2019 Acantalys

 Classic Côtes-du-Rhône. Probably the best Acantalys I tasted. Nose and taste of chokeberry, with hints of old leather and tobacco. Some spices. Almost no sugar, which is great.

Was great with smoked chicken pizza.

2015 Maison Bouey

 

This one (at least 2015 vintage) sold in US by Haskell's under flashy name Marquis Haskell's. Very good Bordeaux. 13% alcohol, which is good (I'm tired of 14.5% Bordeaux). Strong nose and taste of black currant. Good finish. No sugar. Will buy it again if Haskell's still have it.

Was great with tuna fried in everything bagel seasoning.

2018 Castello Jumilla Rosado

 Nice Rosé. Distinct plum note in the taste. Some mineral notes in the nose. Quite different from French Rosé wines and even from Rioja Rosé.

Was great with baked walleye filet.

2018 Valfontaine

Good Bordeaux. Feels a little bit harsh right out of the bottle, but aerator fixes this little problem. Strong black currant note, almost no sugar, tastes like Bordeaux should taste.

Was good with smoked chicken pizza.

 

2019 Laville Pavillon

There are great 2019 Bordeaux wines out there. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. Drinkable, with subtle tones of black currant and plum. Would be pretty good, if not for the sugar. Way too much of it.

 

2020 Cape Bleue Rosé

 

Great Rosé from Jean-Luc Colombo. Crisp, dry, with distinctive Rhône notes. Costco continues to supply us with good inexpensive French Rosé.

Was great with walleye grilled on a cedar plank.

2019 Château Hostin Le Roc

 

Looks like 2019 is a pretty good year for Bordeaux. This is one more masterpiece. Black and red currant in the taste and nose. A bit of mineral whiff in the nose after aerator. Matures wonderfully in the glass. No sugar (great!).

Was great with smoked chicken pizza.

2019 Château d'Aigueville

 A huge disappointment. I hoped for something good, because company didn't release disastrous for many producers 2017 and very spotty 2018. But 2019 is no good. Way too much sugar. Will not buy it again.

2019 Renaissance

 Very good Rosé from Tuscany, Italy. Light, crisp, citrusy. Very light blush color. The only question: why not "Renascimento"?

Was great with walleye grilled on a cedar plank.

2018 Les Murières

 

Will not buy it again. At least, not 2018. Harsh and unrefined, neither aerator nor keeping it in open bottle for half an hour helps. Barely drinkable.

2019 Château Haut-Sorillon

 Very good. Even better than 2018. Even though 2018 has a medal and this one hasn't. Black currant and spices in the taste, just a bit of earthy (chalky) note in the nose. Almost no sugar. Smooth and surprisingly mature for 2 years old wine.

Was great with grilled tuna.