Domaine le Galantin
Bandol Mourvèdre 2014
Thanks to my brother for this. Inky, blueberry, plum, and leather. Tannins provide backbone. My only quibble is there isn’t a whole lot on this nose. Enjoyable. Had it with garlic/ wine braised short ribs over polenta. Went great. I think this is the time to open these — 17 days ago
Abrigo Giovanni
Ravera Barolo Nebbiolo 2015
Dark Mahogany with brown hues. Nose of smoke and tobacco. Hefty but soft tannins. Cherry, iodine, nice long finish. Made a meat sauce for it. Decanted for 3 hours. Almost no sediment. — 2 days ago
Soalheiro
Allo Minho Alvarinho Loureiro 2022
Great with apps. Light, fruity, quaffable. Inexpensive What’s not to like? — 9 days ago
Viveros Cambra
La Peña de España Garnacha Blend
Rhône Blend: 34% garnacha,33% monastrell,33% Syrah, but this is not from the Rhône as it says above. This is from Valencia. Tastes like a Côtes du Rhône, though. Nice, inexpensive weekday wine. — 14 days ago
Bergström Wines
'Gargantua Pantagruel' Syrah 2018
Wow, this was terrific. Loved it. Soft in the mouth, like a puffy satin pillow. Dark mahogany, with an expressive nose and lots of cherry, some spice, earthiness and leather. Only 13.2 alcohol. I was a little concerned my rib eye might overwhelm it, but they complimented each other. — 5 days ago
Domaine Berthet-Rayne
Les Perchettes Cairanne Red Rhone Blend
Terrific fruit, both on the nose and the palate. Natural yeast in this biodynamic wine. Slight earthiness, great balance between fruit, tannins, acidity. Had with grilled, marinated flap steak. Yum. — 11 days ago
Basilica Cafaggio (Marks & Spencer)
Single Estate Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2021
Not great. Green. Very vegetal. Picked too early? Don’t get that much in the era of global warming. — 18 days ago
Angelo Casagrande
Fragrant chard with apple/ pear w a hint of citrus on the finish. Excellent acidity and some stony minerality. Bright and welcoming. Tom- it may be trying to pass itself off as a more haughty cotes de beaune, however. — 2 days ago