Chairman's Selection Wine Reviews
Dear friends,
I am happy to provide you a new post with my review of 42 Chairman's Selection wines presently at the Pennsylvania Fine Wine and Good Sprits stores. There are also some Chairman's wines still available from my April post.
I have focused on affordable wines and, in fact, currently there are many with excellent quality / price ratio. I am not sure about the reason. It may be that the present imbalance between supply and demand is favoring low prices or possibly the PLCB is doing a wonderful job at getting us good wines at competitive prices. In any case this is welcome!
If you have not subscribed to this website yet, I'd love it if you do it. It is totally free and you will get a reminder every time a new post is published.
Cheers!
Ricardo Llovet
Gran Lurton 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Uco, Mendoza
This is François Lurton’s wine from Argentina. He is one of the brothers of the Lurton Family, one of the traditional and best Left Bank Bordeaux families. The left bank specializes in predominantly Cab-based wines.
The winery, Piedra Negra, produces other wines. I have commented very positively one of them in a past post and I am aging a couple of bottles in my cellar.
The primary aromas are still very powerful: Ripe blackberry and red plum, with geranium and hyacinth as well as clove while bouquet of chocolate, ashes, earth and cigar box have developed. The tannins are still abundant and alive but soft. Full body and right acidity, it felt to me a little bit more alcoholic than the reported number.
A great wine I will purchase again. Thank you, John and Rich, wine specialists from PLCB’s Centre Ave. Pittsburgh store, for sharing it in a Saturday afternoon tasting.
95 JS pts., 93 Vinous pts.
$16.99 14% ABV My Rating: 92+ pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Agramont Reserva 2015, Tempranillo, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Navarra
This wine has shy aromas, understandable being a 2015, but in mouth it provides an explosion of flavors. Sally said very herbal, the winemaker says marjoram, lavender and anise. Sally added turmeric. I detected minimalistic hints of milk chocolate, light roast coffee, tobacco and cinnamon bark. Just a complex bouquet with multiple notes from a 5-year aging. On the fruit side it offers blackberry, pomegranate and peach but its forte is the bouquet.
In mouth it offers a plush structure with full body and plentiful silky tannins. Full while still elegant. Although the intent might be to emulate Bordeaux with a Spanish touch, I would find it closer to the New World.
93 WE pts.
$21.99 14% ABV My Rating: 92+ pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Pirapu 2023, 50% Monastrell (Mourvedre), 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, Jumilla
There were many aromas and characteristics in this wine but let me focus in the ones that I thought were very intense and defining: Ripe plum, dates, thyme and chocolate.
Full body, abundant but velvety and caressing tannins, and sufficient acidity to balance the ripeness.
If you like full body wines and are looking for something to pair and even overpower a steak au poivre this wine can do it. I could even have it with a dark chocolate bar. And the price is amazing.
93 WE pts.
$9.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 92 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Klinker Brick, Farrah 2022, Syrah, Mokelumne River, Lodi
Ripe and “loaded” aromas of dry fig and blackberry, dry rose petal, geranium, mild Thai curry, thyme, alcohol, and lots of chocolate with some chocolate éclair.
In mouth it was full bodied with dense but velvety tannins. The acidity was barely able to keep up with it. Very long aftertaste.
This is a big ripe wine, … and chocolatey. I was very happy to see the reviews after writing mine. For once all of us agree: Chocolate is it!
Unequivocally a great buy if you like ripe full body wines as I do. The underrated Lodi region delivers this kind of wines.
91 JS pts.
$11.99 15.2% ABV My Rating: 92 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Château Tour du Pas-Saint-Georges 2022, 66% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Franc, 5.5% Petit Verdot, 4.5% Carménère, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Malbec, St. Georges-St. Emilion, Bordeaux
Amazing price for such as high quality wine.
Aromas of blackberry jam, black currant and, surprisingly, bright ripe strawberry, with subtle notes of petunia, pansy, hazelnut, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Full body and velvety tannins, with measured acidity (some Bordeaux are in the acidic side in my opinion which helps then age for a long time but may bother me a bit in the first couple of sips). Perhaps some slight feeling of residual sweetness. Elegant with medium length and depth in a very pleasant aftertaste.
I felt all along that I was drinking a wine with qualities above its price. I went for more and recommended it right away to Allen. Matt, the very knowledgeable wine specialist from the Northern Pike store also liked this wine a lot.
One of the reasons behind this quality may be that it was crafted with guidance from Bordeaux legend Hubert de Boüard, an influential expert on the modern Bordeaux from the right back.
First wine I have from this satellite appellation of St. Emilion. Had this wine arrived two months earlier I would have selected it for my OLLI PITT French wine course.
92 JS pts.
$12.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 92+ pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Nekeas 25 Vendimias 2025, Garnacha Blanca, Navarra
What a discovery! Thank you, John, for including it in your Spanish wine tasting at the Centre Ave. store. Both, Sally and I loved it. I have gone for more.
Winemaker’s notes: citric and white floral aromas with a mineral complexity. The Garnacha Blanca is medium minus body with a fresh and expressive finish.
Wine Enthusiast 2024: "Surprisingly nuanced and satisfying, this Garnacha Blanca is poised and refreshing while gaining detail with air. A step up in interest from previous vintages, while continuing to showcase verve and texture. Fresh quince, white peach, a zest of ginger and grapefruit carry nose through finish. A mix of white herbs and something close to mint peek from the glass with further sipping."
I fully agreed.
Only 11,111 bottles produced from vines planted before 1940! This is a Jorge Ordonez Selection (see their logo in the back label) which is a guaranty of high quality at affordable price. They have never disappointed me.
$15.99 13% ABV My Rating: 92 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Pierre Amadieu 2023, Grenache 70%, Syrah 15%, Cinsault 15%, Girondas
Aroma of ripe red cherries and plum, very peppery and herbal (maybe rosemary or thyme?), red licorice, menthol, alcohol, and possibly a hint of red cough drops.
In mouth it was very lively with up-front acidity evolving into balsamic with medium to full body and abundant silky tannins. Very deep and long aftertaste. Very well structured, it covers all bases. But very alcoholic.
I love Girondas’ wines and consider them a close second to Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the lower Rhône Valley region.
93 WE pts.
$25.99 15% ABV My Rating: 92 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Les Couteaux 2023 Boutinot, 75% Grenache, 25% Syrah, Côtes du Rhône Villages
I usually find significant difference in quality between Côtes du Rhône and Côtes du Rhône Villages. Villages means that it comes from certain villages that have better terroir than the general Côtes du Rhône area which is huge.
Very intense and complex nose of ripe red fruits such as raspberry and strawberry. Very floral with geranium, petunia and hyacinth. Peppery with Mediterranean herbs, perhaps thyme. Sally said cinnamon, chana massala and Darjeeling tea.
In mouth it has silky but still dusty tannins, medium to full body, bright acidity, and some oak aging influence. Medium to long depth and length aftertaste. Teeth and tongue remained dry and coated for a while.
It delivered a lot for the price!
90 WS pts.
$11.99 14% ABV My Rating: 91+ pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Château Courac 2023, Clairette 60%, Grenache Blanc 25%, Roussanne 15%, Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun
I am getting persuaded little by little into the appreciation of Mediterranean whites. Not that I consider them superior but they are different and offer aromas difficult to find in the usual international varietals. I also notice the sun coming into my body in very sip.
This wine was perfectly executed with precise ripeness, acidity level, body and overall structure. Silky, slightly oily, it caressed my palate. Aromas of honeydew, cantaloupe, ripe golden apple and apricot coexisted with Mediterranean herbs, dry white flowers such as chamomile and green olives.
92 WE pts.
$14.99 14% ABV My Rating: 91+ pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Clay Shannon 2021 Petite Sirah, Lake Co.
Ripe fruity aromas of plum, strawberry, blueberry, black cherry, nectarine and geranium. Spice in there, either nutmeg or cinnamon. Some measured component of cherry chocolate cake.
Medium acidity, full body in a bold structure with some slight sweetness in spite of the high alcohol grade. This wine comes from ripe grapes and a lot of sun. Pleasant, long aftertaste with medium depth.
It had so many tannins that it left color deposits in my glass marking the path of the legs. However, there was no feeling of dryness I my mouth. Well-executed oak aging I thought! Also, it kept improving over time. My rating reflects the wine after 1 hour open.
Chairman’s Selection has been bringing this wine every year. I used to consider it one of my wines to go. I know Tara does too. And it was a saver during the beginning of COVID when the shops closed and I began to purchase it through the internet for my own consumption. When some of my friends found out they asked me for some bottles and I had to order more while becoming a “hero”. Some offered to pay me a profit but I preferer friendly sharing to money.
90 WE pts. and one of their 2026 Top 100 Best Buys. Congratulations, Clay!
$9.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 91 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Peraclos 2023, Merlot 61%, Cabernet Sauvignon 31%, other varietals 8%, Montagne-St. Emilion, Bordeaux
Very typical Bordeaux left bank. Expressive. A lot for the buck! There are so many Bordeaux lately at very attractive prices and not too far in quality from the wines that cost 3-4 times the price!
Prevailing aroma of prune with very ripe blackberry, dark cherry and geranium. There may have been some sulfites in there that disappeared after decanting.
Bouquet of clayish earth, shoemaker’s glue, and Paris cafeteria full of customers having their coffee with croissant with butter and jelly. Deep aftertaste.
Chalky tannins in medium to full body.
WE 93 pts.
$12.99 15% ABV My Rating: 91 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Close Pegase 2022, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
In this case I am going to provide WE’s tasting notes because I found them revealing, I just fully agree with them and I recognize that the WE expert has tasted many more California Chardonnays than I: Caramel apple aromas and toasty, spicy flavors lend a powerful, extravagant character to this full-bodied, generously oaked wine. Its super ripe pear and apple flavors lend an almost late-harvest feel. I have, however, assigned it a +, and have rushed to the store for more following Sally’s command. On the other hand, notice that the review is 3 years old.
91 WE and 88 WS pts.
$13.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 91 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Pago del Vicario 2024, Tempranillo white, Vino de Pago
WE’s review: This bright, juicy wine wants to be in your glass. Fragrant aromas of gardenia blossom and honeysuckle open on the nose of the floral beauty that is filled out with toasted almond, brioche, dried hay, cedar and quince. The palate kicks off with tart-lemon-spritzed red apple slice and pear tart flavors that are refreshing and lifted by chalk-dusted acidity on the long finish. 93 pts WE
I fundamentally agree with above review. Flowers, perhaps dry, secondary aromas of bakery, quince (yes!) and the rest of reported aromas as well as green olive.
Dense structure for a white. This wine smells, tastes and feels special. And it is. It is what in France would be called a blanc de noirs. The red Tempranillo grapes have been vinified as a white wine, using the must without the skins. An excellent use of Tempranillo from La Mancha producing in my opinion a wine better than most of its reds.
Also, it is a Vino de Pago. That is a relatively new type of denomination with very strict requirements such as made in the property with grapes from nearby land that has specific characteristics. It’s like a Spanish version of the Chateaux in Bordeaux or the crus in Burgundy.
Conclusion: Special wine that I enjoyed much, and very promising path for this type of wine.
I got it in the Northern Pike, Monroeville store. Look in the www.finewineandgoodspirits.com for stores where they have it.
95 pts and Gold Medal in Decanter World Wine Awards.
$14.99 13% ABV My Rating: 91 pts. Non-Chairman's Selection
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Marea 2024, Sauvignon Blanc, Leyda Valley, Chile
Very intense and complex aromas of grass, guava, cherimolla, lime skin and chives. Typical from varietal but more intense and in the tropical side. Very mineral, light to medium body, bright acidity and longer than expected. Perhaps a slight foxiness.
This is the Chilean Sauvignon closer to a Malborough Co. I’ve tasted. I would be been deceived in a blind tasting.
I discovered it at the PLCB Centre Ave. store tasting. Thank you, John and Rich!
92 pts. JS
$16.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 91 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Smith & Elliott 2022, Chardonnay, Sonoma Co.
Sally loved it and sent me for more. I found it amazing for the price. If you like CA Chardonnay and want a very pleasant one for an affordable price go, run and get it.
Aromas of honeydew, pineapple, honeysuckle, lily of the valley and, above all and amazingly, toasted almond tort from Prentels without the sweetness.
90 WE pts.
$9.99 14.1% ABV My Rating: 90 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
St. Francis 2022, Merlot, Sonoma Co.
Sally and I have always trusted this brand. Not stellar but with reliable quality, precision, balance, worth the price.
Black fruits with some peach nuances and chocolate notes. Silky tannins in a medium density plush structure, just sufficient acidity and peppery bitterness in the back of the palate. Smooth, medium length and depth aftertaste.
$9.99 14.8% ABV My Rating: 90 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Sèculo 2023, Mencía, Castilla y León
This wine was pure pleasure. Fruity and flowery aromas combined with notes of vanilla and oak from subtle aging. Medium body, pleasant silky tannins and refreshing but measured acidity. Clean medium length and depth aftertaste.
The only problem with this wine if that it was too easy to drink and our bottle was emptied too fast!
91 WE pts.
$10.99 14% ABV My Rating: 90 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Marqués de Peramonte 2021, Tempranillo. Toro
Underripe blackberry, cherry and plum aromas with Mediterranean garrigue notes. Medium body with bright acidity, velvety tannins structure. The alcoholic level can be noticed all the way through from aroma, taste and aftertaste. Good powerful wine worth trying.
$11.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 90 pts.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Neleman Bobal Oolong 2021, Bobal, Utiel-Requena
Sally was impressed by this wine while I considered it just a good one. Hence, I have assigned it an intermediate rating. She also loved the label design.
See Decanter’s review: Warm and intense style with dark fruit profile, violet petals, black pepper and herbal nuances. Rounded and opulent, chalky tannins.
94 Points Decanter World Wine Awards, 2025
This is Neleman’s highest quality wine. They use their best Bobal grapes, which will spend around a year and a half or two in T5 Taransaud French oak barrels.
A French Oak barrel T5 is an ultra-premium wine barrel crafted by the Taransaud cooperage using exceptionally fine-grained oak from the historic Tronçais forest. Extra-Long Seasoning: The staves are naturally seasoned in the open air for a full five years which softens harsh tannins. Master Craftsmanship: Each barrel is hand-built and personally signed by a master cooper. Rather than dominating a wine with aggressive oak flavors, the T5 adds depth, length, harmony, and silky texture while preserving the wine's natural elegance.
See below the very interesting Neleman’s Website and their wine club of customers focusing on sustainability:
$9.99 14% ABV My Rating: 89+ pts.
RECOMMENDED
Palacio de Otoño Reserva 2021, Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, Rioja
Aromas of ripe cherry, petunia, raspberry stuffed croissant, cigar box, ash, earth and mushroom. This Rioja develops complex bouquet while preserving the primary fruity and floral aromas.
In mouth it is in the acidic side, as expected from a Rioja, with silky tannins and medium body in an overall structure that beautifully envelopes the taste. Balanced, deep and well crafted. A traditional Rioja as stated in the back label.
To me, reserva is the sweet spot for most Rioja wines. I find crianza unnecessarily acidic and gran reserva with fruits and flowers fading away. Just my subjective preference.
$14.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 89+ pts.
RECOMMENDED
Smith & Elliott 2021, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Co.
Sally and I found this wine’s aroma a bit shy initially but it ended up opening up becoming tastier than many Burgundies in the most affordable range. Typical Pinot Noir aromas of red fruits with a bit of rose petal.
The color, tannings and body were light but fuller and darker than most Pinot Noir. It had refreshing acidity and clean aftertaste. The wine evolved beautifully after 1-2 hours and we, not Pinot Noir fanatics, enjoyed this one and the price we paid for it.
$9.99 14.1% ABV My Rating: 89 pts.
RECOMMENDED
Court Royan Pater 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alto Totihue, Chapacoal D.O.
This is a wine with impeccable appearance in a heavy bottle with a high-quality cork in perfect condition and an elegant label from a highly reputed area.
Aromas of dark cherries, tomato plant, black pepper and chocolate. Medium to full body. Precise acidity level and textbook velvety tannins.
In spite of all that and, although I thought we were going to be impressed, and we liked it, we missed the depth and length we had (subjectively) expected.
92 JS pts.
$10.99 14% ABV My Rating: 89 pts.
RECOMMENDED
Carolina Reserva 2024, Chardonnay, Maule Valley, Chile
Tropical fruit such as pineapple, guava and mango combined with dry nuts. Traditional Chardonnay with some, although not excessive, oak influence. Medium body, perfect acidity level. Very pleasant aftertaste with toast notes. I’d say: well crafted!
I tasted it at the PLCB Centre Ave. store and thought Sally would love it. I think Kim would have enjoyed it too.
87 WE pts.
$14.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 89 pts. Non-Chairman's Selection
RECOMMENDED
Luis Marín 2023, Garnacha, Cariñena
Very good value for the buck.
Ripe dark cherries and red plum. Peppery. Velvety and slightly dusty tannins, medium to full body.
A good buy for the price.
Cariñena is a town in Aragón region of Spain where the grape varietal Carignan comes from. However, nowadays, their prevalent varietal is Garnacha (Grenache), whose origin was not too far away.
Chairman’s brought in 2024 a wonderful Cariñena that became my red of the year: Paniza. Please bring it again.
$8.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 88 pts.
RECOMMENDED
Embroidery 2024, Pinot Noir, Monterrey Co.
This wine was darker, more alcoholic, with fuller body, chalkier tannins and underlying sweetness than most Pinot Noirs I’ve ever had. I think this may be the result of significantly more sun exposure than in the typical Pinot appellations. I found it challenging to identify the aromas but it was tasty in mouth showing red fruits and roses.
It is an outlier worth exploring for the price. Sally said it is a Pinot Noir for people that don’t like Pinot Noirs.
$9.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 88 pts.
RECOMMENDED
Guerriero 2024, Aglianico, Beneventano IGT
Lighter in color than my prior Aglianicos. Aroma with prevalence of red licorice and cough drops. Sally said musk and cellar. That is frequent in some Italian wines from the use of big old oak vats.
Medium body, silky tannins and bright acidity resulting in a freshness feeling. It improved significantly the following day with flavors opening up.
$9.99 13% ABV My Rating: 88 pts.
RECOMMENDED
Gewürz 2024, Gewürztraminer, Mendocino Co.
Aroma of guayaba, yellow apple, honeysuckle, fresh mint and celery. In mouth also lemon and stainless steel. Fresh and dry. Medium body and bright acidity. Tasty and refreshing. First Gewürztraminer Sally liked since out years in Spain when she enjoyed Viña Esmeralda. I guess this is because this one is very dry, restrained and not overly fruity.
$13.99 12% ABV My Rating: 88 pts.
RECOMMENDED
Beringer 2023, Chardonnay, Napa Valley
Winemaker notes: Asian pear and bright citrus aromas. The palate showcases riper tropical flavors of white peach, orange blossom and creamy lemon meringue. Vibrant acidity carries through a long, mouthwatering finish. Subtle oak influence adds layers of vanilla and toasted brioche, seamlessly integrated. This is a beautifully balanced, classically styled Napa Valley chardonnay with finesse and precision.
I tasted several bottles and got just typical California mass-production chardonnay which has its many fans, by the way. Kim told me that this was a frequent wine at her parents home.
$13.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 88 pts.
RECOMMENDED
La Côte des Brumes 2024, Petit Manseng, Jurançon
This wine presented to me a paradox. Very interesting and original elements, but I had difficulties getting them play together. Given the professional ratings and a strong recommendation from wine expert Jan Stetler this perception might be just mine.
Herbal aromas, bay leaf, ginger, lemon rind and some toasted elements, maybe brioche.
In mouth it was acidic, medium body, buttery, and with clean pass of mouth.
Petit Manseng is a varietal that is being widely planted in Virginia. Climatic similarities between that state and South-Western France may have played a role but I would like to research more in depth what were the reasons behind this decision.
93 WE pts.
$14.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 88 pts.
RECOMMENDED
Domaine la Potadière 2024, Melon de Bourgogne, Muscadet de Maine et Sèvre
This is a vegetable and herbal wine. Oregano, celery, tarragon, fennel. Silky medium body from aging over lees. Good opportunity to smell the secondary aroma of dough yeast. And if you like herbal wines this could be a good choice.
$10.99 12% ABV My Rating: 87 pts.
Domaine de la Chaise 2023, Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine
Herbal aromas (sage, thyme, coriander, rosemary) prevail over fruit (fresh yellow apple and lemon) and lemon blossom. No grass aroma that I could tell and that is more characteristic of Bordeaux and Malborough. Medium body, clean, with a very nice point of acidity.
Another choice for herbal wine lovers.
90 Decanter pts.
92 JS pts.
$13.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 87 pts.
Rémy Lefevre 2024, Chardonnay, Mâcon Villages, Burgundy
Aromas of lemon, lime skin with some herbal notes (thyme? bay leaves?). Mineral, relatively low alcohol, like in older times, and, to Sally’s, Kim’s and my taste, slightly diluted body. Elegant, clean, refreshing and uncomplicated wine.
We have been drinking California Chardonnay lately and in comparison this one was restrained focusing more on minerality than flavors. In a blind test Kim, our Chardonnay fan, clearly identified this as the French one compared with a wine from CA.
$14.99 12.5% ABV My Rating: 87 pts.
Gazin Roquencourt 2019, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Pessac-Léognan, Bordeaux
Given its heavily discounted price, I thought this was a great occasion to try a wine from this appellation and from a highly reputed winery. However, I perceived it as shy and bland compared to more modern wines from the new world. Elegant, though featuring citrus aromas.
It may well be that expressive NZ’s Malborough Co. Sauvignon Blanc has taken over many of our palates! I also tasted a Sauvignon Semillon blend at Walla Walla’s L’Ecole no. 41 that I found more expressive while maintaining its elegance.
Pessac-Léognan is an appellation within the Mèdoc home to some of the best Bordeaux wines. It is in the border of Bordeaux city limits and it has been suffering urbanization pressure for decades.
Note: This review is very subjective and others may have different and better comments.
$20.99 14% ABV My Rating: 87 pts.
Raíces 2024, 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, Mendoza
Lighter body than a typical Cab. Moderately fruity. Silky with young but totally mildened tannins. Very light aftertaste.
Just a friendly wine with no defects.
$9.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 86+ pts.
Punti Ferrer 2023, Pinot Noir, Aconcagua Valley, Chile
Aroma of red roses, nice but I could not identify much else. Typical Pinot Noir light color and red fruit profile with very mild tannins. No defects but I missed complexity. It delivers, though, for its price point.
$8.99 13.5% ABV My Rating: 85 pts.
Tradition 2024, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Côtes du Rhône
This wine is perfect for the illustration of my prior discussion in Le Coteaux about Côtes du Rhône versus Côtes du Rhône Villages. It may be a good exercise to taste both wines simultaneously and notice the difference.
However, 90 WE pts and Best Buy
$9.99 14% ABV My Rating: 85 pts.
Masi Tupumango 2020, Malbec 85%, Corvina 15%, Valle de Uco, Argentina
This Argentine wine is crafted by Masi, the large Veneto winery. And, in fact, they have added some Corvina to the usual Malbec. The result:
Aroma of ripe strawberries and peach. Medium body (light relative to typical Argentine Malbecs) with velvety tannins. Up front type of wine.
$11.99 14% ABV My Rating: 84 pts.
Two Angels 2024, Sauvignon Blanc, Lake County, CA
I just continue to fail finding a California Sauvignon Blanc that would conquer my palate. They seem to me riper and less fresh compared to the Loire Valley, New Zealand and South African ones I am used to. I may need to increase my price point to find “the one”.
$11.99 12.2% ABV My Rating: 84 pts.
Pedra da Auga 2024, Albariño, Rías Baixas
It tasted to me as one of those Albariños that you get at a Spanish bar for €3 a glass. Mineral and pleasant but not complex.
90 JS pts.
$12.99 12.5% ABV My Rating: 84 pts.
Conde da Vidigueira 2022, Trincadeira, Syrah, Touriga Nacional, Alentejo, Portugal
Fruity and flowery aroma with fresh pomegranate, prickly pear, blood orange and carnation. All up-front wine. I could not identify any bouquet. It seemed younger to me than a 2022.
Watery medium body with abundant but mildened velvety tannins. Acidic and a bit chemical. Not much aftertaste in my opinion but the professional review says “extremely long and persistent finish”. I may be wrong. You be the judge.
92 WE pts. And Best Buy
$10.99 14.5% ABV My Rating: 83 pts.
La Baume 2024, Picpoul, Picpoul de Pinet
I tried this wine with high expectations given the professional rating below. However, it was difficult for me to find intensity and complexity in the aroma of this wine (probably my shortcomings). It drank very well though. Mineral and spot on with acidity level. Beautiful bottle too, very much in accordance with the D.O.’s typical design.
In an act of generosity I will leave it to others that don’t share my preferences to buy and enjoy.
93 pts. WE and Best Buy
$11.99 13% ABV My Rating: 82 pts.
Cuatro Rayas 2024, Verdejo, Rueda
Cuatro Rayas was a frequent wine at my father’s table, and so I enthusiastically purchased several bottles. It has received very good professional ratings/reviews. However, something may have happened to this shipment or production batch, and we ended up discarding several bottles that tasted chemical, possibly ethyl acetate. We will however give it a new opportunity and try the next vintage when it arrives.
91 Decanter pts. 90 WE pts.
