James' Wine Blog

Name:  DaVinci Chianti 2021 Variety:  Sangiovese Region:  Tuscany Country:  Italy Year:  2021 Price:  14.99 Winery review:   Leonardo Da Vinci produces outstanding wines from hillside vineyards tended for generations. Expertly crafted, DaVinci Chianti is crimson red with intense aromas of ripe fruit and hints of fresh strawberry and plum. Wine Folly: Pg.  162 on Sangiovese says that it tastes like cherry, roasted tomato, sweet balsamic, oregano, and espresso. The only one of these tastes that I think I got was probably cherry. This wine tasted very fruity in particular. My review:  This wine was really good. I actually had some of it and then let it sit for a few days and then tried it again and when I tried it after sitting it was significantly better. It was nowhere near as acidic and because it wasn't as acidic, I got a lot of other flavors that I hadn't tasted before. For example, it was way more jammy and I tasted a lot more plum like th...

  Name:  2021 Columbia Valley Red Wine Blend Harry & David Vineyards Variety:  70% Cabernet Sauvignon 30% Pinot Noir Region:  Washington Country:  USA Year:  2021 Price:  15.99 Winery review:   Grown and crafted with expertise, this exceptional wine brings the best of the region to your class. Nurtured every step of the way from the vine to the bottle, bringing this unique varietal to your table for a celebration. Wine Folly: Pg.  Pg. 88 on Cabernet Sauvignon says there are black cherry flavors, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. I think the most I taste out of this wine is black cherry flavors. But is tastes much more like a cabernet sauvignon then the other wine I had. My review:   I like this wine a lot more than the other one I tried. Much more full body and good dark fruit flavors as well as some earthy notes. Very evident that this wine is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and I feel like this is what one should taste l...

Name:  Carson Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Paso Robles Variety:  Cabernet Sauvignon Region:  California Country:  USA Year:  2017 Price:  13.99 Winery review:   This Cabernet Sauvignon embodies all the richness of the Paso Robles appellation; deep color, ripe berry aromas, medium tannins, touch of oak and a lush mouth feel. Enjoy now with your favorite hearty entrees or soft cheeses.  Wine Folly: Pg. Pg. 88 on Cabernet Sauvignon says there are black cherry flavors, black currant, cedar, baking spices, and graphite. I definitely tasted some fruitier flavors like black cherry and I think I also tasted some woody flavors like cedar and some baking spices like maybe a bit of cinnamon and vanilla, but I feel like most of those were because the wine was oaked.  My review:   To be honest I really did not like this wine. It was a Cabernet Sauvignon and it really did not taste like one much to me. It was much too sweet tasting which I am a littl...

   Name:  Monte Guelfo Chianti Classico Variety:  90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino Region:  Chianti Country:  Italy Year:  2021 Price:  18.99 Winery review:   The bouquet is broad , with hints of red fruit perfectly integrated with the mineral notes that make the tasting vibrant. The taste is full and intense and is characterized by an excellent balance between sweetness and structure. Its nose is fruity with delicate spicy notes. The tannic and smooth texture is striking on the palate, ending in a savory and lively finish. Wine Folly: Pg. 162 on Sangiovese says that it tastes like cherry, roasted tomato, sweet balsamic, oregano, and espresso. To be honest sweet balsamic is an interesting flavor that I actually think I got. It also says it is one of the few wines that will not get lost when paired with tomato sauce, so I am very curious to try that. My review:  This wine was really good. Although with this, I could see how and why yo...

Name:  Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec 2021 Variety:  Malbec Region:  Mendoza Country:  Argentina Year:  2021 Price:  13.99 Winery review:   91 rating, ripe plums, cooked cherries, and cocoa on the nose. Enjoy with cheeses, red meats and Argentinean Asado. Wine Folly: pg . 125 says it taste like red plum, blackberry, vanilla, sweet tobacco, and cocoa. I think I definitely tasted the fruit like blackberry and red plum. I also might have tasted a little bit of vanilla, but it was oaked, so I'm thinking that it was from that. I did not taste cocoa or sweet tobacco. My review:  This wine tasted super jammy to me. I actually really liked this wine and I think a decent Malbec might be my favorite type of wine now. Sometimes Cabernet Sauvignon is a little too bold for me and Pinot Noir is not enough, but I felt like this was right in between the two. I had this wine with prosciutto and mozzarella just because that's what I was eating. Really interesting to see ...

  Name:  STE Chateau Michelle Riesling Columbia Valley Variety:  Riesling Region:  Columbia Valley Country:  USA Year:  2022 Price:  10.99 Winery review:   Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling 2022 is a sophisticated and refined dry style Riesling that perfectly balances the richness of fruit character with a crisp and refreshing finish. Every bottle of this exquisite wine is carefully crafted by the winemaker who hand-selects only the finest lots of Riesling grapes to ensure exceptional quality and taste. Wine Folly:  Pg. 158 on Riesling says that there are flavors of lime, green apple, beeswax, jasmine, and petroleum. I taste fruit flavors, but it tastes much sweeter to me than green apple. I also do not understand the petroleum flavor at all to be honest.  My review:  This wine was honestly a lot sweeter than I expected however I did like it. I think I have to say some fruity flavors with this one because it was pretty sweet but not re...