezie 2023 Moscato IGT, $7.64-$9.99, 85 points, was a light brass color, slightly effervescent, and with a broad gray penumbra.
Aromas of pineapple, guava, and a hint of mint leaf were lovely.
Cavit provided me with a medium-bodied Moscato that showed a bit cloying with fair acidity, a sugary pear flavor accented with rock candy.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of guava, and a balanced 7% alcohol.
Paired okay with my favorite Moscato-pairing, buffalo-wings.
For the price, this is barely a buy white wine.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Reflection Ridge Estate Monterey County 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Reflection Ridge Estate Monterey County 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $11.42-$12.99, 77 points, was a very light brass color throughout.
Smells of lemon juice, fresh Mac apples, and hints of stone fruit were good if a bit straightforward.
This Cali sustainably certified sauvignon Blanc was dry, light-bodied, and showed good acidity with tart to sour flavors reflective of the aromas with dry grassy notes.
Finished with a balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Sorry, I didn't like this wine at all, it might be that it was a few years old, but not exceptionally old and with a screwcap, that shouldn't have been a factor.
Paired awful with my fried Cod loin. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited

 

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Revisited, $49.29-$62.99 (currently $82.99), 93 points, poured a bright ruby red with a thin clear meniscus and fat stained-legs.
The aromas were soft black fruit, coffee, cedar, and rose pedal.
This fourteen-year-old Oakville Cab was full-bodied, showed good acidity, soft but supportive grainy tannins, and delicious flavors of mint, blackberries, black cherry skin, anise, plum, and rich earth notes.
Finished long on the trailing palate, cayenne pepper, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my rare bone-in spice-rubbed prime rib eye.
I bought this wine more than ten years ago and tasted this vintage in 2014, it has nicely endured and should have another ten years in it.

2010 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Bodegas Viña Cartin, Ruta 49, Rías Baixas, 2023 Albariño (D.O.)

 

Bodegas Viña Cartin, Ruta 49, Rías Baixas, 2023 Albariño (D.O.), $9.99, 92 points, was a very light yellow/gold color with a broad graying penumbra.
The mountain stream aroma was accented by stone fruit with a hint of lemon zest.
This Albariño was light-bodied with good acidity and lovely stone fruit flavors nuanced with Necco wafer candy and lemon oil.
Finished nicely on ginger-ale, citrus notes, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried Atlantic Cod.
This is a great buy white wine, (QPR) especially for seafood cuisine. Another great buy at Trader Joe's!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Château De La Saint Mont (Appellation) Grand Vin Sud Ouest, 2018 Tanat/Red Wine

 

Château De La Saint Mont (Appellation) Grand Vin Sud Ouest, 2018 Tanat/Red Wine, $25.49-$65.99, 92 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a thin bleeding meniscus and very big hanging stained-legs.
Aromas of pine bark, ripe blackberries, a bit of smoke, and herbal notes were pleasant.
This 70% Tannat red wine was full-bodied, showed good acidity, firm grainy tannins, and rich plum flavors with an intense 14.5% alcohol infused spiciness, black licorice, and a dominant earthiness.
Finished long on the trailing palate with a hint of iron.
Paired perfectly with my beef stew.
Varietals were 70% Tannat, 15% Pinenc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon (France require 85% of a single varietal to be classified as such). 
I've filed this wine as a Tannat, for convenience, despite the French classification associated with the Appellation designation alone (St. Mont).

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Koha Marlborough 2023 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Koha Marlborough 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$17.99, 86 points, was a light brass color transitioning to water clear midway towards the glass rim.
Aromas of cold sand-bottom lake nuanced with hints of lemon zest, white chocolate, and passion fruit were pleasant.
This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc was light, brightly acidic, and show tart lime, slightly sour lemon oil, ginger, and grass notes.
Finished long, tart, even a bit peppery with a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired okay with my fried clams and better with my Yellow-fin tuna salad.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Albert Bichot Bourgogne 2022 Chardonnay

 

Albert Bichot Bourgogne 2022 Chardonnay, $18.99-$26.99, 87 points, was a light straw yellow color with a broad light gray penumbra.
Aromas of pome blossoms, a hint of dusty white chocolate, sweet apple, and rutaceae citrus notes were pleasant.
This French Chardonnay was light to medium-bodied, showed good acidity, crispness, and sharp citrus and ginger flavors with nuanced slightly sour melon.
Finished fair on the trailing palate and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired okay with my batter-fried chicken breast and better with my strawberry crepe.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2020-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Frog's Leap "Estate" Rutherford 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Frog's Leap "Estate" Rutherford 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, $59.49-$74.99, 92 points, poured ruby/cranberry red colors with violet highlights, a clear meniscus, and transparent glass sheeting.
Aromas of perfumed ripened blackberries, autumn sun-soaked loam, rich red cherry, and a hint of cedar were pleasant.
The 2020 Frog's Leap cab was a red wine experience, an upfront bath of soft, lush, and juicy Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, full-bodied with fair acidity and plum/cherry, and blackberry flavors nuanced with a Smoky Mountain chew.
Finished long on pepper spices, citrus notes, a bit of wood, and a most welcome 13.8% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Spanakopita and Kalamata olives.

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

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Produttori Di Manduria "Electric Bee" 2022 Primitivo

 

Produttori Di Manduria "Electric Bee" 2022 Primitivo, $15.29-$16.99, 87 points, poured core black grading to a purple/red with a thin clear wine ring and dense stained legs.
The smokey briar fruit with hints of coffee, damson plum, and Davinci cherry syrup were pleasant aromas, but underwhelming.
Many Primitivo wines are more a medium-bodied red wine, but this was dense, rich, and full-bodied with fair acidity, soft sufficient tannin, and robust flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long and juicy with a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my Angela's Focaccia veggie pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Anne Amie Estate Willamette Valley 2022 White Wine

 

Anne Amie Estate Willamette Valley 2022 White Wine, $18.89-$20.99, 87 points, was nearly clear with a light brass sheen.
Soft aromas of crisp apple and dusty peach with whiffs of citrus and a floral vibe were pleasant enough.
Light-bodied, fair acidity, and a gentle mouthfeel barely offset late palate with a bit of tartness.
Flavors, like the aromas were soft and reminiscent of the aromas with a touch of pepper and ginger in the long finish which did succeed in camouflaging the 12.5% alcohol.
Varietals were Riesling with Madeleine Royal (French white grape).
Paired okay with my baked haddock filet and better with my Portuguese sardines in olive oil. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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Rossino Provincia Di Pavia, 2022 Moscato (IGT)

 

Rossino Provincia Di Pavia, 2022 Moscato (IGT), $17.99-$19.99, 92 points, was a very light brass color infused with platinum effervescent bubbles (pretty).
Soft rock candy and white chocolate aromas were nuanced with a white blossom vibe.
Rossino delivered a light-bodied fizz tipple showing good acidity (not common in a sweet Moscato) and tasty flavors of lemon meringue pie with lasting creamy citrusy candy drops.
Finished with a good balance of sweetness and white grape, smooth and tart, and alcohol (7%).
Paired perfectly with my spicy cheddar nachos.
I hear over and over again "I don't like sweet wine". But my retort is: "try it, you'll like it!
I found this one at Angela's Pasta in Manchester.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve

 

Ferrari-Carano Alexander Valley 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, $35.69-$44.99, 91 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a thin bleeding meniscus and hanging stained-legs.
My first whiff of this Cab was alcohol, but a lovely smoky black fruit aroma supplanted the alcohol, and more nuanced floral and herbal smells with a hint of anise tied a nice bow on this package.
Full-bodied, dry, round, rich, showing good acidity, supportive tannins, depth of flavor, and a full throttled alcohol-infused spiciness.
Finished very long with a blackberry cordial flavor, anise, and a big 15.3% alcohol.
Paired fine with our cheddar and onion cheeseburgers.

2018 California Cabernet Sauvignon Wines Tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2024, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas
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