Tasting Thoughts

Celani Family Vineyards - Napa Valley

'Vincenza' Rose - 2021

Chardonnay - 2021

'Robusto' - 2019

'Tenacious' 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon - 2018

My Thoughts!

I have been around Celani wines for many years and Tenacious is hands down one of my all-time favorites. I was at the tasting and as soon as I took a drink, I asked if Tenacious was on the menu... because it was a blind tasting they did not confirm until the end... but sure enough I was right! Just trust me and try it! 

Any time you need a nice, fruity wine for the summer, at the beach or on the porch... 'Vincenza' Rose is your wine! Delicious Choice Every Time! 

I am not usually the biggest Chardonnay fan, but Tom Celani, does this wine right. This whole cluster wine tastes of crisp lemon, apple and pear giving light hints of stone fruits. 

The Cabernet and Robusto are full and complex with tons of tannin and depth. Don't forget the sediment! These are chunky unfiltered wines for a seasoned wine drinker's delight. 

French Wines

Domeaine de Terrebrune Rose - 2021

Joseph Drouhin Cotes de Beaune - 2019

La Chenade Lalande-de-Pomerol - 2019

Chateau Bonalgue Pomerol - 2019

Chateau Leoville Barton Saint- Julien - 2018

My Thoughts!

The thing I like most about Old World wines is the subtlety. Wines from France put me in a trance with their soft aromas, light yet complex flavors and long finishes making you crave more. 

What you will notice about the name is that the location and maker come before the varietal and year. Where in the New World you will see the proprietary name and varietal first. This shows the pride the wine makers have in the Old World that they name their wine after their name and property. It's all about the history! 

Old World

Domaine Daulny Sancerre France - 2021

Regis Bouvier, Marsannay Blanc France - 2019

Joseph Drouhin, Cotes de Beaunne France - 2019

Donaine Durand 'Les Coteaux' Saint- Joseph - 2019

Chateau Pedesclaux Pauillac - 2019

Piper Heidsieck Cuvee Brut Champagne

New World

Craggy Range 'Te Muna' Sauvignon Blanc NZ - 2022

En Route Chardonnay Russian River Valley - 2021

Domanie Drouhin 'Laurene' Pinot Noir Dundee Hills - 2019

Penfolds 'Bin 28' Shiraz South Australia - 2019

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley - 2020

Schramsberg Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine North Coast

My Thoughts!

This was a blind tasting, and I will tell you that it was hard to tell on some of them... I will give you my top 3 favorites of the night.

Joseph Drouhin, Cotes de Beaunne

Donaine Durand 'Les Coteaux' Saint- Joseph 

Faust Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Rediscover Australia

Jansz "Premium Cuvee & Vintage Rose, Tasmania- 2017

Vasse Felix "Filius" Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River - 2020

Pewsey Vale " the Contours, Museum Reserve" Reisling, Eden Valley - 2015

Dalrymple Pinot Noir, Pipers River, Tasmania -2019

Henschke "Johann's Garden" Grenache, Barossa Valley - 2018

Yalumba - 

"The Virgilius" Viognier, Eden Valley -2019

"Y Series" Shiraz, South Australia - 2019

"Samuel's Collection" Bush Vine Grenache, Barossa - 2019

"The Signature" Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz, Barossa - 2018

"Antique" Muscat, South Australia

My Thoughts!

This was an open tasting of 12 wines from all over Australia. Some of these wines absolutely blew me away. On my sheet I wrote WOW! 5 times! To be honest, I am not much of a Chardonnay fan, but after that "Filius" from Margaret River, I am now a Chardonnay drinker!... And the Cabernet was a close second! The Signature came with a fun story about the wine maker and the annual Signature series. I also very much enjoyed the Yalumba- "Samuel's Collection" Bush Vine Grenache. And if you are a fan of sweet or just want to feel the nostalgia of your grandpa's old butterscotch, you need to try the Yalumba "Antique" Muscat