James' Wine Blog

Name:  MoonX 2022 Black Pinot Noir California Variety:  Pinot Noir Region:  California Country:  United States Year:  2021 Price:  11.99 Winery review:   Lush aromas of cherry, black plum and gently toasted oak are followed by jammy dark fruit flavors lending richness and depth, with just a hint of spice. Wine Folly: pg . 150 on Pinot Noir says there are flavors of cherry, raspberry, clove, mushroom, and vanilla. I definitely did not taste vanilla or mushroom. But I do think I could say that I had some clove flavor as well as raspberry and cherry, but super jammy raspberry and cherry flavors.  My review:  I really liked this wine. Sometimes I don't like Pinot Noir because there the light fruity flavors aren't enough for me, and also because sometimes there is not enough body. This one however had more body than I think is normal for a Pinot Noir which I like. I also got super jammy flavors and a little bit of spice like cinnamon.

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...