todd10

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

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.

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

Zuani Vigne Bianco 2018, D.O.C. Collio

Aromas of citronella and lemon zest. Long finish. Great balance. The taste was fantastic, pear, apple and a hint of peach.
NOTE: I got these aromas and tasting notes at the recommended 14C. Of course these were not as strong as I cooled the wine. I will say that I was worried about drinking a white on a warm day at 14C, but it was not bad at all.
Tasted June 2021

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

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

Morambro Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Padthaway

The first aroma I had I was thinking some kind of meat roast. I went through my herbs and realized my wife makes my roast with rosemary. I have read "hints of rosemary" before but this easy to detect for us not professionals. I highly recommend those that want to experience other things besides dark fruit and oak to give this a try.
Flavors of dark fruit and rosemary. Nice tannins (but not to powerful) that can hold up to a a nice beef dinner.

Throughout the evening, it did not evolve much, so no need to decant.

Tasted September 2020

Argyros Atlantis White 2019, P.G.I. Cyclades

When I poured it in my glass I got aromas of bees wax, when I swirled I was getting passion fruit. I loved the acidity and the beautiful flavors of tropical fruit. This wine was so good that I am surprised that the assyrtiko grape is not that popular. Based on this bottle of wine, this grape deserves much more attention.
Tasted December 2021

Trasqua Fanatico Riserva Chianti Classico 2015, Docg

I found that this wine probably needs more time. It had cherry and some spice on the nose, but the complexity has yet to develop. After being open for a while I could also smell some oak.
The tannins are very grippy. This would have been perfect with a steak.
I would recommend to decant this wine, but better yet, cellar it for another 5 years.

Cape Of Good Hope Western Slopes Red 2015, Wo Swartland

I found the aromas very simple, just your basic dark fruit. But where the aromas lacked, the taste made up for. I found this wine had a very nice balance. I enjoyed the dark fruit and with a hint of dark chocolate on the finish. Only if this had a bit more character, then I would put this in the 90's.
The wine did not evolve throughout the evening, so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted May 2021