4/12/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Upping slightly from last bottle. Seems to have smoothed out some. Nose was very floral and had strong red fruit hints as well. The nose outshines the taste of the wine, but tannins have integrated nicely with this and this seems to be at peak drinking now. Have a couple left and will enjoy over the next 1-3 years.

3/29/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

From half bottle. Decent enough. Dark and red fruits with biting tannins. Probably too young, but still seemed a bit rustic to me lacking the polish that I have experienced with Duckhorn in the past.

3/26/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Last of 3. Still solid and at under $20USD, not much not to like here.

3/9/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Popped and poured and this was extremely floral upon opening. Red fruits--strawberry and apple were predominant. Medium bodied with silky tannins. Drink now or hold. This has a long life ahead of it.

3/10/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Fruit bomb crowd pleaser. New producer for me and Petit Sirah always seems to hit the mark. Deep inky purple in color with dark fruits, candy apple and mushroom. Would seek out again for sure. Lots to like here.

3/2/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

An absolute joy to drink. This was an all-timer for me. Beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep inky purple in color with dark fruits--black raspberry, plum and earth notes--mushrooms, graphite. The tannins are beautifully integrated into the wine and this is in a perfect drinking window now, but has years ahead of it. All I can saw is wow!

2/24/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Very nice Chianti. Popped and poured. Dark and red fruits are prominent. Typical Sangiovese notes with reasonable tannins. Rampolla is a top notch producer and this wine shows well and will continue to do so for several years.

2/18/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Stellar again and alas, the last of a 6-pack. Red fruits, mushrooms and meat notes. Medium-bodied with smooth integrated tannins. Can last, but no need wait and this is delivering maximum pleasure right now...Ciacci never disappoints for me.

1/31/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Interesting nose this time around, almost floral, like a Gamay. Drink/hold.

1/27/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Has not aged/changed much since last bottle I had in 2020. Very nice with hints of dark fruit and meat/mushrooom notes. Tannins still very much there on the finish, so no real hurry to drink these. Nice effort and QPR too.

1/26/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

What a special wine. Over 80% Cabernet with Cab Franc and Petit Verdot. Deep purple in color with hints of blackberry, cherry and plumb. Still super dry on the finish, but harmonizes well with the still very prevalent fruit. At 16 years old, still so youthful, it was amazing. This will continue to drink at peak for another 10-15 years with ease. I wish this was my first bottle of a six pack, but alas not to be--one and only.

1/18/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

With last bottle being corked, had to climb in again. Delicious just like the prior bottles. Drink over the next 3-5, but don’t see this getting better from here.

1/10/2024 - mcromain1021 wrote:

Better than the last bottle. Medium-bodied Pinot with hints of cherry, strawberry and apple. This is ready now and very enjoyable.

1/10/2024 - mcromain1021 wrote:

Very nice again. Would seek this out in the future for sure.

1/18/2024 - mcromain1021 wrote:

Corked. Can’t win em all

1/1/2024 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Entry level Chianti from Castello di Ama. Bought 3 of these at the vineyard this past May. Light-Med bodied with hints of strawberry, apple, pomegranate and plumb. At around $30 USD a decent value, but pound for pound, other options abound.

12/25/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

I have to agree with several other reviewers. This was an off year for San Leonardo. I have enjoyed this in the past from different years, but 2014 was a bit of letdown. Have a few more so will see how it develops, but was good to go now with an hour or so decant. Thin on the mid-palate and a light finish. Drink or hold.

12/20/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Last magnum of a 3 pack. Promis never disappoints for me. Solid Super Tuscan. Merlot, Syrah, Sangiovese. Hints of strawberry and dark fruits. Well integrated tannins and ready now.

12/31/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Maybe some bottle variation here? Last bottle was stellar, this was definitely more subdued. Nice cabernet aromas and was expecting a lot, but first sip somewhat of a letdown. Have a few more, so we will see...

12/23/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Almost a year since my last bottle and this is still going strong. It is ready now, but will last several more years, but no need to wait really.

12/27/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Still stellar and has another 5-7 in the tank.

12/19/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Upped score from last bottle. Upon opening and first swirl of the glass, an amazing black licorice aroma which was cool--have not had that with chianti in the past. Secondary aromas of black and red fruits. Medium bodied with firm tannins that have a velvety mouth feel. This is ready now, but will last. Amazing effort IMO.

12/2/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Nice again. Drink now.

11/18/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Decent enough. On the light side for me and definitely better values out there from Montepulciano region.

11/23/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Thanksgiving wine. Was wonderful with the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. From magnum. Popped and let breathe for 2 hours before dinner. Snuck a snip at opening. Cherry, candy apple and earth tones as well. Tannins well integrated and smooth at this point. Was consistent throughout the evening. This is ready now.

11/22/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Very enjoyable with pizza. Some call these baby Amarone and I tend to agree. Bright red fruits on the nose--apples, cherries, strawberries. This can last, but why wait?

11/19/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Grabbed this off a flash site and really did not know what to expect as I knew nothing about this producer. Beautiful light style Pinot with just the right mouthfeel. Hints of cherry, candy apple and strawberry. Went really well with homemade chicken pot pie. Drink now or hold

11/15/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Well, more than 2 years since last bottle and this was improved and is singing now! Medium bodied with beautifully integrated tannins with cherry and strawberry notes. At under $20USD not much not to like here. Only bummer is that it is all gone now.

11/5/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Enjoyed again. With or without food this is very, very delicious. Seek it out. Tremendous QPR

11/4/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Very solid 2nd label Bordeaux. Have tried several of these since 2019 and this was the last of 6. No hurry to open these even though I drank all of mine already. This is quite enjoyable now with hints of strawberry, blackberry, meat and mushroom notes. For the patient collector, another 5-7 years won't hurt ya!

11/3/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Final of 6 and still singing. Drink now and over the next few years.

10/28/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Still holding up nicely. Tremendous value from a relatively unknown producer at least in the US. Drink now.

10/21/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Decanted 1 hour before jumping in. Lighter style of Cab Franc than others I have tried, but very pleasing nonetheless. Smooth tannins with red and dark fruits on the nose. Hits the mark for sure.

10/14/2023 - mcromain1021 wrote:

High expectations for this one. Always cool to have a wine made by Gaja and this did not disappoint. Two hour decant before climbing in. Medium-bodied with hints of cherry, leather and mushroom. Was magnificent with beef short ribs. Drink now and over the next 5 years. Cheers!

10/13/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Spectacular again. Had prior bottle not too long ago and this one was just sitting there! Beautiful. Drink now.

10/11/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

This producer never fails for me. Goes back to what I have said before—If you like a producer, buy in any vintage. 2012 was a solid vintage for Brunello, so no issue there. This wine is fully mature with some bricking in the glass and smooth tannins. Great nose of strawberry and raspberry. Medium bodied and great with meats and pastas. Drink now.

9/23/2023 - mcromain1021 wrote:

Well, almost 2 years since my last bottle and not much has changed here for me. Disappointing and still the finish is the biggest problem. This does not need more time in the bottle. Drink now.

8/7/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

An off year in Montalcino, but bought this on a flyer and glad that I did. Scopetone has always been a solid producer for me. My advice, if you like a producer, buy their wines in any vintage and more times than not, you'll be happy. This had an awesome nose with hints of strawberry and apple with. secondary meat and mushroom notes. Med bodied with an ultra smooth finish. Drink now. Great effort!

9/7/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Beautiful notes of lemon, pear, apples and melon. Crisp and dry and am amazing pairing on a summer evening. Primarily Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion with Ribolla Galla and Tocai Friulano. Drink now and over the next 3 years.

9/22/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Last of 3. Early drinking Bordeaux and at under $20, can't ask for much more. Fruit forward, medium bodied and smooth tannins. Drink over the next 5 years or so.

9/2/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Nice again and fully mature. Drink now.

8/8/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Tannins have integrated nicely since last sampling. Textbook Tuscan with hints of strawberry and cherry. Drink now or hold.

8/22/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

From 375ml. Hints of lemon, grapefruit and other citrus. On the side of medium body. Bought on a flyer via WTSO and was pleasantly surprised as I was not familiar with this producer. Drink or hold.

8/10/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Fruit bomb alert. Tremendous value too. At under $20USD, has to be one of the best Barberas at this price point. Beautiful fragrant nose of blackberry, raspberry, apples and strawberry. Medium-bodied and drink now is the name of the game here. Great with a hearty pasta and of course burgers and steaks. Well done.

8/10/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

This was a lot of fun with skirt steak. Deep inky purple in color with hints of dark purple and red fruits, blackberry, currant, strawberries and plumbs. Seemed ready to go in my opinion with the old pop n pour. Nothing not to like here on a warm summer evening. Drink now or hold.

8/3/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Solid Chianti. Revisiting Candiale with a new vintage. For me, a beauty with hints of red fruits and smoked meats. Popped and poured and enjoyed over an hour or so. Medium bodied and a great value in Chianti around $20USD. Drink now or hold.

8/2/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Beautiful again. Wish I had more of this. Drink now.

8/2/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

For me, not as enjoyable as the 2014. Nose of bright red fruits and candy apple which was nice, but a thin almost sour finish. Have one left and will try again in a few months, but a bit of a head scratcher for me.

7/31/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Last notes from 2020 and this has matured nicely. Medium bodied, well-integrated tannins and this is drinking at peak. Drink now and enjoy!

7/15/2023 - mcromain1021 Likes this wine:

Have to agree with other reviews. This is light-medium bodied and quite simple. Red fruits are prominent on the nose. Needs food for sure and a decent option around $20USD.