Tasting - Lazarella Falanghina Del Sannio DOP

Name: Lazarella Falanghina Del Sannio DOP 2023

Variety: 100% Falanghina
Region: Campania

Country: Italy
Vintage: 2023
Price: $17.99

Winery Review: Straw yellow in colour with a characteristic aromatic complexity with hints of ripe white fruit and sage leaves, fresh sapid and mineral on the palate.

Wine Folly: pg. 106 Falanghina - Tend to be zesty, minerally, with notes of peach and almonds. I got aromas of citrus, pear, apple, and light fruits in general. On the palate I noticed hints of green apple and some honey. Wine folly also mentions notes of citrus blossom and lemon which I did not observe.

My review: This wine was good, nothing special though. I found it to be a little too light for me with little complexity to enjoy in the tasting. I did like the green apple flavors but that was the only distinguishable feature of this wine. Other then than the aromas were simple and not very pungent.

I tasted it on its own without any food pairings.

Tasting - De' Notari Cesanese

Name: Cantine San Marco De' Notari Cesanese Lazio IGT 2021

Variety: 100% Cesanese
Region: Lazio

Country: Italy
Vintage: 2018
Price: $12.99

Critic Review: Mid-colour, sweet cherry flavours, soft tannins, light and easy dry fruit." - Bronze, International Wine Challenge

Wine Folly: pg. 248 Central Italy - The Mediterranean climate in Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Lazio, and Abruzzo is why red varieties shine here, including Sangiovese and Montepulciano. No mention of the Cesanese grape or Lazio, On the nose this wine has hints of red fruits. On the palate there were mid tannings, was quite sweet for a red.

My review: This wine was really good, extremely well balanced in my opinion. I think that this could be compared to a more vibrant/stronger primitivo, while still maintaining its composure. I really liked how the tannins blended well with the sweetness and the fruity flavors were able to flourish. Nothing was overpowering. Recommend for those who like Italian reds, this is a good one.

I tasted it on its own without any food pairings.

Tasting - Chevalier Du Grand Robert Bordeaux Blanc

Name: Chevalier Du Grand Robert 2022 Bordeaux Blanc

Variety: 
Region: Bordeaux

Country: France
Vintage: 2023
Price: $11.99

Winery Review: White gold color. Aromas of honeydew melon, passionfruit, blood orange, and schmaltz with a medium-to-full body and a medium-to-long lime zest, candied lemon peel, grapefruit, and mineral water finish. An ideal pairing for shellfish showing nice minerality and bright citrus.

Wine Folly: pg. 222 Bordeaux Blanc - very light body, composed of notes/hints of grapefruit, gooseberry, lime, chamomile, and crushed rocks. I notices the lime and citrus notes on both the nose and palate. Normally there is a difference between the smell and taste, but this was the same from nose to palate. We tried this wine chilled as 

recommended in Wine Folly.

My review: I liked this wine, simple, reliable, and not overpowering. Overall very balanced in my opinion. Not too sweet and although acidic, it complemented the palate hints very well. I liked the notes of lime and knew what to expect from the light aromas. Not too complex but good to drink on its own.

I tasted it on its own without any food pairings.

Tasting - La Marca Prosecco Rose

Name: La Marca Prosecco Rose

Variety: Prosecco and Pinot Noir
Region: Veneto

Country: Italy
Vintage: No Vintage
Price: $15.99

Winery Review:  La Marca Prosecco Rosé boasts classic notes of fresh-picked citrus, honeysuckle, peach and pear, blended beautifully with hints of ripe red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry.

Wine Folly: pg. 155 Prosecco - light body, mid to low sweetness, and mid to high acidity. On the nose I noticed citrus and pear, which changed to green apple and a crisp sensation on the palate. Wine Folly also mentions hints of lager, and cream which I did not notice.

My review:  Alright, not great. Very light and missing complexity. I think the flavors could have been stronger and longer lasting, as the flavors were hard to notice and vanished quickly. I did like the green apple notes and aroma in general.

I tasted it on its own without any food pairings.

 

Tasting - Chateau La Roberterie 1590 Classicus

Name: Chateau La Roberterie 1590 Classicus

Variety: Bordeaux Blend
Region: Bordeaux Superieur

Country: France
Vintage: 2019
Price: $9.99

Critic Review: This wine is all about black fruits and soft tannins. The open character and freshness mean it is ready to drink. Roger Voss - 85/100, Wine Enthusiast

Wine Folly: pg. 83 Bordeaux Blend (Red) - full bodied, high in alcohol, mid to low acidity, high tannins, and little to no residual sugars. I noticed the full body based on the dark red color of the wine. On the nose this wine smelled of dark fruits, maybe black cherry or blackberry. On the palate it was sweet at the beginning, tasting of chocolate, then bitter and a hint of acidity. We did not let the wine decant for the suggested 60+ min.

My review: Worse than its counterpart (2017 "Selectus"). I thought this wine was very unbalanced and tasted rather funky for lack of better words. Although it may be due to the lack of decanting, the tannins hardened the wine and made it unenjoyable. However, I did like the light sweetness at the beginning and aromas of dark fruits. Not good overall, much prefer the 2017 "Selectus" which is still a must try for its price.

I tasted it on its own without any food pairings.

 

Tasting - Alain Jaume Lirac Rouge Roquedon

Name: Alain Jaume Lirac Rouge Roquedon 2019

Variety: 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 10% Carignan
Region: Lirac, Rhone Valley

Country: France
Vintage: 2019
Price: $18.99

Winery Review: An intense red garnet colour. On the nose, aromas of red and black ripe fruit (kirsch and wild Blackberry) are dominant. The mouth is full, with aromas of blackcurrant liquor and Spice. Tannins are both harmonious and elegant thanks to the fleshy of the wine. The end develop hints of liquorice and vanilla, which give to the wine length and complexity.

Wine Folly: pg. 156 Rhone (GSM Blend) - mid body, higher tannins, and higher acidity. Wine folly suggests hints of raspberry, blackberry, rosemary, baking spices, and lavender. While I did not find all of these in this wine, I can say on the nose it was very floral and I got notes of blackberry and red fruit (not necessarily raspberry). On the palate however, this wine seemed almost spicy, almost ending in a burning sensation in my mouth. Not enjoyable.

My review: Did not enjoy this wine at all. I have not had Cote Du Rhones before, but I have had wines with the GSM blend and enjoyed them. This however, left a burning sensation (winery mentions "blackcurrant liquor and spice") in my mouth that overpowered all sense of taste and was not fun at all. Honestly, this aspect about the wine is all I need to not recommend it and not taste it again.

I tasted it on its own without any food pairings.