Recent articles
2021 Jonata Winery Todos, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Sana Ynez, Ballard Canyon, Wine Review
This is the value in the Jonata lineup. It is a "kitchen sink" blend that has always been excellent. This vintage is 66% Syrah, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon,
2021 Rivers-Marie Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review
Saffron Fields 2021 Spectrum Pinot Noi
2018 Roland Champion Champagne Grand Cru Special Club, France, Wine Review
This is 100% chardonnay although it is not labelled as Blanc de blanc. Disgorged May 2023. Golden in color, clear and bright with a nice mousse of tiny bubbles. The nose has baked bread, red apples and slight ginger. Medium to full bodied. Good acidity. nice mouthfeel. On the palate, this has some depth and complexity. Flavors of apples with some minerality and slight gingersnap on the finish. This is lovely on its own and better with food. It will work with most foods but would be nice with melted brie on toast. Drink over the next ten years.
2023 Azienda Agricole Terrabianca Vignot Moscato d'Asti, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review
I am a big fan of these wines. They are great at the end of a meal. Sweet with some effervescence and low alcohol (5%abv). Pale golden in color with a nice froth to it. The nose is nice with some apples, baked peaches and a bit of a floral note. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, this is sweet but not cloying. The bubbles, the acidity and the sugar all dance together on the tongue. Nice finish. This is lovely on its own and works well with a less sweet (plain) cookie or cake. Drink now.
2021 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Blanc Les Meysonniers, France, Rhone, Wine Review
This is 100% Marsanne from the northern Rhone Valley in France. Golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is great. Earthy (think freshly tilled garden) with wax, slight quince, and almonds. Full bodied. Slightly oily texture. On the palate, waxy with great minerality and slight bitter almond note on the finish. Delicious. This is nice on its own but even better with food. It went well with vegetarian Spring Rolls. Drink over the next five to eight years.
2022 Château Simian Côtes du Rhône Massif D'Uchaux Jocundaz, France, Wine Review
This is a Grenache/Syrah blend from the Rhone Valley in France. Cotes du Rhone wines are often some of the best values in Red Wines and this one is included. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with cherries, spice, anise, and slight floral (violets?) scents. Medium to full bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, cherries, black cherries, slight cherry candies and a bit of mint on the long finish. This is drinking great on its own and will work well with most foods (not seafood). Blackened chicken would work well. Drink over the next eight to ten years.
2021 Avivo Ledbetter Family Vineyards Red Wine, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review
2020 Collezion Privata Cosimo Varvaglione Negroamaro Salento IGP, Italy, Apulia, Wine Review
Made from the Negroamaro grape in the heel of Italy's boot. Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright. The nose is nice; dusty with cherries, tobacco, black pepper and anise. Nice texture. Full bodied. Firm tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, flavors of black cherries with some chocolate and slight anise on the long finish. This is nice on its own but better with food. It needs full bodied food at this point and would work well with Orecchiette in a heavy sauce. Drink over the next eight to twelve years.