French Wines

2022 Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy Sancerre Rosé, "Terre de Miaimbray" ($33.90 - Foodscape, Walla Walla) - Most Sancerre is white (Sauvignon Blanc) but some red and rosé is made from Pinot Noir. This one shows a brilliant copper-tinged pink color and fresh aromas of strawberries, pink cherries, Mandarin oranges, cherry and orange blossoms, pink lilac and pink incense. The flavors are bright and vibrant, with pink and orange fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and calcareous minerals. The resonance continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and orange peel, followed by a lingering, beautifully balanced finish. Exquisite from beginning to end. 19.5/20 points.

2021 Chagnoleau Saint-Veran, "La Roche" ($44.99 - wine.com) - Saint-Veran is situated next to Pouilly-Fuisse. This one displays a deep, brilliant gold color and rich aromas of pear-apple, peach, Casaba melon, butternut, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria and brioche. The flavors are lavish and mouth filling, pure Chardonnay, with yellow fruits that are imbued with grape and pear skins, peach stones and granitic minerals. On the back, the wine gains intensity with poire and pêche liqueurs and pecans, followed by lengthy balanced and precise elegantly fruited finish. 19/20 points.

2021 Vinifera Collection Côtes du Rhône Villages ($16.99 - Safeway) - Composed of 50% Grenache, 35% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre, this bargain offers a deep ruby color and rich aromas of framboise, mure (blueberry), cassis, crushed roses, garrigue (lavender and herbs), cracked pepper and sultry incense. The flavors, as well, are attention-getting, with red and blue fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, cocoa, medium roast coffee beans and Vaucluse earth and minerals. On the back the wine rounds out with pressed berries, roasted nuts and creme de cassis, followed by a ripe moderate tannin and alcohol finish. 18+/20 points

The following three Burgundies are from The Thief shop in Walla Walla. They were purchased on sale at 10% off the regular prices below.

2020 Domaine Bernard Moreau Bourgogne Chardonnay ($60) - This comes from a vineyard across the road from Chassage-Montrachet with a bit more clay soil. It displays a brilliant gold color and floral aromas of Anjou pear, white peach, grapefruit, honeydew melon, apple blossoms, acacia flowers, wisteria and yellow incense. On the palate, the flavors are luscious yet precise, with yellow fruits that are imbued with pear skins, peach stones and calcareous minerals. The vibrancy continues on the back with poire and pêche liqueurs and touches of roasted pecans and crème fraiche, followed by a lingering faintly honeyed finish. 19+/20 points.

2020 Xavier Monnot Maranges 1er Cru, Clos de la Fussière ($60) - Maranges is situated at the southern end of the Côte d'Or. This exhibits a deep ruby color and a seductive nose of wild raspberry, black cherry, black currant, black roses, dark tobacco, sandalwood , violets and sweet incense. The flavors are thick and deep cored, with Davis red fruits the are intermixed with licorice, cocoa powder, Earl Grey tea and stony minerals. The penetration continues on the back with macerated berries, roasted pecans, kirsch and creme de cassis and soft charcoal, followed by a lingering, firm sweet-dry ripe tannin finish. The opulence gives it a plus. 19+/20 points.

2018 Domaine Pierre Gelin Fixin ($57) - This offers a deep ruby color and engaging aromas of raspberry, cherry, black currant, crushed roses, tobacco, sandalwood, blood orange and incense. The flavors are medium bodied but substantial and mouth filling, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and earth. On the back, the wine fills out with pressed berries, roasted nuts, mocha, creme de cassis and recurring orange peel, followed by a ripe smooth tannin finish. 19/20 points.

Italian Wines

2022 Braida Brachetto d'Acqui ($24.99 - wine.com) - Brachetto d'Acqui is a Piedmontese semi sparkling red dessert wine. It shows a light (almost Rosé) ruby color, a frothy rim and rich aromas of raspberry, cherry, blood orange, crushed rose petals  and orange incense. The flavors are fresh and mouth filling, enlivened by fruit acids and CO2. The back picks up raspberry and cherry liqueurs and recurring orange peel on the brisk low alcohol (5.5%) sweetish finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 Pieropan Soave Classico ($20.99 - Safeway) - Back in the 1980's when I owned Esquin, we sold a hundred cases a year of this white from the Veneto. This vintage shows a brilliant lemon-gold color and enticing aromas of pear, white peach, Crenshaw melon, lime, pear blossoms, meadow flowers and white incense. The yellow fruit flavors are pleasingly bright and juicy, with notes of grape and pear skins, peach stones and minerals. The resonance continues on the back with pear and peach liqueurs, toasted hazelnuts, melon rind and lime peel, followed by a balanced, finely fruited finish. 18.5/20 points.

2021 G. D. Vajra Langhe Rosso ($15.99 - Safeway) - This Piedmontese Red is a blend of Nebbiolo, Freisa and Barbera. Medium ruby colored, it emits ripe aromas of raspberry, cherry and red currant with scents of red roses, mulberry, lavender and incense. The flavors are medium bodied but mouth filling, with red fruits that are intermixed with red licorice, herbal tea and Langhe hillside minerals. The back picks up gently pressed fruits, roasted nuts and red liqueurs, followed by a supple moderate tannin finish. 18+/20 points.

2020 Le Volte Dell' Ornellaia Toscano Rosso ($30.99 - Safeway) - This is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. It shows a deep ruby color and enticing aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed roses, mulberry, tobacco, sandalwood and stick incense. The flavors are supple yet deep and focused, with red fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, black tea and coastal minerals. On the back, the wine fills out with red liqueurs and roasted hazelnuts, followed by a classic sweet-dry tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.