Very dusty bottles, nearly hidden at the back of shelf in an old wine shop: this was my first encounter with Muscat Canellli, soon after I began visiting Napa and Sonoma to learn about wine. Because the labels and the bottles were unknown to me, I was intrigued. I bought
The nose offers honeysuckle and citrus blossoms. Tropical fruit comes out on the palate, guava and papaya, with Meyer lemon on the mid-palate. This wine is intensely tropical and floral, and remarkable for the price. Drink with ham and pineapple. Recommended. 89 points. DBH WHO: Cameron Hughes WHAT: Chardonnay WHEN:
Aromas of cherries and strawberry pie waft up on the nose. The palate offers up sweet red fruit, Bing cherries and ripe strawberrries, with hints of marjoram and sage and a sense of freshly-turned earth. This is a $30 Pinot in a $13 bottle. Drink with lamb chops. Recommended. 89
Color is a medium garnet. Black cherry and black currant lead on the nose, with hints of vanilla. More black fruit shows on the palate, blackberry and black raspberry. Red fruits show on the mid-palate, along with some unsweetened chocolate and espresso. Tannins are very fine and the finish sweet
The color is slightly bricked and clear around the edges. Black currant, black cherries and red licorice show on the nose. On the palate, fresh and dried black fruit, blackberry, black currant, and prune, lead, followed by brighter red fruit. Dark chocolate, espresso, and finally, black pepper, all make appearances
Guava and orange blossom aromas explode from the glass. Guava pastry, tart kiwi, and sour apple and show on the palate, which is remarkably complex for this price point. Drink with pressure cooker peppery fried chicken and buttery biscuits. Highly Recommended. 90 points. DBH WHO: Cameron Hughes DESIGNATION: Lot 556