Wine Reviews By mario
mario
reviewed
Proprietà Sperino Rosa del Rosa Coste della Sesia Rosato 2005
Good, good and good! This Nebbiolo blend is a great rose for an informal get-together. Smooth, approachable, tasty. Paired this with roasted chicken and garlic spears and it was a hit.
mario
reviewed
Champagne Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut NV
It had all the qualities of a good Champagne, the great nose, the green apple and citrus, the toast and cheese rind, the notes of seashells... My only complaint was that the body was a little on the flabby side, and body is very important when it comes to Champagne.
mario
reviewed
Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco di Valdobbiadene NV
I've paired this Prosecco with appetizers and I've paired it with cookies for dessert, and it works every time. This is an awesome example of a Prosecco, and for a really good price as well.
mario
reviewed
Terre del Marchesato Emilio Primo Tuscany 2004
Great Super Tuscan. Rich, caramelly black fruits with some wild boar "essence" mixed in. Dusty, gritty... hell yeah!
mario
reviewed
Perazzeta Rita Montecucco Sangiovese 2004
Reminds me of a young Napa Cab. Young and fruit forward, smooth, and tries to lean toward the jammy side buy can't quite make it. Pork chops? Sounds like a good pairing to me!
mario
reviewed
Heidi Schrock Muscat Austria 2005
Minerally, racy, refreshing... a great wine from a great winery.
mario
reviewed
Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago 2004
Hands down the best New Zealand Pinot I've tried. Clean, unadultered, floral as hell and absolutely delicious.
mario
reviewed
Champagne Larmandier-Bernier Terre de Vertus Champagne NV
I freaking loved this wine, which was a gift from a friend so I'm not sure on the price. The frizzante was the fiercest I've seen from any wine, and everything else that followed was elegant. Green apple, pear, lemon zest, seaweed, brioche and gruyere. Pair this wine with sushi. It will rock your world.
mario
reviewed
Avinyo Vi D'Agulla Blanco Penedés 2006
This low alchol wine was exactly what the doctor ordered for the last drink of the evening... refreshing, and not vicious enough to cause a hangover in the morning. Flavors of canned pears, fresh apricots, shale and peach blossoms. Light bodied with an unexpected light frizzante and a chalky texture. Great bang for buck.
mario
reviewed
Avinyo Cava NV
One of the better Cavas I\'ve tasted. Calcarous sea shells and sea salt with the typical fruits lemon, lime and grapefruit. Also reminds me of a Taco Bell commercial... \"It\'s Zesty!\"
mario
reviewed
Etude Pinot Noir Los Carneros 2004
Wow, a California Pinot that I actually like! Much more true to the Pinot Noir grape than most, with floral, cherry and terroir notes that shine, even with an ABV of over 14%.
mario
reviewed
Owen Roe Sinister Hand Columbia Valley 2003
I hate to say it\'s typical given the descriptors above, but this wine is just not made to last. It\'s pleasing if compared to other Washington wines at the same price, but if compared to French wines with a similar cepage, it just doesn\'t stack up. Drink young or don\'t drink at all...
mario
reviewed
Domaine de La Rectorie Collioure Le Séris 2003
I\'ve never tasted a wine from the Collioure region, which is in the southwestern part of France, so I can\'t comment on the typicity. However, I did find the wine to be quite delicious. Serve it a little on the slightly chilled side to help some of the fruit characteristics to be displayed a little more prevalently. Much like a Willamette Pinot, this Grenache is a more on the floral side than the barnyardy side, has great black fruit characteristics and a smooth body with subtle spices. Pair this with roasted squash that is stuffed with sauteed chantrelles.
mario
reviewed
Ca' del Baio Barbaresco Marcarini 2003
This single vineyard Barbaresco has been open for 7 hours and it is still opening up! The nose is awesome - with caramel and licorice. The tannins are notable, and the black cherry and dried raspberry have a long way to go before they fade. If I had another bottle (which I'm seriously considering going back for another purchase) I'd lay it down until 2013-2015.
mario
reviewed
Marenco Brachetto d'Acqui 2005
Tastes like Moscato d\'Asti with maraschino cherries. Friggin yummy. Awesome with rugula cookies.
mario
reviewed
Champagne Pierre Peters Champagne Le Mensil-sur-Oger Grand Cru 1998
I\'ve always been impressed by Pierre Peters, but this really sealed the deal. Heavenly aromas and complex flavors including a green apple / stone fruit up front that evolved into a million flavors and back again. Toast, stones, oysters, cheese rind, smoke, and more... Definitely worth the money - good bang for buck!
mario
reviewed
Champagne Agrapart et Fils Champagne Les 7 Crus Blanc
This was good, but not great. Perhaps that\'s because it came after a true Grand Cru Champagne. It had good taste, aroma and mouthfeel, but was certainly nothing to write home about. But, hey, for $34 you can\'t complain a whole lot about a quaff made from 7 different cru vineyards.
mario
reviewed
J. L. Chave Saint-Joseph Offerus 2001
I don\'t remember much from that night... but I do know that this was the one wine that stood in an evening of plentiful consumption. I\'m eager to try it again sober! :)
mario
reviewed
Vincenzo Toffoli Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene NV
A good, bone-dry quaff. A pocketbook-friendly introduction to Prosecco, but I believe there are others that are better for the same price.
A good example of a Barbera d'Alba, with a fresh acidity and notes of cherries and almonds. August 12, 2007