2021 Morandé Carménère Vitis Unica, Chile, Maipo Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2023
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

Another great value coming out of Chile.  This is 100% Carmenere grape which is fast becoming one of the stars of Chilean wines.  Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, black raspberries, black pepper, sorrel and spice.  Full bodied.  Very nice almost lush texture.  Good balance.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, this is delicious.  Black currants, slight coffee and a hint of chocolate.  A slight bitter cherry nod on the finish.  Obviously young, this is drinking well now, but would be better with another few years in a good cellar.  Drink ove

Alma de Cattleya 2022 Chardonnay

Vintage: 
2022
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$28.00USD

Sonoma County is often overlooked in favor of Napa, but Alma de Cattleya wines, all from within Sonoma’s borders, is something of a love letter to what Sonoma can produce. Winemaker Bibiana Gonzales Rave has created wines that support and showcase Sonoma using various vineyard sites throughout the county. Her 2022 Chardonnay is a great example. Chardonnay pulled from cooler sites offers green apple, lemon-lime, resin, light, peach and pear, quince, apricot honeysuckle, and a whisper of honey. There is light acidity, but a beautiful balance and texture.

2019 Lungarotti Torgiano Rubesco Sangiovese Colorino Rosso di Torgiano, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$17.00USD

This is a blend of 90 Sangiovese and 10% Colorino from central Italy.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, with some cranberries and slight spice.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, plums, slight chocolate and spice.  Clean.  This drinks easy.  Nice on its own, this is very food friendly.  A nice plate of pasta would work well.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Great value.  

2019 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Rosso, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$19.00USD

This is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Sagrantino and 15% Merlot from central Italy.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, cherries, char and spice.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries, milk chocolate and slight smoke.  Long finish.  This is a lovely Sangiovese with a firmness from the blend that gives it s bit more seriousness.  It is drinking well now and should for the next seven to ten years.  A very nice value.  This is very food friendly and will work better with food.  Pasta Bolo

2000 Arnaldo-Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$140.00USD

This bottle was bought on release and well stored until serving.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose was great with black cherries, dried cherries, slight tobacco, spice and slight smoke.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  This is certainly close to peak but maybe not quite there yet.  On the palate, this is deep and complex.  Black cherries and cherries with some char and earthiness.  Long finish.  Great on its own, this went great with a variety of cheeses.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2018 Azienda Agricola di Angelo Calcabrina Umbria Calcabrina Foglio 61, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a blend of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Sagrantino.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and an interesting black olive note.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  Very good acidity.  On the palate black cherries and cherries.  Nice depth.  This seems to be about at peak and should be at that level for another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, but a bit better with food.  This is a great choice for a "Pizza" wine.  

2016 Tabarrini Montefalco Sagrantino Campo Alla Cerqua, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

Inky purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is showing a bit of alcohol.  Also, Black Cherries, spices and slight vanilla.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, spice and smoke.  Long finish.  This is still young and could use a few more years in the cellar.  After that it should drink well for ten to fifteen more years.  It drinks well on its own, but if drinking soon, give it a decant some big flavors to match.  

2015 Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino Memoira, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

Purple in color with ruby hues, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, smoke and spice.  Full bodied.  Medium tannins.  This  has a lovely satiny but muscular texture.  On the palate, this is deep with black cherry fruit, slight tobacco and char.  Good acidity.  This drinks well now but is still a bit young.  It should drink well for another ten to fifteen years.  It is nice on its own but would be nice with a Wild Mushroom dish or other earthy foods.

2011 Còlpetrone Montefalco Sagrantino, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This is one of the better values in Montefalco Sagrantino.  While it may not be as good as some of the very expensive options, it is still an outstanding wine.  At age 12, this bottle is just  about at prime.  The vintage, 2011, was good but not great, so this is a nice wine to see how well one likes mature Sagrantino.  Purple in color with slight browning.  The nose has black cherries, char, vanilla and spices.  Medium bodied.  Silky tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, dried cherries and wisps of smoke.  Moderate finish.  This drinks easy and is probably better with food at this point

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