2021 Sauska Sárgamuskotály, Hungary, Tokaji, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

This is a dry wine made from the Sárgamuskotály (also known as Muscat à Petits Grains) in Hungary.  Consumed at the Liz & Chain sky Rooftop bar in Budapest.  Slivery/green/gold in color, clear and bright.  It has an interesting nose of orange, mint, tarragon and acacia flowers.  Light bodied with a slight viscosity.  On the palate, this has nice lime notes with slight orange peel.  Moderate acidity.  Long finish.  A refreshing wine at the end of a hot day.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  Fried artichokes would work well.  

2020 Takler Kékfrankos Szekszárdi, Hungary, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$5.00USD

Consumed at a restaurant in Budapest.  This is an enjoyable, inexpensive, light red wine.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has sour cherries with a bit of spice.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, the sour cherries come thru with strong acidity.  Long finish.  This wine begs for food and works well with pasta.  Drink over the next couple of years. 

2016 Taylor (Fladgate) Porto Late Bottled Vintage, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

A very nice affordable way to end a meal.  20% abv.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with black currants, slight chocolate and slight figs.  Full bodied.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this is lightly sweet.  Black currants and slight chocolate.  Some alcohol showing especially on the finish.  This went very well with some hard cheeses and also some blue cheese.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2018 Ken Forrester Pat's Garden Reserve Red, South Africa, Stellenbosch, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

From South Africa, this is a blend of 76% Merlot, 13% Cabernet Franc, 9% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot.  Deep purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, chocolate, slight tobacco, a hint of bell pepper and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru along with some cherries and a bit of chocolate.  Some depth.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This will drink nicely on its own but better with food.  Drink over the next three to five years.  It will work well with meatloaf or a burger.  

2020 Domaine de Grangeneuve L'Initiale H, France, Rhone, Grignan-les-Adhémar, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

This is from the northernmost AOC in the southern Rhone Valley in France.  It is a blend of 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and black raspberries with spice and slight floral note.  Full bodied.  Nice balance.  On the palate, lots of deep black cherry fruit.  A bit chunky in a rustic sort of way.  Good finish.  This is a nice value wine that will work well with a pizza or or burger.  Drink over the next few years.  

2014 Calla Lily Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Ultimate Red, USA, California, Napa, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Ruby in color with some purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cassis, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, plenty of cassis fruit.  Not overblown.  Also, some underlying char and slight leather.  Solid finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another ten years.  A great choice with a burger off the grill.  

2016 Masi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Costasera, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$52.00USD

One of the ubiquitous Amarones and it usually delivers.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has dust, cherries, black cherries and herbs.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cherries and slight char.  Nice finish.  This is drinking well now and should continue for 8 to 12 years,  Nice on its own, this will work well with heavier foods such Osso Bucco.  

2016 Zenato Ripassa, Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$30.00USD

This was really nice and as it was less money than their Amarone, a good value.  Purple in color, garnet towards the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, slight leather and an herbal note.  full bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black raspberry fruit with some black cherries with spice and slight forest floor.  Nice finish.  This is very tasty on its own and will work well with a lot of foods.  Classsic choice is pizza.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.

2016 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Italy, Veneto, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$57.00USD

This is a blend of 50% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 15% Rondinella and 5% Oseleta.  Garnet in color, darker at the core, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, roasted herbs and slight leather notes.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has black cherries, red currants and spice.  Nice finish.  It is drinking well now and should continue to drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with food such as pasta bolognaise.  

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