2020 Antinori Chianti Classico Marchese Antinori Riserva Tenuta Tignanello, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a "dusty attic" quality to it along with cherries.  Light bodied.  On the palate, light tannins.  Cherries turning a bit candied on the finish.  Good acidity.  This is a bit lighter in style but still true to its Chianti roots.  Better with food than on its own.  This would be nice with a creamy Tuscan Chicken dish.  

2017 Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana IGT, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2017
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

Ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is earthy with cherries, sandalwood and smoke.  Good acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries with some char.  Nice finish.  This wine will work better with food.  A great choice with a plate of pasta.  Drink over the next five to eight years.  

2021 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Chardonnay Bramito della Sala, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a Chardonnay from Umbria..  While I have its big brother, this was my first time trying this bottling.  Hay/gold in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with gun powder, lemons, slight grapefruits and butterscotch.  Full bodied.  Creamy texture.  On the palate, lemon cream and toast.  Good finish.   Certainly some oak here, but not as much as its big brother.  This drinks easy and is a good value for people who like a slightly oaky Chardonnay.  Drink over the next few years.  

NV Ruffino Prosecco, Italy, Wine Review

Score: 
87
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$11.00USD

A very nice way to start an evening especially with a crowd.  Silvery/green in color, clear and bright.  A nice mousse with medium bubbles.  On the nose, an effervescent lemon/lime quality.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  On the palate, this is dry with minerality and lime notes.  A bit of lemon hard candy on the finish.  This drinks well on its own and will work with most foods.  Drink now.  

1994 Graham Porto Vintage, Portugal, Douro, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1994
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$120.00USD

Stood the bottle up for a couple of weeks.  Decanted for sediment and immediately served.  Purple/black in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is great with chocolate covered raisins, slight raspberries and a hint of gravel.  Full bodied.  Lightly sweet.  Complex and deep.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Chocolate, raspberries and slight cherries.  Some heat on the long finish.  This is great on its own or would be nice with a chocolate dessert.  Drink over the next decade or so.  

2017 Dutcher Crossing Cabernet Sauvignon Taylor Reserve, USA, California, Sonoma, Dry Creek Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$52.00USD

2017 was a challenging vintage between the heat, the rain and the fires, yet, many wineries were able to dodge those and make excellent wines especially in Sonoma.  This is one of the good ones.  It is also a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 18% Syrah added which appears to make a bit more accessible but also give it some depth.  Inky purple in color, thing ruby rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, black raspberries, clay, spice and slight cedar notes.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, this is a high energy wine with a lot going on.  Cassis, chocolate and slight underlyi

2018 Dutcher Crossing Zinfandel Bacigalupi Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is more of a claret styled Zin and not a monster fruit bomb.  This style tends to age nicely and at age 5, this one was drinking beautifully.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight bramble and a bit of black pepper.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Velvety texture.  On the palate, cherries and black cherries with a slight milk chocolate note.  Delicious.  Good finish.  This should drink well for another five to eight years.  It drinks well on its own and will work very well with hearty foods such a lamb stew or even vegetarian chili.  

2021 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Certified Organic Cabernet Sauvignon, Argentina, Mendoza, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

Another great value from this estate in Argentina.  Purple in color, magenta at the rim, opaque and bright.  The nose has cassis, char, dust and a slight Tootsie Roll™ note.  Lovely, chewy texture.  On the palate, cassis with some chocolate.  Light tannins.  Long finish with a slight mint note.  This is drinking well now and should continue for another five to eight years.  A nice wine to sit and drink on its own, but this will also work with food off the grill.  

2021 Domaine Bousquet Reserve Certified Organic Malbec, Argentina, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cassis, chocolate and fig.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Nice balance.  On the palate, lovely plum fruit withy a bit of tobacco and slight spice.  Long, tannic finish.  This is drinking well but really could use another year or two in the cellar to integrate a bit.  The score should go up a point or two at that time.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with a burger or a pot of chili.  

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