This is made from purchased grapes in northeastern Ohio.  For $30, this is certainly competitive or better than most similarly priced Napa Cabernets on our grocery store shelves.  Very impressive.  Purple in color with some ruby hues.  The nose has cassis, plums, baking spices and slight forest floor.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this opens with about 30 minutes of air.

This is made with purchased grapes in northeast Ohio.  It is their version off a white Bordeaux and features a 75/25 mix of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with white peach, slight wax, a hint of orange peel and spice.  Lovely texture with just a wisp of tannins.  Good balance.  On the palate, peach and slight almond notes.  Good finish.  This is a solid version of a "white Bordeaux".  Is is drinking well now, but should drink well for five to eight years.  Nice on its own, this is very food friendly and worked well with an Eggplant

This is a blend of 67% Syrah, 21% Grenache, and 12% Terret Noir.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, black raspberries, black licorice, spice and smoke.  Medium to full bodied.  Well balanced.  On the palate, this drinks very easy.  Black cherries and black raspberries with a bit of black licorice and pepper.  Nice finish.  An interesting wine but also an enjoyable one.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  This is nice on its own and will work well with food.  A nice choice for a burger or meatloaf.  

Another in a line of Excellent Pinot Noirs from this producer.  Stylistically, these tend to be big for Oregon, but would be on the smaller size for California (if that make sense).  Garnet in color with some purple hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, hay and slight earthiness.  Light tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, lots of sour cherries with some cherries with underlying char and a hint of earthiness.  Long finish.  This is, of course, very young but already drinking well.  It would be better to cellar for ten years, and then drink over the next f

This is in a great spot at age 17.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black pepper, slight gamey meat, and a bit of raspberries.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is deep with some complexity.  Black raspberry fruit with some black pepper and a hint of meatiness.  Nice finish.  This seems to be about at peak but should go another five to eight years at this level.  It drinks nicely on its own and will work well with roasted veggies, fowl or meats.  

Perhaps the top Chianti, and certainly better than most Brunellos.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, some black cherries, hints of anise, smoke and tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is versatile and delicious.  Cherries, forest floor and char with strong acidity.  Long finish.  This is still young but will drink well for another twenty years.  If drinking soon, give it some air.  This is made for food and while nice on its own, is better with food.  Pizza or pasta would be great, but this will also work well with braise

This Super Tuscan is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino.  Deep garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with black cherries, spice and tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with smoke and forest floor notes.  Good finish.  This seems to be at maturity although it may still develop a bit.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  A nice match with grilled pizzas.  

Having tasted this back in 2010, it was nice to revisit this.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  Lovely nose of cherries, sandalwood, black cherries and tea leaves.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, some cherries with underlying forest floor.  Nice finish.  Still on the youthful side but starting to show some maturity.  Complex and deep.  Tightly layered.  This should drink well for another seven to fifteen years.  Very nice with a pasta with tomato vodka sauce.  

This sparkling wine is 100% Chardonnay from northern Italy.  Light golden in color with lots of tiny bubbles.  Clear and bright.  The nose is nice with notes of baked bread, slight lemon curd and spice.  Medium bodied.  Excellent acidity.  On the palate, this is mineral driven with a touch of lemons.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own and will work great with fish.  Roasted trout would be a nice combination.  Drink over the next five to ten years.  

An almost shy wine, this flagship red from Donnafugata does not announce itself with overt fruit. The wine needs some time to coax out the subtle flavors and the tight tannins at the outset tell you to wait a while before it opens up. When it does plum, muted strawberry, pomegranate, baked cherry and rose water dominate the opening. Comprised of Nero d’Avola, Petit Verdot, and Syrah, the tannins and acidity support the judicious use of oak. Aged 14 months in small French oak barrels it then spent 20 months in bottle rest. The result is a lovely wine that will work with a variety of foods.