Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Revisited

 

Groth Oakville-Napa Valley 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Revisited, $97.74-$114.99, (today's price: $144-$187) 93 points, poured core black grading to a deep ruby red with a broad bleeding meniscus and sticky glass sheeting.
The aromas were still fruity with blackberry and plums being nuanced with dried cooking herbs and a perfumed milk chocolate.
The 2026 rendition of Groth's 2012 flagship Cab was a luscious dry red wine showing fair acidity, much reduced/moderated tannins, and flavors consistent with the aromas plus warm pepper spices.
Finished long on plum, cayenne pepper, an iron note, and a big 14.9% alcohol.
Paired well with our babyback ribs.

2012 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tenute Silvio Nardi 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino

 

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino, $70.00-$78.00, 94 points, poured core black transitioning to a deep unfiltered ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and a dense necklace of stained legs.
Aromas of earth, plums, black licorice, wood, and dried cooking herbs were rich.
This Brunello was a bone-dry near full-bodied Sangiovese red wine with good acidity, an underlayment of firm grainy tannins, and luscious flavors of ripe blackberries, Orange Pekoe tea, and cayenne pepper wrapped around an upfront round and softer than expected mouthfeel.
Finished long, showed subtle mint, chocolate, and robust hot pepper spices with an excited 15% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Neapolitan pizza.

Chianti/Brunello/Morellino Di Scansano/Vino Nobile 2021 A Very Good Year

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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La Crema Sonoma County 2024 Sauvignon Blanc

 

La Crema Sonoma County 2024 Sauvignon Blanc, $17.99-$19.99, 88 points, was a very light brass color with a frosty-white sheen and a gray penumbra.
The aromas of perfumed fresh-cut grass, dried hay, floral passion fruit, and Rio Star grapefruit were lovely.
La Crema gave us a very mellow Sauvignon Blanc, light-medium bodied, dry, appropriately acidic, and flavor showing a good but faint reflection of the nose with a hint of flint and ginger.
Finished long on white pepper and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my North Atlantic lobster roll.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Castello di Bossi Berardo 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG

 

Castello di Bossi Berardo 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG, $30.00-$32.00, 93 points, poured cranberry red with a brandy sheen, dense sticky legs, and a very broad clear meniscus.
The lovely aromas were spicy, showed blackberry, bourbon, caramel, and smokey wood notes.
This bone-dry, acidic, medium-bodied Riserva was rather intense (I like intense), firm grainy tannins accentuated the overall body and was supported by the spicy flavor profile and muscular 14.5% alcohol.
Finished strong on cayenne pepper and Crème brûlée.
Paired perfectly with my spaghetti and meatballs.

2021 was a very good year!

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Chianti/Brunello/Morellino Di Scansano/Vino Nobile 2021 A Very Good Year

2021 was a Very Good Year

Chianti/Brunello/Morellino Di Scansano 2021 was A Very Good Year, and though the high-ranking vintage year 2021 finds me drinking mostly various Chianti red wines, due to availability in NH, and affordability, I do try to branch out with other Sangiovese expressions and Super Tuscans.
 My list thus far are linked below:

Bindi Sergardi Al Canapo 2021 Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG, $19.55-$22.99, 87 points

Brancaia 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG, $36.54-$47.99, 95 points

Carpineto 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $16.99-$21.99, 90 points

Castellare 2021 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $18.69-$23.99, 93 points

Castello di Bossi Berardo 2021 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG, $30.00-$32.00, 93 points

Castello di Verrazzano 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $16.99-$21.99, 91 points

Fattoria Monsanto Fabrizio Bianchi 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $25.49-$32.99, 90 points

Gaetano D'Aquino 2021 Chianti Riserva DOCG, $7.99 (Trader Joe's), 88 points

Luiano 2021 Chianti Classico, $13.99-$21.99, 91 points

Marchesi Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $19.55-$22.99, 92 points

Melini 2021 Chianti (Riserva) DOCG, $14.44-19.99, 89 points

Renzo Masi 2021 Chianti Riserva, $16.00-$22.00, 89 points

Ruffino Aziano 2021 Chianti Classico, $18.99-$21.99, 91 points

Ruffino Riserva Ducale 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva, $19.99-$23.99, 93 points

Santa Margherita D.O.C.G. 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva, $19.44-$24.99, 89 points

Tenuta di Nozzole D.O.C.G. 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva, $16.14-$21.99, 91 points

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2021 Brunello Di Montalcino, $70.00-$78.00, 94 points

Val Delle Roso 2021 Morellino Di Scansano DOCG, $12.74-$24.99, 90 points

Villa Antinori 2021 Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG, $31.44-$39.99, 94 points

Villa Cerna Primocolle 2021 Chianti Classico, $11.38-$24.99, 89 points

Volpaia 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $25.50-$33.00, 92 points

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Sandrone Le Vigne 2004 Barolo Revisited

 

Sandrone Le Vigne 2004 Barolo Revisited, $84.99-$139.99 (2012 $s) current price $119-$219, 91 points, poured a deep brandy red with clear glass sheeting and a razor-thin meniscus.
The aromas were dominated by sweet plums and anise.
The dry medium-bodied red wine was clean, still showed fair acidity and an underlayment of fine tannins, and brandy flavors with warm red pepper spice and Sambuca were rich and satisfying.
Finished long on the trailing palate and its well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our cheese and tomato pizza.
Having first tasted this wine in 2012, this 22-year-old cellared Barolo easily demonstrates its aging potential.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Renzo Masi 2021 Chianti Riserva

 

Renzo Masi 2021 Chianti Riserva, $16.00-$22.00, 89 points, poured an opaque ruby red with a thin bleeding meniscus and sticky stained legs.
A rich floral black cherry aroma was gently nuanced with smoky herbs and cocoa.
This Chianti was bone-dry, medium-bodied, acidic, showed firm grainy tannins and good flavors reflective of the aromas with added cayenne pepper notes.
Finished long on a spicy fennel flavor and a firm 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with our spaghetti in a beefy meat sauce. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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