todd10

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

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.

Emiliana Coyam 2019, Los Robles Estate, Colchagua Valley

I held on to this 2019 vintage for 2 years. I was excited to taste how this must have evolved since the last reviews over two years ago. It seems that it did not get anymore complexed. The nose had dark fruit with a hint of dark chocolate. The same dark fruit and dark chocolate with the flavour.
I thought the tannin level was pretty much perfect. Also a long finish.
It did not evolve much throughout the evening, so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted August 2024

Mullineux Kloof Street Chenin Blanc 2021, W.O. Swartland

When I opened this and poured it into my glass, I was getting aromas of butter and Cantaloupe. Within a minute, I lost those aromas and I was getting just a hint of Cantaloupe with lemon. It was interesting how fast that changed so keep a "nose" out for that. This wine was medium to full bodied, with a medium length. Some acidity (but I was expecting more). Taste of apple and pear.
Tasted September 2022

Undurraga Terroir Hunter Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Cauquenes, Maule Valley

Terroir Hunter wines are wines were Underraga looks for new terroir to grow grapes in Chile. I think with this wine, the hunt is over. The nose has a wonderful mix of black current and toffee. Very well balanced wine with smooth tannins. A nice tasty finish. Flavors of dark fruit. The wine was fantastic from the moment that I opened it so I see no reason to decant. As it breathed for a while, the aromas of toffee dissipated to a spicier black pepper aroma.
This $25 dollar wine could easily go head to head with some $75 bottles that I have had recently.
Tasted June 2020

The Chocolate Block 2019, Wo Swartland, South Africa

This wine was okay but to me nothing too special. I was getting your basic dark fruit aromas. I will say that you should decant or wait a bit before you drink this. When I opened it at first it was very tight with no character. After about 30 minutes it did open up and I did enjoy it more.
Tasted Aug 2024

San Pedro Sideral 2016, Do Cachapoal Valley

This wine displayed aromas of cassis, but what I really enjoyed was the earthy scents. The finish was long. Nice acidity and smooth tannins. I enjoyed the taste because it was not all about fruit but it had a little of that earthy flavor to it too. Through out the night, it did not evolve, so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted March 2020

Regaleali Cavallo Delle Fate Grillo 2022, Doc Sicilia, Sustainable

This wine was good but I guess I was expecting more. I did get some tropical fruit on the nose including a hint of banana.
It was a refreshing drink and I would drink it again but it was not too special. I may have made an error of drinking it too cold. I am guessing I was drinking it around 8 or 9C. Maybe do not chill it too much so more character can pop out.

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

Delta Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, South Island

This is not a fruit forward wine. This wine was very earthy, and I enjoyed that for a change. I was getting aromas of dried tobacco. It also had a hint of cola and smoke. Nice length with a pleasant hint of heat on the finish.
Tasted Feb 2022.