Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!

BUBBLES

La Vostra Conegliano Valdobbiadene

The basics – The Conegliano Valdobbiadene appellation, near the center of the Treviso province, was created in 1969 and promoted to DOCG status 40 years later. These bubbles, of course, are made from the glera grape.

Winemaker’s take –   “Peach and slight honey aromas become flavors on the palate, along with a nice green apple note that brightens the wine. Approachable and round with an easy-to-enjoy, smooth, bubbly texture.”

My take – I thought it offered remarkable value when I bought it for $16.99 a bottle. Now? Woo hoo!

Price – $12.99 at Total Wine

WHITE

2024 Imaginada IV Albariño

The basics – The albarino gets fleshed out by chenin blanc, chardonnay and trebbiano, all of which is Texas High Plains fruit.        

Winemaker’s take – “A brilliant pale straw in color, this lovely wine is a made-for-friends and late afternoon quaffing. Charming aromas of peaches, pineapple, lemon and tangerine yield a soft, delicate, and perfectly balanced palate leading to a crisp, refreshing finish.” 

My take – Invention is justifiably proud of its low-alcohol wines. This one is only 12.7 percent, but that never crosses your mind while you sip it. Super-satisfying at every level.     

Price – $40 at https://heathfamilybrands.com/shop/wines/inventionvineyards/

2023 Louis Jadot Mâcon-Villages Chardonnay

The basics – The Mâcon-Villages AOC is located in the southern part of Burgundy, close to Beaujolais. It’s the largest of the Mâconnais area, covering about 2,500 hectares of mostly chardonnay vineyards encompassing 43 communes.

Winemaker’s take – “Shows floral, apple and citrus aromas and flavors, with mineral notes. A classic expression of Chardonnay from this appellation.”  

My take – You’ll look long and hard trying to find a more fundamentally satisfying chardonnay from anywhere.  

Price – $15.97 at wine.com

PINK

2025 Domaine de Mourchon Loubie

The basics – A classic grenache (70 percent) and syrah blend, the fruit comes from young vines – average age 15 years – planted on the property’s Loubié terroir near Seguret with its well-draining sandy limestone and clay soil. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at low temperatures.

Winemaker’s take – “Pale salmon in color this rosé offers a bouquet of summer berries, peach and a little tangerine. Mouth-wateringly juicy, with a medium-bodied creaminess packed with vibrant fruit flavors, it’s ideal as a summer aperitif but well enough structured to stand up to seasonal foods such as salad Niçoise, a watermelon, basil and burrata salad, dressed crab and prosciutto.”

My take – From the McKinlay family, it has been my favorite rosé for years, checking all the boxes – price, flavor profile,       

Price – $18.99 at Spec’s

RED

2023 Madame de Beaucaillou

The basics – This “second” wine from the second-growth producer Ducru-Beaucaillou in St. Julien is a blend of merlot (59 percent), cabernet (37) and petit verdot.  

Winemaker’s take – “Medium to deep garnet-purple in color, it zips out of the glass with sparky notes of juicy raspberries and wild strawberries with underlying suggestions of cloves, roses, and dusty soil. The medium-bodied palate is bright and refreshing, with youthful red berry flavors and a lightly chewy texture, finishing with a touch of herbal zing.”

Critical acclaim –From Peter Moser: “Dark ruby, opaque core, purple reflections, delicate edge brightening. Delicately leafy black cherry fruit with a hint of liquorice and orange zest. Complex, juicy, a hint of blueberry, ripe tannins, freshly structured, lively, lemon finish.”

My take – No, not all Bordeaux must break the bank. The Madame would hold up against most of the big boys.     

Price – $22.98 at allendalewineshoppe.com

2022 Invention Vineyard Conflation

The basics – It’s mostly mourvedre (81 percent) with syrah and rubired in the blend, too.              

Winemaker’s take – This inaugural vintage of an exciting new Invention Vineyards wine is a Rhone-style blend featuring fresh aromas of strawberry shortcake and tart cherry with a spice-driven undercurrent of vanilla, cinnamon, and clove. The crisp palate is bright, lively, and refreshing with brisk acidity that makes it a great wine for lighter, warm-weather meals.   

Critical acclaim – From the Wine Enthusiast: “This nimble blend delivers fresh raspberry, violet and strawberry aromas on the nose, while the palate dances with lively acidity and a notable sour cherry-cinnamon vibe. Give this a slight chill and crush it with slow cooked pork tacos

My take – Again, the Invention lineup is focused on lower alcohol levels, and the Conflation comes in at 13 percent with no loss of flavor intensity.

Price – $55.29 at heathfamilybrands.com/shop

2021 Ceretto Barbaresco

Winemaker’s take – An elegant red, offering cherry, strawberry, floral and mineral flavors. Lively and focused, with a line of chalky tannins underneath. Shows fine balance and length.

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 93: “This is a really solid, meaty and mouth-filling Barbaresco that offers vivid red fruit with floral and mineral nuances and hints of licorice and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied with compact, velvety tannins that form the backbone of the wine, showing impressive concentration and length.” From the Wine Advocate, which also scored it a 93: “Reveals a lifted bouquet with bright tones of raspberry and wild strawberry. Those aromas offer a sweet side to the bouquet, but there is also a sour side that comes forth with blood orange or tart pomegranate. The wine ages in French oak for 12 months and is racked into neutral barrel for another year. Fruit comes from both Treiso and Barbaresco.”  

My take – The vintage is already acquiring legendary status in the Langhe and this beautiful Barbaresco classico from one of the region’s great families is another reason why.   

Price – $79.99 at wine.com

2020 Il Borro

The basics – It’s a Super Tuscan blend of organically grown merlot (50 percente), cabernet sauvignon (35) and syrah aged in 20-hectoliter casks.

Winemaker’s take – “After an accurate geological study, the varietals were all  planted in the best suited soils to express all their potential, giving birth to a velvety and opulent blend.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 96: “This is a round and rather juicy young wine with blackberry, chocolate and grilled meat notes. Full and layered with very fine tannins that are well integrated and a bright finish. Lively at the end.  From the Wine Advocate, which scored it a 93: “The wine shows a lot of oak that comes off as toasted spice, coconut or buttered almond. There is a distant note of dried dill, probably in the pyrazine family of the Cabernet Sauvignon, but it dissipates within the context of the big, ripe black fruit at the core. From a hot vintage, you get a lot of richness and fruit weight.”

 My take – It’s early, of course, but this is my Wine of the Year to 2026. We’ll see if anyone can beat it going forward.    

Price – $89.99 at wine.com

2021 Realm The Bard

The basics – It’s 83 percent cabernet sauvignon with merlot, cab franc, petit verdot and petite sirah rounding out the blend.   

Winemaker’s take – The 2021 is the largest and most complex blend we’ve ever made with dozens of components from vineyards across the realm of Napa Valley. This vintage includes new vineyard sources from Calistoga, Rutherford and Oak Knoll AVA, allowing us to broaden our painter’s palette. The Bard is generally more approachable in its youth than some of our single vineyard bottlings, but we expect it to age for many years to come. This is our first time using a technical cork for this

wine, which should guarantee consistency and improve longevity.”

Critical acclaim – From Jeb Dunnick, who scored it a 98: “This beauty has a killer bouquet of cassis, spring flowers, graphite, chalky minerality, and violets. This carries to a full-bodied, seamless, silky, flawlessly balanced effort revealing fine tannins, a good sense of freshness, and a thrilling finish.” And from James Suckling, who scored it a 97: “The purity of fruit here is impressive with blackcurrants, bark and black mushrooms. Full-bodied but light-footed and fresh with integrated tannins that melt into the wine. Real transparency and focus.”  

My take – Full disclosure: I didn’t pay anywhere near this much for the Bard (I knew a guy!), but it’s not overpriced by any means. I can’t imagine a more perfectly constructed cab.    

Price – $174.99 at wine.com

The wines touted here and in my next blog to follow are among the most intriguing I’ve tasted over the past sixth months and that can currently be found either on local store shelves or through on-line purchase — especially important, of course, this time of the year. Some are new to me; others have been my go-to bottles for years.

As for the very best wines I’ve sampled of late . . . Good luck finding or affording them. I’ll share that story soon.   

BUBBLES

Champagne Mailly Grand Cru

The basics – It’s a classic blend of pinot noir (75 percent) and chardonnay from only Grand Cru vineyards.

Winemaker’s take – “Iridescent golden yellow tones, full, fruity nose, clean palate. A very come-hither Champagne: racy, elegant and deeply sensual, with beguiling bubbles that literally burst with luscious fruit. Mouth-watering hints of lightly toasted, freshly buttered bread.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling: “A fruit-forward style with yellow plums and stone fruit, enhanced by lemon zest.  Light-bodied and crisp, if not zesty, with a good finish.” 

My take – These tasty bubbles were new to me when I tasted the Mailly for the first time not knowing the price. It turned out the price is right.  

For more information – www.champagne-mailly.com

Price – $45.99 at Total Wine

WHITE

Drop of Sunshine Chardonnay

The basics – It’s 100-percent chardonnay from various California Central Coast vineyards.

Winemaker’s take – “A masterclass in balance, this Chardonnay opens with a burst of zesty lemon tart, seamlessly blending with the minerality that defines its crisp character. The finish reveals the lush sweetness of nectarine and ripe pear, while subtle hints of oak—delicate yet perfectly integrated—add depth without overpowering the freshness. This wine showcases a refined harmony of bright acidity and sophisticated structure, leaving a lasting impression of clarity and finesse.”

My take – Again, this wine proves you don’t have spend a fortune to satisfy your sipping urges. The complexity is startling considering the price. 

For more information – www.dropofsunshine.com

Price – $15.99 at Total Wine

2024 Portlandia Pinot Gris

The basics – It’s most pinot gris from Oregon’s Willamette Valley with a tiny bit of riesling blended in to add complexity.

Winemaker’s take – “Brilliantly balanced, bright, and bursting with lively aromas, this Pinot Gris delights from the first sip. A hint of lemon zest, plush pear, and sun-kissed stone fruit paint a tantalizing picture, while crisp green apple and juicy peach play on the palate. A refreshing ribbon of racy acidity and a sleek, stony minerality lend depth and distinction, making every sip purely pleasurable.”

My take – It’s the perfect aperitif wine at a very friendly price.

For more information – www.portlandiawine.com

Price – $16.97 from www.wine.com

2023 Ron Yates Sauvignon Blanc

The basics – The sauvignon blanc grapes grow at an elevation of 3,500 feet in the remote Dell Valley Vineyards 75 miles east of El Paso.

Winemaker’s take – “Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and silky tannins, the wine offers excellent food-pairing versatility while maintaining elegant structure. Notes of dried herbs, leather, and subtle spice.”

My take – Yates ranks among my very favorite Texas winemakers and he’s a master of his craft. The proof is in the bottle.  

For more information – www.ronyateswines.com

Price – $34.99 at Houston Wine Merchant

2024 Illumination Sauvignon Blanc

The basics – It’s a mix of Sonoma and Napa fruit, which is hand-picked and pressed as whole clusters, then fermented in new and neutral French oak, acacia and stainless steel barrels as well as egg-shaped concrete fermenters.

Winemaker’s take – “A remarkable depth of flavor comes through: notes of lemon zest, honeysuckle, peach blossom, and quince are all elevated by a lovely acidity. A savory minerality layers itself among the appealing fruit flavors and hints at the complexity that will continue to reveal itself.”

Critical acclaim – From Jeb Dunnuck, who gave it a score of 95: “The wine has a Bordeaux Blanc-like vibe in its ripe lime, orange blossom, mint, and spicy wood nuances. It brings plenty of sweet California fruit and is medium to full-bodied and concentrated, with bright acidity and a great finish. Beautifully done . . . just impeccable.” 

My take – What Jeb said. Yes, it’s a tad expensive, but it’s worth every dollar.  

For more information – www.quintessa.com

Price – $54.99 at www.wine.com

RED

2022 Ron Yates Mourvèdre

The basics – The Texas High Plains fruit – it’s 100-percent mourvèdre – ages in  mostly neutral French and American oak barrels, most of them neutral.  

Winemaker’s take – “This pure expression of mourvèdre showcases the variety’s distinctive character with compelling complexity. Intriguing aromas of graphite and rich cranberry compote lead to a palate filled with flavors reminiscent of strawberry rhubarb pie, enhanced by a distinctive anise note that adds depth and intrigue. The careful oak program allows the wine’s unique terroir-driven characteristics to shine while providing structure and subtle spice.”

My take – I don’t usually feature two wines from the same producer in a blog, but this red and Yates’ sauvignon blanc were both too good to go unrecognized.     

For more info – www.ronyateswines.com

Price – $39.99 from the winery

2022 Tenuta Luce LaVite Lucente

The basics – Like its famous – and pricy – big brother Luce, it’s a blend of Tuscan merlot and sangiovese.

Winemaker’s take – “Appearing a deep ruby red, the Lucente boasts an intense bouquet of red berry fruit, wild blackberry, violets, and other floral notes. Broad and generous on the palate, with tannins beautifully-integrated into the structure, it develops tangy, aromatic fruit on the mid-palate, including dark wild berry, black liquorice, and smooth spices.”

Critical acclaim – From James Suckling, who scored it a 94: “Round and creamy, offering ripe blackberries, blueberries and hints of chocolate and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied with succulent fruit and fine tannins. Compact and focused, with good length and balance overall.” The Wine Spectator, Decanter and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate each gave it a 90.

My take – This is a superb Tuscan without the obligatory Super Tuscan price. The Luce goes for $70-plus.

For more information – www. https://www.tenutaluce.com

Price – $26.99 from www.wine.com

2022 M Cabernet Sauvignon Paso Robles

The basics – The blend is cabernet sauvignon-centric (84 percent) with malbec (6), merlot (5) and petite sirah also in the mix.

Winemaker’s take – “Chocolate-blackberry ganache, cranberry preserves, sweet mint, black licorice, dark olive, new leather, mahogany. Palate is sleek and supple, firm, fine-grain, polished tannins, with a complex, classy finish.”

Critical acclaim – From Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, which scored it a 95: “Deep ruby-purple, it has alluring aromas of cassis, pencil shavings, dried herbs, leather and lavender, plus classy touches of oak spice. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and powerful without going over the top. It has abundant, grainy tannins, flinty streaks and plenty of refreshing acidity to carry the long finish.”

My take – It’s equal parts easy drinking and easy on the budget, certainly for a California cab.

For more information – www.mcpricemyers.com

Price – $25.97 at www.wine.com