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
- N.V. Ca N’Estella Cava Brut Rabetllat I Vidal – Spain, Cava
Solid overall and this past week while not blown away by Cava certainly appreciate them more. Apple, spice, lemon and chalk. Shorter finish. (87 pts.) - 2022 Domaine Séguinot-Bordet Chablis – France, Burgundy, Chablis
Nice wine overall in the mid $20 range. Stone, shells, pear, apple and floral notes. Medium finish and nice acidity. (89 pts.) - 2022 Fattoria La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Lots of good value wines today under $20 and this fits in. Juicy wine with plum, cherry, earth and floral notes. $16.99. (90 pts.) - 2022 Fattoria San Michele a Torri Chianti Classico Tenuta La Gabbiola – Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
Solid overall with gravel, spice, earth, leather and dried fruits. Medium finish. Good value at $15.99 (88 pts.) - 2018 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino – Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino
Around the tracker average on this one. Entry level stuff for Brunello but always represents a good value. Wood, blueberries, leather, earth and dried rose petals. Medium finish. Good through 2030. (90 pts.) - 2022 Ponzi Vineyards Pinot Noir Laurelwood District – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Laurelwood District
The best wine at the table by far. Strawberries, earth, mushrooms, dried twigs, minerals and dust. Bright offering that is drinking really well young but should age a decade or more. (93 pts.)
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
- 2022 Rocca del Principe Fiano di Avellino – Italy, Campania, Fiano di Avellino DOCG
Floral, grapefruit and orange peel. Clean wine with some spices on the finish. (84 pts.) - 2021 Rocca del Principe Aglianico Irpinia – Italy, Campania, Irpinia
Dried cherries, spice and floral notes. Medium finish. (85 pts.) - 2018 Fietri Chianti Classico – Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG
Dried cherries, floral, bright currants and earth. Mild funk on the finish. Nice wine. (90 pts.) - 2018 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Il Gentile di Casanova Toscana IGT – Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Very nice with floral, earth, spice, underbrush and violets. Fresh and concentrated. 91+ (91 pts.) - 2018 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barolo Vigneto Garretti – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
While young shows promise. Earth, tar, flowers, dust and minerals. Drink through 2035. (92 pts.)
Mezzogiorno
- N.V. Sorelle Bronca Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Extra Dry – Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene
Not bad with apple, spice and floral notes. Crisp finish. (84 pts.) - 2023 Azienda Agricola Gorgo Bianco di Custoza – Italy, Veneto, Bianco di Custoza
Tropical fruit, spice and minerals. Clean finish. (86 pts.) - 2023 La Sibilla Falanghina Campi Flegrei – Italy, Campania, Campi Flegrei
Good overall with orange peel, minerals and exotic spices. Short to medium finish. (85 pts.) - 2022 Le Fraghe Bardolino – Italy, Veneto, Bardolino
Good value overall with cherry, spice, floral and nice acidity. (87 pts.) - 2023 De Vescovi Ulzbach Teroldego Rotaliano – Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino, Teroldego Rotaliano
Floral, spice, herbs and earth. Good overall wine. (87 pts.) - 2021 Castello Tricerchi Rosso di Montalcino – Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino
Best wine in their lineup with dried flowers, cherry, dust, earth and raspberries. Medium finish and smooth. (90 pts.)
Rootstock
- 2023 Ippolito Cirò Mare Chiaro Bianco – Italy, Calabria, Cirò
One of the best whites at this tasting. Fragrant wine with pear, orange peel, white flowers, spice and nice acidity. Clean finish. (91 pts.) - 2022 Domaine des Ouches (Thomas & Denis Gambier) Bourgueil Les Clos Boireaux – France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Bourgueil
Very nice with blueberries, floral, cranberries and earth. Nice spices on this medium finish. (90 pts.) - 2021 Andrea Oberto Langhe Nebbiolo Fabio – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Nice wine with cherry, spices, nice acidity and floral notes. (88 pts.) - 2021 Monte Zovo Amarone della Valpolicella – Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella
Plum, spices, cherry and dried herbs. Medium finish and nice floral notes on the finish. Good value. (90 pts.)
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
- 2022 CrossBarn (Paul Hobbs) Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Normally hate unoaked Chardonnays but this one delivered. Spice, pear, apple and floral notes. Nice acidity. (90 pts.) - 2022 Bodega Catena Zapata Malbec Catena High Mountain Vines – Argentina, Mendoza
Great again. Good value with blackberries, earth, pepper, and smoke. Complex for the money. (92 pts.) - 2020 Zenato Valpolicella Classico Superiore – Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico Superiore
Solid wine with cranberry, floral, strawberries and dried herbs. Medium finish. (88 pts.) - 2017 Cousiño-Macul Cabernet Sauvignon Dama de Plata – Chile, Maipo Valley
Solid offering for $20. Clean wine with spice, earth, blueberries and stone. Medium finish and picks up some floral notes on the finish. (91 pts.) - 2020 CrossBarn (Paul Hobbs) Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County – USA, California, Sonoma County
Just a hint of smoke taint but nothing major. Blueberries, spics, cherry and earth. Medium finish. Can think of 100s better from Washington for less. (88 pts.)
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.)