2019 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

I liked this more than the group I was tasting with.  It is a blend of 90% Sangiovese with the rest Canaiolo and Colorino grapes.  Purple in color with a clear rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, mint, spice and some forest floor.  Firm tannins.  Tight layers.  Complex, this needs some time to open.  Flavors of black cherries, herbs and spice.  Long finish.  This needs a few years in a good cellar and then should drink well for ten to fifteen after that.  It is nice on its own but will be better with food.  This would go well with Beans (and Sausage).  Plenty of ups

2018 Il Molino di Grace Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Il Margone, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$31.00USD

This is 100% Sangiovese.  Ruby in color, purple at the core, shimmering bright and mostly clear.  The nose is very nice with cherries, sandalwood, tea, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Firm tannins.  Moderate acidity.  Nice black cherry fruit on the palate with some spice and slight char.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but would be better with food.  A nice wine to accompany pasta with a red sauce.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2019 Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  I think this is what used to be the "Tan" label.  Ruby in color, darker at the  core.  The nose is initially tight but opens to show dust, cherries, anise and spice.  Light bodied.  Medium tannins.  Slightly bitter cherries on the palate.  Good acidity.  Good finish.  This is a fine CCR and reasonably priced.  It would be a nice mid-week pizza wine.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2021 Bucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore, Italy, Marche, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$26.00USD

Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has limes, apples, and minerality.  Light bodied with a slightly oily texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, slight limes, more apples with an interesting green olive note on the finish.  This is refreshing and drinks well on its own.  It will also work nicely with foods.  Salads of all kinds, but would be nice with pasta with a cream sauce.  Drink over the next few years.  

2020 François Chidaine Sauvignon Touraine, France, Loire, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

This is from the "middle" sections of the Loire Valley in France.  It is a Sauvignon Blanc that is different from other versions made around the world.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is mineral driven with just a hint of limes.  Clean.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, the minerality comes thru.  Nice finish.  This wine needs food.  It works with cheeses and would be great with chicken salad.  Drink up.  

2021 Bedrock Wine Co. Heritage Wine Papera Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

 This is a field blend of mostly Zinfandel but also a large amount of Carignan, Valdigue, and Putzscheere (aka Green Hungarian).  This is one of my favorite Zinfandel vineyards for the texture of the wines.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, black cherries, spice, bramble and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Great energy and balance.  Plush, vibrant texture.  On the palate, this is tasty.  Flavors of black raspberries and black cherries with spice and char.  Long finish.  This is still young but drinking well.  Drink over the

2018 Outpost Immigrant True Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$152.00USD

This is a blend of 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 32% Merlot and 31% Cabernet Franc from Howell Mountain in Napa.  Inky purple in color, ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black cherries, blueberries, tobacco, chocolate and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Great energy.  On the palate, this is very concentrated.  It opens in the glass over time to show cassis, black cherries, and slight blueberries with tobacco, char and spice.  Long finish.  This needs a bit more time or air, but should drink well for the next twenty years.  Great on its own but a bit better with big food righ

2005 Château Guiraud, France, Bordeaux, Sauternes, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$60.00USD

Nice to revisit this wine.  From a 750ml.   Amber in color, clear and bright.  The nose has honey, ginger and peach.  Slightly viscous.  The palate is sweet with good acidity.  Flavors of honey and peach.  Long finish.  Drink over the  next ten to fifteen years.  It will works well with short bread cookies.

2021 Dakota Shy Cabernet Sauvignon Social Currency, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A

Decanted for four hours prior to serving.  This is Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder and St. Helena.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, dark chocolate, slight cedar, coffee beans, and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, there is cassis, chocolate, coffee and char.  Long finish.  The longer decant made this wine much better than a prior bottle.  This is a twenty year wine so don't be afraid to give it lost of air if opening in the next few years.  It is nice on its own and will work well with roasted meats, fowl or veggies.  

2018 Myriad Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Empyrean Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
97
Grade: 
A+
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

Inky purple, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose deep. Cassis, graphite, leather, cedar and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.   Great balance.  On the palate, this complex and delicious.  Flavors of cassis, some black cherries, graphite, spice and char.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now but will improve.  Drink over the next twenty years.  Great on its own, this will work well with meat or fowl or roasted veggies.