Tom Casagrande

9.2

Wow, quite the boisterous nose. Green apple and other slightly underripe orchard fruits, a little Madagascar vanilla, a bit of that overt minerality I associate with Marsanne (though there’s none in this 35% Grenache Blanc, 30% Clairette, 35% Roussanne blend). Load of fruit on entry on the palate, but surprising freshness and balance for such a full bodied white. I like this more than I thought I would. Should go great with the white wine and herb braised chicken we’re doing. — 3 hours ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

This was drinking beautifully. Soft, fragrant, balanced, complex. Classic Pessac tobaccoey nose and flavors. — 2 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.7

Suspiciously dark gold color, but I’m not detecting any oxidation. The nose is reserved, but gives off some Chenin-like orchard fruit and very straw-like notes. It’s soft and relatively low acid in the mouth. Straightforward and simple. — 4 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.3

Very interesting aged Gamay. My brother Dan says it’s very Pinot-like. I can see that. Love the depth of flavor allied with a light, crisp, floaty frame. — 7 days ago

with Rebecca, Angelo and 1 other

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Satisfying southern Rhone. Deep wafts of dark berry fruit and garrigue / roasted herbs. Deep, soft, and savory. — a day ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

Delicious and a great value. Lots of weedy, dark berry fruit. Very little discernible oak. Drinking well now and will hold for several years. (The 2017 vintage is depicted because I had to use a stock photo, as Delectable couldn’t identify the wine despite my taking a crystal clear photo of it.) — 3 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Another terrific and inexpensive example from this low-lying southern Rhone appellation. Complex, intense nose. Iodine, garrigue, dark roasted herbs, dark berry fruit. Intense, darkly fruity and savory palate. I’ll take this over most CDP’s these days. 14.5% alc. so good. — 7 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.1

This is the Chateau Davell Cuvée Imperiale Charlotte from El Dorado County. Purchased at the winery. The winery is very secretive and what varietals are in their blends. I’m guessing this is a Bordeaux type blend. Fragrant and soft. Lovely fruit, minimal oak influence. — 2 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

This is the white, not the red. Mineral drenched nose. Lots of wet dirty limestone. Crisp appley fruit playing too and little lemon oil. Fatter than expected on palate entry, but retains nice mineral freshness. Great value. — 2 days ago

Tom Casagrande

8.8

Very nice for a ‘21! A little barnyard funk initially, but then settles into a very irony, minerally personality. Some cracked peppercorn as well. The palate is quite silky, with soft, ripe fruit and some earthiness. Decent acids. A little on the simple side but satisfying and a good value — 6 days ago