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2017 José Maria da Fonseca Vinho Regional Alentejano José de Sousa, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
83
Grade: 
B-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a blend of 58% Grand Noir, 22% Trincadeira and 20% Aragonês (Tempranillo) made in amphora from Portugal.  Purple/ruby in color, flat and partially opaque.  The nose has some red fruit qualities with spice and tobacco.  Light to medium bodied with lighter tannins.  On the palate, a bit more alive.  Tart cherries with a bit of a cough drop finish.  I have had this wine before and it seems this wine or at least this bottle is just past prime at this point.  Probably best to look for younger vintages as this is usually a nice wine and a great value.  

2021 Quinta da Fonte Souto Branco, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$29.00USD

This is a blend of 75% Arinto and 25% Verdelho.  Light golden in color with  yellow hues.  The nose has citrus (tangerine?), wax and slight floral notes.  Light bodied.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate, tangerine, pith and slight peach.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It would go well with lighter foods and sea food.  Scallops would work well.  Drink over the next five years.  

2022 Herdade de Malhadinha Nova Antão Vaz da Malhadinha Branco, Portugal, Alentejano, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This is 100% Antão Vaz grapes from Portugal.  Yellow-gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight but opens to show some apple.  medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, light apples with an herb note.  Clean.  Good finish.  Overall, a very refreshing wine that is nice on its own and will work with lighter foods and most sea foods.

NV Valdo Prosecco Marca Oro Brut, Italy, Wine Review

Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This is a sparking wine made in the Prosecco DOC using the Charmat method.  silvery green/gold in color, clear and bright.  A nice mousse with medium sized bubbles.  The nose is interesting with pine, apples and some minerality.  Medium bodied.  Medium acidity.  On the palate apples with some minerality.  Moderate finish.  This is nice on its own and very food friendly.  It will work with most foods and would be a great pairing with fried appetizers.  Drink now.  

2022 Establecimiento Juanicó Don Pascual Coastal Tannat, Uruguay, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is lovely with plums, salinity and black raspberries.  Lush texture.  Light tannins.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, there is some depth.  Black cherries with spice, and char.  Good finish.  This is very approachable and drinking well.  It would go nicely with a plate of pasta with a meat or mushroom sauce with a touch of spice.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Excellent value.

2020 Montes Toscanini Tannat Gran Tannat, Uruguay, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

The 2019 version of this wine was one of the better Tannats I have tasted and this one is even better.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has a bit of reduction but that blew off quickly leaving black cherries, black raspberries, spice, and a slight celery seed note.  Plush texture.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Good balance.  On the palate, plums, black cherries with a touch of dark chocolate.  Long finish.  Delicious.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten to fifteen years.  It is great on its own and will work nice with braised beef dishes.  

2020 Bodega Bouza Tannat, Uruguay, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

Violet in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black raspberries and char.  Creamy texture.  Medium tannins.  The palate matches the nose with black raspberries and char.  Good finish but a bit of heat.  This is more classic in style but without the formidable tannins.  It is drinking well now and should continue for another ten to twelve years.  A nice match for a grilled burger but would also be good with grilled vegetables.  

2023 Bodegas Cerro Chapeu Castel Pujol Folklore Tinto, Uruguay, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

This is a blend of 80% Tannat and 20% Petit Menseng from Uruguay.  The Tannat grapes are destemmed and then macerated with the petite Mennseng on the skins.  The result is a lighter more approachable Tannat.  Ruby/blue in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries.  Medium bodied.  Silky texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and gravel.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own and will work well with food.  This is a great choice for mid-week pizza or pasta.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2020 Bodega Experimental Vino Progreso Revolution Tannat, Uruguay, Wine Review

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

Ruby/blue in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has plums and raspberries.  Soft texture but firm tannins.  On the palate, black raspberries fruit and seeds (slight bitter note in a good way) along with some char.  Good finish with that same "bitter" quality.  This is a very nice wine that needs some time/air for the tannins to integrate.  This would work well with venison but also with pasta bolognaise.  Drink over the next ten years.  Great value.

2019 Barboursville Vineyards Paxxito, USA, Virginia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This dessert wine is a 50/50 blend of Moscato and Vidal Blanc from Virginia.  Deep golden/amber in color, clear and bright.  The nose is honeyed with peach.  Viscous texture.  Nice acidity.  Sweet but not cloying.  On the palate, canned peaches with a touch of honey.  A bit of sour citrus candy on the finish which is nice.  A little goes a long way.  This is a very nice dessert wine that is great on its own and would work with a not too sweet cookie, perhaps short bread.  Drink over the next ten years.  It comes in a 375ml bottle.  

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