2021 Cantina Mesa Carignano del Sulcis Buio, Italy, Sardinia, Wine Review

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

This comes from southwestern Sardinia and is made from the Carignan grape.  The name Buio means dark.  The wine is a deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, some black raspberries along with salinity and wild thyme.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate this has black cherries with roasted herbs, char and some minerality.  Good finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It worked nicely with a selection of cheeses and olives.  Drink over the next few years.  

2022 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

One of my favorite white wines, this is made from the Arneis grape in the Roero district of Piemonte, Italy.  Light gold in color with green hues, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with lemons, a touch of pineapple and nice minerality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this has nice minerality with peach, apples and citrus.  A hint of almonds on the finish.  This is nice on its own but even better with food.  It worked with with a plate of pasta, butter and mushrooms.  Drink over the next three to five years.  

2022 Barone di Villagrande Etna Bianco Superiore, Italy, Sicily, Mt. Etna, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$21.00USD

This is made from the Carricante grape in Sicily.  The grapes are grown on the east side of Mt. Etna (an active volcano).  pale yellow in color, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with pears, slight peach and a bit of a char quality.  Light to medium bodied.  Good balance.  Lively.  On the palate, more mineral drive but a bit of peach with some char.  Good finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work nicely with sea food.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2018 Alain Jaume Côtes du Rhône Rosé Reserve Grand Veneur, France, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B

I was pleasantly surprised to see this was still drinking well.  Salmon/orange in color, light but clear and bright.  The nose has some watermelon and strawberries.  Light bodied.  Nice texture.  On the palate, there is still some fruit left but no off notes and very refreshing.  It should have been consumed a few years ago, but no reason not to drink up now.  Probably  better with some lighter appetizers.  

2019 Outpost Petite Sirah The Other, USA, California, Napa, Howell Mountain, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This is a Petite Sirah.  Inky purple in color, opaque and shimmering bright.  The nose has boysenberries, gravel, slight cedar, slight plums and spice.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is tight and took a couple of hours to open up.  Flavors of black raspberries with gravel and char.  Good finish.  This needs a few more years of good cellaring.  hold for five and drink for ten after that.  It will work well with grilled meats or fowl.  

2022 EnRoute Pinot Noir Les Pommiers, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$50.00USD

Part of the Far Niente wine estates.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is big with raspberries, cherries, black cherries, spice, cola and slight char.  Medium to full bodied.  Semi-plush texture.  On the palate, this is a big Pinot with plenty of fruit.  Black cherries, raspberries and some char.  Moderate acidity.  Long finish.  This is very nice on its own and will work with bigger foods such a Salmon in a rich cream sauce.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  The score should go up with some longer term cellaring.  

2020 Château Fortia Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée du Baron, France, Rhone, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a blend of 45% Syrah, 45% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is earthy with black cherries, black raspberries, spices, dried lavender and a bit of roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  Nice texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Flavors of black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper and spice.  Long finish.  This is nice on its own but better with food.  It worked nicely with Lasagna.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  

2023 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is a blend of 78% Napa and 22% Sonoma. It is 91% Sauvignon Blanc and 9% Semillon.  Green/sliver/light gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose has guava, peach, slight minerality, an herbal note and a bit of lime peel.  Medium bodied. Slightly oily texture.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this has some depth.  Tasty with flavors of peach, apple and citrus.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work well with lighter foods.  It worked nicely with pasta.  Drink over the next few years. 

NV Guyot-Choppin Champagne Brut, France, Wine Review

Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

Not a wine I remember having before.  it is quite good if the price is right.  A blend of 60/40 Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir.  Golden in color, clear and bright with a nice mousse. The nose is serious with green apples, brioche and slight match stick.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is crisp and tasty with apples, minerality and slight char.  Good finish.  This is great on its own and should be very versatile with food.  Try to make sure bottles are recent releases and drink over the next few years.

2020 Château Rouget, France, Bordeaux, Pomerol, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is an 80/20 blend of Merlot/Cabernet Franc and very impressive.  Purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is expressive with black cherries, tobacco, cedar, spice and char.  Full bodied.  Silky texture.  Great balance.  On the palate, this is delicious with depth and some complexity.  Flavors of black cherries, cherries, tobacco and earth.  Long finish.  This is drinking well now but should improve as it cellars.  Drink over the next twenty years.  great on its own, this will work great with traditional matches such as Lamb Stew or Grilled Steak.  

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