Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Tasting - Gabbiano Cavaliere d’Oro Chianti Classico 2019

Name:
Gabbiano Cavaliere d’Oro Chianti Classico
Variety: 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Colorino blend

Region: Tuscany
Country: Italy
Year: 2019
Price: $11

Winery Review: Aromas of violet, dark berry and underbrush lead the nose on this 90% Sangiovese, 5% Merlot and 5% Colorino blend. The juicy palate offers black cherry, star anise and white pepper alongside pliant tannins. Medium ruby color; aromas and flavors of dried cherry, red berry fruit and gentle baking spice; dry, medium-bodied, mild tannins and refreshing acidity. The bouquet is reminiscent of ripe plums spiced with pepper and wood nuances. The first sip reveals invigorating flavors of cherry, blackberry, and spice followed by a dry vivid finish.

My Review: Cherry and some red berry blend are present immediately. Smoke and oak with a slight tobacco note then becomes evident. Tart cherry followed by more berry cover the palate. It’s also a bit peppery. It has a light body but is a bit tannic. It is kind of one note and could do with some more breathing.

Tasting - Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Proprietary Red Blend 2021

Name:
Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Proprietary Red Blend
Variety: Zinfandel and Petite Sirah

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2021
Price: $17

Winery Review: Dark garnet in the glass, commanding aromas of blueberry, caramel and toasted oak preview a bold, mouth-filling palate stacked with concentrated layers of ripe dark fruit, black cherry and milk chocolate. Robust and full-bodied with excellent weight in the mid-palate, this complex wine leaves a lasting impression with a smooth, round and full finish.

My Review: First aroma off the bat is blueberry followed by more dark fruit. There’s a mixed berry note present with a scent of some oak. The taste is jammy with more berries. It is fruity but not overly so. Hints of blueberry and black cherry and plum dance on the palate. A hint of oak ties it together. This wine is well-balanced and very smooth with a long finish. I really enjoyed this wine and is a solid foray into the Z. Alexander Brown brand.

Tasting - Carson Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles 2022

Name:
Carson Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: USA
Year: 2022
Price: $15

Winery Review: Balanced with berry fruit & oak flavors on the palate with a medium to full-bodied finish. Pair with soft cheeses or hearty entrees.

My Review: This aroma is very fruity with cherry, blackberry, and blueberry followed by a slight oak scent. The taste is berry heavy predominantly blackberry. Some oak is present with a bit of a bite. Medium body wine with a long finish. Solid wine.

Tasting - Catena Malbec 2021

Name:
Catena Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec

Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2021
Price: $20

Winery Review: Catena Malbec presents a deep violet color with purple reflections. This microclimate blend of four unique vineyards offers intense aromas, soft texture, and concentrated flavor. Deep aromas of ripe red and dark fruits are joined by delicate violet and lavender notes, with traces of vanilla and mocha. A rich, concentrated mouthfeel is highlighted by flavors of blueberries and blackberries with a touch of leather and cinnamon. The wine has well-integrated tannins, bright acidity, and a flinty minerality that provides exceptional length to the finish. Pair with roast turkey, grilled steak, salmon, and pasta with red sauce.

My Review: Such a wonderful nose on this wine. It is very fruity with hints of raspberry and cherry. Quite the vibrant bouquet. The taste has an earthy cherry quality to it with a slight oak taste. More red fruit is evident. Good mouthfeel on the palate and smooth with a long finish.

Tasting - 1000 Stories American Barrel-Aged Chardonnay 2021

Name:
1000 Stories American Barrel-Aged Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2021
Price: $20

Winery Review: Americas bourbon barrel-aged wine, 1000 Stories is finished in charred barrels that once housed fine Kentucky bourbon - Americas iconic spirit. This Chardonnay brings rich notes of peach, pear and vanilla that deepen alongside smoke and caramel from an unmatched selection of barrels a boldly spirited pursuit of doing things differently.

My Review: This is a very fragrant wine. Floral notes with stone fruit fill my nose with hints of green apple and honeysuckle. The taste is more stone fruit with slight peach note appearing. It has a nice body that’s silky and has a long finish. Some spice and an oakiness is present. There’s almost a smoky quality to it that sort of lingers. Any fruit that I taste is being overpowered.

Tasting - Daou Pessimist Red Blend 2021

Name:
Daou Pessimist Red Blend
Variety: 76% Petite Sirah, 12% Zinfandel, 10% Syrah, 2% Lagrein
Region: Paso Robles, California
Country: USA
Year: 2021
Price: $16

Winery Review: The 2021 vintage delivers yet another stunning blend with trademark Pessimist flair. This wine is powerful and intensely aromatic out of the glass, presenting fragrances of blueberry, boysenberry and black plum. Secondary layers reveal elderberry, truffle, cocoa and cardamom spice accented by hints of eucalyptus, leather, cherry pipe tobacco and grilled meats. Broad and expansive on the palate, it bestows lush, generous flavors of black cherry, blueberry creme de cassis and damp forest floor. Hints of lavender, anise and black olive complement the rich, ripe fruit flavors. Massive in weight yet elegantly structured, this wine is a powerhouse that reveals itself gradually yet deliberately. It finishes smoothly with leisure and length, on notes of blackberry, espresso bean and pomegranate.

My Review: This was a very interesting wine. Blueberry hits the nose first which I don’t experience often. I get more dark fruit like blackberry and black cherry but I also get dark chocolate. It is very fragrant. I taste dark berry and black currant as it is slightly fruity but not overly so. The wine is dry and smooth and finished long. It is good now but definitely would be better if it opened up some more.

Tasting - Robert Mondavi Private Selection Buttery Chardonnay 2022

Name:
Robert Mondavi Private Selection Buttery Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: California
Country: USA
Year: 2022
Price: $16

Winery Review: Our classically styled Chardonnay has a rich and creamy palate of baked apples, poached pears and pineapple. Balanced and elegant with threads of baking spices and citrus, the majority of the wine is aged in French oak, lending a toasty, creamy note to the finish.

My Review: Opens very bright with tropical fruit and notes of pineapple and apple. Vanilla, apple, and some oak hit my palate first. It is silky smooth and has a butter mouthfeel that’s pleasant. It has a long finish. This is a very nice wine and a solid Chardonnay.