Her Mir Tage

9.3

Valentini Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo Tasting Note

Region & Grape: Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo, Italy. Made from 100% Montepulciano. I picked this bottle at a steakhouse in Florence and served it blind to friends. It cost €110, about 10% below the international price. Production is very low, and unfortunately only the new vintage was available.

Aroma: Highly complex. Notes of wild strawberry, cherry, and rose petals, along with this wine’s signature unique perfume note—a friend described it as the pink Miss Dior, full of girlish charm—intertwined with herbs and wet stone minerality.

Palate: Full-bodied, with bright acidity and fine tannins. The finish shows distinct saline minerality and a slight almond-like bitterness, with a long aftertaste.

This wine is very difficult to identify blind. A legendary “cult” rosé from Abruzzo, extremely well made. Far from a simple, easy-drinking rosé. Valentini owns nearly 70 hectares of vineyards, but each year selects less than 5% of the fruit for winemaking; the remaining over 95% is rejected and sold off for failing to meet the standard. This extreme selectivity means the estate’s total annual production is only about 30,000 bottles, and the Cerasuolo rosé follows the same principle. I plan to hunt down some older vintages to drink. — 10 days ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.2

This is an amazing IGT out of international variety Sauv. Blanc, it has a up lifting acidity, mild citrusy, mandarin peel. Compelling sapidity, nice minerality, dry and very refreshing. A subtle touch of wood, and low in AVB% 12. Deliciously mouthfeel. Cheers! — 2 years ago

Vanessa

9.1

Happy International Merlot Day!! — 4 years ago

with Deked1

Benno

9.1

Quite dark, a little heady. Doesn’t particularly convey a sense of place, and quite international, but well done. Keep a few more years. — 6 years ago

Nikki Vlasic

9.1

Spanish wine contestant in our International Wine Tasting Night — 6 years ago

Dr. Owen Bargreen

9.4

The 2015 Ramey ‘Hyde VIneyard’ Chardonnay is a simply gorgeous new wine that is one of the best of its kind by superstar winemaker, David Ramey. Set on clay loam soils, the strongly marine-influenced Hyde Vineyard has gained an international reputation for producing outstanding Chardonnay grapes. This Carneros bottling shows intense nutmeg, vanilla creme brulee, macadamia nut and heavy whipping cream flavors that impress. Lithe and rich, this gorgeous bottling will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 94 — 7 years ago

Christina Legendre

9.0

Sure I like it because of the name, but it’s also a nice wine, we drunk it with international food from Russia, France, India, Iran, Germany, China, Taiwan,... was a weird and nice melting pot ! — 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

San Polo “Rubio” Toscana IGT 2023
Toscana IGT – Tuscany – Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A modern Tuscan red blend crafted with certified organic grapes, primarily driven by Sangiovese and complemented by small percentages of international varieties, typically including Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon depending on the vintage. Produced by San Polo in the heart of Montalcino, this wine captures the approachable yet structured identity of contemporary Toscana IGT wines.

Aromas & Flavors
Ripe red cherry, wild berries, plum, and subtle violet notes layered with touches of spice, dried herbs, and soft earthy undertones. The international varieties add roundness and darker fruit nuances while Sangiovese maintains freshness and energy.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with lively acidity, polished tannins, and a balanced texture. Fresh and approachable while still maintaining enough structure to feel distinctly Tuscan.

Food Pairings
Excellent with pizza, pasta with red sauce, grilled sausages, charcuterie boards, roasted chicken, or aged pecorino cheese.

Verdict
A very enjoyable and versatile Toscana IGT that showcases Sangiovese as the backbone while allowing international grapes to soften and broaden the profile. Authentic enough to reflect Tuscany, yet approachable enough for casual everyday drinking.

🍷 Did You Know?
The Toscana IGT classification was created partly to give producers more flexibility beyond strict DOC/DOCG regulations, allowing the use of international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot alongside traditional Tuscan varieties, ultimately helping launch the famous “Super Tuscan” movement back in late 60’s and early 70’s. — 5 months ago

Christian Carroll

10

Sooo good so tasty!! I drink one bottle every day it's amazing!! — 4 years ago

ESF

9.2

See previous note, some time has really improved this wine - represents outstanding QPR. Again, very international style Rioja - super generous & delicious — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous notes. Put simply this is a stunning Chardonnay as its Show Record will attest, with at least 5 Trophies including Best Wine in Show at the Royal Hobart International Wine Show. A good combination of citrus and stone fruit with leesy complexity and incredible length of flavour. Demonstrates once again how great Margaret River is for Chardonnay. I’m glad I have 3 bottles left. A huge bargain at $30 per bottle. Tasted again on 6th November 2021, 28 weeks later. Nothing to add. Just a killer Chardonnay which has won 5 Trophies and cost $30. QPR does not get much better than this. 96 points. Tasted final bottle on 16th June 2022 with consistent notes. Oak has fully integrated into the fruit. Should seek out more at this price. Hopefully they have kept up the standard with later vintages. — 5 years ago

Ruud Verhagen

9.1

International Chenin Blanc Day — 7 years ago

Peter James

9.0

International Women’s Day DBX — 8 years ago

Chris England

9.2

Just found out from @"Odedi" it’s International Merlot day so out came this £62 Merlot driven St Estephe 😅 will keep improving for sure 👍

📍 Chateau Lafon Rochet 2005

🏵 92-93 points

🍇 49% Merlot, 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc.

🍷 Deep dark ruby

👃 Minerals, gravel & pencil lead through smokey oak baked black berry fruits w/ minty herbs, mocha & red berry tones

👄 Med body of blackberry, redcurrant & plum in minerals w/ a dry cocoa kick & earthy red liquorice tone

🎯 Med red & dark berry slight dry mineral cocoa linger
— 8 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Macchia – Delicious Barbera 2023
Lodi, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Barbera may be native to Italy, but in Lodi it thrives in the warm days and cool nights, producing generous, fruit-driven wines. Macchia has built a reputation for crafting some of the most expressive New World Barberas, with a track record of winning international medals (including Gold at the International Barbera Competition in Italy for earlier vintages). This 2023 vintage keeps that pedigree alive with a vibrant, approachable style.

Aromas & Flavors
Explodes with blackberry, ripe plum, and dark cherry layered with chocolate, spice, and hints of licorice. There’s an intensity of fruit without losing freshness, showing why Barbera adapts so beautifully outside its homeland.

Mouthfeel
Juicy, full of energy, with supple tannins and balancing acidity. Medium-plus body with a long, fruit-forward finish dusted with cocoa and spice.

Food Pairing
Pairs effortlessly with rich tomato pasta, grilled lamb chops, or a hearty sausage pizza. Also excellent with strong cheeses that complement its ripe fruit core.

The Verdict
Macchia delivers again with a Barbera that’s as delicious as its name. The 2023 vintage stands out as a casual yet compelling New World take on an Old World classic—backed by a winery whose style already carries international pedigree.

✨ Personal highlight: This wine style has pedigree from past events, but the 2023 is very much its own statement. It’s “delicious” in every sense and shows how consistent Macchia has been across vintages. Cheers! — a year ago

R Bl

9.0

Nice cab blend - still a little tannin. Label says 30% France, 22% Chile, 30% Australia, 18% USA. No vintage on label but artwork says ‘92 which seems right. — 4 years ago

Nick

9.2

Absolutely caught me off guard. This was a simple gift from family. Now my wife and I are scrambling to buy another bottle. A phenomenal blend. Full bodied and spice. I would love for someone who actually knows what they’re talking about to try and this lol — 4 years ago

Jason Troendle

9.4

Sweet and not too strong — 6 years ago

with Mandy

Bob McDonald

9.5

Wine No. 6 of the 8 Cabernets we tasted blind on Saturday. The idea for this tasting came from Cape Mentelle who annually have an International Cabernet tasting at the winery in WA where they have the confidence to put their wine up against the best Cabernets in the world every year. This has all of the classic Cabernet descriptors of black olive, red fruits, cigar box etc. Ranked #6 of the 8 Cabernets we tasted on the day. Again needs to be cellared to realise its ultimate potential. — 6 years ago

J. Kim

9.1

The aroma is pure Burgundian oak, also emits subtle Ribeira Sacra terroir notes. Plush and velvety texture, clearly a fine wine with ambition, slightly softened with international feel, and without a strong individual voice. — 8 years ago