2011 Poggio al Casone Toscana IGT Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese
Soft and easy, balanced European style wine. At $11 Trader Joe's, a good pizza/burger house wine for old world palates.
2008 Tua Rita Perlato del Bosco Toscana IGT Sangiovese Blend, Sangiovese
Sweet blackberryish fruit with violets and cocoa. Very new worldish or at least "international". Not a fan. Next bottle: 2020.
2010 Fanti (Tenuta San Filippo) Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese
Very good; still young. Decanting recommended.
2011 San Rustico Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend, Corvina
Over-ripe fruit, touch of iodine. Sappy, low-acid.
2004 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Valpantena Villa Arvedi Corvina Blend, Corvina
"Pure ecstasy": when you drink a bottle at the peak of it's life, and that's where this wine is now. Garnet color, full complex secondary development, great mouthfeel, long finish. There may be greater amarones, but with this in my mouth I can't imagine what they'd be.
2012 Cameron Hughes Pinot Noir lot 504 Santa Maria Valley
Dreck. Weird cactus pear flavors with cheap canned black pepper--more like a bad grenache than pinot noir.
2015 Raymond Vineyard & Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Warm black cherry fruit with tobacco and a touch of graphite. Balanced and friendly for a PnP; good value at $30 Costco.