2022 Crooked Tree Vineyard Cabernet Franc, USA, Ohio, Kelly's Island, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B+

Kelly's Island is part of a group of islands in the south western section of Lake Erie just off the Ohio coast.  Back in the mid-1800's this was one of the leading wine areas of the country.  Now it is kind of a summer resort escape area.  It is always difficult to make reds in Ohio due to late and early frosts and lots of thunderstorms and hail and very hot temperatures.  Yields were apparently way down in 2022, but luckily a friend lives right next to the winery and was able to snag a bottle for us.  This wine seems to be somewhere between a very serious rosé and a lighter red wine.  11.5

Quivera 2019 Black Boar Zinfandel

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Though Zinfandel is California’s signature grape, much of what is made is simplistic, jammy and average. Good thing the folks at Quivera have always taken Zin seriously. Comprised of all Zin with 15% Petite Sirah, the Black Boar offers complex flavors of black cherry, blackberry, plum, bay leaf, current marmalade, with light green tea notes, rhubarb, smoked vanilla and subtle charred campfire. The overtness of the fruit is kept in check with moderate tannins and a smart oak program, which included French, American and Hungarian oak, for a total of just 18 months in barrel.

Brandlin Estate 2021 Sauvignon Blanc

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

Located on Mount Veeder, Brandlin is the sister winery of Cuvaison. In the very capable hands of winemaker Steve Rogstad, his 2021 offers classic notes of light kiwi, lemon-lime zest, gooseberry, light resin, tart green apple and a whisper of butterscotch. This expresses what people want in Sauvignon Blanc – something light, crisp, and fresh. But Brandlin adds a bit of texture to the wine due to fermenting in large French oak barrels, then aging 11 months in oak (just half the barrels were new) to add a noticeable viscosity.

Carpineto 2020 Dogajolo Red

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$14.99USD

The idea of a Super Tuscan wine has been around for decades, but they tend to be a higher price point. So in 1993 Carpineto launch they value version, Dogajolo. This wine offers good tannic structure and acidity. This leads to notes of blackberry, black cherry, light blueberry with soft strawberry, pomegranate and huckleberry. These fruits are muted though, not overt and jammy - the fruit is balanced with the oak, acids and tannins so the wine is ideal for food.

Duckhorn 2020 Three Palms Merlot

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

Though this has become an iconic wine, the beauty of this wine and many others is vintage variation, which produces subtle changes, depending on weather patterns and how the fruit is grown. This is Duckhorn’s most dense and deeply rich Merlot of the past few years, and in fact this is a Merlot dominant iteration (98% Merlot, 2% Malbec). More dark and brooding than previous vintages this one has a beautiful depth to it - deep and rich, blackberry pie, Huckleberry compote, blueberry jam, and light strawberry.

2020 Alessandro di Camporeale Monreale Catarratto Sicilia Vigna Di Mandranova, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This is a white wine made from Catarratto Extra Lucido grapes in Sicily.  Silvery/gold in color with slight green swirls, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of salinity, some smoke, lemon rind and slight granny smith apple notes.  Full bodied.  Very well balanced.  Slightly viscous texture.  On the palate, limes, slight grapefruits, loads of minerality and slight underlying char.  Long finish.  This is very interesting as well as delicious.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It would be classic with trout or other fish dishes.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2019 Bodegas El Coto Rioja Crianza, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is a lighter, but traditional, Rioja.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is a bit earthy with fresh cherries and a whiff of tobacco.  Light to medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, flavors of cherries with a bit of char.  Anise on the finish.  This drinks easily and should for the next five to seven years.  Nice on its own, this would be a great mid week meatloaf or pizza wine.  

2021 Bodegas El Coto Rioja Rosado, Spain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is a Rosé from Spain that is a blend of 90% Tempranillo and 10% Garnacha.  It is Salmon pink/copper in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with a slight orange/citrus note along with cherries, strawberries and a very slight vanilla note.  (As an aside, both this and the Blanco had a vanilla note, but it does not appear the wines so oak, so where does it come from?).  Medium bodied with a slightly oily texture.  On the palate, lots of fresh cherries, some cranberries and slight red currants.  A bitter almond note on the finish.  This is refreshing and a lovely wine to serv

2022 Bodegas El Coto Rioja Blanco Spain, Wine review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$12.00USD

This is a blend of 93% Viura, 4% Sauvignon Blanc, and 3% Verdejo grapes from the Rioja region of Spain.  Green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with sea air/salinity, Limes, and slight vanilla note.  Light bodied with a slightly viscous texture.  12% abv.  On the palate, this is very refreshing.  Limes with underlying minerality.  Good acidity.  This will work well with lighter foods.  Tuna or Chicken salad would work well.  drink over the next couple of years.  Great Value!

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