Napa Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay

 

Napa Cellars Napa Valley 2018 Chardonnay, $14.44-$19.99, 92 points, was a light to medium yellow gold color with a fairly broad graying penumbra towards the glass rim.
Aromas of dusty cantaloupe, white chocolate, Chardonnay-specific grape, and lemon/lime citrus notes were complex and pleasant.
This Napa Valley Chardonnay was maybe just a whisper more full-bodied than medium-bodied. Showed good acidity, an up-front round mouthfeel, and excellent flavors reflective of the aromas with this developing late palate edgy ginger ale crispiness.
Finished long on that ginger, a touch of oak, slightly sour crab apple, and a well-balanced 13.9% alcohol.
This is a food-friendly Chardonnay, think Asian, Greek, and traditional American comfort foods.
A much better Chardonnay than the 2014 which I had something like six years ago.
A very high QPR wine.

2018 Vintage California Chardonnay

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Mollydooker The Boxer McLaren Vale 2020 Shiraz

 

Mollydooker The Boxer McLaren Vale 2020 Shiraz, $23.79-$30.99, 86 points, poured broadly black with a purple/red penumbra, a bleeding meniscus, and bold fat legs.
Aromas of black licorice, raisins, cinnamon-spiced cherry fruit, and a strong grape smell were just okay for me.
The Boxer was a bold, full-bodied, high alcohol (16%), and out-of-balance Shiraz.
Flavors did follow the aromas, and despite its opulent mouthfeel and rich flavors, I was so overwhelmed by its imbalance that I won't be buying another; the twelve years since I've had this wine has found my palate no longer comfortable with this wine style, or maybe it's just this vintage, but at this price I don't like WASTING my money. Oh, acidity was fair, tannins were comfortably soft, and complexity was interesting.
Finished as it began but with plum notes and alcohol-infused spiciness.
Paired only okay with my pepperoni pizza.
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Cafaggio 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG)

 

Cafaggio 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva (DOCG), $16.99-$39.99 (closeout), 90 points, poured a ruby red with amber highlights, a broad clear meniscus, and copious stained legs.
A cornucopia of will-o'-the-wisp aromas, surging and fading, were wonderful; aromas of juniper, clove, jasmine, red raspberry, mushrooms, and black tea managed to inspire my imagination.
This Chianti Classico Riserva was typically medium-bodied with good acidity, grainy/edgy tannins, and flavors of mint, red fruit, black tea, and citrus notes.
Finished long on the trailing palate, hints of iron, white truffle, and a well-balanced 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my hot Italian sausage pizza.

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Waghorn Family Wines "Astrolabe" Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

 

Waghorn Family Wines "Astrolabe" Marlborough 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, $18.69-$21.99, 90 points, was a medium brass color with yellow gold highlights and a narrow gray band at the rim.
Brisk aroma of lemon juice was dominant, and nuanced with passion fruit, gooseberry, and fresh-cut grass tied the nose bow.
This NZ SB was typically acidic, light-bodied, and with good flavors reflective of the aromas plus lime zest and a bit of ginger ale.
Finished well on the trailing edgy palate with a balanced 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my beer-battered jumbo shrimp.

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Damilano Lecinquevigne 2017 Barolo (DOCG)

 

Damilano Lecinquevigne 2017 Barolo (DOCG), $34.84-$42.99, 92 points, poured cranberry red with a broad clear wine ring and copious legs.
Aromas of cinnamon, cedar, a spritz of citrus, ripe strawberry, and black tea were soft and subtle, but quite nice.
This was a medium-bodied Barolo with bright acidity, easy fine grainy tannins, and good flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long on the trailing palate, embracing warm spices, nicely tart, and on a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my grilled Munster/Chorizo sandwich.

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Mastroberardino 2019 Greco Di Tufo DOCG

 

Mastroberardino 2019 Greco Di Tufo DOCG, $13.59-$15.99, 91 points, was a medium straw yellow color with a broad graying penumbra.
Aromas of jasmine, lime, orange zest, and a bit of the swamp were pleasant.
This somewhat (in New Hampshire) esoteric light-plus white wine, though four years old, showed good vibrance, fair to good acidity, complex flavors of ginger, lime juice, honeydew melon and its rind, and weakly a bit of sour cantaloupe.
Finished long, dry, gingery, and with an apropos 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my fried Alaskan haddock.

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Château Les Hauts De Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine

 

Château Les Hauts De Granget Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2018 Bordeaux Red Wine, $25.49-$69.99 (close-out), 92 points, poured core black with a common deep Burgundy red with a broad clear meniscus and copious stained legs.
Aromas of black olives, loam, coffee, violets, cloves, and nondescript black fruit were complex and pleasant.
This Saint-Émilion Red Wine was typically rich with a robust mouthfeel, good acidity, supportive tannins, and flavors righteously reflective of its aromas.
Finished long and spicy with a good edge and a well-balanced 14% alcohol content.
Paired perfectly with my Mexican cuisine.
At about $25.00, this is an excellent purchase (QPR), and will age well.

Bordeaux Red Wine Vintage 2018

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