Chairman's Selection Wines Review

Ricardo Llovet
Nov 22
19 min read

Dear friends,

See below this new review of wines presently available in the Chairman's Selection section of the Pennsylvania state stores.

Needless to say, if you have any comment or question send me an email. Wine tasting and rating has objective and subjective preference components and I love contrasting opinions.

Cheers!

Ricardo Llovet

Clos Pegase 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

This wine comes from Calistoga in the upper Napa Valley where Close Pegase is a highly reputed estate and winery.

The aromas were so complex and delicious that I had to force myself to taste it! Blackberry, ripe plum, geranium flower, lots of black pepper, anise, chocolate, Virginia tobacco and a subtle hint of flan.

In mouth it had the right acidity, abundant but silky tannins, in a thick buttery structure. The oak aging was perfect to keep the fruit alive while developing deep bouquet. This wine has some weight and a long deep aftertaste. An excellent CA Cab for the price.

Also available is the Red Blend. I have not tried it yet.

$29.99 13.9% Alcohol My rating: 94 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Izarbe Rioja Reserva 2014, Tempranillo, Rioja

Lately, I keep finding very good Rioja reserva wines 10-years-old or so in Chairman’s at unexpectedly low prices. Not sure why. I have been taking advantage of it and consumed and enjoyed this one several times this Fall.

Dry cherries and pomegranate still stand very intensely after so many years of aging while tertiary aromas of ash, glue and leather have developed. Elegant bouquet and deep clean aftertaste. Actually the aftertaste is a jewel and the best part of this wine. It leaves you with a calm and pleasant smile inviting you to read a book while continuing savoring it.

Wine Enthusiast: Blackberry, clove, oregano and violet. Notes of leather and forest floor slightly outweigh flavors of cherry, pomegranate, star anise and lavender, while opulent tannins power into a lengthy finish. Classic/traditional Rioja. 93 pts.

I purchased several bottles.

Also, it looks to me that Chairman’s has stepped up its game on Rioja. Now they have to work on Ribera de Duero, Priorat and some of the Spanish emerging denominations.

$17.99 14% Alcohol My rating: 93 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Durham Cellars, Trutina 2021, 74% Merlot, 29% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Malbec, 3% Others, Columbia Valley (winery in Walla Walla)

Winemaker: Inspired by the Bordeaux varieties, our classic blend opens with aromas of black plum, blackberry jam and white pepper. Subtle barrel spice notes mingle with delectable flavors of dates, dried cherries and apricot on the palate.

I agree very much with the aromas identified by the winemaker but would add coffee and dark chocolate. From the tannins and structure, I thought I was facing something with Petite Sirah. Thick and chewable. Ripe. Although a Bordeaux blend, it is not a Bordeaux style wine whatsoever.

$21.99 13.9% Alcohol My rating: 93 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Dominio del Bendito, Las Sabias 2020, Tempranillo, Toro

This is a wine from very old vines not grafted on American rootstock. This is infrequent and is called “pie franco” in Spain. Toro is such an arid region that the phylloxera could barely reach it. See pictures below:

If you are a valiant individual and dare to try something highly alcoholic, very dark and tannic, extreme, excessive and very tasty, try this one. Look at the opaqueness of the color and the thick legs in the following picture:

Aromas of ripe blackberry, dry violets, black and red licorice, black pepper and dark cocoa powder. The alcohol will overpower everything and, surprisingly enough, you may still notice the presence of some residual sugar.

Dense body with lots of powdery tannins. Chocolatey and velvety, with mocha showing up in the finish. And in spite of all that I did not feel any bitterness from overextraction I was expecting.

Different, fulfilling and outstanding. And I found it at a heavily discounted price. I guess not everybody can stand up to this kind of powerful wine!

94 pts. WA.

Not a Chairman's Selection with but heavily discounted price. Only available in the Pittsburgh area at The Waterworks.

$20.73 16.5% Alcohol My Rating: 93 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Château Clos Junet 2022, 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, Saint Émilion Grand Cru

We selected this wine for an 8-wine blind tasting at our and a neighbor AWS chapter. In both tastings the majority of participants identified it as their winner. I think this is a great opportunity to enjoy a Saint Émilion Grand Cru at an affordable price. I am cellaring several bottles.

Plentiful fast running and colored legs. Aromas of blueberry, black currant, green bell pepper and black pepper with vanilla and croissant from aging in new barrels. Full body. Dusty bitter tannins. Alcoholic for Bordeaux.

92 pts. WA

$21.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 92 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Cerro Chapeu Reserva 2021, Tannat, Uruguay

Uruguay has adopted Tannat as its national varietal. Originally coming from the Basque Country, it made its home at Madiran in SW France. Surprisingly to me, I saw a lot of Tannat wines from VA at the AWS annual conference this November 2025. Apparently, VA also wants to claim it as one it its grapes. Well, to tell you the truth, VA is experimenting with many varietals and achieving excellent results. Anyways, coming back to this Uruguayan wine:

This is an aromatic and fruity wine showing strawberry, black currant and black pepper complemented with raspberry pie from the aging in oak barrels. Acidic and with lots of well integrated tannins. This is more of a fruit-driven wine than what I would expect from a reserva. Think of CA Zin with a bit of Petite Sirah. It was difficult for me to stop drinking this wine (so enjoyable, fresh and drinkable). Javier and Paul also liked it. Amazing quality / price ratio.

A more appealing label could better represent this excellent wine.

$9.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 91 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

g3 2020 Merlot, Columbia Valley

This wine smelled delicious. It took me a while but finally I identified it: Raspberry custard pie! I could also see in there blueberry, dry strawberries, cocoa powder, and cinnamon but the custard pie kept coming to my nose. I think there is judicious use of barrel aging (probably American oak) aging in here with the fruit and tannins still very much alive. Great balance to that respect.

This wine exhibits bright acidity, medium to full body and plentiful dusty tannins that will coat your entire mouth. I noticed them especially under my tongue.

Given the date of WE’s rating, these bottles have been in the market for a while and I may understand why they are now being offered a such a discounted price since there are newer vintages released. However, the years in bottle do not seem to have done anything wrong to the wine. Its acidity and tannins have kept it in excellent condition. Great opportunity in my opinion to get an excellent wine for such a price. Drink now but I think it will improve further in my dungeon where several bottles have been place encouraged to have sweet dreams. Sally loved it and I am afraid she will wake them up when I am not watching.

I see j www.gooseridge.com they have an upscale wine from Goose Mountain. One of these days I must try it.

91 Points and Best Buy WE, November 1, 2022

$9.99 13.7% Alcohol My rating: 91 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Tenuta Ulisse Nativae di Ulisse 2020, Montepulciano, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

Winemaker’s Notes: Nose of red plums, very intense, with hints of fireplace ash. Surprising amount of fruit in the palate showing singed herbs alongside plum skin, dark cherry fruit and licorice. The clean finish is buoyed by well-integrated acidity. The end result is an amazingly complex and profound wine that can age for years.

Chairman’s Selection: A really pure and vibrant style with dark berry fruit and baking chocolate, with spices. Structured and rich mid-palate, with well-integrated acidity, ripe yet firm tannins and great length. A dynamic and complex Montepulciano …

My own: I agree with above reviews except that I do not detect the ash, notice carnation and think that the herb may be tarragon. Up front wine with plush crushed fruit and plentiful primary aromas. No sign of barrel aging.

This Fall semester, in my OLLI University of Pittsburgh class we covered Italian reds. This humble Southern wine stood up to Chianti Classico, Nebbiolo, Valpolicella Ripasso and Aglianico and actually got the highest ratings tied with the later. In my humble opinion, Southern Italian wines have improved so much that their quality / price ratio surpasses the one from their highly reputed noble neighbors to the North.

$14.99 14.4% Alcohol My rating: 91 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Domaine Lensiome 2022, Rhône blend, Girondas

When I lived in Marseille, I paid a visit to Kristin and Jim and they took me to Vaqueyras and Girondas. In the first one we experienced one of the most torrential rains in our lives. Between the time we got in the tasting room and the time we left a huge storm flooded the area. They may be used to that because everybody left their shops and houses and began to clean the street sewage openings and the sidewalks to get rid of the clayish mud. We escaped and drove uphill to Girondas. Just a little bit higher. The rain had stopped but I did not want to leave the tasting room. The wines were so good! Just second in that part of the country to Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

Sally and I loved this wine. We, however, had difficulties pinning it down relative to specific aromas. It smelled of ripe red fruits, dark cherry and red plum, with some herb in there. The acidity was just right and the tannins were silky. It was, above all, a very balanced and round wine.

91 pts. WA

$19.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 91 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Ridolfi 2019, Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino

2019 was an excellent vintage in Montalcino.

Aroma of cherry jam, ash and oak. In mouth this wine showed bright acidity and medium body. Its tannins were soft but with a grip. The aftertaste was long and deep – probably the best part of the experience. Its bouquet ascended from my throat to the nose. The feeling of depth kept going.

WE 93 pts., WS 92 pts.

$34.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 91 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Shannon Ridge 2023, Petite Sirah, Lake County

Chairman’s brings every vintage of this wine and I always have some bottles. Also, I will always remember that during the first days of the COVID pandemic, when they closed the state stores, I resorted to them, purchased several cases of their wines online and distributed them to friends. Their Website explains their story and how they make use of sheep in their vineyard. https://shannonfamilyofwines.com/our-story/

I remember this was at a time Tara’s favorite wine. Sally loves it too. The only thing I don’t like is the new label and new video. I thought the prior ones were much more compelling.

And now, let’s go with the wine:

As a Petite Sirah, it has dark and opaque color, promising density and full body. The aromas are ripe, with blackberry, dark chocolate, Cuban cigar, and lots of tarragon expanding the experience. As predicted, in mouth it has thick structure with pasty tannins, almost chewy, and medium acidity. Medium length fulfilling aftertaste while my mouth felt thoroughly coated with tannins. Delicious for people who like full body wines.

$9.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Les Beaux Jours (Couchant) 2023, 45% Roussanne, 35% Marsanne, 20% Viognier, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Laudun

Some may be intrigued by the long denomination name. Well, Côtes du Rhône means from a vast region on both sides of the Rhône river. When the wine comes from a specific village, the denomination becomes Villages, and the name of the village is added. These are usually better. At the top of the scale you will have the specific denominations like Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Girondas, Lirac, etc. I myself think Villages is a sweet spot for quality and price.

This wine offers more than just fruit. Sally and I thought mostly of dry flowers and herb. Straw, jasmine, thyme, … accompanied by a crisp attack and yummy acidity that continued intact to the finish. We identified some slight fizz in the tip of the tongue that did not bother us at all. Medium body, very well balanced and harmonious. Very pleasant. We got more.

90 pts. JS

$9.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Match Box, Red Gravel 2022, Cabernet Sauvignon, Duninnan Hills

This wine is from an appellation in the Central Valley, Northwest of Sacramento. The elevation of the hills helps the vines mitigate the punishing summer sun and heat. The red gravel drains water very well and therefore the vines have to develop deep roots, conferring the wine structure and tannins.

Aromas of black currant, blackberry and dusty chocolate. Full body with dense, dusty, although a bit pasty, tannins. The acidity enabled by the cooler nights keeps it alive. The oak and vanilla notes showcase the unabashed oak barrel aging.

I try it every year and it seems to be very consistent and a very good value.

$10.99 13% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Nuwanda Bell Core 2023, Barbera, Barbera d'Asti

This wine is very expressive and produces happiness in your mouth. Aromas of fresh unripe blackberry and red plum, carnation and geranium flowers. It explodes in your mouth, filling it up and evaporating to the upper palate with lively fruits and flowers. Crisp acidity, mild powdery tannins and medium to full body. Mostly primary aromas but they linger in the aftertaste. Delicious. It demands that you drink more. Be careful!

90 pts. WE

$11.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Hector Durigutti 2024, Malbec, Patagonia

Review included in the post "Malbec, Cahors v. Argentina".

$12.99 13.9% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Domaine du Cros, Losang de Pais 2022 Fer Servadou, Marcillac

For a long time I had wanted to try a Marcillac, with its distinctive varietal with such a strange name not seen anywhere else. The winery is in the Western side of the Massif Central in a very rural region. Most of the vines are terraced. The wines are aged in very old large barrels.

I had serious difficulty identifying any aroma during the olfactive phase. However, once in mouth, the wine delivered delicious flavors with prevailing black currant. The structure was the best from this wine. Medium to full body with plentiful but soft silky, almost pasty, tannins and mild acidity - enveloping and fulfilling. Really, a wine to be drank (as opposed to smelled). I could not stop sipping it!

I am glad I finally got to taste a Marcillac!

$15.99 13% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes 2022, Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Review included in the post "Shiraz, Barossa v. McLaren Vale".

$19.99 13.8% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Two Hands Angels' Share 2022, Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Review included in the post "Shiraz, Barossa v. McLaren Vale".

$19.99 13.9% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Castello di Romitorio 2019, Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino

2019 was an excellent vintage in Montalcino. Very beautiful label. This wine has 97 points from WS and made the #28 in their 2024 Top-100 list. Based on that I spent the money and brought this wine to two AWS events. After trying it my main comment was: Really?!?

Subtle aromas of red cherries, roses and thyme. Acidic with drying tannins and light body in a lean structure.

$49.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 90 pts.

Lomond 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Cape Agulhas

Cape Agulhas (needles in Portuguese) is the southernmost place in Africa. It is cool and windy. This wine with its freshness expresses that terroir.

Aromas of green apple, hay, grass, melon and tarragon. In mouth it is light with refreshing acidity and minerality. More similar to a New Zealand’s than France’s or America’s Sauvignon Blanc.

This is a “go to” wine for Sally and me. Affordable and good. It certainly overdelivers. I am sure Nonie and Marti know about it.

$9.99 13% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Château Ducasse 2022, 60% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, Graves

Graves is a denomination in the Southeast of Bordeaux region. It is typically known for its beautiful white wines but now we have a red in our hands … and mouth.

Very typical Bordeaux aromas of black currant, blackberry and bell pepper with a touch of sage. Medium to full body, abundant silky tannins and right acidity make this wine easy to drink and accessible now, although with aging potential.

90 pts. JS, 89 pts. WE

$9.99 13% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

El Galayo 2023, Garnacha, Cebreros

This is a Garnacha (Grenache) from a not well-known Spanish denomination at the feet of the Gredos mountains with a special profile. It is so light in color and delicate in aroma that in a blind tasting many would take it for Pinot Noir. It is crafted with old vines from very poor slate and granite soils and only 6 months of aging in large French oak vats to preserve the character from the terroir. See below some images from this area not far from Madrid but remote:

Light red cherry color, pronounced though not complex aroma of red fruits, and delicate body with subtle and mild tannins. In the evolution in mouth, I perceived some slight bitterness reminding of dry Mediterranean herbs.

Worth to try – something different!

91 pts. WA

$9.99 XX% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Winzer Krems Classic 2023, Blauer Zweigelt Trocken, Niederosterreich

Aromas of red cherries and ripe strawberry, spicey with white pepper, and earthy. In mouth it showed some very subtle sweetness balanced by the acidity. Light color, low tannic content, similar to a Pinot Noir.

The alcoholic grade and residual sugar made me ask myself whether in Austria they are allowed to chaptalize their wines.

$9.99 13% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Carracuesta 2020, 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo, Rioja

Let me provide you Jan Stetler’s review:

Rich, fragrant black fruited nose...wild black raspberry...

Full bodied entry on the palate...very rich...black fruits...dry...crisp acidity...balanced and delicious...some tannins come out mid palate and lingers into a long dry finish of black fruits...

This will be a great dinner wine...should appeal to many people...great value red...

I agree. And I think this is a bargain. This wine comes from a well-known traditional winery the heart of Rioja Alavesa and has spent 24 months in American oak. This year we are getting great Rioja wines at very discounted price. I wonder why.

$9.99 14% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Domaine Caihol Gautran, Gamin, 2023, 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache, 20% Carignan, Minervois

I have not seen it mentioned in the wine reviews but this wine tastes semisweet to me. If you only like dry wines abstain from tasting it (Sally could only have a small sip). If you are open to sweetness this wine will present an interesting opportunity with a dense body with plentiful silky tannins. Aromas and taste of ripe blackberry, raisins, cocoa powder and licorice with sufficient acidity to balance the sugar.

First Minervois I ever had. Thank you Chairman’s for expanding your offerings!

$9.99 14% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Domaine Rosaz 2022, Jaquère, Vin des Allobrogues

This wine was different. There was so much tarragon in there that I could not believe. Very herbal wine making you feel in a prairie in the Savoy looking at the Alps.

Other aromas were hay, grass, apple candy and anise. Live acidity and light to medium body with no sign of oak aging. Steel in there, metallic, bone dry, and very refreshing. I paired it with brie.

Sally and I disagreed in our appreciations, so that I ended drinking it all.

$11.99 11% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Château Vincens 2022, Malbec, Cahors

Review included in the post "Malbec, Cahors v. Argentina".

$12.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Ventisquero Grey Glacier 2022, Carménère, Maipo Valley (Trinidad Vineyard)

Aroma of crushed ripe blackberries and black pepper. In mouth it had thick but silky tannins, medium acidity and medium length aftertaste. The main thing going on was your mouth full with fruit but after a while the image of an eclair and some dusted with cocoa powder came to my mind (the effect of barrel aging I guess).

Inés had recommended it. Sally said “bueniiiiisimo”.

$12.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Majella 2021, Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra

I rated a prior vintage last year. This vintage was good but did not impress me as much. Abundant legs, thin and tainted promising high alcoholic level, light structure and lively tannins. Aromas of a plum in the process of becoming a prune and tobacco leaf. The experts talk about mint notes (typical of Coonawarra) but I did not detect them. Dusty tannins in a medium body and lots of acidity. Medium depth and length aftertaste.

$14.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Clos de Napa 2023, Chardonnay, Napa Valley

This was a clean and crisp Chardonnay that appeared to us with lower oak influence than its claimed 12 months of aging in French oak would suggest. That moderate oak influence departs from past California over-oaking practices.

Aromas of subtle lime and lemon peel, apricot nuances, and bright fennel. Right acidity, medium body and clean / fresh pleasant medium aftertaste.

We will get some more.

$14.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Antico Monasterio 2022, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco

Warning: This review is from a person who has not fully got it yet relative to Nebbiolo. Given the worldwide acclaim and consensus, I am surely wrong. So that please take a review with a grain of salt.

Light red cherry color. Red fruits and rose petal in an acidic wine with light body and drying tannins firmer than what the wine appearance would suggest. Clean and short aftertaste.

At the November 2025 AWS Annual Conference I deliberately selected the following sessions: Barolo Vertical and Wines from the Piedmont. I said to myself: Since Nebbiolo wines are usually pricey and I do not get to try them often this is a great opportunity to get more exposed to them. Well, the Barolo vertical was very interesting, and I could witness how the tannins were mellowing as we travelled back in time, and how a 1999 still had firm tannins. Some say “Barolo is a wine for your grandchildren” or “you don’t drink Barolo, you wait for it”. I could appreciate that. Barbaresco is less tannic and therefore more approachable early.

The wine improved significantly after 2 hours. Decant it and wait.

93 pts. JS

See below a picture of the Wines from the Piedmont session at the American Wine Society Annual Meeting in Chantilly, VA. The wines were Gavi, Barbera d'Asti, Dolcetto, Barbaresco and Barolo. See also a comparison of color between the Barbaresco (left) and the Barolo (right):

$19.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Aresca San Luigi 2021, Barbera, Nizza

Nizza is a Barbera producing denomination in the Southern part of the Langhe that rivals the better-known Asti and Alba. The wine store specialist said to me he was positively surprised about the fruitiness of this wine compared to other Barbera wines.

Nose: Rose, red fruits (raspberry, red currant), tomato, bell pepper, white pepper, red licorice, thyme, ash

Mouth: Bright acidity, firm chalky tannins, medium body, mildly oaky.

Aftertaste: Medium length and depth with some burning in the throat.

$21.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 89 pts.

Benigna 2022, Traminette, PA (NE of Harrisburg)

This is a wine crafted with an American hybrid. Traminette was created at Cornell University as a cross of the very floral Gewürztraminer with the French-American hybrid Johannes Seyve 23 that had been created at University of Illinois. The purpose was to retain the characteristics of the former making it hardier to withstand Northeast American climate.

This wine had aromas of backed yellow apple, honeysuckle and possibly jasmine, turmeric and honey. Ripe and off-dry but the bright acidity keeps it alive. Drink it very cold or you will think you have drank mistakenly a sip of Mott’s apple juice. Medium body and no oak aging. For a hybrid not bad at all and worth trying but I prefer Alsace’s Gewürstraminer. Good present for friends who have not been exposed to dry wines and usually drink pop. It may convert them to wine-loving!

89 pts. JS

$8.99 11% Alcohol My rating: 88 pts.

Zuccardi Serie A, Malbec, Valle de Uco,Mendoza

Review included in the post "Malbec, Cahors v. Argentina".

$10.99 13.9% Alcohol My rating: 88 pts.

The Retreat 2023, Sauvignon Blanc, Malborough

I am reproducing the WE review because I could not agree more:

A ripe, fruity Sauvignon Blanc with heady aromas of passion fruit, pineapple, lime leaf and bell pepper open. The palate is dry, crisp and tart with some chalky texture and a focus of fruit and fresh green garden veg to the finish. Classic Marlborough. 90 pts.

However, my rating is lower because I could not find anything that would make it special relative to other Sauvignon Blanc from this region. If you like pineapple flavor in a wine, you’ve got it here. Possibly a bit too acidic.

$12.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 88 pts.

Tenutta di Collalbrigo, N/V, Glera, Prosecco Superiore

This prosecco is from the superiore zone of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. It is crafted using the prosecco method: bulk fermentation in steel tank.

Int’l Wine Report: Aromas of sliced apples, fresh pears, lemons, chalk and wet stones. Medium-bodied with fine, creamy bubbles and high acidity. Lightly off-dry, but well balanced with a mineral finish. Very fine bubbles, needle-like.

I thought that review described it very well. No additional comments.

91 pts. JS

$13.99 11% Alcohol My rating: 88 pts.

Joseph Jacome 2023, Gamay, Morgon

This is a well-executed Gamay from a prestigious appellation within the broader Beaujolais. If you are a Gamy lover you will enjoy this wine.

Aromas of cherry, ash, earth, … Vibrant acidity, moderate silky tannins, medium body and medium aftertaste length, sort of bloody in a good sense.

$14.99 13% Alcohol My rating: 88 pts.

Hesketh, Bright Young Things, Sauvignon Blanc, Limestone Coast in South Australia

Super herbal. Grassy meadow with plentiful mint and tarragon. Some lime in it. Crisp and salty. Sally’s style. She loved it and said it tastes like limestone without knowing that this was the prevalent soil. I found it intense and characteristic but a little bit foxy.

The brand name reminded me of TV news. I don’t know why.

$9.99 12% Alcohol My rating: 87 pts.

Raíces 2024, 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, Mendoza

Fruit forward wine with red fruit in the acidic side and medium body.

$9.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 87 pts.

MAS, Jean Claude Mas 2024, Vermentino, Pays d'Oc

I reviewed the prior vintage in a prior post and I was very favorably impressed. This vintage, instead, left me cold.

Lemon peel and tart pineapple enveloped in cooking herbs (oregano, dill, …), asparagus and a hint of fennel. Light body, aqueous. I would have enjoyed a bit more acidity to balance the flavors.

$9.99 13% Alcohol My rating: 87 pts.

Signae 2022, Sagrantino and probably Sangiovese, Montefalco

From Umbria. This is one of Jerry’s favorite Italian denominations. Aromas of ripe red cherries, geranium flower, black pepper and oregano’s bitterness. Medium body, acidic and bitter. Dark roast bouquet with medium length aftertaste.

From the most underrated Italian wine region according to Forbes.

$11.99 13.5% Alcohol My rating: 86 pts.

Celene Cuvée Royale N/V, Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Semillon 30%, Muscadelle 20%, Crémant de Bordeaux

Can you believe this wine has such proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon? White wines elaborated with red grapes are called in France Blanc de Noirs.

Chairman’s Selection: Racy, well-structured acidity elevates the toasty apple and citrus fruit, with ginger spice and fine, well-sculpted bubbles that cleanse the palate and invite another sip.

Wine Enthusiast: Lemony and spicy, this wine is perfumed and softly textured. A biscuit edge to the taste suggests some bottle aging. 86 pts.

I would add: The lemon seems ripe. Not exceptional but you get a good value for the price.

$12.99 12% Alcohol My rating: 86 pts.

Unapologetically Zin, N/V, Zinfandel, CA

Fruity (mostly cherry), flowery and fresh upfront uncomplicated wine. It delivers what you are paying for.

$8.99 13.4% Alcohol My rating: 85 pts.

Rb Substance 2022, 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 2% Sangiovese, Columbia Valley

Aromas of red cherry, ripe strawberry, red licorice and wet brick in a medium / light body with a polite aftertaste: present but never overstaying.

The wine expert and I must have reviewed a different production batch.

92 pts. JS

$9.99 14.5% Alcohol My rating: 82 pts.

Anna Codorníu N/V, 70% Chardonnay 15% Parellada 7.5% Xarel-lo 7.5% Macabeu, Cava

Chairman’s Selection: Nutty apple and ripe citrus fruit pop on the nose, with a fine bead and excellent acid balance, finishing with good length

Best selling cava in Spain. Macabeu used to be the work horse of the cava blend, but I see that it has been replaced by Chardonnay in this cava.

This wine was crafted using the Traditional Method but it was clearly old and had lost part of its vitality. The cork already showed it and the sparsity of the bubbles was noticeable. Most likely this is what they did not sell in Spain from the prior release.

$9.99 11.5% Alcohol My rating: 80 pts.

Le Bonheur N/V, Syrah, Collines Rhodaniennes

I had a feeling that I was not going to be impressed by this wine. Non-vintage and IGP but the price and, above all, the reviews convinced me to try. Unfortunately, I was right. Light color for a Syrah with aromas of red licorice and red cherry. Light body like diluted. Not much bouquet or aftertaste. A young unoaked unsophisticated wine with no defects.

Cave de Tain is a very important wine business in the upper Rhône including wines from Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage, St. Joseph, etc. They have better wines than this one, and some with very good quality / price ratio. The Collines Rhodaniennes IGP applies to wines that cannot make those appellations.