1/19/2024 - schicker-not wrote:

Not sure why I bought this. Must have had good hype or something but didn’t live up to it. Not bad, not good… just OK. Much better wines available at this price.

9/16/2023 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Not terribly complex but a very pleasant pop and pour…or in this case, unscrew and pour! Good QPR for 10 bucks. Pale yellow, decent acid, stone fruit. Tastes very much like a viura. Nice every day white. Might want to keep a few bottles around.

9/9/2023 - schicker-not Does not like this wine:

Light yellow and cloudy, reminiscent of a UTI. Lots of acid and lemon. Briney and tart as hell. It’s different and I guess there’s some Chardonnay character in there. I don’t know, perhaps it’s a aquired taste but I thought it was pretty unpleasant.

5/29/2023 - schicker-not Does not like this wine:

Jammy PNP. Not enough tannins to age. Short on acid, as well. It’s a small step up from Meiomi. I would say that if you like soft and fruity, then this is your Pinot.

4/26/2023 - schicker-not Does not like this wine:

Sometimes you get a great deal on a cheap wine at Costco, sometimes you don’t This falls into the latter category. Pretty much drinks at its price point.

2/28/2023 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Stone fruit, floral with medium/full body and moderate acidity. Paired nicely with baked walleye pike dinner last night. I went out and added a few more bottles for summer drinking. Pretty good QPR at $16.99

2/5/2023 - schicker-not wrote:

I really don’t know exactly how to score this unusual amalgamation. If nothing else, it is different. Cloudy (unfiltered?) with a pale peach color, in fact peach was the first flavor to hit my tongue. Good acid from the Chenin Blanc. Bergamot finish. Creative winemaker for sure…still, I don’t quite know what to make of this puppy.

12/22/2022 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Consistently good inexpensive everyday wine…pretty much on any day ending in ‘Y”. Not terribly complex but has balanced fruit and acidity and smooth tannins. Pairs nice with pasta and pizza.

11/24/2022 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Nice Sancerre with well balanced citrus, minerality (is that a word?) and acid. Paired well with turkey at Thanksgiving dinner. Vin Chicago came through again with a great price of $17.99. Glad I’ve got a couple more bottles. No good Sancerre’s to be found now under 20 bucks that I know of.

11/24/2022 - schicker-not wrote:

Paired well with Thanksgiving Turkey. Lemon, stone fruit, medium body with just the right amount of acid. Medium+ finish. Good QPR. I hope it’s still available!

10/21/2022 - schicker-not wrote:

It’s OK. I’ve had better for less.

9/6/2022 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Good now but I’d wait another 2-3 years if possible.

8/4/2022 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Nice pizza wine. Good QPR.

6/26/2022 - schicker-not wrote:

Ok pizza wine. Nothing special.

4/15/2022 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

This is one big-ass Pinot. Very full body…you can chew it. Plenty of fruit here as well as pepper. Adequate acid balances it out. Paired well with brisket. This Pinot is so big I think it’s best with food. A little alcohol burn but not at all bad. It was a gift but I’d like to get a few bottles for my cellar.

3/23/2022 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Paired nicely with Argentinian flap steak with chimichurri. While drinking well now, I’m going to try to wait another 7-8 years before drinking the other 3 bottles I bought…though I might just be tempted to open another bottle before that! Good buy at Vin Chicago for $24.

2/25/2022 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

I popped the cork way early on this to see if I like it because at Costco, they may not have it the next time your there. Drank pretty nicely after a good airing out but of course will be even better with more time in the bottle. Paired wonderfully with chicken cattiatore. Very nice 20 buck Barolo. I’ll be going to Costco tomorrow to buy more. ‘Nuf said.

12/24/2021 - schicker-not wrote:

Wonderful as always. Drank with skirt steaks and ribeye. Delicious.

11/26/2021 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Drank with Thanksgiving dinner. Nice balanced chard. Everyone was happy. Sorry it was my last bottle.

11/3/2021 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Nice bottle for $10. Medium body, good acid and lemon notes. For the price, it works for me as a weekday table wine or summer sipper. Drank with brie cheese with wild mushrooms and crackers.

8/17/2021 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Just opened my last bottle and I think this is drinking very nicely now. I thought this wine was past it’s prime last time I drank it but I think this bottle is actually better than the one I drank in March…probably not due to the extra time but just variation in the bottle for whatever reason. Still has very nice cherry notes and good acid with smooth tannins. Pleasant finish. It was a good QPR at $14.99. Sangiovese is a wonderful grape! (Note: this wine is 90% Sangiovese & 5% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon)

5/9/2021 - schicker-not wrote:

Ok PNP. Decent summer sipper though a bit on the soft side. Drink now. Bought at Costco for $10.99, not worth more. Better wines available at that price point.

5/2/2021 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

I’ve reviewed this delicious Chianti before. Only two things I’d change in my review: I said it was a pretty good QPR, it’s a very good QPR! The other thing is I think this wine is ready to drink right now. Perhaps you could lay it down for another year, 2 at the most. I only have one bottle left. Wish I bought more.

4/18/2021 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Another good QPR from Costco. Take the 93 point WS rating with a grain of salt. (I know you didn’t really believe that!) Not a big, complex wine but still for 10 bucks it’s a good wine with burgers or pizza. It opens up nicely in about 30 minutes. Pomegranate, cherries and subtle notes of pepper. Pick up a few to share at summer barbecues. As long as you take it for what it is, you won’t be disappointed.

3/19/2021 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Still nice on opening but the fruit disappeared as the bottle sat and the finish went downhill. A bit past it’s prime, I think.

12/25/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Lovely cab. Paired well with skirt steaks. Wish I had more!

12/24/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Paired well with lasagna. I think another year or so wouldn’t hurt.

12/10/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Medium body, lemon and apricot notes. Good QPR at less than 10 bucks. This would make a nice summer sipper on the patio. Ready to drink now or in the next year.

12/5/2020 - schicker-not Does not like this wine:

My first taste upon opening the bottle was undrinkable, nothing but tannins and acid. This wine had either been improperly cellared or was just going to need a lot of air. After a couple of hours, the tannins had smoothed out and it became drinkable. Not pleasant but drinkable. I had about 3/4 of a glass over a period of time and my kitchen sink drank the rest of the bottle. Tasted like really bad Retsina. (Not a wine I acquired a taste for in the first place.) Maybe it was just a bad bottle but I wouldn’t buy again. Will try to return my remaining bottle.

11/28/2020 - schicker-not Does not like this wine:

Meh. Had the tannins to age but not much else. Didn’t float my boat.

11/20/2020 - schicker-not wrote:

Delightful Sangiovese. Paired quite nicely with homemade eggplant permesan. Just picked up some 2018s. (They’re going fast at Binny’s.) Hope they’re as good as the 17s. Time will tell...

11/15/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Big and spicy. Drank with steak but I’m imagining some kind of game may have paired better. Good but lacked finesse.

11/9/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Drinkable SV for 7 bucks. Not bad.

11/9/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Paired well with BBQ brisket. For 12.99 I’d buy it again.

11/4/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Very pleasant Chianti Classico that’s ready to drink now or in the next few years. Pretty good QPR at $14.99

10/24/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Delicious. Paired well with veal parm & rigatoni with sausage. Cherries and berries with soft tannins, just the right amount of acid and a nice smooth finish. Drinking well now. Good Italian food with good Italian wine...what could be better?

10/21/2020 - schicker-not Does not like this wine:

Yuck! The only good news is this was my only bottle.

10/11/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Nice with grilled skirt steaks!

10/5/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Good QPR. Great with pizza or pasta. Not terribly complex but very pleasant. Nice nose, fruit and acidity with soft tannins. Makes a terrific house wine. I’m going to buy more if available for $12.99 which is what I paid at Vin Chicago. I heard that Costco has/had it for 10 bucks and if that’s true and it’s available, buy a case!

10/3/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Nice lively white. Stone fruit and lemon with good acidity. Paired well with trout. Good value, too. Just bought a few bottles of the 2019 which supposedly is a slightly better vintage. I’m curious as whether I’ll note much if a difference. We’ll see.

9/26/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Still one of my fave $15 Verona red blends. Raisin notes not surprisingly are of reminiscent of a ripasso valpolicella. Lovely & easy drinking with soft tannins. I bought it at Binny’s but I heard Costco has or had it for $13. (I hope they still have it!) It’s a crowd pleaser and good value that makes for a great house red.

9/18/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Very approachable Sangiovese. It’s a crowd pleaser. Open, pour, wait 10 minutes and drink. Good by itself or with food. Bright cherries predominate with a lovely smooth finish. Just bought 5 more bottles at Binny’s but the supply of 2017s is almost exhausted at least at that store. If the 2018s are as good, I’ll probably add a half a case to my cellar.

9/13/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Drink now. Nice with chicken cacciatore.

8/16/2020 - schicker-not wrote:

Had with steak. It was OK...

8/1/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Not as good as the 2016, which really rocked for the money. Not bad, though. After being open for about an hour the vanilla notes started to emerge. I think it needs to age a couple of years but still doubt that it will be as good as the ‘16.

7/29/2020 - schicker-not Does not like this wine:

Maybe it was my bottle but I thought it tasted like cough medicine. I’m just sayin...

7/25/2020 - schicker-not wrote:

Drank with eggplant parm. Good but not great. Maybe some more time in the bottle would help.

7/18/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Pretty good but not outstanding. Could use a bit more acid. Good for the price point.

7/11/2020 - schicker-not Likes this wine:

Ruby color, cherries on the nose. Nice Barbera d’ Alba for $16. I’ll buy more if available at this price.

6/28/2020 - schicker-not wrote:

Really nice summer sipper+. Went well with chicken shish kabobs. Super value at $18. I’m buying more.