Wine writer on NowAndZin. Cheese lover. L.A. voice actor. Reformed sports handicapper. Trying to taste wine from all 50 states.
This wine is medium dark garnet with some brown starting to show. The nose brings enough savory for everybody. Currant, fig, and blackberry notes are draped in earthy scents like pepper, tobacco, oak spice, coffee, and tarragon. The palate holds a set of firm tannins and a racy acidity. Flavors of dark berries, cherry, and plum define the wine’s profile. It will pair well with pork, lamb, or veal. — 13 days ago
This wine is inky dark. The nose has very dark fruit notes, but it is primarily savory. Aromas of tobacco, tar, smoke, and earth dominate, in a bold show. The palate has more fruit coming forward, but it still has to fight for attention with the savory flavors. I paired the Cannonau with a variety of cheeses to good effect, but it went quite well with sauteed mushrooms. — 20 days ago
This wine is medium dark in the glass. It smells of black fruit, like plums, blackberries, and currant. There is also a layer of spice on the nose. The palate brings more of that dark fruit, with a heaping helping of tannic structure. It will pair nicely with fatty meats. — 6 days ago
This wine has a dark purple color in the glass. The nose has an odd, medicinal smell to it, along with abundant black fruit and savory earth notes. The palate brings similar fruit flavors and a healthy dose of spice rack. Clove, cinnamon, and nutmeg appear, as do white pepper and dry mustard. The acidity is racy and the tannins are quite firm. — 10 days ago
This wine is a deep ruby red in the glass, with brick tones starting to show around the edge. The nose is powerful and savory, with the dark fruit accompanied by notes of cedar, tobacco, earth, and licorice. The palate is lean, as the fruit lets the stage be stolen by the savory side. The acidity is quite refreshing, and the tannins have a bit of bite left in them. I paired mine with some Italian beans, but it could also serve well with a steak or a plate of meatballs. — 15 days ago
This wine has a bold salmon color, very rich looking. The nose offers strawberry, peach, citrus, and a touch of lanolin aromas. The palate is fruit forward, too, and carries a refreshing acidity along with it. It is great as a sipper, but pair it with salads or cheese. — 22 days ago
This wine colors up a pale yellow in the glass. There is a floral note on the nose that hits first, followed by honeydew and nectarine aromas and a hint of citrus minerality. There is an herbal, grassy feel on the palate and a nice, fresh acidity. The finish is long and leaves traces of the Sauvignon Blanc behind as a remembrance.
— 8 days ago
This wine has a beautiful salmon color in the glass, and in the clear bottle, too. The nose displays a basket of fruit, like strawberries, cherries, berries, all quite ripe. There is also a green herbaceousness along with the fruity nose. The palate is medium full in the mouth with red fruit and citrus minerality. The acidity is fresh and lively. It is rather bold for a rosé, only to be expected with Syrah, Tempranillo, Grenache, and Barbera. — 11 days ago
This wine has a brick red color to it, medium tint. The nose shows nice notes of coffee and black tea, anise, a bit of tar, and a hint of chocolate. The palate is loaded with earthy dark fruit and savory tea. The mouthfeel is medium weight and has a decent set of tannins, along with some refreshing acidity. Despite the tannins, it’s a fairly smooth sip. You can pair this with lean beef, lamb, pork, or chicken dishes. — 18 days ago
Randy Fuller
This wine is medium dark garnet in the glass. The nose has a good supply of cherry and raspberry notes, dusted up with earth, tar and anise. The palate has a bit of licorice on it, but mainly serves as a showcase for the red fruit. There are some spicy elements, too. White pepper, nutmeg, and a very light clove sense brighten up the fruit. Tannic structure is firm and acidity refreshing. I had mine with a slow cooker red wine short rib dish, and the pairing was sublime. — 4 days ago