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2020 Stel + Mar Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

Purple/Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with some cassis.  Light nose overall.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this starts out sweet then shows some cassis and slight graphite notes.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  An interesting charred Rosemary on the finish.  Overall, an inexpensive California Cab that will please those looking for a wine to drink on the back patio or to serve at parties.  It probably drinks better on its own, but if serving with food, BBQ Ribs would be hearty enough to match well.  

2020 Wente Vineyards Merlot Sandstone, USA, California, Livermore, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

A delicious, easy drinking value in California Merlot.  This is a blend of 76% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Malbec, 2% Petite Sirah.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, menthol, and baking spices.  With air, some black cherries emerge.  Full bodied with a velvety texture.  Medium to firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with a bit of milk chocolate.  Long, tannic finish.  This should drink well for the next five to seven years.  It drinks well on its own, and would work great with a (veggie) burger.  

NV Luretta Puck, Italy, Emilia Romagna, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is a very interesting wine made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Barbera and aged in stainless steel from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice with cherries, raspberries and char.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a bit of sweetness on the attack.  Firm tannins.  Cassis, black cherries and slight mint notes.  Moderate finish.  This has some depth.  It needs a bit of air to open up.  This will work very well with pasta.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

NV Cantine Ermes Quattro Quarti Appassimento, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a Nero d'Avola from Sicily made in the Appassimento (drying out  the grapes before pressing) style.  14% abv.  Ruby in color, partially opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, cough drops, wild thyme, and a hint of cocoa.  Medium bodied with a nice texture.  On the palate, there is some anise along with nice cherry fruit.  More cough drop fruit on the finish.  Dry.  Light tannins.  Very tasty wine.  This drinks nice on its own but will work better with food.   It would work nice with a lamb stew.  Drink over the next five years.  

NV Stel + Mar California Wine Rosé, USA, California, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a very nice, inexpensive California Rosé.  Bright pink in color with some copper hues, clear and bright.  The nose is fragrant with peaches and cherries.  Somewhat viscous texture which is nice.  On the palate, this has the perception of sweetness but drinks dry.  Cherries with slight acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks easy on its own but will also work well with lighter foods.  It would be a nice match with chicken salad.  Fun packaging.  

2021 Caves d'Esclans Sasha Lichini, Whispering Angel, France, Cotes de Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

One of the best Roses in it price class.  A blend of mostly Grenache, Cinsault and Vermentino grapes.  Pale salmon pink with a touch of orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose has strawberries and oranges.  Lovely texture.  Lots of depth.  On the palate, cherries and strawberries with good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks great on its own but will work well with most foods.  It would work great with heartier fish dishes.  

2020 Wente Vineyards Pinot Noir Niki's Rosé Arroyo Seco, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a serious Rose made from Pinot Noir grapes in California.  Very pale orange/pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has light strawberries and some watermelon.  A nice, slightly oily texture.  The palate has nice strawberries.  Very clean.  Refreshing.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with foods.  Grilled salmon would be a nice choice.  

2020 Feudo Disisa LU BANCU Sicilia Catarratto, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

A really interesting white that will be popular among all types of wine lovers.  Made from the Cataratto grape in Sicily.  Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with nice minerality, citrus and also some floral notes.  A very slightly oily texture which is nice.  On the palate this is crisp, tart and tasty.  Nice citrus with underlying minerality.  Long finish.  This should go well with sea food or other lighter dishes.  Drink over the next five years.  

2020 Wente Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc Louis Mel Livermore Valley, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a great value in an easy to drink white that has some personality.  Very pale in color, light gold, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with a bit of mango, slight grassy note and slight citrus.  A lovely almost velvety texture.  Light tannins.  Dry.  Semi crisp on the palate.  Tropical fruit notes with a slight herbal note on the back end.  This improved over two days.

2021 Stel + Mar Premium Chardonnay, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a relatively new release.  It is an inexpensive ($14), easy to drink Chardonnay that is a great choice for parties and events.  Pale green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has hay, slight spice, slight grapefruit, and some green apple.  Medium bodied.  Low acidity.  On the palate, there is some minerality.  An interesting lanolin note, along with spice and slight butterscotch.  A bit more lime returns for the finish.  This is the kind of wine that works well with a diverse crowd.  It drinks well on its own.  Attractive packaging.  

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