2018 Ron Rubin Pinot Noir, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is an accessible Pinot Noir that has some seriousness to it as well.  More "old world" than a ripe fruit bomb.  Garnet in color with some purple swirls.  On the nose, it has a classic rhubarb, cranberries and cherries.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, rhubarb with some cherries.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This drinks well now on its own but is even better with food.  Lighter foods such as chicken salad are a nice match but this will work well with ribs r a burger off the grill.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2019 Herdade do Rocim Alentejo Vinho Tinto Amphora, Portugal, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

This is a very interesting wine.  From the winery:  "Vinification occurred in amphora (large clay pots) without temperature control. Indigenous  yeasts were used during fermentation and there was no tampering with the must.  Then the wine is aged in amphora until the following spring  followed by another two months of bottle aging before release."  It is a blend of 50% Aragonez, 30% Trincadeira, 10% Moreto, and 10% Tinta

2018 Carmim Monsaraz Tinto Reserva, Portugal, Alentejo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$16.00USD

This a delicious blend from Portugal made up of Alicante Bouschet (60%),Trincadeira (20%), and Touriga Nacional (20%).  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, plums and slight black licorice.  A rich, velvety texture.  Firm tannins at the moment.  Black raspberries and also an interesting quality that has the taste of black raspberry seeds.  Long finish.  This may yet improve for the next five to seven years and should drink well for another five to seven after that.  This will work well with venison but also just a (veggie) burger off the grill.  An excellen

2018 Adega da Cartuxa EA, Portugal, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$9.00USD

This red blend from Portugal is made from 35% Aragonez, 30% Trincadeira, 20% Alicante Bouschet, and 15% Syrah.  It is fermented in steel, stabilized and meant for immediate consumption.  Purple in color with ruby swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is sweaty, dusty with red berries.  On the palate, the red berries come thru with a tart acidity.  Some char/smoky notes which is interesting (must be from the Syrah).  This is an easy wine to drink both on the palate, and on the wallet.  It will work better with food and would be a nice choice for a party with burgers or ribs off the gri

2020 Gehricke Rosé Los Carneros, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$29.00USD

At a recent Intowine.com tasting, this proved to be quite popular especially among those who drank a lot of Rosé.  This is made from 100% Pinot Noir.  Pink/orange/amber in color, clear and bright.  The nose has watermelon, cherries and slight chervil notes.  Slightly viscous.  Dry with good acidity.  On the palate, cherries, boysenberries and slight citrus notes.  Clean and long finish.  More understated but delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with all but the heaviest foods, especially on a hot day.  Drink over the next year or two.  

2020 Herdade de São Miguel Colheita Seleccionada Rosé, Portugal, Vinho Regional Alentejano, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

This is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah, and Aragonez.  Very pale pink/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of cranberries with nice minerality.  With air, the nose expanded to have some strawberries and slight earthiness.  Good acidity.  Light bodied.  On the palate, raspberries and cranberries.  Tart.  Turning  more to strawberries with a slightly oily texture on the finish.  12.5%ABV but some warmth.  This will work better with lighter foods or seafoods but would work with a pizza too.  Drink over the next year.  

2019 Gehricke Chardonnay, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$32.00USD

This sees 20% new oak.  Light green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has limes, lemons, and intriguing bit of wintergreen.  Clean.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is slightly chalky with lemon cream.  Light tannins.  The wintergreen returns on the finish along with a very slight bitter (lemon peel) note.  Tried again on day 2, it held up great.  This should drink well for five to seven years.  A nice match with seafood or salads but drinks well on its own, too.  

2020 Ron Rubin Winery Pam’s UN-Oaked California Chardonnay, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$14.00USD

This is an affordable, easy drinking white wine from California made win no oak (100% Stainless steel tanks).  Silvery green/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is clean with tropical fruits (Some pineapple).  Slightly viscous though light bodied.  Enough residual sugar to taste it but not overtly sweet.  The palate has a "juicy-fruit gum" note along with tropical fruits (maybe some papaya).  It drinks very nicely on its own and would work well with a fruit salad.  Drink over the next year.  This is one of those wines that will have some detractors, but for those looking for a refres

2011 Cotnari Grasa de Cotnari Semi Sweet, Romania, Moldova, Cotnari, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

This is a semi-sweet dessert wine from the obscure Grasa de Cotnari grape in the region of Cotari from the  winery called Cotari.  They actually have been making wines here since the 1800's.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with honey, slight vanilla and herbal notes.  Light bodied.  On the palate, the honey comes thru.  It is slightly sweet with moderate acidity.  This bottle at age ten seems to be showing some age although the sweet versions of this wine apparently last for decades.  Still for the price, this drinks easy and is a nice value.  It works well with a sele

2011 Cotnari Feteasca Alba Semi Sweet, Romania, Moldova, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$8.00USD

This is semi-sweeet wine from Romania.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  Despite the age (ten years from vintage) there is still a very floral quality to the wine but also showing some dried flowers, slight honey and a hint of peach.  Medium bodied.  Sweet but not overtly.  Slightly viscous.  On the palate, this has a honeyed quality with slight apricots.  Moderate acidity.  Light bodied.  It drinks easily and paired well with soft cheeses but also a peach cobbler.  Still drinking well at age 10, it did seem a bit past prime.  

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