2018 Trader Joe's Caberne Sauvignon Platinum Reserve

I expected more. Opened this bottle 1.5 hours before dinner, wine didn't feel right. Harsh, even after aerator. Only half hour later (2 hours after opening) it became really good.

Sour cherry and black currant in the taste and nose. A bit too much sugar. Overall good (again, 2 hours after opening bottle). But I can easily find Bordeaux with better taste and for less money.

Was good with baked cornish hen.

2007 Mildiani

 Great wine from Republic of Georgia. This bottle was sitting in my cellar for at least five years, probably more. I remember the same wine from about 8 years ago, it had some sugar and didn't feel mature. Now it is, no sugar at all. Distinctive taste, a bit of tannins, light sour note, mix of berries.

Was great with pizza.

2013 Montecillo

Pretty similar to 2010. Mix of berries in the taste, with chokeberry prevailng. No sugar at all. Just a little bit less refined (probably because aged less time). Very good overall.

Was pretty good with baked lam fillet.

2016 Marquis de Bern

 

Last bottle from Costco Christmas box. This one is a masterpiece. Complex taste, with prominent black currant note, very well balanced. Smooth, despite 14.5% alcohol.

Will buy again if I can.

2018 Tavernello

 

Simple Sangiovese. You'd expect something like that in a rural taverna. Cherry and a hint of a black currant in the taste. Great for the price ($4.99 at Trader Joe's).

Was perfect with pizza.

2016 Bel Ormeau

 The third bottle from Costco Christmas box. Interesting. Powerful, with lots of tannins, no sugar at all, some berries, some old leather in the taste. Again, 14.5% alcohol is a bit too much for Bordeaux.

Had it with swordfish fried in Everything crust. Not the best match. Usually Bordeaus goes fine with swordfish, but this one would be much better with meats.

2014 Puerta Plata Reserva

 Very nice wine from Catalonia. 60% Tempranillo, 40% Grenache. Complex taste with notes of several berries (black currant, cherry, something else), tobacco, old leather. Dried apricot in the aftertaste. Some smoky notes in the nose. Despite the grapes used, tastes more like French wines. 

Was great with pizza.