Appearance: The 2019 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie surprises with its medium lemon hue, a vivid and inviting sight.
Nose: On the nose, this wine presents a delightful bouquet of yellow apple, peach, and lime. These fruit notes are beautifully complemented by distinct leesy hints, reminiscent of sourdough.
Palate: Despite its light body, the wine offers a substantial medium-plus finish, delivering a satisfying and lingering experience on the palate.
Pairing: Perfectly paired with oysters or creamy goat cheeses, this Muscadet is versatile enough to elevate both seafood and rich, creamy dishes.
Overall, the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie 2019 is a well-balanced wine that brings a refreshing complexity to the table.
At under $15, it’s a great summer wine for dinner or not.
This 2021 Kirkland Signature Cotes De Provence Rosé is a delightful addition to the Kirkland Signature wine collection. Hailing from the renowned Provence region in France, this rosé boasts a pale salmon-pink color that immediately sets the stage for a refreshing experience. On the nose, I detected a delicate floral notes intertwine with enticing aromas of wild berries and fresh peaches, evoking a sense of summer in the countryside. The initial sip revealed itself as crisp and well-balanced palate, with flavors of ripe strawberries, hints of citrus, and a subtle herbal undertone, I could not pin point the herb, but it did culminate in a refreshing and lingering finish.
The grapes for this elegant rosé are carefully sourced from select vineyards in the Cotes De Provence appellation, known for its ideal terroir and climate for rosé production. Situated in the southeastern part of France, the region benefits from the Mediterranean Sea’s cooling influence and the Mistral winds, creating the perfect conditions for slow and even ripening of the grapes. This unique environment imparts a distinct minerality and bright acidity to the wine, adding complexity to its flavor profile.
I rated the 2021 Kirkland Signature Cotes De Provence Rosé with an impressive 92 points. It effortlessly captures the essence of Provence, delivering a harmonious balance of fruitiness and elegance. The wine’s versatility makes it a delightful choice for various occasions, from relaxed outdoor gatherings to refined dining experiences. Its light-bodied nature and well-defined flavors make it an excellent accompaniment to salads, grilled seafood, or simply enjoyed on its own, chilled and savored under the summer sun.
This Cotes De Provence Rosé is a fantastic representation of the classic Provençal style, and its impeccable quality makes it a standout among rosés in its price range. With its charming aromas, refreshing palate, and a strong sense of place, this wine is an excellent choice for wine lovers seeking a taste of the celebrated French wine region without breaking the bank.
Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé 2022 is a delightful wine that embodies the essence of the picturesque Gascogne region. This rosé showcases a brilliant pale pink hue, hinting at the freshness and vibrancy within. Upon the first sip, it reveals a well-balanced and crisp flavor profile, dominated by notes of ripe strawberries, juicy watermelon, and a subtle touch of citrus zest. The wine’s smooth texture and refreshing acidity make it a perfect companion for warm summer evenings or light, sunny lunches.
Located in the heart of Gascony, France, Domaine de Pellehaut boasts a rich winemaking tradition that dates back generations. The unique terroir of the Gascogne region, with its rolling hills and maritime influence, imparts a distinct character to the wines produced here. The Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé showcases the expertise of the winemakers at Domaine de Pellehaut, reflecting their commitment to crafting wines that encapsulate the essence of the land.
I rated the Domaine de Pellehaut Harmonie de Gascogne Rosé 2022 with a solid 90 points. It strikes an excellent balance between fruitiness and acidity, offering a delightful and harmonious drinking experience. Whether you are a white or a soft red wine drinker or a newcomer to the world of rosés, this wine is sure to please with its delightful flavors and refreshing nature. It is a perfect choice for those seeking a taste of the Gascony region in a bottle.
The Orin Swift Shatter Grenache 2012 is an intriguing and enjoyable wine, while I gave it a well-deserved 89-point rating. Priced at an accessible $22, this elegant offering presents a stunning, light ruby color with a broad red rim. On the nose, it delights with a fresh and clean aroma, manifesting a delightful blend of blueberries, cherries, licorice, blackberries, green pepper, chocolates, vanilla, oak, spices, black pepper, cola, metals, graphite, and bitter herbs.
The medium-plus body showcases both elegance and smoothness, complemented by medium acidity and long legs. As my palate indulges in this dry wine, notes of blackberries, black currants, plums, bell pepper, cherries, oak, vanilla, licorice, cloves, earth, green olives, leather, and forest floor emerge, creating a well-rounded taste profile.
Despite sporting a medium finish with round tannins and bitter vegetable notes, this Grenache remains a commendable effort from the partnership of Dave Phinney and Joel Gott. This French wine is approachable and inviting straight from the bottle, offering a complex and intriguing taste experience, though it does lean towards a slightly bitter finish. As it opens up, earthy tones become more pronounced.
The Orin Swift Shatter Grenache 2012 may be enjoyed on its own, but its true potential shines when paired with food – I paired this one with a dinner consists of pork chops, mixed vegetables and mashed potatoes. Although it doesn’t quite fulfill the high expectations inspired by Phinney’s other work, it still offers a pleasurable experience. With a potent 15.8% alcohol content, this wine invites you to savor and appreciate its versatile character.
Looking for a nice “not too heavy” summer red, then check these guys out, awesome for grilling and pairing or just sitting around the back yard fire and sipping.
This bottle is a steal for under $10. It’s super ripe and fruity, tasting at times (particularly the finish before it got air) like those large canned Hawaiian Punch containers you enjoyed as a kid that had to open at both ends with a bottle opener and pour in a glass. As it sat in the glass for a while it developed into a rather nice Bordeaux drinking perfectly right now.
This wine is 100% Merlot in a really enjoyable expression of the grape, plus it is a very food friendly and again, quite a bargain at this price. It soft and light having aged a while, delicate in the mouth, flavors of jam, cherry and fruit punch, candy on the finish; finish is dry and chalky. I think you could pour this blind to someone and tell them it was a much more expensive Bordeaux and they might not bat an eye.
Good value here, especially for right bank Bordeaux fans.
Straight from the Bottle 
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