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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
