Sunfish Cellars Grand Tasting

October 13, 2024

What a great event yesterday for $55.00. That included great food (A whole pig roast) and amazing wines. Even got a nice glass. Prices after the tasting were great as well. Here are all the notes.

Top wines at this event:
1. 1987 Finca Manzanos Rioja Gran Reserva 95 points
2. 2018 Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino 93 points
3. 2022 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Laurelwood District 93 points
4. 2018 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barolo Vigneto Garretti 92+
5. 2022 Casanova di Neri Irrosso di Casanova di Neri 92 points (Best value)
5. 2021 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs

Wine Company

Rue 38

  • 2023 Hermano Veloso Vinho Regional Lisboa Rosé Galodoro – Portugal, Lisboa, Vinho Regional Lisboa
    Bright and one of the better Rose values for me of all time. Chery, strawberries, violets and minerals. Just a fun wine and only $10.99. One of the best values at this tasting. (90 pts.)
  • 2023 La Tunella Friuli Colli Orientali Sauvignon – Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli Colli Orientali
    Another fun white wine that was very fragrant with minerals, green apples, floral and perfume. Good acidity and stellar wine for under $20. (90 pts.)
  • 2021 La Tunella Friuli Colli Orientali Pinot Nero – Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli Colli Orientali
    There are only so many good regions for Pinot Noir and this wine will not fit into that. Dust, dried fruits and earth. Just lacks any personality. (82 pts.)
  • 2022 Dunham Cellars Three Legged Red – USA, Washington, Columbia Valley
    When talking to the rep I said Washington usually delivers for the money and this is no exception. Cherry, plum, spices and rose petals. Nice finish. (88 pts.)
  • 2017 Tenuta di Ceppaiano K. Haring Toscana IGT – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
    Well solid overall with earth, cherry, dried plums, dust and earth. Medium finish. and under $25 so represents good value. (88 pts.)
  • 2019 Château Larose-Trintaudon – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc
    Always looking for good Bordeaux under $25 and this delivers. Earth, cherry, cigar notes, minerals and mild oak. Complex offering that delivers on the price. (90 pts.)

Maverick

  • 2022 Klinker Brick Grenache Blanc – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
    Good overall with apricots, spices, dust and clean wine overall. (86 pts.)
  • 2023 Paltrinieri Lambrusco di Sorbara Piria – Italy, Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC
    Fine but nothing special. Strawberries, dried fruits and some mild spices. Shorter finish. (84 pts.)
  • 2021 Tassajara Pinot Noir – USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey
    Normally not getting excited about wine under $20 in the Pinot category but this one is legit. Strawberries, minerals, spice and rose petals. $15 a bottle yes please. (90 pts.)
  • 2019 Avignonesi Desiderio – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
    Very good and Italy does Merlot right. Tobacco, spice, blueberries, dust, earth, menthol and cherry. One of the top wines at this tasting. 92+ Price was right at $44. (92 pts.)
  • 2021 Klinker Brick Zinfandel Old Vine Old Ghost – USA, California, Central Valley, Lodi
    Junk wine with smoke and more smoke along with dark fruits and spices. A bit hot. (82 pts.)
  • 2021 Tiberio Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
    One of the more disappointing wines at the tasting. Thin and weak with light fruit and some earth. (81 pts.)

Wine Merchants

2nd best table at this tasting. The Crozes opened up towards the end.

  • N.V. Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Brut – France, Champagne
    Another great showing with disgorgement in 2022. Lemon, spice, minerals, dough and chalk. Complex and far superior to Mumm and Roederer Brands. (92 pts.)
  • 2023 Round Pond Estate Sauvignon Blanc – USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford
    Good overall with grass, lemon, spice, stone and tropical fruit. Nice acidity. (90 pts.)
  • 2021 Golden West Pinot Noir Golden West Vineyard – USA, Washington
    Why does Washington even attempt Pinot Noir? This is terrible with smoke, unripe strawberries, burnt toast and earth. (83 pts.)
  • 2022 Casanova di Neri Irrosso di Casanova di Neri – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
    What a beautiful wine and not sure why Sunfish does not stock this as I would have bought a six pack. Cherry, mild funk, earth, spice, floral and raspberries. Complex wine and medium plus finish. Crowd pleaser and at $23 a great value. (92 pts.)
  • 2019 Casanova di Neri Brunello di Montalcino – Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    Very nice but like liked the 2022 Rosso about the same and 1/3 the price. Leather, dust, spice, raspberries and blue currans. Medium plus finish. 92+ (92 pts.)
  • 2021 Round Pond Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Kith & Kin – USA, California, Napa Valley
    Well I could find you 100 better options from Walla Walla/ Yakima for same price or less. Oak, vanilla, spices and blue fruits. A bit much. (85 pts.)
  • 2021 M. Chapoutier Crozes-Hermitage Les Meysonniers – France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Crozes-Hermitage
    Here is a classic example when distributors pour these at tastings to let them breath. Earlier it was fine but came back at the end and excellent wine. Green olives, cherry, minerals, pepper, spice and earth. Complex offering and great value at $35.
    First off the tracker price is way off and so are many of the reviewers on this wine. (92 pts.)

Tradition

  • 2022 Domaine David Sautereau Sancerre – France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
    This table was the second worst and this was by far the best wine at it. Skipped the Orange wine. Floral, minerals, and orange peel. Solid overall. (87 pts.)
  • 2023 The Fableist Wine Company Cabernet Sauvignon #373 – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
    Poorly made wine and surprise another bust from Paso in the Cab category. Ripe fruit, earth and shorter finish. Pass please. (80 pts.)
  • 2020 Miro Cellars Cuvée Sasha Mendocino County – USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
    Smoke taint alert. One of the bigger critics of the 2020 wines when smoke is present. Some fruit and earth but not very good but since they made it accept my low review. (70 pts.)
  • 2021 Teutonic Wine Company Tannat Bacalao – USA, California
    Drinkable with dust, floral and some fruit. Shorter finish. (84 pts.)
  • 2020 Colori Wines Sangiovese San Juan Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
    US stop trying to producer Sangiovese. Thin and water downed. Some floral and earth. Hard to believe anyone would pay $20 for this. (75 pts.)

Domaine Vino

Mezzogiorno

Rootstock

Southern

What terrible wines. They had E & E black pepper on the list and of course didn’t have it at the tasting.

  • N.V. Freixenet Cava Cordón Negro Brut – Spain, Cava
    Is this crap or what. Cheap sparkling wine and can’t believe the US allows this to be imported. Simple stuff with some mild fruit and a touch of sweetness. (70 pts.)
  • N.V. G. H. Mumm & Cie Champagne Grand Cordon Brut Rosé – France, Champagne
    This house is just not delivering on their NV wines. Strawberries, minerals and some chalk. Simple stuff but paled in comparison to the Schramsberg and Piper. (85 pts.)
  • 2023 Chalk Hill Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
    One of the worst wines I have tasted in while in the Chardonnay category. Brunt toast, chemicals and apple. Short finish. What is this? (65 pts.)
  • 2023 Château Miraval Studio by Miraval Rosé – France, Provence, Mediterranée
    Corporate junk and tastes water downed with some strawberries and minerals. Short finish. Who drinks this stuff? (73 pts.)
  • 2021 Prisoner Wine Company Pinot Noir Unshackled – USA, California
    Top ten worst wines of the year. Southern just rocked as the worst table at the Sun Fish Cellars tasting today and they only had one good wine E & E Black Pepper which never made it. Anyway this was a weak excuse for Pinot Noir with sweet and ripe fruit and not much else. The Prisoner wine company is one of the worst producers of wines in the world. Please take wine class if you like this. (65 pts.)

Breakthru

Breakthru by far the best table and most interesting server. Very informative.

  • 2021 Schramsberg Vineyards Blanc de Blancs – USA, California
    One of the better domestic sparkling wines under $50 and always consistent. Minerals, grapefruit, spice, dough and pear. Good acidity. (92 pts.)
  • 2023 Banfi Piemonte Gavi Principessa Gavia – Italy, Piedmont, Gavi
    Very light and uninspiring wine with floral, some fruit and lacks complexity. Too water like. (80 pts.)
  • 2022 Calera Chardonnay Central Coast – USA, California, Central Coast
    Not good and the oak treatment says 10% new and 90% neutral. Normally I would like that but this wine’s treatment is not working for me. Very light and simple wine with spice, pear and oak. (82 pts.)
  • N.V. Weingut Markus Huber Sparkling Rosé – Austria
    Well very boring sparkler with some light strawberries and minerals. Short finish. (78 pts.)
  • 2022 Campo di Sasso Insoglio del Cinghiale Toscana IGT – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
    Nice Syrah blend with cherry, earth, menthol and spices. Complex offering for under $30. Good buy. (91 pts.)
  • 2022 Ca’ Marcanda (Gaja) Promis Toscana IGT – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
    This wine never exceeds much more than 90 and doesn’t dip below. Another 90 point effort which for the current price point is an easy pass. Cigar, earth, menthol and red currants on this Merlot based wine. (90 pts.)
  • 2018 Tenute Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino – Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    Balanced effort featuring earth, leather, dust, stone and minerals. Very classic in style and medium plus finish. Drink 2028 to 2040. A better price than Haskell’s but still many better. (91 pts.)
  • 2018 Tenuta La Fuga Brunello di Montalcino – Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
    Top five of the show and more complex than the Silvio Nardi. Cherry, dried flowers, minerals, earth, spice and tar. Medium plus finish and should age another 20 years. 93+ (93 pts.)

Bodegas Manzanos

  • N.V. Los Hermanos Manzanos Rioja Blanco – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
    NV offering with apricots, apple, sweet fruits and minerals. Solid wine overall. (88 pts.)
  • 2018 Bodegas Berceo Viña Berceo Crianza – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
    I liked this a lot better than the 15 Gran Reserva which was OAKed out. Red currants, minerals, dried flowers and mild spices. Drinking well now or hold for 5 years. (89 pts.)
  • 2015 Bodegas Manzanos Rioja Gran Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
    Oak is the dominate feature on this wine and probably needs 10 years in the cellar. Plum, coffee beans and spice. A hot wine that was not enjoyable. (82 pts.)
  • 1987 Finca Manzanos Rioja Gran Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
    Surprised this wine is not on Cellar Tracker. A treat to try and $170 at the tasting today so while not release price a solid value for a wine that old that is drinking this well. Smoke, leather, dried flowers, raspberries, dried cherry, mild oak and menthol. Super smooth medium plus finish. Amazing results for a wine this old but could age even longer. Best wine at the tasting. (95 pts.)

New France

  • 2023 Luigi Baudana Langhe Bianco Dragon – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
    A simple wine that is clean overall with pear, apple and a touch of sweetness. A bit pricing at $20 compared to the other amazing whites at this event for less. (84 pts.)
  • 2023 Pierpaolo Pecorari Friuli Friulano – Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli
    Whites at this table all mid 80s. Apricots, dust and a touch of floral. Shorter finish. (85 pts.)
  • 2021 Borell Diehl Pinot Noir – Germany, Pfalz
    Good overall. Minerals, strawberries, raspberries and mild spice. Drink now. (87 pts.)
  • 2022 Spoken West Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California
    Price point is right for this low quality wine. Hot with a lot of smoke and some fruits hiding. The pouring asked how it was and I said terrible. Maybe seeing if it would be good in our market but not even close to the benchmark Cab Indian Wells from Washington for the same price around $12. (75 pts.)
  • 2020 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
    Finally a good wine at this table. Third worst overall and this wine was just ok. Cherry, mild funk, earth and spices. Short to medium finish. Hold until 2030. (89 pts.)

Winebow

Bouret Imports

  • 2022 Balthasar Ress Riesling trocken – Germany, Rheingau
    Very light and simple. Not close to Dr. L. Lemon, apricots and mild spice. Super short finish. (81 pts.)
  • 2022 Matteo Correggia Roero Arneis – Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero
    Floral, minerals and light fruit. A simple offering that lacks complexity. (84 pts.)
  • 2020 Lioco Chardonnay Skycrest Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
    Nothing wrong with this wine just not that interesting and the price is outrageous. Oak, vanilla, minerals, lemon and apple. Medium finish. (89 pts.)
  • 2016 Domaine de la Terre Rouge Tête-à-Tête – USA, California, Sierra Foothills
    Good value overall with rose petals, dust, earth, pepper and spices. Medium finish. A buy at $20 (90 pts.)
  • 2019 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Alberdi Reserva – Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
    This is a good example of where the distributor should have opened this 3 days prior. I love these wines but it was dill city and probably everyone said no to the wine even though I know it shows better later. Dill, oak, dark fruits and minerals. Will revisit this by buying a bottle and give it the 5 day wine review.
  • 2021 Matteo Correggia Roero La Val Dei Preti Riserva – Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero
    Solid overall with chalk, underbrush, violets and cherry. Medium finish. (88 pts.)