Tom Casagrande

9.2

Third and last bottle of this. I don’t want to like it as much as I do because it’s 15% alcohol. But it’s a big, boisterous glassful, with lots of ripe macerated cherry, leather, and gravel on the nose, with a whiff of camphor. Mouthfilling and soft on the palate, this acids are relatively low but it’s still got nice balance for current drinking. A fair amount of tannin is buried under the cascade of fruit. Not super complex, but a satisfying accompaniment to pork cutlets Parmigiana, and a good value.

UPDATE: Night 2, a pruney, overripe character takes over. My recommendation is to drink soon and with minimal air time. — a day ago

Tom Casagrande

8.7

I like the nose. Bright and peachy. Some clean high-toned crushed stone. On the palate, nice intensity on initial entry, but a short-ish finish. Nice for weeknight dinner. — 7 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Red fruits are the star with this one. Loads of crunchy ripe red berries on the nose, complicated by a slightly musky granitic minerality. Intense fruit concentration in the mouth, with nice acids keeping it in balance. There’s a little bit of tannin here, but you have to concentrate on it to discern it underneath the waves of fruit; fairly voluptuous in the mouth. A wine to enjoy young. — 12 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

From a very old vineyard. Medium color saturation. I love the nose: classic Dry Creek Zin scents of exceedingly pure spicy blackberry juice, a bit of dark raspberry, and warm sandstoney gravel. Really nice balance on the palate. Surprisingly lip-smacking acidity zips along the somewhat austere (for a Zin) and minerally flavors. Structured almost like a left bank Bordeaux. I really like this . . . but . . . it’s just a tad leaner and more reserved on the palate than my ideal. That said, this will age slowly for a Zin and would pair with a wide variety of meals. Only 14.5% alc., mercifully. 9.1 for now but may go a bit higher in a few years. — 14 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.8

Way more nattie funk than the bottle I had a year ago. But tons of bright funk-fruit and nice zingy acids. Very soft textured. A singular wine for rustic food. — 4 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

After-party notes. This was surprisingly tight and crisp and structured for a an Alsace sparkler. Really fine. Great value. — 5 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Last of three bottles of this delicious Crozes. Nose is all over the place, with an initial funky (poopy) note that blows off quickly to reveal minerals, orchid florals, roasted asparagus, roast beef, dark fruit, and granitic minerality. Intense but beautifully balanced in the mouth. Soft textured and very savory/ minerally. Such a ridiculous value. Sorry to drain the last one but happy while draining it! — 8 days ago

Tom Casagrande

Ugh. Completely corked. — 4 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.9

Medium intensity nose has golden plum, a fresh floral note, and some crushed stone. It’s pretty large-framed in the mouth. The acids are on the lowish side, but it’s got a minerality and a slight bitter note as the finish progresses that enlivens it. Good flavor intensity. The alcohol pooks through a little, but it should be nice with Milanese cutlets. — 6 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Pop n pour. Given that it’s 70% Mourvèdre, the color is surprisingly light. (There’s 25% Grenache and 5% Syrah too.) Medium color saturation. Inviting nose of a melange of ripe berries and a smoky embers note. Crushed rock behind that. Soft and intensely flavored in the mouth, with the berries less prominent, jousting with dark earthy and pleasantly vegetal notes. Soft but balanced acids and tannins almost silky. Really nice. Terrific value at $25 from WTSO. — 10 days ago