2021 Schiopetto Collio Sauvignon, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$27.00USD

This is the second vintage of  this wine.  It is 100% Sauvignon Blanc.  I had tried it about  a year ago (note posted elsewhere on this site), so it was nice to revisit and see that it is ageing better than expected.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with a slight grassy note, some grapefruit but also an interesting lemon candy quality.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is still fresh with some grapefruit, some grass, but again an interesting lemon candy note.  It drinks well on its own and should work well with lighter dishes.  It would be great

2021 Venica & Venica Collio Friulano Prímarûl, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is made from the Friulano grape in northeast Italy.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with scents of pear and slight roasted almonds with a touch of minerality.  Clean.  Light to medium bodied.  On the palate, pears with a slight vegetal note.  Almonds on the finish.  This drinks easily on its own and should work well with lighter foods.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

NV Cantine Maschio Prosecco, Italy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2024
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$9.00USD

Silvery/gold in color, clear and bright with a nice mousse of many smaller bubbles.  The nose has orange with a bit of toast.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is a perception of sweetness though the wine is basically dry.  Notes of apples, with toasted almonds.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own and would work well with fried appetizers.  Drink over the next year or two.  Great value for a party.  

2021 Cantine Pellegrino Nero d'Avola Gazzerotta, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$23.00USD

This is 100% Nero d'Avola from Sicily.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The  nose has anise, dust, wild thyme, black cherries and sea air.  Veery nice.  Plush texture.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, flavors of black cherries and anise.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is a bit bigger/riper than many of the NdA's I have tried from Sicily.  Very good on its own, this will work great with meats or fowl.  Lamb would work quite well.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Very nice value for the quality!

2023 Corvo Grillo, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This appears to be a bit of a change for 2023.  Prior vintages listed no varietal (Bianco) while this lists Grillo on the front label.  It is not clear if this is 100%.  Silvery/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with a touch of limes and a bit of minerality.  Slightly viscous texture.  Light bodied.  On the palate, this is dry with a sort of "Lime Popsicle" flavor.  Some underlying minerality.  Good finish.  Overall, it is an easy drinking, light white that is refreshing on its own and will work with lighter foods.  Drink over the next year or two.  

2022 Duca di Salaparuta Etna Bianco Làvico, Italy, Sicily, Etna Bianco, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$34.00USD

This is 100% Carricante from Sicily.  Silvery/green in color, clear4 and bright.  The nose is pretty with peach, slight lime and salinity.  Medium bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Good balance and acidity.  On the palate, peaches, lime pith, minerals and slight char.  Long finish.  This is an excellent and refreshing white wine.  It has depth and drinks great on its own.  Grilled swordfish or tuna steaks would be a great match.  Drink over the next five years.

2022 Tasca D'Almerita Catarratto Buonsenso Tenuta Regaleali, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is made from 100% Cataratto grapes in Sicily.  Silvery/green in color, clear and bright.  The nose is refreshing with peach, sea air and slight char.  Medium bodied.  Slightly viscous, "liquidy" texture.  On the palate, peaches with a slight bitter almond note (in a good way) and char.  Plenty of depth here.  Long finish.  This is a complex wine but also refreshing.  It is crisp, food friendly and reasonably priced.  This is lovely on its own and would be great with fried shrimp or other sea food. Drink over the next fiver to eight years.  

NV Valdo Prosecco Marca Oro Rosé Brut, Italy,

Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is a very well priced Prosecco from Italy. It is a blend of 90% Glerra and 10% Pinot Noir. Pale Salmon pink in color, clear and bright. Very frothy with a lot of smaller-ish bubbles. The nose is interesting with cherries, slight apples, and a subtle smoky/earthy note. Medium bodied. good acidity. On the palate this is dry with cherries, slight cranberries with a light minerality. Long finish. This drinks nicely on its own and is very food friendly. Drink over the next few years.

2008 Paternoster Aglianico del Vulture Don Anselmo, Italy, Basilicata, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is 100% Aglianico from Basilicata (the arch of the boot) in southern Italy.  Don Anselmo is the grandfather of the current owners and the person who started the winery.  This is their top bottling.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great.  Black cherries, cherries, balsamic, spice and leather.  Full bodied.  Tannins are present but mostly integrated.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious with black cherry fruit, tobacco, forest floor, dust and slight char.  Long finish.  Complex and deep.  This drinks great on its own but really needs food.  This would work

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