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2010 Sine Qua Non The Monkey, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$195.00USD

This is a blend of 53% Roussanne, 23% Viognier and 19% Chardonnay.  At age 12, this took only a few minutes to open and then was drinking well.  Deep golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has wax lemons, and some gunpowder.  Full bodied.  Showing just as slight touch of oxidation as older white Rhone varietals often do.  The palate has lemons, pith and vanilla.  Long finish.  This is very tasty and quite complex.  There is some serious weight to this wine.  It drinks great on its own but will work even better with food.  Its hard to put a drinking window on white Rhone varietals but

2020 Fête des Fleurs Rosé, France, Cotes de Provence, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This an attractively packaged Rose from the South of France (Provence).  It is a blend of 40% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 10% Carignan, 10% Syrah, 3% Mourvèdre, and 2% Rolle (Vermentino).  Pale pink/orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose has slight cranberries, cherries, thyme and slight salinity.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, this is refreshing.  Well balance, this drinks easily.  Cranberries and light cherry fruit.  Clean.  Slight bitter cherry notes on the finish.  This is nice on its own and will work well with salmon or tuna.  Drink over the next few years.  

2019 Art of Earth Vin de France Rosé Wine, Vin de France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is a Rose blend of 70% Grenache and 30% Syrah from France.  13% abv.  This is a very tasty wine that represents a nice value.  It is a deep salmon pink/orange color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with strawberries, slight pomegranate, with a hint of dried herbs.  Slightly oily texture.  On the palate, raspberries with pomegranate.  Clean.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This drinks nicely on its own and will work well with lighter foods but also fried chicken.  Drink now.  

NV Viticoltori Acquesi Brachetto d'Acqui Vino Spumante Dolce, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a sweet red sparkling wine from northwest Italy.  Low in alcohol (6.5%) and high in fun.  It is made from 100% Brachetto grapes.  Maroon in color, frothy, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with tomato paste, red peppers, tomato vine and some raspberries.  Easy to drink.  Sweet and tasty.  On the  palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Not too different than the Faygo Red Pop of my youth.  Refreshing.  Long finish.  This drinks nice on its own and will work with cheeses and perhaps a not too sweet chocolate dessert.  Drink now.  This bottle was Lot L211955.

2017 Ruffino Modus Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is a blend of 34% Sangiovese, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 33% Merlot from Tuscany.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust, tea leaves, black cherries and coffee grounds.  Nice texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and cherries with some underlying forest floor.  A bit of heat on the finish.  This is a wine that drinks easy right now but should develop some complexity with a bit of age.  

2018 Assuli Winery Terre Siciliane Lorlando, Italy, Sicilia DOC, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

This is 100% Nero d'Avola from Sicily.  Ruby in color, some brown swirls, clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries with some soy.  Airy.  Medium bodied.  Thick tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, anise and smoke.  Long finish that shows some alcohol.  the wines has 13.5%abv.  It is drinking nicely, but one wonders if there is enough fruit to outlast the tannins.  Drink sooner than later.  A nice match with cheeses or braised meats.  

2017 Mandrarossa Sicilia Cartagho, Italy, Sicilia DOC, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is 100% Nero d'Avola from the far western side of Sicily.  Ruby in color with some brown hues, clear and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, cherries and thyme.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries and anise.  Nice acidity.  Plenty of depth.  Delicious.  A hint of salinity on the finish.  This is drinking well on its own and will work well with bigger meat dishes.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  

2019 Donnafugata Sicilia Sherazade, Italy, Sicilia DOC, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

This is made from the Nero d'Avola grape in south-western Sicily.  Ruby in color, clear and shimmering bright.  The nose has cherries, black licorice and slight balsamic notes.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Some warmth on the finish.  Long finish.  This is mostly about red fruit but a bit bigger and brighter.  It drinks well on its own and will go great with pasta or pizza.  A nice value.  Drink over the next four to six years.  

2018 Planeta Carricante Sicilia Eruzione 1614, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$43.00USD

This is 90% Carricante and 10% Riesling from the north slopes of Mt. Etna just outside the DOC boundaries.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has asparagus, smoke, minerals and white flowers.  A lovely velvety texture that is slightly  oily.  Light tannins.  A very interesting palate with tarragon, lime and saline.  Moderate finish with some green apple notes.  This is complex and interesting but also a very nice wine for food.  While it works on its own, this would be great with sardines or even salmon.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  

2020 Principi di Butera Carizza Insolia, Italy, Sicilia DOC, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is made from 100% Insolia (also known as Ansonica) grapes in Sicily.  Silvery/light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lanolin, limes, whites pepper and cantaloupe.  Medium bodied.  Lightly oily in texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is the barest perception of sweetness on the attack with melons and light minerality in the mid-palate.  A lingering finish.  This is very tasty.  It drinks well on its own and worked well with Spanakopita.  Drink over the next five years.  

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