2018 Masciarelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Villa Gemma, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$98.00USD

This is Masciarelli's top bottling.  15% abv.   Inky indigo in color, opaque and bright.  The nose is tight on opening but after about an hour, it opens nicely.  Notes of black cherries, clay, dried cherries, dark chocolate and black pepper.  A bit of sweet black raspberries come out with more air.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Polished texture.  Well balanced.  On the palate, black cherries with some char.  With air, chocolate notes come out.  Some black licorice on the finish.  Complex and deep if young.  This needs some time (or a long decant).  Ideally, cellar for five more years and dr

2019 Masciarelli Marina Cvetić Riserva, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$38.00USD

This is one of the "middle" offerings from Masciarelli.  It is made from 100% Montepulciano grapes from Abruzzo.  14.5% abv.  Deep garnet in color with a purple core, opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, black licorice and char.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with underlying char.  Delicious.  Long, smooth finish.  This is delicious on its own and will work nice with grilled meats such as Lamb Chops.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2022 Masciarelli Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Superiore, Italy, Abruzzo, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

This is a Rosé wine made from 100% Montepulciano grapes.  14% abv.  Pale garnet in color, clear and bright.  Very pretty in the glass.  Likewise, a very pretty nose with cherries, rhubarb, dry earth and the slightest celery seed note.  Nice texture.  Medium bodied.  Great acidity which keeps the wine lively and food friendly.  Light tannins.  The palate has cherry cough drop notes along with a slight touch of smoke.  Some warmth on the finish.  This is nice on its own but really begs for food.  it would work well with pasta but also it would be nice with slow cooked Chicken dishes (Paprikas

2022 Masciarelli Villa Gemma Abruzzo Bianco DOC, Italy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$24.00USD

There seem to be a lot of references to this wine as coming from Colline Teatine IGT, but the bottle states Abruzzo Bianco DOC.  It is a blend of 50% Trebbiano, 30% Pecorino, and 20% Cococciola.  Golden in color with silver hues, clear and bright.  The nose has lots of minerality, some lemon notes and a hint of floral tones.  Medium to full bodied.  Slightly oily texture.  Crisp acidity.  On the palate apples, tart apples and minerality.  Deep.  Long finish.  This is an excellent white wine that would be double or triple the price if the label was from a more "prestigious" area.  

2021 1000 Stories Zinfandel Bourbon Barrel Aged Batch 88, USA, California, Lodi, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is made from various sites around California.  It is my favorite of the 1000 Stories BBA wines.  Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has smoke, black cherries, and slight bramble.  Medium to full bodied.  Light to medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, some root beer notes and plenty of char.  Good finish with black cherries and slight, slight black licorice.  This is nice on its own and would work well with grilled foods such as a Pork Chop.  Drink over the next year or two.

C.L. Butaud 2021 Tempranillo, Farmhouse Vineyards

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$54.00USD

C.L. Butaud started making wine in 2014 in Texas, another wine to join the impressive ranks of Texas wines being produced in the fourth largest wine producing state in the U.S. A truly Texas Tempranillo, this offers black cherry notes, tobacco leaf, plum and pomegranate, dried tomato leaf, a slight rhubarb quality and a light earthiness. The tannins and smooth but noticeable and the light acidity helps create a wine that, on the first sip, makes you want food with it. The oak influence is just a wee bit heavy, however the fruit still shines and the balance created in impressive. 250 cases.

2020 1000 Stories Pinot Noir American Barrel Aged, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
84
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This wine is aged in American oak for six months. Note - this is not aged in Bourbon Barrels like many of this wineries wines.  Ruby in color, maybe a bit deeper, clear and bright.  The nose is a bit smoky with cherry cough drops in the background.  Medium bodied with soft tannins.  On the palate, cherries, cranberries and slight char.  Some alcohol especially on the finish.  This drinks better for people who like a bit more of a bigger Pinot.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2019 1000 Stories Red Blend Bourbon Barrel Aged

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a blend of Teroldego with Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah and Pinot Noir.  The wine was aged in American and French Oak and finished in used Bourbon Barrels.  Deep garnet in color with purple swirls, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose bramble, smoke, plums and spice.  Full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, spice and char.  Moderate finish.  This is different in that the smoke/char is predominant in the wine.  It took some getting used to but sharing with others, it seemed the casual wine drinkers really enjoyed it.  Drink over the next few years. 

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