de Badet- Clement and Cie Revelation Pays D'Oc 2023 Chardonnay (France)

 

de Badet- Clement and Cie Revelation Pays D'Oc 2023 Chardonnay (France), $8.99 (Trader Joe's), 89 points, was a medium yellow/gold color with a clear meniscus.
The aromas were lovely lemon oil, orange zest, and perfumed white blossom notes.
This French Chardonnay was a dry light-medium-bodied white wine, a bit thin upfront, with good acidity and grainy flavors nuanced with mushrooms and a hint of citrus (very unusual).
Finished long on the deepening palate with a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
When I first tasted Revelation 2023, I wasn't turned off, but I wasn't impressed either, however when paired with my fried chicken and veggie roll it was wonderful.

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Zenato 2019 Alanera Rosso Veronese IGT

 

Zenato 2019 Alanera Rosso Veronese IGT, $12.99-$18.99, 88 points, poured a deep pomegranate red with a clear meniscus and copious thin stained-legs.
The bouquet was substantially herbal with suggestions of earth and red fruit notes.
This regionally usual, but partially pre-dried wine was dry and full-bodied, showed good acidity and grainy tannins, flavors didn't include any raisin notes for me, but nicely reflected the bouquet.
Finished fair, a bit tart, showed a bit of red cherry and a warm 13.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 55% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 10% Corvinone, 5% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Paired fine with Debbie's manicotti.

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Tenute Silvio Nardi 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino

 

Tenute Silvio Nardi 2019 Brunello Di Montalcino, $55.24-$72.99, 95 points, poured a deep glossy ruby red with a bleeding meniscus and a tight light-ruby necklace.
The beautiful aroma of a perfumed cinnamon-laced black tea was nuanced with black cherry and a hint of milk chocolate.
This is my nineth vintage of this great red wine, and I'm just going to be a bit lyrical rather than "technical" in describing this 2019 Brunello: This is a wine of depth, character, complexity, intensity, fruity, earthy, showing whiskey notes, warm pepper infused alcohol (14.5%), and a cerebrally meditative flavor profile.
I paired this with my grass-fed beef.

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SC Cellars STC California LCNS 2 Chll 2020 Red Wine

 

SC Cellars STC California LCNS 2 Chll 2020 Red Wine, approximately $16.00, 69 points, poured a murky watermelon red with a thin near cream-colored meniscus and light thin legs.
The aroma was an overwhelming cough-syrup.
The flavor was a medicinal red cherry delivered in a light-bodied, dry and unnoticeable tannin structure.
Finished as it began with an unbalanced 12.7% alcohol.
Varietals were 40% Zinfandel, 40% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Syrah.
I didn't pair this wine because I couldn't drink it.

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Domaines Brocard Sainte Celine Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2023 Chablis

 

Domaines Brocard Sainte Celine Grand Vin De Bourgogne 2023 Chablis, $16.99 (Trader Joe's), 89 points, was a very light yellow/gold color with a near water-clear penumbra.
The aromas of subtle lemon and green melon were pleasant.
This Chablis was light-bodied, acidic, dry, showed a dominate flinty and stoney minerality nuanced with citrus notes and a hint cantaloupe.
Finished long, tart, and clean with a well-balanced 12.5 alcohol.
Paired nicely with my fried clams, but so well with my fried chicken breast.

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Banfi Castello San Angelo 2022 Pinot Grigio (AGT)

 

Banfi Castello San Angelo 2022 Pinot Grigio (AGT), $13.95-$19.99, 86 points, was almost a platinum white color with a yellow gold sheen and a clear meniscus.
Aromas of peach and sour grass notes were just okay for me.
This nineth vintage of this wine I've had should be no surprise and it wasn't: fairly acidic, tart, a bit thin, but lime and hops notes were tasty.
Finished rather lack-luster and with a typical 12.5% alcohol.
Paired only okay with my Yellowfin tuna salad.
This Pinot Grigio used to be one of my favorites, but the last three vintages have left me wanting.

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Il Tesoro 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva from Trader Joe's

Il Tesoro 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva from Trader Joe's, $12.99, 87 points, poured a deep ruby red with a clear wine ring and a torrent of glass-bowl tears.
Aromas of shoe polish, wood, blackberries, and hints of mint with white pepper were interesting.
This Riserva was medium-bodied, acidic, showed tight tannins, floral flavors nuanced with tart plum.
Finished long on plum, a hint of iron, and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
Paired nicely with my peach and ham pizza.

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Maison de Madeleine 2023 Sancerre

Maison de Madeleine 2023 Sancerre, $32.99-$36.99, 95 points, was a light brass color with yellow gold highlights and graying midway towards the glass rim.
Aromas were dominated by a floral/sweet orange nuanced with other citrus notes and bright mountain stream sensibilities.
This steely, brightly acidic, dry and light-bodied Sauvignon Blanc was filled with flavor subtleties of citrus, flowers, minerality, Poaceae, and green melon (wow).
Finished long on notes of hops and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with Debbie's chicken pie and our Asian cuisine.
A difficult white wine to put down.

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Château Haut Sociondo, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, 2020 Bordeaux Red Wine

~ Bastille-Day Birthday Party~

Château Haut Sociondo, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, 2020 Bordeaux Red Wine, $17.99-$49.99, 92 points, poured a semi-unfiltered opaque ruby red with a broad bleeding meniscus and fat stained-legs.
Aromas of cassis, warm blackberries, earth and mushrooms, and perfumed herbaceous vibes were verdant.
This Côtes de Bordeaux was lush, dry, full-bodied with good acidity, firm underlayment of tannin, and tasty red and black fruitiness with mint, dried cooking herbs, and warm cayenne spiciness.
Finished on a sweet-like spearmint and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Texas burger.
If you like a bit of spiciness, this is a great value red wine, especially at this close-out price.

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Carpineto 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG

 

Carpineto 2021 Chianti Classico DOCG, $16.99-$21.99, 90 points, poured a deep cranberry red with an almost milky meniscus and light falling legs.
The aromas began with a panoply of red fruit nuanced with a perfumed floral vibe and a hint of cinnamon.
Carpineto 2021 Chianti Classico was medium-bodied, dry, showed bright acidity, fine grainy tannins, and flavors reflective of the aromas with a good bit of spiciness.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a hint of iron, spearmint, and a spot-on 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with Debbie's American chop suey.

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Weingut Martin Tesch "Unplugged" 2023 Trocken Riesling (Germany)

 

Weingut Martin Tesch "Unplugged" 2023 Trocken Riesling (Germany), $15.29-$21.99, 87 points, was a straw yellow color with a broad graying penumbra.
Aromas of dates, sour lemon, apricots, and hints of white chocolate and petrol were pleasant.
This German dry Riesling showed a bit angular with good acidity and a nondescript rendition of the nose with a touch of grassiness.
Finished okay on a dominant minerality and a well-balanced 12.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our lemon chicken-tenders. 

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Basilica Cafaggio, Vendemmia 2022 Chianti Classico DOCG

 

Basilica Cafaggio, Vendemmia 2022 Chianti Classico DOCG, $14.44-$18.99, 91 points, poured a deep clear ruby red with a silvery meniscus and copious clear legs.
Aromas of cinnamon, plums, cherry fruit, hint of milk chocolate, and a floral vibe were verdant.
This was an unusual Chianti Classico in that it was full-bodied and quite soft upfront, but intense warm peppers and firm tannins started to grip and magnify the 13% alcohol and rich flavors of the nose with mint and a hint of eucalyptus.
Finished long on the trailing palate, black pepper, and mint.
Paired perfectly with our cheese pizza.

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Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon

 

Sequoia Grove Napa Valley 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, $49.99-$59.99, 92 points, poured core opaque ruby red with a broad clear meniscus and fat-stained legs.
Aromas of cassis, Bordeaux lily, a hint of sour loam, and a floral vibe were complex and pleasant.
This Napa Valley Cabernet was a robust full-bodied red wine, showed good acidity, round supportive tannins, and tasty flavors reflective of the nose.
Finished long on the fading palate, fennel, a hint of mint, developing cayenne pepper, and a big 14.9% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my spaghetti and meatballs.

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Durigutti Family Winemakers, Aguijón de Abeja Obrera 2022 Malbec

 

Durigutti Family Winemakers, Aguijón de Abeja Obrera 2022 Malbec, $18.99-$20.99, 89 points, poured core black grading to a deep ruby red with a clear meniscus and sticky stained legs.
Perfumed floral notes were nuanced with a fruity background and hints of peat.
This Malbec was full-bodied, smooth/round, showed better acidity than is common in Argentinian Malbec, easy tannins, and rich flavors reflective of the aromas with a whisper of raisins.
Finished long on the trailing palate with hints of iron and black licorice, alcohol was a comfortable 13.3%.
Paired perfectly with my cheese enchiladas.

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Blu Giovello Trevenezie Moscato IGT

 

Blu Giovello Trevenezie Moscato IGT, $13.05-$14.99, 88 points, was a medium yellow-gold color with a broad graying penumbra.
The interesting aromas of pear, white chocolate, and a slightly sour orange peel were pleasant.
I find Italian Moscato wine often to be medium-bodied, and this Blu Giovello was no different, but this was a more angular white wine than is typical, off-dry rather than sweet without some of the residual sugar flavor influence; tasting notes were more subtle citrus flavors with hints of stone fruit and minerality.
Finished long and with a whisper of guava and alcohol (9%).
Paired okay with my spicy Nachos, and better with my Yellowfin tuna salad.

INDEX of REVIEWED WINES

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