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.

Tasting - Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Name: Three Finger Jack Cabernet Sauvignon
Variety: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Lodi, California
Country: USA
Year: 2019
Price: $14

Winery Review: Inspired by Three Finger Jack's daring character, this red bursts with unabashed fruit and a structure to be reckoned with. Polished tannins and saturated flavors of black plums and cherries spiced with coffee and black pepper let you know that this is not your ordinary Cabernet. Ripe, sweet, and illuminated with juicy black cherry and a deep core of espresso and cedar. Black pepper revives the generous fruit before dark plum is concentrated on the long finish. Serve with juicy steaks, lamb chops, rare burgers or aged cheeses.

My Review: The nose on this wine is very fruity. It is predominantly red fruit such as raspberry, cherry, and strawberry. It’s also very fruity on first taste. Raspberry and cherry dance across my palate. This wine is very smooth with a long finish. A nice wine.

Tasting - Chateau La Commanderie du Bardelet Bordeaux 2020

Name: Chateau La Commanderie du Bardelet Bordeaux
Variety: 70% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Region: Bordeaux
Country: France
Year: 2020
Price: $15

Winery Review: Elegant and restrained, with aromas of red berry and blue fruit, palate is layered with black fruit, nutmeg and spice. The wine's attractive fruity character masks the tannins that creep in from the background. It is juicy and full of black-currant flavors. Drink from 2023.

My Review: This wine was very bold on the nose with notes of leather and red fruit such as raspberry. I also get some oak and tobacco. It reminds me of a candle. The first taste is earthy with some fruit but not overly so. I taste notes of dirt and some oak. This is a tannic wine. It might have needed to breath some more but it was not for me.

Tasting - Fruit & Flower Chardonnay 2019

Name: Fruit & Flower Chardonnay
Variety: 100% Chardonnay

Region: Washington

Country: USA

Year: 2019

Price: $15

Winery Review: Introducing our delightful Fruit & Flower Chardonnay. Crafted with precision, this vibrant white wine mesmerizes your palate with refreshing notes of juicy fruits and delicate flowers. Its crisp acidity and smooth finish make it the perfect choice for any occasion, whether enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite dishes. Experience the elegance and charm of this exceptional Chardonnay today!

My Review: This wine has a beautiful bouquet of honeysuckle and tropical fruit. Notes of pineapple followed by a bit of vanilla tickle the nose. It is fruity and silky on the palate with hints of stone fruit, apricot, and pear. There was also a slight butter note. This is a nice, inoffensive wine.

Tasting - Apothic Espresso

Name: Apothic Espresso
Variety: Red Blend
Region: California
Country: USA
Year: NV
Price: $15

Winery Review: Apothic Espresso delivers a rich and smooth red blend with notes of red fruit, toasted oak, and hints of espresso roast. This is the perfect item for all espresso martini lovers to try!

My Review: This is an interesting wine and one that I was excited to try. The first hint of aroma is chocolate with dark fruit. Hints of blueberry and blackberry mixed with toasted oak dance in the nostrils. Notes of toasted oak overwhelm the palate. I get no apparent hint of fruits. This wine is quite earthy with notes of dirt, tobacco, and leather. It has a short finish. The idea for this wine was better than the execution.

Tasting - Fantini Sangiovese 2020

Name: Fantini Sangiovese
Variety: 100% Sangiovese
Region: Abruzzo
Country: Italy
Year: 2020
Price: $15

Winery Review: Fantini Sangiovese is garnet in color. It offer a fruity bouquet of strawberries and black cherries with vinous notes and hints of wood, quite intense and persistent; medium-bodied, with firm tannins and good balance, immediate appeal.

My Review: This is a solid sangiovese wine with primarily red fruit and berries. The main fruit is blueberry with a slight oakiness and slight raspberry. The taste is fruity mainly of red berries. Raspberry and blueberry are quite noticeable. The tannins are nice and soft. This is a nice wine.

Tasting - Tussock Jumper Malbec 2022

Name: Tussock Jumper Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Tulum Valley
Country: Argentina
Year: 2022
Price: $12

Winery Review: Everything starts in vineyards located in Caucete district, 650 metres above sea level, in a soil of alluvial origin with texture from sandy loam to clay loam and low content of organic matter. My grapes are hand-harvested and immediately sent for winemaking process in order to keep the optimum conditions. Before travelling around the world to meet you, I partly rest for 3 months in company with French and American oaks.

My Review: I got red berries on the nose, predominantly raspberries. Some oak and some vanilla come through as well with some blackberry on the end. The taste is quite fruit forward mostly of dark fruit and cherry. Some oak is present too with a bit of leather. It is tannic and tight with a long finish.

Tasting - Aravail Vineyards Red Wine Blend 2019

Name: Aravail Vineyards Red Wine Blend

Variety: 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache
Region: Monterey County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2019
Price: $13

Winery Review: Aravail red wine blend is the epitome of gracious California living. Crafted with Grenache and Syrah, this wine elevates every occasion- from casual drinks on the patio to elegant dinner parties- with alluring berry and violet aromas, dramatic cherry flavors and hints of chocolate and spice. Classic with a refreshingly modern twist, Aravail is your invitation to sip stylishly.

My Review: Cherry comes through first on the nose followed by green pepper and some spice. Hints of more red berry and raspberry continue through. It tastes much like my first impression of the aroma with cherry dominating. Then it inexplicably tastes like a Tootsie Roll Pop and chocolate. There is some light spice but fruity. It finished long and very smooth. This is a good wine especially for being the private label for a grocery store.

Tasting - Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2019

Name: Franciscan Estate Sauvignon Blanc
Variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Monterey County, California
Country: USA
Year: 2019
Price: $15

Winery Review: Bright Monterey County Sauvignon Blanc opens with generous aromas of grapefruit, lime and white florals. The delightfully crisp palate brings notes of fresh-cut Meyer lemon, white peach and juicy pear, with tropical hints of guava, lychee and crushed pineapple adding depth. A refreshing, lifted finish makes this wine an ideal choice for pairing with seasonal green salads.

My Review: Stone fruit and tropical notes are apparent on the nose. I get hints of peach, pineapple, and apricot. It is a very vibrant aroma. The taste is nice and light and fruity. I taste lychee and lime zest with pear and peach. It presents a nice medium body with a long finish. It is a very solid wine. Very nice.

Tasting - The Pledge 1000 Malbec 2017

Name: The Pledge 1000 Malbec
Variety: 100% Malbec
Region: Mendoza
Country: Argentina
Year: 2017

Price: $17

Winery Review: Ripe, earthy berry aromas are on the savory and leathery side, while this pulls inward on the palate due to racy acidity. Tangy berry and black plum flavors are lightly herbal, while this doesn't show a lot besides mild oak on a long finish driven by perky acidity. Drink through 2025.

My Review: Cherry bomb on the nose. Red fruit forward with some raspberry. There’s a hint of vanilla detected with some spice. First notes on the palate are of strawberry and cherry. It tastes predominantly of red fruit. A slight raspberry tang is present followed by plum. This wine has a long finish and an excellent body. This is an exquisite wine especially at this price point.