9/6/2022 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Repurchase of new vintage @ Costco (after we enjoyed the 2020)
11.0% abv (2021 Millesimato, DOC) - $8

Served @ 6c/43f in Trumpets (i.e. tall flutes) for a celebratory occasion. As Delightful as the 2020 version (Prosecco is intended to be consumed when it is young and fresh; i.e. not intended for aging). The color is a lovely pale pink in the glass, with just a hint of yeast on the nose. Bubbles are tightly knit, with Strawberry and mixed-berry notes on the palate. 'Extra Dry' results in just an appropriate hint of sweetness; not 'bone-dry' as some sparkling wines. ('Extra Dry' seems to be the preferred style for Prosecco, rather than the more common 'Brut' for Champagne.) Ample acidity; Pleasant lingering finish.

Delightfully refreshing and astringent; good with food or for a celebratory occasion, or just for sipping on it's own.

8/28/2022 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Impulse purchase @ Costco.
13.0% abv Screwcap - $15

I concur with WORLDB; CYCLIST Nails it! A surprisingly delightful impulse purchase @ Costco. I saw Willamette Valley (Oregon) and thought "Good Pinot Noir." Now I can add Pinot Gris Too!

Served @ 10c/50f with Chicken Breasts, Rice, Broccoli and Salad. Don't be fooled by the Pale yellow color in the glass, which belies this fuller-bodied wine with aromas of white flowers and intense flavors of Apple, Pear, and White Peach on the palate. Add ample acidity, for a crisply refreshing accompaniment to a meal, or for just casual sipping. No namby-pamby (some would say subtle) Pinot Gris/Grigio this! I'd describe it as somewhat like a Gewurztraminer, without the spice, or a Chardonnay, without the oak.

A Hit! Spouse Endorsed; I'll get more.

7/14/2022 - red freddy Likes this wine:

Impulse purchase @ Costco
14.5% abv - $13 (after $7 off)
Served slightly-chilled (66f) with Pork Chops over Orzo Pasta, sauteed Zucchini and Onion with Salad.

Clear ruby-red in the glass. Nose of Raspberry and red fruit on the nose, with more of a Cranberry and Cherry on the palate and some notes of Cola. Light to Medium Bodied with moderate acid, and subtle tannins. Pleasant lingering finish. Spouse Endorsed. Will buy more.

Wine compared well with a recently purchased 2017 Lucas and Lewellen Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara - Central Coast) in an informal side-by-side taste comparison. Both are legitimate 90 point contenders imho, and excellent examples of the California 'New-World' style of Pinot Noir; reminiscent of a Kosta Browne or Williams Selyem, but not quite yet the same league of excellence.

8/1/2021 - jacobnheeter wrote:

Not as acidic as other examples of Chablis. Reminded me more of a unoaked California Chardonnay. Citrus notes dominate.

10/28/2021 - Jon Harrison Likes this wine:

What is this? I found this wine sitting on a shelf for $30 in a Whole Foods market in West Los Angeles. I live near San Francisco. I am a southern Rhône fanatic. Who is this? The local cave (cooperative)? Hmmm.

Color: Dark ruby. Impressive.

Nose: Complex, expressive grenache/syrah driven nose of black cherry, black raspberry, smoke, garrigue spices, provençale pastilles (violets and licorice).

Palate: Rich, full-bodied, excellent concentration. Sweet fruit in the mid palette. Black cherry, black raspberry, smokey damson plum, with a touch of Grenache pepper. Med-soft tannins. Big alcohol (15%), but it did not taste that high (no heat on the finish). Excellent balance. Delicious wine!

Back label says: 80% Grenache/10 Syrah/10 Mourvèdre.

Fantastic Gigondas. And 2016 is a great vintage in the Southern Rhône.

Buy it if you can find it! But most of this is sold in France I suspect. Importer: Wine Situation, Los Angeles, CA.

JGH sommelier CMS-III, San Francisco/Bay Area, CA.

9/6/2021 - mayakacz wrote:

Left bank blend. Deep ruby. Medium chewy tannins. Medium+ alcohol. Manure, blackberry, pencil shavings.

10/22/2019 - geoffjb Does not like this wine:

Medium ruby with a clear rim, this wine had aromas of rubbing alcohol and black cherry. It was dry with medium acidity, medium-minus tannins, medium-plus body, and very high alcohol. The finish was long with strawberry, plum, and a hint of black pepper on the palate. This wine was harsh and hot. Perhaps it would have been better chilled a bit.