2021 Schiopetto Collio Pinot Bianco, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Collio, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

This is 100% Pinot Blanc from northeast Italy.  Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with some pears along with minerality.  With air just a bit of citrus comes out.  Light to medium bodied. On the palate, the pears come thru as does the minerality but the wine seems to be fading a bit.  Probably best to drink sooner than later.  Nice on its own, this will work well with lighter foods and should be nice with baked fish such as Trout.  

2021 Schiopetto Collio Pinot Grigio, Italy, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose is more mineral driven.  Some chalk with a touch of pears.  Overall, nice if on the lighter side.  Light bodied.  Good balance.  More interesting on the palate.  The chalk comes thru but also a "non-sweet Pineapple" note that is tasty.  Good finish.  This drinks easily on its own but will need lighter foods or it risks being over powered.  It would be nice with a light summer salad.  Drink over the next few years.  

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

Calera 2021 Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir, Jensen Vineyard

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$125.00USD

Calera is unique in that it is not in the typical Pinot Noir growing regions in California – it is unto itself. Therefore, the wines coming from here offer a unique perspective. The acidity and minerality along with earthy volcanic soil and higher elevation growing makes these interesting wines. The Jensen Vineyard Pinot offers black cherry, strawberry, lingonberry, light huckleberry and blueberry fruit notes. Additionally there are light notes of pomegranate, sandalwood, Douglas fir, candied almond and Rainer cherry.

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.  

2022 Domaine Bousquet Danaus, Spain, Costers del Segre, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$13.00USD

This is a blend of 45% Tempranillo, 45% Garnacha, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (all grapes are organic) made in Spain for Argentinian producer Domaine Bousquet.  Garnet in color with some blue hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has black raspberries, clay and chocolate notes.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, spice and char.  Moderate finish.  This is a lighter, easy drinking red that will be good for summer parties (especially given the price).  Nice on its own, this will work well with a burger off the grill.  Drink over the next few years.

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.  

Pages

Pages