Chris Zitzman

9.0

No need to decant this one as it displays a delightful bright crimson from the jump. As it breathes in the glass I’m getting light notes of clove, amidst other red berries. The palate is light, with fine tannins outlining the mid-palate to a light and delightful finnish. Nice little Pinot if you can find it — 4 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

8.6

Been waiting a long time to try this one. Philipo Mazzei is a legend that other legends like Thomas Jefferson would speak of in glowing terms of “Yea- I got a guy.” That’s the family we’re talking about here. The ‘15 is a blend of Sangiovese, Malvasia, Corolino, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The ‘15, as it opens, completely lives up to its price. I’d recommend decanting it to let it express itself. — 16 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.4

What a find. Not cheap ($50-70ish?) but as got the prices, so go the expectations and this wine from the Bedrock wine Company surpasses the lofty expectations I had for it. After a good, thorough decant this red blend opened up in a righteous fashion, with rich red fruits on the nose and one of the more ‘powerful yet graceful’ textures on the palate I’ve experienced in a long time. We had it with ribeye steaks and it was a meal for the books as the wine evolved in the glass. Powerful but graceful, stem to stern. — a month ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.2

I’m in a serious Sicilian groove right now and there’s no use in denying it. While there are a healthy amount of outstanding/astounding producers that hale from that region, get used to seeing the name Alessandro di Camporeale. It is they that have caused this phase of my current obsession, though I do not blame them exclusively. Today we tasted the Sauvignon (Blanc) from the estate, and it’s well-advised if you can find it. A pale, light shade of green to the eye, the swirl hints at a richer texture than you may be accustomed to from a Sauvignon Blanc. Elder flower is the first to touch the nose which is gracefully well-rounded with notes of ‘well-grounded’ passion fruit and limestone that is more alluring than in-the-face. As it breathes, everything blossoms onto the palate with remarkable balance and (again) allure. The finish is remarkably clean and uplifting. While not cheap (in that $25 -$35 range) the ‘Kaid’ Sauvignon from Alessandro di Camporeale just absolutely brings it. — a month ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.0

The 2024 Ameztoi “Rubentis” carries a subtle, almost rose gold hue in the glass. The nose contains bright red berry notes, but it’s on the palate where this wine absolutely shines.

The blend of hondarrabi zuri and hondarrabi beltza are at the heart of the wine, but its real beauty stems from the method to its marriage.

Both grapes are hand-picked, but then placed in hoppers from where they are de-stemmed together, then pressed together, then allowed to naturally ferment together. Towards the end of the process the tanks are closed to preserve the naturally occurring carbonation.

As is traditional/preferred method in Getaria, the tanks themselves are kept near freezing to solidify the blend’s effervescent character.

The result is a robust-yet-effervescent rose whose roots date back to the late 1800’s.

The craft used to make this very wine made rose popular in the Baque region of Spain LONG before rose became so popular around the world. — 5 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.4

Chris had this 18 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.3

After a breathe there’s a lot of citrus that subtly starts to introduce itself. Clean as can be, the bright and broadened nose brings along a luscious wallop to the palate. It’s kind of something to behold, and that will be noticed, frankly. Feels like a beautiful and luscious red, wrapped in the body of a voluptuous rose. There, I said it. It’s a full-bodied rose with joyous nuance to explore. — a month ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.1

Chris had this 6 days ago

Chris Zitzman

10

Not for nothing, but the nose on this puppy may be my favorite of all time. It’s powerful as can be but graceful and inviting, with all kinds of stewed fruit and every inclination of a powerhouse. There’s a delightful & robust jammy element to it in all the right ways. As it breathes, it says more. It’s as if this wine was the anti-Bordeaux from the standpoint that in now way is it ‘putting on airs. The palate is supremely graceful, as the tannins just melt right into the flavors that expand as it comes into its own. While powerful, it’s clear from the jump that this wine is crafted to seduce with a silky, velvety texture that patiently draws you in and holds you close with what can only be described as a one of a kind, luscious finish. This may be my very first 100pt wine that I just happened to stumble across. Memorable and remarkable. — 8 days ago

with Beth

Chris Zitzman

9.1

I’ve been a fan and advocate of the wines from Virginia for some twenty years. From the rich, hearty, and uniquely complex reds to the whites that range from bright and refreshing to the robust and sexy - I’ve been all about it.

This one, the 2024 Pinotage by r, may be my favorite of the lot.

I got the chance to meet and taste with the wine’s creator, Riaan Rossouw, last week and it’s here. If you can find it, buy it. It’s not cheap ($38’ish?)- but this is the very real deal and the very first wine that I really feel is the first Burgundy out of Virginia.

Without a decant, there’s almost a tawny tint to the wine that hints at its depth- as young as it be. The nose itself doesn’t “jump” out of the glass but rather cat-like, works its way onto the lap of one’s olfactory.

Yea- it’s not easy to describe, but you feel like royalty when it’s in your glass. Which is the point. — 18 days ago

with Beth