Recent articles

2019 Schiopetto Rivarossa, Italy, Venezia-Giulia IGT, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from northeast Italy.  Purple in color with some ruby hues.  The nose is nice with black cherries, some cherries, tobacco, slight dark chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this has some depth and complexity.  Young, of course, but drinking well.  Flavors of black cherries with some forest floor, spice and char.  Nice finish.  This should drink well for the next eight to twelve years.  This would be a nice wine to pair with Fried Chicken and of course, pasta.  A very nice value in red wine.  

2021 Schiopetto Collio Friulano M, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

This is a blend of 95% Friulano and 5% Riesling that utilizes the oldest vines planted in 1954.  It is a very expensive Friulano.  It was great to get to drink this but, like many wines, it may depend on ones budget to determine if it is worth it.  Light yellow gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with apricots, slight almond, sea air and slight apples.  Medium bodied.  Great balance.  Nice concentration.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of peach, apples and some minerality.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own and will work with lighter foods.  A nice choice for a s

2021 Schiopetto Collio Friulano, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

After tasting thru the lineup of 2021 whites from this producer (notes are on this site), this was my favorite for the money.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is big with lots of fruit; apricots, peaches and also some almonds and a bit of roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  Slightly viscous texture. Great balance.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Dry.  Flavors of apricots and peaches.  Some almonds especially on the finish.  This is lovely on is own and would work well with lighter foods.  It would be great with Chicken Salad.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2021 Schiopetto Collio Pinot Bianco, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Blanc from northeast Italy.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with some pears along with minerality.  With air just a bit of citrus comes out.  Light to medium bodied. On the palate, the pears come thru as does the minerality but the wine seems to be fading a bit.  Probably best to drink sooner than later.  Nice on its own, this will work well with lighter foods and should be nice with baked fish such as Trout.  

2021 Schiopetto Collio Pinot Grigio, Italy, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is more mineral driven.  Some chalk with a touch of pears.  Overall, nice if on the lighter side.  Light bodied.  Good balance.  More interesting on the palate.  The chalk comes thru but also a "non-sweet Pineapple" note that is tasty.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own but will need lighter foods or it risks being over powered.  It would be nice with a light summer salad.  Drink over the next few years.  

2021 Schiopetto Collio Sauvignon, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is the second vintage of  this wine.  It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc.  I had tried it about  a year ago (note posted elsewhere on this site), so it was nice to revisit and see that it is ageing better than expected.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with a slight grassy note, some grapefruit but also an interesting lemon candy quality.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is still fresh with some grapefruit, some grass, but again an interesting lemon candy note.  It drinks well on its own and should work well with lighter dishes.  It would be great

Calera 2021 Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir, Jensen Vineyard

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

Calera is unique in that it is not in the typical Pinot Noir growing regions in California – it is unto itself. Therefore, the wines coming from here offer a unique perspective. The acidity and minerality along with earthy volcanic soil and higher elevation growing makes these interesting wines. The Jensen Vineyard Pinot offers black cherry, strawberry, lingonberry, light huckleberry and blueberry fruit notes. Additionally there are light notes of pomegranate, sandalwood, Douglas fir, candied almond and Rainer cherry.

2021 Venica & Venica Collio Friulano Prímarûl, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is made from the Friulano grape in northeast Italy.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with scents of pear and slight roasted almonds with a touch of minerality.  Clean.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, pears with a slight vegetal note.  Almonds on the finish.  This drinks easily on its own and should work well with lighter foods.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

NV Cantine Maschio Prosecco, Italy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$9.00USD

Silvery/gold in color, clear and bright with a nice mousse of many smaller bubbles.  The nose has orange with a bit of toast.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a perception of sweetness though the wine is basically dry.  Notes of apples, with toasted almonds.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own and would work well with fried appetizers.  Drink over the next year or two.  Great value for a party.  

Pages