Recent articles
2022 J.L. Chave Sélection St. Joseph Circa, France, Rhone, Wine Review
This is a blend of 60% Roussanne and 40 % MarsanneLight golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is tight. With air it shows beeswax, lemons, pastry dough and slight peaches. Medium bodied. Good acidity. On the palate, vanilla, lemons and and slight minerality. Good finish. This is still on the young side but opens well with air. Drink over the next five to ten years. It is nice on its own but better with food. Creamy garlic pork chops would be a nice match.
2017 Domaine Georges Vernay Condrieu Les Chaillées de l'Enfer, France, Rhone, Wine Review
2022 Château Saint Nabor Côtes du Rhône Blanc, France, Rhone, Wine Review
This is a blend of Roussanne 80%, Grenache Blanc 10%, and Ugni Blanc 10%. Light/medium gold in color, clear and bright. The nose has beeswax, golden raisins, and slight peach. Medium bodied. Slightly oily texture. On the palate, red apples with slight peach notes. Good finish. This is an easy drinking CdR that is an excellent value. It would make a nice summer sipper on the back patio. This is good on its own and would work well with lighter foods but would stand up to a burger off he grill as well. Drink over the next few years.
2008 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut, France, Champagne, Wine Review
2007 Markko Johannisberg Riesling Reserve, USA, Ohio, Lake Erie, Wine Review
2019 Markko Cabernet Sauvignon, USA, Ohio, Lake Erie, Wine Review
This is a solid Cabernet from Americas North Coast. The winery sits in the northeast corner of Ohio near the shores of Lake Erie. Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cassis, black cherries, green bell peppers, slight tobacco and spice. Medium bodied. Medium tannins. On the palate, this drinks easily. Flavors of cassis, green bell pepper and slight vanilla. It will be better with food. A nice choice with a Brisket off the grill. Drink over the next five years.
2020 Markko Pinot Noir, USA, Ohio, Lake Erie, Wine Review
Pinot Noir is a difficult grape to grow anywhere and Northeast Ohio doesn't often have great summers to grow it, but this did get a Silver Medal in the Ohio Wines Competition. Pale ruby/purple in color, clear and bright. The nose has cranberries and rhubarb. Light to medium bodied. On the palate, flavors of rhubarb, some cranberry and some herbal notes. This will go better with food. Grilled Salmon would work well.
2020 Markko Chardonnay, USA, Ohio, Lake Erie, Wine Review
This is made using American Oak barrels. Medium golden in color, clear and bright. The nose has char, some lemon, dill and vanilla. Medium bodied. On the palate, this seems a bit disjointed. Hopefully it comes together with some age. Flavors of char, and a bit weedy, the fruit seems more to the back but lemon comes out on the finish. Probably better with food. Big flavors would help.
2023 Markko Chardonnay Stainless Steel, Ohio, Lake Erie, Wine Review
This is Unoaked Chardonnay from the northeast corner of Ohio along Lake Erie. Light golden in color, clear and bright. The nose is clean with slight green apples with a bit of wild herbs. Medium bodied. Crisp acidity. On the palate, the green apples carry thru. This is an easy drinking white wine that is nice on its own and would be nice with grilled Lake Erie Trout or other grilled fish. Drink over the next couple of years.














