4/13/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

This was a recommendation from a wine shop in Flatiron, NYC. I poured and I let it sit my glass for thirty minutes before I tasted. This is typical Bourgogne Rouge. It is medium bodied, medium colored, and has a sour Cherry finish. It could benefit from a bit more bottle age, but drinks fairly well for now. Is it worth $52 a bottle? Not really.

4/9/2024 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

The 2020 Poliziano Asinone is a very dull bottle of wine. I sipped it over three days. It started uninteresting, and it ended uninteresting. Is it worth $63 a bottle? Heck no!

4/1/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I have been drinking Passopisciaro Scinniri wines since the 2013 vintage. Passopisciaro wines are not easy to find because they usually are sold in obscure wine shops. Once the wines hit the shelves they usually sell out quickly. I snatched up several bottles and I tasted my first bottle several days ago . Like other vintages the 2019 is bold and fruity. It has little tannin, but it does possess a bit more acid than I'd like. Is it worth $23 a bottle? Si signore!

3/28/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I purchased this bottle after having a sip at an Italian wine tasting. The 2021 Le Serre Nuove is a very nice wine that needs some time. I popped and I let it breathe for several hours before tasting. One day one the wine was closed up. One day two the fruit began to emerge. On day three the wine began to shine. There is a fine layer of tannin that needs some time to wear away. I would recommend holding for five years. Is it worth $69 a bottle? I'm not positive.

3/26/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

My second time tasting this wine and no different than the first. The 2018 Cabreo needs time. On day one the wine was tight as a rock. On day two it opened up substantially. It drank very smoothly on day three as well. I would hold another five years before retasting. Is it worth $50 a bottle? Si! Si!

3/21/2024 - Barolo Freak wrote:

The 2022 Il Bruciato is a very uninteresting wine. While there is an undercurrent of Cherry, there is also a whole lot of tannin. The wine is fairly acidic as well. Is it worth $33 a bottle? No signore!

3/15/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2022 Italo Cescon Pinot Noir is a house pour a restaurant that I frequent. It is light and fruity, but not very complex. It pairs nicely with Pizza or a Pork Chop.

3/18/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I had a sip of this wine at an Italian wine tasting recently, and I purchased a bottle to taste at home. The 2022 Valdicava Rosso is a very smooth wine. I popped and I poured, and then I sipped it over three evening's. The wine is medium bodied, and relatively smooth. While I enjoyed this Rosso I feel as if I paid for the Valdicava name. Is any Rosso di Montalcino worth $49 a bottle?

3/15/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

My first time tasting a Jose Zuccardi Malbec. I popped, and I let it sit for many hours before tasting. My first impression was not very good. The wine is still young and has quite a bit of tannin. On evening two the wine had mellowed considerably. Evening three was no different. I have tasted better Malbec and believe that I could find something more approachable. Is it worth $44 a bottle? No Senor!

3/14/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I got invited to a wine tasting at an event that featured Italian wines. While I didn't take any formal notes, this is the wine that stuck out the most. The 2018 Ornellaia is a fruit driven wine that is ready for consumption. The Merlot, and the Cabernet Franc stand out. There is little in the way of tannin's. Drink now or hold.

3/11/2024 - Barolo Freak wrote:

The 2017 Pierre Guillemot Savigny les Jarrons is a very dull bottle of wine. I popped and I poured, and then I sipped it over three evenings. The color is very pale, the nose is weak, and there is a mild cherry flavor. I have tasted better wines from Pierre Guillemot, and better wines from Savigny. Is it worth $50 a bottle? No monsieur!

3/9/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

This is the last of my Christmas gift wines. The 2019 Stag's Leap Artemis is a very nice, very fruity wine. I decanted for about an hour and then I poured. This is typical Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. It is very ripe, and has little tannin. There is no need to age this wine because it is ready for consumption.

3/5/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

If you have any bottles of 2018 Spottswoode Lyndenhurst Cab in your cellar, leave them there. I popped and I poured, and I sipped my wine over three evening's. The results were different on all three evening's. On evening one the wine was a bit fruity and somewhat charming. On evening two the wine was a bit closed down and tannin's emerged. On evening three it had opened up a bit, but not enough to really enjoy. 90 for now, but that could go higher in another decade. Is it worth $78 a bottle? Only time will tell.

3/1/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2016 Heritance Cabernet Sauvignon is a very nice wine. I popped and I poured, and then I savored a most tasty wine. It has just the right amount of fruit, and very little tannin. Drink now or hold, it needs no further ageing. Is it worth $41 a bottle? You bet!

2/29/2024 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

This was a recommendation from a wine shop in NYC. The 2019 Haut-Bailly II is a very dull bottle of wine. I decanted my bottle, and then I sipped it over a five evening's. The wine did not progress one bit. Ageing may improve this wine, but not by much. Is it worth $45 a bottle? No monsieur!

2/27/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2017 Inglenook Cabernet is a very not so typical Cali Cab. I popped and I poured, and I sipped a very nice wine. It is not a fruit bomb, nor is it a tannin bomb either. It is medium bodied, and has just the right amount of everything. Cellaring another two years may improve this wine, but it is excellent right now. Is it worth $55 a bottle? Definitely.

2/19/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

My second time tasting this wine and just as good as the first. The 2020 albert Boxler Pinot Noir is a real delight. It has mild Cherry, and hints of black pepper. It may improve with time, but very enjoyable right now. Is it worth $45 a bottle? Oh yeah!

2/17/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2018 Chateau Montelena is not the Montelena that I'm accustomed to. This particular vintage is way less concentrated than other vintages. In the past they have been overly fruity, and very dense. I sipped it over three evenings with consistent results. It could use a bit more time. Is it worth $70 a bottle? I'm not sure.

2/15/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2020 Leviathan is a very nice pour. I needed something relatively fruity for dinner, and I found the right bottle. It paired very nicely with Rib Eyes for a belated Valentines Day dinner. All of my guest's liked it, and we thought that it was fairly priced at $44 a bottle.

2/14/2024 - Barolo Freak wrote:

I received this bottle as a gift many years ago, and I opened it for Valentines. The cork broke upon opening, but the bottle appeared to be in good condition. I decanted to get the cork out, and then I poured. I have to say that I was a bit disappointed. My D'Yquem is a bit chalky. It is more Tokaj like, than Sauternes like. This is hardly a great bottle.

2/14/2024 - Barolo Freak wrote:

My second time tasting this wine, and only slightly better than the first. I decanted and strained, and then I let it sit for three hours. The wine is savory, perhaps a bit too savory for my taste. Time may only improve this wine a bit.

2/8/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I have tasted many Argiano wines in lifetime, but my first time tasting a Non Confunditur wine. The 2021 Non Confunditore is an excellent bottle of wine that needs some time. It is a blend of Cabernet and Sangiovese. It has just the right amount of everything, but requires lot's of patience.

2/8/2024 - Barolo Freak wrote:

This was a pour in a restaurant that I dined in recently. I have tasted Jermann wines in the past, but this specimen was not as good as usual. The 2022 Jermann Pinot Grigio is very minerally, and not very fruity. It did not stand up to my Linguine with Clam's. There are many bottle's of Pinot Grigio that are better.

2/8/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

This was a pour in a restaurant that I dined in recently. The 2022 Coral do Mar is delicious. It has a pleasant aroma's of Apples, and a bit of Lemon on the finish. It paired perfectly with grilled Octopus. A real bargain if you can find it.

2/7/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I received this as a Christmas gift. I popped open my Sasso Dante, and I was pleasantly surprised. This was hardly the best Brunello that I've tasted, but still very nice. It is a smooth pour that could benefit for a bit of cellaring.

2/5/2024 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

This was another Christmas gift, and another mistake. The 2019 Mauro Sebaste Tresauri is a very mediocre wine. It has a whole lot of tannin, and very little fruit. I don't think that time will help this one improve. Good luck!

2/1/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2011 Chateau Dassault is a classic claret. A relatively unknown Chateau that produced a decent wine in an unremarkable vintage. I popped and I poured, and I was pleasantly surprised. It is a smooth pour that has little tannin. It doesn't have a whole lot of fruit, but I still enjoyed it over the three evenings that I sipped it. Is it worth $45 a bottle? $40 would be better.

1/31/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

My second time tasting a Ponzi Pinot, and there will be many more to come. The 2018 reserve is a nice bottle of Pinot that is ready for consumption. It is on the heavier side, has little tannin, and isn't overly fruity. It is not as good as the 2019 Estate that I tasted recently, but still very nice. Is it worth $48 a bottle? Probably not.

1/25/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

My first time tasting a Ponzi Pinot, and certainly not my last. The 2019 Laurelwood Pinot has a deep Ruby color, and a fantastic nose. The wine is no lightweight either. It is a full bodied Pinot, something that is uncommon for Oregon. I thought that the wine was delicious, and I plan to taste another Ponzi Pinot in a few days. Is it worth $34 a bottle? You bet!

1/24/2024 - Barolo Freak wrote:

The 2021 Domaine Roger Belland Santenay is a light weight. It drinks more like an Oregonian Pinot than a Burgundian Pinot. It has strong flavors of Strawberries, and a hint of Black Pepper. There is no need to age this wine as it is ready for consumption. Is it worth $45 a bottle? Not really.

1/24/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I have tasted many wines from Sicily and I've liked every one. The 2020 Idda Etna Rosso is a very smooth pour. It is 100% Nerello Mascalese and has a very Burgundian nose. I sipped it over a three evening period, and I found it very enjoyable. It has hints of Cherry and a bit of leather. The price tag is what concerns me. I suspect that the Gaja name doubled the price of this wine. Is it worth $70 a bottle? $35 would be more realistic.

1/21/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I purchased this bottle at the suggestion of a wine shop owner in Flatiron, NYC. I popped and poured, and then I let my wine sit for 30 minutes in the glass. The 2020 Les Heritiers Saint-Genys is at the beginning of its drinking window. It is typical Red Burgundy with hints of Cherry, and a bit of Tobacco. I would hold for about five years, though very enjoyable now. Is it worth $45 a bottle? Yes!

1/18/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2019 Produttori del Barbaresco is just as delicious as the 2018. I decanted and poured, and then I sipped a very excellent wine. There are hints of Cherry and Cassis. Tannin is hardly a factor. I think that another five to six years will greatly improve this wine. Is it worth $48 a bottle? You bet!

1/17/2024 - Barolo Freak wrote:

The 2015 San Leonardo Villa Gresti is a so so bottle of wine from an excellent vintage. I popped and I poured. Nothing really exciting to talk about.

1/14/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2020 Chateau Lagrange is a mini classic in the making. I popped and I decanted, and then I let it breathe for three hours. There is little tannin, but it will be many years before the fruit emerges. 90 for now, but that could go higher in another ten years. It is fairly priced at $55 a bottle.

1/9/2024 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

This is possibly the worst bottle of wine that I've tasted recently. The 2015 Chateau Annonce is a big mistake. I decanted and strained, and then I let it sit for three hours. My first reaction was not very good. I recanted and I let it sit for two days. There was no improvement after two days. On day four I tasted again, and then I gave up. It tastes of dirt, and not much else. I'm certain that I'll get some comments that it was an off bottle. I'm positive that this is a very poorly made wine that should not have been bottled. I'm also certain that somebody is Saint-Emilion is having a good laugh that I spent $59 for a bottle of wine that is not drinkable. Ha! Ha!

1/9/2024 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

Another chapter in the Le Volte saga. I have been drinking Le Volte wines for more years than I can remember. This latest Le Volte was a big disappointment. The 2021 vintage fell flat. The wine has little personality, and doesn't display any interesting character at all. Le Volte was once considered to be one of the great wine bargains, now its an overpriced relic.

1/1/2024 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

This was another Christmas gift. The 2020 Josh Cellars Hearth Cab is a very nice, inexpensive, bottle of wine. It is medium bodied, fruity, and ready for consumption. This baby retails for a about $13, and is worth every penny.

12/30/2023 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

The first of many Christmas gifts I received this year. The 2019 Prisoner Unshackled is not my type of wine. It is a blend of many grapes, and there is a bit too much happening for my taste. I'm sure that this wine has its fans, but I cant say that I'm one.

12/31/2023 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

I needed an inexpensive sparkler for my NYE celebration and chose Andre Jacquart. I can blame myself for not being more generous. Andre Jacquart Vertus is nothing out of the ordinary. A very dry, nutty pour, that is not at all interesting. I'm sorry that I didn't spend a bit more and buy something better.

12/31/2023 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

My first time tasting a Chateau Suduiraut, and not my last. I took my first sip just before midnight on NYE from a 375ml bottle. This is a very tasty potion. I think that it has just the right amount of everything. It isn't too sweet, it isn't too heavy, and the acidity is just right. I think that it will need another ten years before hits it stride. Is it worth $35 a bottle? Oui Monsieur!

12/28/2023 - Barolo Freak wrote:

If you have any bottles of 2015 Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne in your wine cellar, leave them there. Despite my better judgement I made the mistake of opening my bottle. It is a tannin bomb that needs many years of cellaring before it can be drunk. I'm not sure what the CT community is tasting, and my advice is hands off.

12/25/2023 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

My second time tasting this wine, and better than the first. The 2013 Elio Grasso is open for business. It is unusual that a Barolo this young drinks so well. It was well received at Christmas dinner. Is it worth $80 a bottle? Si Signore!

12/25/2023 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2018 O'Shaughnessy Cab is a typical Napa Valley wine. It is bold and fruity. Hints of Currants and Cassis. Ready to drink right now, but could benefit from some ageing. Is it worth $73 a bottle? I'm not sure.

12/25/2023 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

Light, fresh and fruity. A bit of mineral and Lemon zest. A very nice pour that went nicely with our Christmas dinner. A real crowd pleaser, and a bargain at $69.

12/23/2023 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

I decanted and strained my wine, lots of sediment in this bottle. The 2018 Robert Craig Affinity is way too young to drink. This wine is savory, but has an undercurrent of fruit that is waiting to emerge. I'd sit on it for at least five years before tasting again. Is it worth $60 a bottle? Probably.

12/21/2023 - Barolo Freak wrote:

I opened my bottle and I poured. My initial reaction was that the 2018 Robert Craig Cuvee was a fruit bomb. After an hour the wine began to close down. It was tightly wound and very savory. On evening two no change. I would hold this bottle for at least five years, or drink it very quickly upon opening. I'm not sure that it is worth $43 a bottle.

12/18/2023 - Barolo Freak wrote:

I decanted and strained, and then I let it breathe for two hours. My first impression was not very good. On day one the wine was tight and locked up. On day two it had opened a bit. On day three only a slight improvement. I think this wine needs lots of time, but probably won't blossom into anything great.

12/12/2023 - Barolo Freak Likes this wine:

The 2019 Latour a Pomerol is a classic in the making. I popped and poured, and was delighted to sip an excellent young wine. The 2019 Bordeaux wines have the makings of a top notch vintage. This is especially true in Pomerol. The wine itself has little tannin and has an abundance of fruit waiting to emerge. Very tempting right now, but you'll need fifteen to twenty years before it reaches its potential. Is it worth $109 a bottle? I'd consider that a bargain.

12/12/2023 - Barolo Freak Does not like this wine:

My second time tasting this wine and worse than the first. I may have overstated my previous review of this wine, but only because I thought that it could get better. The 2012 Pontet-Canet is not great. This is the classic example of a good house selling a wine in a weak vintage. The wine exhibits little character, the nose is weak, and there are few redeeming qualities in it. I suppose that the grapes were under ripe when they were harvested. Spend your money on 2015 or 2016 vintages instead.