The Wine Cask Blog

Cross Springs Zinfandel (Lake County) 2023

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 22:46:19 +0000

Medium garnet hue with aromas of vibrant and slightly spicy dark fruit with a more intense spiciness inside the bowl.

Palate-- (Served a bit too warm) Nice presentation on first impression with loads of zesty dark mixed berry, and again, a touch of spicy goodness. Structurally sound and though young is probably at its best.

With a list of $18 I paid $7.50 a bottle and bought several. Glad I did. A nice pizza wine, pasta, lighter cheeses and anything italian or tomato based sauce. Previously reviewed with similar notes. Raise a glass if you find it around $10-$12!

WARRE'S Warrior Porto Finest Reserve

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:49:40 +0000

Intense deep purple nearly black hue with aromas of thick aromas of intense plum, blackberry, raisin, strawberry patch nearing harvest, and espresso.

Palate--Intense deep penetrating sweetness on the tongue yet with balanced, silky, presentation, with gobs of jammy lovely intense fruit with a silky lasting finish.

This Port is around $16 and worth every penny. Ya need to know how to drink Porto however. It is a dessert wine and fantastic with some surprising pairings like strawberries, dark chocolate, bleu cheese, Stilton, and basically almost any desert you might serve but chocolate and fudge are the quintessential pairings. At this price point it is a NO brainer and wonderful so raise a glass!

Sky Side Red blend 2020 (North Coast)

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 22:47:51 +0000

Very cherry hue with aromas of sweet and spicy cranberry fruit with a rustic touch to it.

Palate--Acidic first impression that is over the top, with again, spicy cranberry fruit that is diminished with the raging acidity.

I paid $12 (maybe) for this and it is to angular and with six years of age already done it is not going to relax. I would skip this wine!

KungFu Girl Riesling. (Washington State) 2024

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 21:45:37 +0000

Pale straw hue with lovely Riesling aromas of sweet baby powder and lime above the rim, Christmas pudding in the bowl with vanilla bean on the edge.

Palate--*Off-dry first impression with sweet spice nuances surrounding a vanilla citrus note, and white not-quite-ripe melon and pineapple suggestions.

Charles Smith has been creating Washington State wine at a bargain level for decades and he does it better than anyone! This is a Trader Joe's regular offering around $12 and it is better than most wines like this at twice the price. I will be pairing this with salmon in a lemon dill sauce for my wife of 53 years who has endured the past 11 months of AML --Acute Myeloid Leukemia resulting in a Stem Cell Transplant at the renowned Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Ma. This birthday is quite special!

No matter how you pour it--raise a glass!

*Off dry is a description of white wines which people tend to say taste "sweet" and they don't like sweet wines so they have determined NOT to like the wine. BUT--An "off-dry" wine is a wine like this which gives the impression of tasting sweet but is actually bone dry because the definition of a sweet wine is one which has residual sugar left behind that has not been fermented into alcohol.

Layer Cake Shiraz 2021

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 22:58:24 +0000

Nice rich looking dark purple hue with aromas of thick black berry compote, blue flowers, and a hint of cola.

Palate--Supple mouth feel with integrated body and fruit forward, with gobby dark fruit jam. Finish is nearly non-existent.

Shiraz is a BIG wine and Australia knows how to do it up from the $10 price point to over $1000 a bottle (Penfolds "Grange..." for example.)

Well, this is not THAT wine but it also isn't anything like that price point. LOL... I think I may have paid around $12 and it is what you would expect at that price point.

I am serving it with my homemade venison chili with spicy cinnamon, toasted cumin seed, and garlic,bacon and onion topped with shredded cheddar and a dollop of sour cream. It is to die for so raise a glass!

BUEHLER Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2022

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 22:17:35 +0000

Light golden hue with a slight touch of green with aromas of sweet vanilla, lemon lime, and tropical fruit.

Palate-- Mouth watering acidity, and tropical fruit, subdued lemon lime, vanilla hints, a touch of elegance with last finish but a mite shallow over all.

I have reviewed different vintages of this wine and I always find the bargains of this Russian gem. Priced at over $20, I find it for half that routinely when it is available.

I am making shrimp pasta and it will be a nice pairing. It is not up to a $20 price point and a bit off for Russian River but a bargain nerve-the-less! Raise a glass!

"Sin Zin" Sonoma County 2021

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 22:35:50 +0000

Deep ruby hue with expressive aromas of rustic wild dark berry and plum fruit with a spicy herbal nuance at the rim. Lovely!

Palate-Textured, pure fruit with velvety presence with bold dark berry flavors, tart raspberry, with a lasting finish. The lively structure finishes well with a touch of pucker.

Not sure if I have had this but it is a keeper at the $20 I paid for it whereas it runs about twice that. Pairing with Omaha Steaks bacon wrapped pork medallions. Raise a glass!

Wachau Grüner Veltliner FEDERSPIEL "Himmelstiege" 2024

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 22:15:50 +0000

Pale straw hue with very light pineapple, lime, vanilla, and a mysterious sweet spice on the rim.

Palate--Tart first impression with off dry presentation, and all the fruits listed above in the bouquet are there on the palate with a light white pepper suggestion although subdued.

I probably paid $10 or less for this Austrian production. I have not had a "Grüner in years as it reminds me of Prosecco which I am not a fan of. Grüner Veltliner is the signature grape of Austrian wine and I do not feel qualified to comment on it beyond my own personal preference. I am glad I bought as I have not had Grüner in years. I will be pairing it with my wife's new creation of chicken breast with spinach and parmigiano cheese. Not sure how it will pair but I will let you know!

Freixenet Prosecco

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 14:41:08 +0000

Straw hue with a touch of green with subtle sweetened lime and green apple...ish

Palate--nondescript, subtle citrus but pretty vacuous with a dry finish.

Freixenet is about my fave inexpensive but delightful Cava. So I was out f state and needed an off dry light wine to pair with indian takeout... Prosecco is NOT a wine that I seek out--ever. But I grabbed this and chilled it down a lot.

With my indian cuisine it was not good and and as a wine it is not good. My conclusion after not a bunch of Prosecco's admittedly is that they are sort of "drinkable" but that's about it. This one is pourable--down the sink.

Sadly I paid $15 for this and that was $16 too much. I think I'm done with Prosecco...

Tortoise Creek Zinfandel 2022 (LODI)

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 22:25:14 +0000

Cranberry jelly hue with aromas of finessed spicy ripe plum and something elusive that is intriguing.

Palate--Consistent texture from beginning to end with balanced and finessed complexion. Mouth watering acidity carried to the end with a rather fleeting finish.

I found this a couple years ago the first time at an out of state liquor store I frequent when enroute to Boston. It was on sale for $7 which is ridiculous so I grabbed a half case I think, and once I tasted it over the intervening months I probably consumed a couple cases until they ran out. Then there was a couple year hiatus and then BOOM, another production year of this bargain Zin at $7. As usual, it will be accompanying our Sunday night Pizza ritual after church. Raise a glass!

Broadbent Late Bottled Vintage Porto 2017

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Sun, 14 Jun 2026 00:39:03 +0000

Nearly black hue with lovely deep, dark aromas of sweet ripe rasiny, jammy dark berry, and plum goodness.

Palate--Thickish, gorgeous, intense, ripe, jammy blackberry and plum pie with a mid-palate presence of more rich wondrous dark fruit.

Late Bottled Vintage Port is a glorious best kept secret in the world of Port wine. It is a fraction of "Vintage Port" which is another world all together and you pay dearly for it. Late Bottled Vintage Port or LBV Porto is a value porto that normal people can afford and this one is SUPER. At the price point of under $20 it is a MUST BUY. I am pairing this tonight with ripe fresh home grown garden strawberries and semi-sweet dark chocolate which is a decadent pairing. So raise a glass!

JOSH Zinfandel Reserve 2021

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:10:39 +0000

Still some pigmentation of a more youthful Zin with big aromas of gloriously bold Zinfandel fruit, gentle spice, even a touch of floral nuances.

Palate--Gentle first impression with balanced structure, relaxes tannins, bold dark berry fruit, some unsweetened baker's cocoa mid palate, and a please yet subtle finish.

Previously last reviewed in December of 25 with similar notes. I paid $7 for this on close out and bought nearly a case but alas this is my last bottle. It is a very nice Zin at its normal price of $15 and even better at $7. Pairing with bacon, onion french tart. Raise a galss!

Columbia Crest Merlot 2022

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 23:08:31 +0000

Cherry hue with aromas of vibrant blackberry, sweet musty fruit.

Palate--Nice first impression with nice structure and prominent juicy mid palate with loads of black cherry goodness. Finishes quickly but ends well.

Like the gorgeous mountain Rainier is, the peak-- Columbia Crest makes reliable, great value wines and this is not exception. Pairing with Omaha Steaks Burgers! At $10--raise glass!

Terra Starkenburg Riesling 2025

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 00:27:14 +0000

Golden hue with aromas of citrus, tropical fruit, lemon curd and vanilla pudding.

Palate-- Very nice balanced foundation of acidity and a wonderfully perfect "off-dry" first impression with mounds of tropical fruit, vanilla, lemon and a decent finish.

This is a STUPID CRAZY value wine from Trader Joe's. I paid a ridiculous $6 for this gem and I hope they have more when I return. It is stunningly well made and one of the best German values I have found in a looooong time! I made homemade seafood chowder and even after forgetting to add "cream" it was a fabulous pairing. Raise a Glass!

Marmocchio 2018 Umbria

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 22:30:38 +0000

Sturdy garnet hue with aromas of cherry bonbons, a touch of minerals, and steel.

Palate- A relaxed presentation and first impression, with a puckery mid palate and bright fruit with gentle hints of savory, with a pleasant if subtle finish.

This Sangiovese from Umbria is quite different from those of Chianti. It is more sophisticated (and that is NOT a dig at Chianti) but show the originality of the effects of climate on grape profiles.

This was a gift and at around the $35 price point it is a nice treat which I am pairing with grilled Omaha Steaks. It will be perfect and I am looking forward to it after another hard trip to Boston for my wife's Stem Cell Transplant care. Raise a glass!

Summer Fun With Your Favorite Wines!

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Fri, 29 May 2026 14:43:37 +0000

It's Summer and picnics, days out to the lake, a ride in the boat, a blanket thrown on the ground or a lovely afternoon on your deck screams, "CHILLED BOTTLES OF WINE!"

There's confusion regarding when and why you might want to chill a bottle of wine. One basic tenet of enjoying wine is serving it at the right temperature but why is that important? Putting it simply, the colder a wine is, the less flavorful it will be.

So why would you even consider chilling down?

1. An inferior wine--price is not necessarily a good guideline--but it may help in your decision. Poorly made "cheap wines" can be off putting and I am not being snobby here. If you follow this blog you know I tend to focus on $10 price point wines because those are what most people are willing to spend. So truthfully, inexpensive red and white wines can actually benefit taste. So putting a "little chill" on the wine may enhance your enjoyment of it. And if the wine is actually a touch off-putting, a chill of about 1/2 hour in the fridge can make it taste better!

2. THIS IS A BIGGY! Do NOT put an ice cube in your wine if it is a touch warmer than you like. Why? Because the ice melts and dilutes out the "good" that WAS in the glass!

Some suggestions for chilling wines and this is utterly dependant on your personal preference!

Vinho Verde wines are ubiquitous Portuguese light wines that have a green tinge to them hence the name which means "green wine." These are quite the bargain (often) under $10!

Sparklers should always be chilled and these run the gamut of countries, and price points. But for that sunny pool-side fun, or picnic in the park, chill these down and keep them on ice (not ice in the glass) and enjoy them in the heat of the day.

As for RED WINES I get pickier about serving temp. but still you do not want warm red wine. (Actually "cellar temp." and/or what used to be considered "room temp" was 55 degrees harking back to the days of gargantuan castles... So for this blog entry, stay with the rosés, or even a Beaujolais (pronounced Bo Zho Lay).

At the end of the day YOU know what you and your friends like so be sensible, seize the day and take time to smell the roses giving thanks to the ONE who made it all. Raise a glass!

SKYSIDE "Red blend" 2019 (North coast Calif.)

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Wed, 27 May 2026 22:40:38 +0000

Intense garnet hue to the rim with aromas of dark berry, rootbeer notes, integrated and lovely.

Palate--Mature foundation with balanced and bold fruit perhaps Syrah and/or Petite Sirah, may be zinfandel and possibly Cabernet Sauvignon. Finishes quickly but sturdy to the end. A really well crafted wine for the ridiculous price of $7 marked down from $12 which is still a ridiculous price.

If I have the opportunity I will buy more for sure. Unusual for a wine at this price point holding up well considering its age. Kudos to the wine maker!!! Raise a glass!

MOTIF Cabernet Sauvignon Lake county

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Sun, 24 May 2026 21:41:15 +0000

Nice Garnet hue with aromas of blackberry and gentle spice with a touch of spiced apple rings.

Palate--Acidic first impression loads of blackberry and spice with a somewhat lingering finish of blackberry pie.

Previously reviewed not long ago, this is another Trader Joes special at the $10 price point. It is a nice, simple, pizza wine, all purpose pasta with tomato based sauce, or appetizer cheeses one is likely to put out. It's "ok" but don't think of it asd "Cabernet Sauvignon"--the KING of wine grapes but rather a friendly share with your friends kind of wine. Since you asked--OK not really, I will be having this with my Sunday pizza ritual. Raise a glass!

Member's Mark RIESLING 2023

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Sat, 23 May 2026 22:39:02 +0000

Very pale goal hue with aromas of faint --off dry tropical fruit, pineapple, green apple.

Palate-A tiny bit of "life" in the palate with a steely first impression, flaccid in every way, almost nothing there, unremarkable, no finish.

The bottle is blue glass which is odd in and of itself as wines from the Mosel--the premier wine region of Germany-- is typically bottled in green glass.

This Member's Mark Magnum is very pass uppable... (I made that word up...)

PERSEVERANCE Rioja Reserva 2018

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Thu, 21 May 2026 22:36:34 +0000

Opaqueish garnet with bricking in the bowl. Aromas of smoky red berry and some mature ie., aged wine showing its time in the bottle.

Palate--Acidic first impression with a mature presence on a sturdy foundation and a fleeting finish.

Cherry/berry front palate with bold structure and loads of mouth watering, sustaining influences for a number of years of improvement.

I paid $10 for this bargain Rioja ($23) made from 100%Tempranillo (pronounced Tem-pra-NEE-O and is a nice compromise between "Old World--must be aged a decade" and "New World-- at it's prime close to release."

I reviewed this wine a couple years ago and it is aging so I would open it and drink it over the next several months though should hold for another year.... Raise a glass!

Columbia Crest "Grand Estates" Merlot (Washington State) 2022

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Mon, 18 May 2026 22:21:13 +0000

Cherry hue with aromas of vibrant blackberry, sweet musty fruit.

Palate--Nice first impression with nice structure and prominent juicy mid palate with loads of black cherry goodness. Finishes quickly but ends well.

"Columbia Crest" Is the summit of Mt. Rainer rising 14,400 feet above sea level. It is a trademark of sorts of Washington State. I climbed it when I lived out there in the early 80's with a team of experienced climbers traversing the "Gib Chute" a semi-technical route. My name is in the log book at the summit for posterity.

Like the gorgeous mountain it is, Columbia Crest makes reliable, great value wines and this is not exception. At $10--raise glass!

Castello di Amorosa Sangiovese (Napa Valley) 2022

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Wed, 13 May 2026 22:31:15 +0000

Jewel like gorgeous ruby hue with ample aromas of cherry, red berry, some sweet spice, finessed bouquet of more tantalizing red berries and maybe a touch of earth.

Palate--Stately first impression unlike an Italian Sangiovese with a more relaxed foundation and not nearly as acidic as a Chianti. Needs more time to come into the fullness of a delicious wine.

This creation from Napa Valley is made superbly well, more "crafted" than made, and a gift from my son. Not sure of the price but the quality says--higher than I am used to paying. What a treat! Raise a glass!

Layer Cake Shiraz (S. Australia) 2022

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Mon, 11 May 2026 22:26:00 +0000

Nice dark garnet hue with aromas of dense dark berry fruit, slightly stinky cheese (in a good way)

Palate--brooding fruit on a dense foundation with acidity galre, young, waiting to erupt with a balancing act as it ages. It is dense and thickish...

This is not the best an Aussie Shiraz can show but at this price point of $7 marked down from $19, it needs a couple more years to balance out some of its angularity.

Chateau Moncontour Les Ruchettes "Vouvray" 2022

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Mon, 11 May 2026 22:19:00 +0000

Pale straw hue with gentle aromas of citrus, vanilla an a sweet presence of spring flowers.

Palate--Lively first impression with a slight spritzig (fiz) on a delicious if subdued lemon/lime foundation with a fleeting finish.

Served this with bouillabaisse made by my daughter and the soup was wonderful and the wine was a nice complement to the dish. Around $18 this Chenin Blanc--the signature grape of the French Vouvray region is a lovely white that can run the gamut of styles but always reliable as a fresh, palate cleansing quaff so raise a glass!

Sonoma Grove Zinfandel (Sonoma County) 2022

noreply@blogger.com (PB) — Sat, 09 May 2026 22:21:00 +0000

Brilliant crystalline garnet hue with ample aromas wafting over the rim of bright cherry nuances, and stewed tomato juice with sweet spice lacing.

Palate--Relaxed structure on first impression with a solid mid palate of confused fruit fruit, with a slightly lingering finish that is equally ambiguous.

Previously reviewed this in October of 2025 with similar ambiguity and conclusion. It's an okay quaff for $8 but not classic Zin. You decide.