Castello di Bossi Berardo 2020 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG

 

Castello di Bossi Berardo 2020 Chianti Classic Riserva DOCG, $23.79-$29.99, 92 points, poured an opaque pomegranate red with a bleeding meniscus and many stained legs.
Aromas of perfumed red fruit, earth notes, evergreens, and a hint of milk chocolate were rich.
More than medium-bodied, bone-dry, showed bright acidity, firm but comfortable tannins, and a luscious truffle/earthy flavor profile nuanced with red raspberry and cayenne pepper.
Finished long on the fading palate, iron, a hint of mint, and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Italian Margarita pizza.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Rossino 2023 Soave DOC

 

Rossino 2023 Soave DOC, $6.37-$16.99, 86 points, was a dark brass color graying midway towards the glass rim.
The aromas were very soft hints of lemon juice and tart apple notes.
Not a weak Soave, not an expressive Soave, but a serviceable white table wine without offense, but without any excitement either. The acidity was good; the upfront palate was weak but gathered flavor notes commensurate with the aromas plus a whisper of grass and ginger.
Finished fair and with a reasonable 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with my baked haddock filet.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Bodegas Fuentespina Finca La Luna Old Vines 2019 Ribera Del Duero Riserva Red Wine

 

Bodegas Fuentespina Finca La Luna Old Vines 2019 Ribera Del Duero Riserva Red Wine, $20.35-$49.99, 93 points, poured core black grading to a burgundy red color with a bleeding meniscus and heavy stained legs.
The earthy plum aromas were overwhelmed with the smell of alcohol.
This Ribera Del Duero Riserva Tempranillo red wine was a soft full-bodied dry red wine with comfortable round tannins and rich flavors of strawberry, plum, loam, and hot pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of mint, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spice-rubbed bone-in rib eye steak.
The problem with this wine is it tastes so good it's hard to stop drinking it.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Tommasi Poggio AL Tufo Toscana 2018 Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Tommasi Poggio AL Tufo Toscana 2018 Sangiovese-Cabernet Sauvignon, $13.59-$19.99, 90 points, poured a light rosewood red with a still broad clear meniscus and a torrent of glass tears.
Aromas of soft shoe polish, coffee, and loam were innocuous.
This Toscana was typically full-bodied, showed good acidity, supportive tannins, and delicious flavors of black cherry, plums, mint, and loam accented by an enlivened spiciness.
Finished long on the trailing palate and well-balanced and welcome 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my barbequed lamb and chocolate dessert.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Me Musing Italy

 Me musing about Italian wines is a thought or two concerning a comment I heard the other day, whether it is true of only Italy or not, seems absurd when one is familiar with vino-centric Francophiles, but regardless, my musing concerns my own preoccupation with Italian wines, and that's despite the fact that few followers of my blog are Italian.
 I find myself most excited when buying Italian wines, I think it is because of consistent quality, variety of wine varietals, availability, and value.
Italy is the number one wine producer in the world, and though when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah-Shiraz, Malbec, Tempranillo, Grenache, Mourvèdre, and excepting Primitivo, Zinfandel, all of which I look elsewhere.

 I think when it comes to wine, Italian wines are the true romance wines, the familial wines, and the food friendly wines.
Just me musing~

My links and lists of Italian wines tasted and reviewed:

Barbera from Italy, The Everyday Red Wine.

Barbaresco, Barolo, and the Enigma of the Nebbiolo Grape Produced in Piedmont Italy

Brunello di Montalcino (sanguis Jovis "the blood of Jove")

Chianti, (Riserva) Italy's Classic Wine

Chianti Classico (Italy's Flagship Red Wine)

Chianti Classico Gran Selezione

Chianti Classico Riserva, Sangiovese With Class

Italian Red Wines (Blended- IGT etcetera)

Italian White Wines (Many White Wines)

Montefalco Sagrantino

Montepulciano D'Abruzzo Red Wine

Morellino di Scansano (Sangiovese, Region of Scansano)

Negroamaro Red Wine (DOC)

Primitivo (Italian Zinfandel Wines)

Rosso di Montalcino, Brunello's baby sisters

Valpolicella another Italian Red Wine

Vino Nobile (Rosso) di Montepulciano

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Marchesi Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG

 

Marchesi Frescobaldi Tenuta Perano 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $19.55-$22.99, 92 points, poured a deep cranberry red with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
The aroma of a soft perfumed Bourbon was nicely accented with red raspberry and strawberry with subtle dried sweet herbs, reminiscent of Brunello.
This 2021 Chianti Classico (a very good year) was nearly full-bodied, showed bright acidity, fine grainy tannins, and delicious flavors of truffle, plums, loam, and a hot cayenne pepper. Quite a tight and angular red wine finishing long on pepper and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol with a hint of mint.
Paired perfectly with my spaghetti and meatballs.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Cooper Hill, Willamette Valley, 2021 Pinot Noir

 

Cooper Mountain Vineyards, Cooper Hill, Willamette Valley, 2021 Pinot Noir, $12.74-$14.99, 89 points, poured a deep ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and sticky stained legs. 
The aromas were rich black cherry, a hint of cinnamon, and a pleasant floral vibe.
I'm telling you upfront that this a Pinot Noir with a quality FAR above its price point: medium-bodied, showed good acidity, delivered early palate easy tannins, tight but tasty flavors reflective of the aromas with good spiciness.
Finished a tad astringent, developing noticeable tannins, a whisper of red raspberry and a deceptive 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my pedestrian hamburger.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Candoni Family, Provincia Di Pavia N/V Moscato IGP

 

Candoni Family, Provincia Di Pavia N/V Moscato IGP, $11.89-$15.99, 86 points, was almost a platinum white with very light-yellow gold highlights and a gray penumbra.
The near mute aroma whispered hints of apple cider.
This was a medium-bodied Moscato with fair acidity and tasty flavors of guava and rock candy, not particularly complex but a straight-forward sweet tipple that paired well with my spicy Mexican cuisine.
Finished pretty much as it began and with a typical 7% alcohol.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Pullus 2023 Sauvignon Blanc (Slovenia)

 

Pullus 2023 Sauvignon Blanc (Slovenia), $14.99-$16.99, 91 points, was a glossy brass color with a clear wine ring at the glass rim.
Sweet apple aromas nuanced with grassy notes, orange zest, and a floral vibe were excellent.
Near medium-bodied with good acidity and flavors of apricots, orange peel, and crisp white pepper were delicious.
Finished long the trailing palate, bright ginger notes, and a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried clams.
Slovenia is the nineth country that has produced Sauvignon Blanc which I've tasted, and this first offering was remarkable.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Marcelo Pelleriti Valle De Uco-Mendoza 2021 Signature Malbec

 

Marcelo Pelleriti Valle De Uco-Mendoza 2021 Signature Malbec, $19.99-$22.99, 92+ points, poured an opaque pomegranate red with a broad clear meniscus and fat, sticky, and stained-legs.
The lovely aromas hit as splashes of cinnamon, black pepper, a panoply of red fruit, and a hint of milk chocolate.
This rather complex Malbec was full-bodied, dry, soft upfront with developing spiciness and firm comfortable tannins with good red fruit flavors accented with milk chocolate and licorice.
Finished quite long on the fading palate, a hint of coffee and tobacco with a big 14.6% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with a number of cuisines including my Italian meatballs and spaghetti. 

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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VAL Delle Rose, Aurelio, Maremma 2018 Toscana DOC

VAL Delle Rose, Aurelio, Maremma 2018 Toscana DOC, $21.45-$43.99, 90 points, poured an opaque ruby red grading brighter with a clear meniscus and fat-stained legs.
The fruit-forward aroma was nuanced with loam, wood, and dried cooking herbs.
This Toscana was full-bodied, showed fair to good acidity and soft yet firm round tannins.
Flavors mirrored the aromas with the heavyweight fruit being mulberry.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my grass-fed rib eye.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Wairau River Marlborough 2022 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Wairau River Marlborough 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, $12.74-$16.99, 89 points, was a light brass color with a clear meniscus.
Aromas of passion fruit and lime juice with hints lemon zest and gooseberry were lovely.
Typically, light-bodied with bright acidity, and delivering tasty flavors of the nose accented with lemon oil and a hint of mint.
Finished long on the fading palate with a well-balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired fine with my toast and sardines but was just a bit overwhelmed with my Dungeness crab.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Neal Family Vineyards Napa Valley 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Neal Family Vineyards Napa Valley 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, $50.99-$64.99, 94 points, poured core black grading to a rosewood red with a clear meniscus and fat stained-legs.
Aromas of perfumed ripe blackberries, toast, cinnamon, and dried cooking herbs with a hint of chocolate were excellent.
As is typical, this Napa Cab was full-bodied, but showed good acidity, firm supple tannins, and delicious flavors commensurate with the aromas plus a late palate enriching cayenne pepper.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hints of loam and iron with a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my rare grass-fed rib eye.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Weinhaus Römerhof Mosel (Trittenheim) 2021 Kabinett Riesling

 

Weinhaus Römerhof Mosel (Trittenheim) 2021 Kabinett Riesling, $8.49-$9.99, 88 points, was a light brass color with a clear wine ring.
Soft nuanced apple, apricot, peach, and lemon aromas were delightful.
This inexpensive and previously unappreciated Mosel Riesling was light to medium-bodied, showed good acidity and tasty flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished still tasty but bit thin and with a rather surprisingly off-dry 8% alcohol. Still a very good white table wine pairable with spicy and Asian cuisine; I served this 2021 Kabinett Riesling with a Chili Jalapeño Nacho.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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J Vineyards Russian River 2022 Chardonnay

 

J Vineyards Russian River 2022 Chardonnay, $25.49-$34.99, 95 points, was a medium yellow/gold color with a broad clear meniscus.
The lovely, perfumed pome blossom aromas were wonderfully accented with lime juice and lemon zest with just a hint of minty green melon.
This RR Chardonnay was medium-bodied, showed bright acidity, a soft yet firm mouthfeel, and delicious flavors that reflected the nose.
Finished long on the fading palate, warm spicy notes, a warm 14.5% alcohol, and just a whisper of oak.
Paired perfectly with our rotisserie chicken.
One of the best (for my palate) Chali Chardonnay wines ever.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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Lamadrid Single Vineyard Agrelo-Mendoza, Argentina 2020 Bonarda Red Wine

 

Lamadrid Single Vineyard Agrelo-Mendoza, Argentina 2020 Bonarda Red Wine, $9.59-$22.99, 89 points, poured core black grading to an opaque ruby red with violet highlights, a bleeding meniscus, and stained thin legs.
Soft black plum and warm ripe blackberry aromas were nuanced with subtle hints of tobacco and cocoa.
This Bonarda was full-bodied, soft round textured, fair acidity, easy supportive tannins, dry, and quite tasty with spicy pepper notes, loam, and rich black fruit.
Finished long, showed a hint of mint and iron with a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly my spaghetti and meatballs.
This was a very pairable red wine with a high Q/P/R.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

Copyright 2010-2025, all rights reserved, Dennis Tsiorbas

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Bonarda, Red Wine from Argentina

 

Lamadrid Single Vineyard Agrelo-Mendoza, Argentina 2020 Bonarda Red Wine, $9.59-$22.99, 89 points

Yauquen 2011 Bonarda, $6.75-$12.99, 87 points

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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