Wine Review:
2021 Commanderie de la Baremone Rose’
Cost:  $22.99
Alcohol:  12.5%
 
This lovely Rose’ was part of a Wine and Cheese Place/Spirit Wine and Crafts Rose’ bundle we purchased a few weeks ago. This bottle did not disappoint.  A bone-dry rose’ that offered a delightful freshness with aromas of peaches, ripe strawberries, and a bit of citrus.  A super long finish!  A mix of 45% Grenache, 21% Cinsault, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Syrah, 6% Sauvignon Blanc and having a bright, slightly pink color.  This a perfect sipper for this ridiculously hot summer in Saint Louis!  Not a huge bargain but not over-priced either.  Pretty much at the upper end of what we would normally pay for a Rose’ but worth the money.  

Wine Review:
2020 Santodeno Romagna DOC Sangiovese Appassimento
Cost:  $11.99
Alcohol:  14%
 
This is one amazing Sangiovese! There’s no sense in beating around the bush.  From its bold, sexy label to the classy touch of a wax seal everything points to an amazing bottle of wine.  It does not disappoint.  This is delicious, smooth, and filled with dark red berry flavors.  Big body, subtle tannins with a hint of spice.  Just an incredible bottle that stood up to our homemade short rib ragu.  An incredible value for the price.  Head on over to Parker’s Table and pick up a few bottles.  

Wine Review:
2018 Chateau La Douce 2018
Cost:  $14.99
Alcohol:  14.5%
 
With only 1,500 cases produced each year, this 100% Merlot Bordeaux is a smooth and luscious wine. Thirty percent is aged for one year in French oak barrels. The wine comes from the Perez family who have twenty acres of Merlot planted. Their wines are sophisticated and plush (thus the name “la douce”). A rich, ruby color that is well-balanced and long on the palate. Notes of red berries, cassis, and a nice earthiness with firm tannin. The perfect wine for beef or rich poultry dishes. A bargain and a much better wine than the price supposes. This wine is worth a repeat purchase.

Wine Review:
2021 Villa des Anges Old Vines Rose’
Cost:  $12.99
Alcohol:  10.5%
 
Winemaker Jeff Carrel calls this wine “the perfect warm weather gulper.”  He could not be more correct. The perfect porch-sipper, this rose’ from the Languedoc region is southern France is a real bargain. Made from 100% Cinsault, this is a vibrant, brisk rose’ that over delivers and makes you want to drink more! Light, crisp, refreshing and filled with strawberry and a slightly mineral finish. This is the perfect warm weather gulper! You can find it easily at: Spirit Wine and Craft.

Wine Review:
2020 RouteStock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Cost:  $22.99
Alcohol:  14.2%
 
RouteStock Cabernet Sauvignon is a long-time favorite of mine. This 2020 vintage is no exception. After aging for 15 months in mostly French oak the wine becomes spicy and full-bodied. A long finish with flavors of dark chocolate, black and red berries, and a touch of coffee on the nose. One sip brings out the black and red berry fruits and the French oak. Well-balanced fruit, oak and alcohol create a supple wine that is a bargain at this price point. Always a favorite!

Wine Review:
2018 Chateau La Douce 2018
Cost:  $14.99
Alcohol:  14.5%
 
With only 1,500 cases produced each year, this 100% Merlot Bordeaux is a smooth and luscious wine. Thirty percent is aged for one year in French oak barrels. The wine comes from the Perez family who have twenty acres of Merlot planted. Their wines are sophisticated and plush (thus the name “la douce”). A rich, ruby color that is well-balanced and long on the palate. Notes of red berries, cassis, and a nice earthiness with firm tannin. The perfect wine for beef or rich poultry dishes. A bargain and a much better wine than the price supposes. This wine is worth a repeat purchase.

Wine Review:
2019 Castello della Paneretta Chianti Classico 2019
Cost:  under $20.00
Blend:  85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 5% Colorino
 
We visited Lorenzo’s, a favorite Italian restaurant on “The Hill” in Saint Louis for a delicious meal and found this bottle on their small, but well-chosen, wine list. This Chianti Classic is a red-violet colored wine with a balanced, full-bodied taste. You are immediately hit with notes of sour cherry and wild red berries. The tannins come from French oak barrel aging for a full year. This is a savory, medium-bodied wine that was the perfect accompaniment to the pasta. Complex, balanced and well-rounded, I would be happy to enjoy this same wine on our return visit. The cost is based on purchase at a wine store not restaurant pricing. 

Wine Review:
2017 WillaKenzie Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Cost:  $26.99
Alcohol:  14.4%
 
A family-owned estate winery in the Oregon Northern Willamette Valley, WillaKenzie Estate coined the term ‘Place Matters’ as a nod to the vision of their Burgundy founder’s roots. The name also pays tribute to the two major rivers flowing through the Willamette Valley:  the Willamette and McKenzie.
​
This lovely ruby colored Pinot Noir is a well-balanced, expressive wine with the nose of nutmeg, cinnamon, and ripe, red berries. Tasting of raspberry, blackberries, licorice, and dark teas and polished with grainy tannins. A medium body provides a wonderful freshness, and a finish of earthy richness. A bit pricier than most of the wines we purchase. With the case price discount, it does come down to under our $25.00 threshold. Grapevine Wines and Spirits have a 10% case discount and a lovely selection of Pinot Noirs for you to choose. This is one of their best.

Wine Review:
2021 Le Grand Valmal – Plaisir de Rose’
Cost:  $14.99
Alcohol:  10.5%
 
This lovely, mostly dry Rose’ was part of a sampler pack we picked up at Wine and Cheese Place’s newest location in south Saint Louis:  Spirit Wine and Craft. A great little wine, beer, liquor, and specialty food location. The wine is bright, medium-bodied and filled with strawberry and blackberry flavors. This rose’ is rich and round and, when chilled to perfection, a perfect porch sipper for these ridiculously hot and humid summer days in Saint Louis. The finish is long and luxurious and packs just a bit of spice at the end. Perfectly priced to become a frequent guest at the table. Super value!