todd10

Megalomaniac To Be Frank Cabernet Franc 2020, V.Q.A. Niagara Peninsula

The wine has aromas of dark fruit. Nice amount of tannins. The acidity of this wine surprised me and I think it would be a great wine with food.
If you are looking for a more complexed wine, I do not think this is it, and for that reason I gave it an 88 instead of the 92 that has been given.
Tasted January 2024.

The Lane Vineyard Block 14 Basket Press Shiraz 2016, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Started off with a nice aroma of black fruit such as black berries. I found the balance of the wine was off. The tannis were smooth but the acidity was a little high. I also found the wine a little hot. I see this was rated a 92 a year ago. I wonder if that was it's peak because a year later I would not say that it is a 92.
Tasted Feb 2020

Château De Nages Jt 2019, A.P. Costières De Nîmes

When I opened this, I was getting notes of cherry, dark chocolate and graphite. It had some nice dark fruit flavors. A hint of heat on the finish that I enjoyed. Some tannins but not overwhelming.
I did not notice this wine evolving throughout the evening, so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted July 2023.

Trimbach Riesling 2019, A.C. Alsace

The first aroma that popped out was candle wax followed by Citrus zest.
This is a dry wine but not a dry your mouth out dry. I found the acidity very soft.
Flavors of citrus and stone.
Tasted January 2023

Altanza Gran Reserva 2015, D.O.Ca Rioja

This was a nice wine. Subtle aromas of leather. Nice tasting. It does need to breath for about 30 minutes because it is very tannic right after you open it.

I had this with cheese and salami. I enjoyed it more with that salami.

Nice wine, but I was hoping for a little more character. I did not get the same experience that others reviewed this with.

Tasted Aug 2023

Gabriel Meffre Sainte Catherine Gigondas 2015, Ap

Aromas of plum and cassis came bursting out. A little vanilla in the back ground.
The aromas were not as complex as you may think of my score of 92. The reason for this score was mainly due to taste and balance. I found this wine very well balanced. The tannin's were smooth but not too smooth. Flavors of dark fruit filled my mouth. I even enjoyed the slight heat on the finish.
Through out the evening (2 hours) I did not find that this wine opened up much more then when I first opened it, so I see no reason to decant.

Tasted April 2020

Tasca D'almerita Regaleali Bianco 2023, D.O.C. Sicilia

This wine was quite different from what I'm accustomed to. I began tasting it at around 11°C to ensure the aromas and flavors weren’t muted. While nothing particularly stood out on the nose, I did detect a subtle banana note on the palate. Banana isn’t a flavor I usually associate with wine, but it offered an interesting twist and a welcome departure from my usual preferences.

As the wine chilled further—closer to 5°C in my wine cooler—it became noticeably more refreshing, making it well-suited for a warm summer evening on the patio. I'm glad I gave this wine a try; it was a unique experience. That said, it’s not quite to my personal taste, and I likely wouldn’t purchase it again.

Tasted July 2025

Marques Del Atrio 2 Cepas Blanco De Guarda Viura/Tempranillo Blanco 2019, D.O.Ca Rioja

I had this wine last night and lost my notes. I do recall nothing special on the nose, but why this wine got a 92 was the layer flavors. Vanilla, oak, apple, peach. It is all there and more I enjoyed the complexity of flavors.
Tasted February 2024

Gemtree Uncut Shiraz 2015, Mclaren Vale, South Australia

I was unable to get much on the nose. If anything stood out, it would have been a hint of green pepper. I can say that it had a firm tannin that became softer as it had a chance to breathe. I was tasting some dark fruit and dark chocolate on the finish.

I do recommend that this wine be decanted one hour before drinking.

2015 vintage Tasted April 2019

Bertani Amarone Della Valpolicella Valpantena 2020, Docg

I love Amarone wine. However, this one did not have outstanding aroma's the taste was spot on. I felt it was very balanced with a wonderful taste of d=fruit and just enough kick of alcohol to remind you that this is no child's drink.
It was just as good as when I opened it to when I finished it so I do not think it needs to be cantered.
Tasted May 2025