todd10

Tornatore Nerello Mascalese/Nerello Cappuccio 2017, Doc Etna Rosso

This wine displays aromas of dried cherry and crushed gravel. It was little more transparent than I expected.
More acidity than tannins. The finish has a minerality to it. At first, I felt that the finish also was a bit bitter. But later in the evening that bitterness went away, so I do recommend to decant this wine for about 30 minutes if you would prefer a less bitter finish.
Tasted January 2022

Tornatore Etna Bianco 2018, Doc

Floral and pear aromas. Taste of pear and stone. What I enjoyed the most about this wine is the acidity and crispness. It is a very refreshing wine.

Tasted April 2020

Potente 2016, Do Montsant

Nice dark fruit flavors with a hint of licorice. Of all of my wine reviews, this was the first time that I tasted the "licorice" taste, so that excited me. Tannin's are solid enough to hold up to a meaty meal. The wine opened up more after about 30 minutes so I recommend decanting for about 30 minutes.

Tasted December 2019

The Lane Gathering Single Vineyard Sauvignon/Semillon 2016, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

I was picking up aromas of honey, stone's, grass, along with tropical fruit.
If you can imagine the taste of pineapple with a slight acidity of lemon, that is the best way that I can describe the taste of this wine. Also nicely balanced.
Tasted April 2020

Firestone Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Santa Ynez Valley

Aromas of cassis and black pepper. Even though the nose was not too complexed for me, the flavor was spot on. I enjoyed the combination of the dark fruit flavors, with the perfect hit of tannins (not too soft not too harsh) and acidity. Over all, a nice balance.
This wine did not improve throughout the evening so I see no reason to decant.
Tasted August 2021

Muré Calcaires Jaunes Riesling 2016, Ac Alsace

I have not had a riesling in years. I picked this one because it was rated an extra dry wine and extra dry is how I like my whites. If this was extra dry, it may have been leaning close to just dry, but regardless, it was good. Nice flavors.
The 92 rating was based on the complexity. As not appealing that it may sound, I was very excited to get the unique aromas that I have read about for reislings. In this wine, aromas of kerosene, but mainly citronella. Excited for my next riesling.

Tasted July 3

Allegrini La Grola 2016, Igt Veronese

The nose had aromas of cassis and black pepper. I found the taste and balance of the wine nice. But, I still found that this wine was lacking more aromas that really popped out. I will mention one thing that was great. I poured a glass and then let it sit for about 20 minutes. When I inhaled the aromas, it was such a wonderful smell of caramel. Sadly that dissipated and I never smelled it again.
Tasted January 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.

Beringer The Waymaker Paso Robles Red 2016, Paso Robles

The aroma that stuck out the most for me was chocolate, followed by cherry and oak. I loved the taste of the wine. The same chocolate and cherry that I smelled I also tasted. This was a nicely balanced wine with some dusty tannins on the finish that I enjoyed.
Throughout the evening, it did not evolve anymore so I see no need to decant.
Tasted January 2021

St. Hallett Faith Shiraz 2017, Barossa, South Australia

I tasted the 2018 Vintage.
I was pleasantly surprised with this wine. The nose had herbal perhaps earthy aromas. I can best describe with aromas of bay leaf and sweet tobacco.
It was a nice balanced wine with a nice finish. I found the tannins very smooth considering this is such a young Shiraz.
Nice taste. Without being sweet it was like candied dark fruit (if that makes sense).
No need to decant.
Tasted July 2020