2021 Poggio al Casone Casone Toscana IGT
Pisa, Italy

$10.99 / 86
13% ABV

A ‘Super Tuscan’ blend of Sangiovese and Syrah, decanted for 45 minutes (longer than intended), cooled to 63º F / 17.2º C, served in standard red glasses. A translucent pale-to-medium ruby in the glass. Leggy.

Nose of very strong vanilla and balsamic scents in the bottle, still present but somewhat tamed after decant. A lovely aromatic black cherry added to the mix. Cranberry, cherry, vanilla, leather, anise on the palate. Medium-bodied with fine-grained medium tannins and medium acidity. Medium finish.

Had with farro, mushrooms and thyme, vegetarian meatballs, pasta with pesto, potatoes and green beans, tuscan shrimp and beans and a baguette. The wine went fairly well with the tuscan shrimp, but not very well with the others. Probably better on it’s own or with other fare.

Just short of eleven dollars, this is another Trader Joe’s find that’s a perfectly acceptable mid-week drinker (and at 13%, might not affect your sleep as much as more alcoholic options). I can see that maybe the flavor profile might be a little wonky for some people, but we enjoyed it. Might buy again if the opportunity arises.

Super Tuscans are well-worth exploring. As they include wine from non-native grapes, the flavor profiles can be lotsa fun.

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2024 Famille Brunier Vaucluse Le Pigeoulet
Vaucluse, France

55% Grenache, 15% Syrah, 15% Carignan, 8% Cinsault, 7% Mourvèdre
14.5% ABV

$19.20 / 90

This southern Rhône appears leggy and medium ruby in the large Cab glasses we have here, served at 63º F / 17º C after a thirty-five minute decant.

Nose of black cherry, dried herbs. Palate of wet gravel, baking spices, blackberry, leather, garrigue. Medium bodied. Moderate powdery tannins and medium acidity.

On Day 1, had it with portobello smash burgers with cheese and sautéed onions, potatoes, butter beans with rosemary, carrots and tomatoes and cheddar biscuits. Went well with all, especially perhaps the butter beans.

On Day 2 after a night in the bottle, the wine was largely the same. But it’s so compelling, that's not a complaint. We’re already talking about getting more.

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2023 Clos La Coutale Cahors (Malbec)
Cahors, France

13.5% ABV

$14.40 / 87

Decanted for 40 minutes and served in universal glasses, where it appears as an impenetrably deep purple (a result of growing in limestone soils) and served at 65º F / 18.3º C.

A blend of 85% Malbec, 15% Merlot.

The aromas of this leggy red include red plum with a little sweet tobacco. On the palate, it’s smooth and earthy with plum, cherry, mild leather and dried leaves. This wine is medium-bodied with muted, rounded tannins which are well-balanced against the fruit and fairly low acidity.

A bit of a wallflower in comparison to the Argentinean or Californian Malbecs that I’ve had, which is not to say that it’s lacking character. It’s just more reserved. It’s also young, so it might become more complex if you let it age in your cellar (or on that forgotten shelf in your cupboard).

This feels like a wine you’d get in an unassuming family-owned restaurant which ends up being the real reason you keep showing up for a meal.

Clos La Coutale falls under the Cahors appellation d'origine protégée (AOP), which is a set of standards set by the EU for growing region and rules of production. I’m used to seeing the French AOC designation, but here it’s replaced by the EU’s version.

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2024 Monferrato Rosso Tenuta La Pergola
Piedmont, Italy

13% ABV

$12 (usually $16) / 88

Produced in the Monferrato D.O.C., this wine is a blend of 30% Barbera, 30% Dolcetto, 15% Freisa and 25% Croatina, served at 62º F / 16.6º C in aroma collectors. It presents as a semi-translucent medium ruby.

On the nose, fresh red berries and plum. On the palate, tart red fruit with bright, mouthwatering acidity and polished medium tannins. Earthy, medium-bodied and semi dry. Boldish. Cherry and cranberry with black pepper, dried herbs, leather and a little blackberry.

Had with Cod and Potatoes, pasta with chickpeas, vegan meatloaf and garlic bread. The wine went well with the pasta and was decently engaging with the cod and potatoes. Barbera in particular has the reputation of being a food-friendly wine, and this one delivered.

Great QPR to be had here. Bought from Kermit Lynch in Berkeley, and we’ll be buying it again.

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2022 Femar Vini Aglianico Epicuro Puglia IGP
Puglia, Italy

13% ABV

$5.99 / 87

Decanted for 1.5 hours, served at 66º F / 18.9º C in Riedel Extreme Cab glasses, where it presents as pale-to-medium ruby.

Slender, slowly-developing legs. Black cherry on the nose, maybe a touch of smoke. Pronounced fine-grained tannins and medium acidity on the palate, with black fruit, white pepper, wet gravel, leather. Bold, full-bodied. Earthy yet bright.

I’m pleasantly surprised by this cheap Aglianico from Trader Joe’s. I mean come on, it was six bucks so I took a flyer on it. Glad that I did. No complaints whatsoever. As the saying goes, try it, you’ll like it!

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2023 Cline Cellars Mourvèdre Ancient Vines
Contra Costa County, California

$14.99 / 89

14.5% ABV. Decanted for one hour. Served in Riedel Extreme Cab glasses where it presents as medium ruby at 64º F / 17.7º C.

Very subtle red fruit aromas. Pepper on the palate with blackberry, cherry, graphite, herbs, some leather. Volcanic rock. Hearty and earthy, bold, full-bodied. More blackberry and herbs on the long finish. Medium-plus (though less than expected) plush tannins and bright, medium acidity. Just as good on the second day.

This is the third bottle of Cline Mourvèdre we've had. We're gonna keep buying them.

A good-value, very serviceable earthy red at $14.99, a worthwhile pickup on the grocer’s shelf. Give it a try.

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