Versatile

Château des Jacques

Moulin-A-Vent Gamay 2019

ESF
9.1

very pleasant, elegant, all kinds of cherry, raspberry and red currant on nose, some red florals, spice and an herbal note. great varietal typicity w/out carbonics - legit, classic style, has many more years ahead, mild tannins and decent acidity make this versatile for food options — a month ago

Doug, Tom and 4 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

@ESF, I am a fan of this wine, cannot recall if I’ve had the 2019, but often find this cuvée on the discount shelves 4-6 years after the vintage, and it never seems to disappoint. Cheers!

Mauro Sebaste

Roero Arneis

🍇 100% Arneis | Roero DOCG, Piedmont, Italy

A classic Northern Italian white, crafted from Arneis grapes sourced across the villages of Vezza d’Alba, Piobesi, and Monteu Roero, all part of the heartland of the Roero appellation.

On the nose:
Fragrant and inviting, with aromas of white flowers, ripe pear, and a citrus lift. A gentle thread of mineral elegance keeps it grounded and regionally expressive.

On the palate:
Dry, crisp, and clean, with a smooth texture, refreshing acidity, and a subtle, pleasantly bitter almond note on the finish — a signature Arneis trait. Light-bodied yet structured, it’s harmonious and polished, with more personality than your average summer white.

Food pairing:
Versatile and food-friendly, perfect with seafood, light pasta dishes, grilled veggies, and fresh cheeses like burrata or robiola.

A true gem from Piedmont expressive, regional, and quietly elegant.
Cheers to Arneis done right! 🍐🍋🌸
— 5 months ago

Ted liked this

Sandlands

Lodi Red Table Wine 2019

If I haven’t mentioned it before, I love these Red Table Wines produced by Sandlands. They’re not fussy and deliver the goods when you need a versatile red wine to pair with a variety of meals. The only trouble is, I can never seem to get my hands on enough of them! Some quick notes over dinner: Popped and poured, bright and fresh bramble fruits on the nose with medium+ intensity. On the palate, a mixed fruits set with blue, black and red fruits all playing nicely together. Medium tannin and medium acid. Finish is also medium. Worked well with chicken wings and corn on the cob. — 4 years ago

Severn, Ira and 12 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Always seeking a paring to corn on the cob, preferably grilled!

Dubourdieu

Liaison Graves Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon 2022

Dubourdieu – Liaison 2022
Sauternes, Bordeaux – France 🇫🇷

Overview
This 2022 Sauternes is a blend of 99% Sémillon and 1% Sauvignon Blanc, offering an affordable yet authentic taste of botrytis-affected wines (noble rot) from this iconic region. Crafted under the influence of the Dubourdieu family legacy, it reflects both pedigree and accessibility.

Aromas & Flavors
Candied apricot, dried peach, and orange zest dominate, with layers of honey, cream, and subtle spice. A touch of citrus lift keeps it bright.

Mouthfeel
Lush, creamy, and medium-sweet with balancing acidity. Not cloying — instead, elegant and smooth with a long, harmonious finish.

Food Pairings
Equally versatile as an apéritif or dessert wine. Pair with blue cheese, foie gras, nut tarts, or simply enjoy with stone-fruit desserts. Also shines on its own as a liquid treat.

Verdict
A crazy delicious and overdelivering Sauternes at its price point. Balanced, expressive, and approachable — it won’t disappoint anyone seeking a classic noble rot experience. 🍯🍑 cheers!

Did You Know?
The late Denis Dubourdieu, known as the “pope of white wine”, was not only a legendary enologist but also a professor and educator who revolutionized Bordeaux whites and sweet wines, leaving a lasting mark on the region.
— 2 months ago

Ted and Andrew liked this

Pialli

Rosso Calbin Tai Rosso 2023

A little more fruity than 2022. Still very versatile! — 9 months ago

Sarah Bignami
with Sarah
Doug, Tom and 5 others liked this

Azienda Agricola Bucci

Classico Superiore Verdicchio dei Castelli Di Jesi 2019

This is a lovely and under appreciated wine that, for roughly $20, gives an enormous amount of pleasure. It has a silky texture with high acidity and well-balanced flavors of golden apple, lemon, pear, hay, chamomile and enough stony minerality to give a saline impression on the finish. It’s flavors are intense enough it can match up not only with light dishes like sushi or shrimp, but more pronounced flavors of grilled fish or chicken, and especially pastas like cacio e pepe or fettuccine Alfredo. Versatile as well as delicious — 4 years ago

Josh, Romain and 1 other liked this

R. López de Heredia

Viña Tondonia Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2008

The famed #lopezdeheredia - Their 2008 release year matched the year we got married so we ordered this at a nice restaurant on our 13th anniversary. I asked the sommelier to cool it in an ice bucket a bit and so it took some time to open up in the glass. One of the best old school #rioja - subtle dark fruit, forest floor and distinct mushroom and truffle aromas on the nose. The biggest surprise for me on the palate was the incredible freshness and bracing acidity. Forest floor, leather and dark fruit as the backup chorus. This is still such a young wine. Delicious and versatile pairing wine - worked so well with a brined chicken breast with a puff pastry side stuffed with morel mushroom and lobster. — 4 years ago

Chappellet

Mountain Cuvée Proprietor's Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2023

Chapellet Mountain Cuvée Proprietor’s Blend 2023
Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A vibrant Bordeaux-style blend from Chapellet, a pioneering family-owned estate high on Pritchard Hill since 1967. Known for its rocky, elevated vineyards and bold mountain-grown fruit, Chapellet crafts this approachable yet terroir-rich blend for both immediate enjoyment and graceful aging.

Blend Composition
• 51% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 24% Merlot
• 10% Petit Verdot
• 8% Malbec
• 7% Cabernet Franc 

Aromas & Flavors
Effusively aromatic with dark cherries, blackberries, and plums, framed by spicy oak notes of clove, cardamom, cedar, plus touches of black pepper and savory herbs. The palate mirrors this with plush ripe berry layers, framed by fine-grained tannins, and finishes with lingering dark chocolate and anise.  

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with a luxuriously textured core. The fine-grained tannins wrap the fruit beautifully, balanced by inherent freshness—creating a long, silky, and satisfying finish.  

Winemaking Notes
Crafted under the guidance of Winemaker Phillip Corallo-Titus, the 2023 vintage benefitted from a cool growing season and carefully managed canopy work to preserve freshness and reduce yields. Fermented and aged to deliver immediate appeal without compromising structure. 

Food Pairing
A versatile pairing wine—ideal with grilled ribeye, slow-braised short ribs, or herbed lamb chops. It also complements rich pasta sauces and grilled mushrooms—luxurious yet approachable.

Verdict
Mountain Cuvée 2023 is a powerful yet elegant Napa blend, showcasing depth, freshness, and mountain intensity. It’s a beautifully balanced wine that offers a compelling mix of immediate pleasure and layered complexity. A benchmark for mountain-grown Bordeaux blends.
— 2 months ago

Ted and Andrew liked this

Raul Pérez

Ultreia Saint Jacques Mencía 2018

Delicious smooth medium-light body, versatile food wine. Nice Pinot noir alternative. — 3 years ago

Vanessa, Byron and 2 others liked this

Smith & Perry

Oregon Pinot Noir 2017

Pop up dinner served by Black Iron Bystro at Hooked. Nice versatile wine. — 4 years ago

Bonnie Hodur
with Bonnie
Ericsson liked this