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Wine Review: Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast/ Russian River Ranches Chardonnay 2024

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Sonoma-Cutrer Sonoma Coast Russian River Ranches Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, has an ABV of around 14%, and typically retails for around $30.

It has a beautifully clear, bright pale straw color in the glass, reflecting its cool-climate origins. Aromas of apple and pear give way to complex scents of citrus peel and floral notes. On the palate, it walks a fine line between California richness and restrained elegance. Featuring a medium body, it delivers flavors of lime curd, baked pear, and baking spices. Its trademark lively acidity and a creamy, light mid-palate are a result of being aged in French oak barrels. The finish is remarkably clean and persistent. 

For over thirty years, this bottling has remained the benchmark for premium, accessible, and approachable California Chardonnays. Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards consistently delivers a wine that satisfies both lovers of classic oaked styles and contemporary aficionados seeking high-acid freshness. The bright acidity makes this Chardonnay a perfect pairing for grilled salmon, buttery crab-inspired fare, or rich mushroom risotto. 

Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Ranches Chardonnay is a solid choice when you want a Chardonnay that you can count on and never disappoints. Rated 90 pts by James Suckling

Photo Credit: Sonoma-Cutrer

PREMIER: Season 2: “Tucci in Italy” with Stanley Tucci

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Stanley Tucci is back! Season 2 “Tucci in Italy” Episode 1: Naples & Campania premieres Monday, May 11, 2026, 9:00 pm EDT (US), followed immediately at 10:00 pm EDT (US) by Episode 2: Sicily on National Geographic TV (NGEO). This season, Stanley visits Naples, Campania, Sicily, Le Marche, Sardinia, and Veneto. Set a reminder on your phone or record it so you don’t miss a chance to escape to Italy, even if it’s only for a little while. 

Photo Credit: National Geographic TV

Wine Review: Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling 2024

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If you are planning to do some entertaining this summer, Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling 2024 would be a perfect wine choice. When you have guests over for an evening on your deck, patio, or around your pool, this Washington state Riesling appeals to the tastes of casual wine drinkers and pairs well with many of your favorite seasonal fare. 

Chateau Ste Michelle Columbia Valley Riesling 2024 can best be described as an easy-drinking, medium-dry, low -alcohol (12%) Riesling. It features flavors of white peach and apple with balanced acidity. 

This is a real “Crowd Pleaser” for a great price, around $10-$14 a bottle. 

Wine Review: Madame de Beaucaillou Haut-Médoc 2022

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Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Madame de Beaucaillou Haut-Médoc 2022 is a premium second label red wine from the prestigious Château Ducru-Beaucaillou. Château Ducru-Beaucaillou is an elite 2nd Grand Cru Estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France. 

A second label wine, by definition, is a premium wine, most often produced by a Bordeaux winery using grapes from the same estate as their top-tier wines, but for various reasons are not used in their Grand Vin bottling. Second label wines offer an opportunity to experience the same technical precision in winemaking and dedication to quality that the estates’ winemakers apply to their Grand Cru, but at a much lower price point. These wines tend to be very approachable and can be enjoyed in their youth. I strongly suggest researching this category of wine and exploring the possibilities they afford to investigate a niche in Bordeaux you haven’t considered available to you until now. 

The following is my review of Madame de Beaucaillou Haut-Médoc 2022. 

It is a fine example of a Saint-Julien wine. A blend predominantly of Merlot (66%) supported by Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Petite Verdot (11%). A bewitching dark purple color in the glass, with notes of blackberry, followed by flavors of blackberry, plum, and French oak, all carried on a well-structured, medium-bodied frame and perfectly balanced acidity. Supple, fine-grained tannins carry through a long, lingering finish with a hint of spice. Pairs well with roasted red meat, especially lamb.

I highly recommend this wine. It has also scored impressively with these well-known experts. James Suckling 93 pts, Wine Enthusiast 93 pts, Jeb Dunnuck 92 pts, and Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 91 pts, just to name a few. Second label wines offer a treasure trove of value that you can easily discover if you follow the map to where X marks the spot. 

Wine Review: Greendance Principe Estate Petite Pearl 2021

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Petite Pearl is a hybrid red wine grape that was developed in Minnesota by viticulturist Tom Plocher. It is extremely cold-hardy and capable of producing dark-colored wine displaying fruit flavors, good acidity, and tannin structure. To my knowledge, Greendance the Winery at Sand Hill, Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, is the only winery in Western Pennsylvania growing and making wine from Petite Pearl grapes. 

Greendance Principe Estate Petite Pearl 2021 is crafted from estate-grown Petite Pearl grapes, carefully barrel-fermented in French Oak and aged to yield a wine featuring flavors of plum and dark berries, with moderate tannins. It pairs well with grilled or roasted red meats. This wine has a tartness that reminds me of an Austrian Zweigelt. 

http://greendancewinery.com

How Long Does an Open Bottle of Wine Remain Drinkable?

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If you have ever wondered how long wine remains drinkable after you open it, then you will be happy to hear that Food & Wine magazine http://foodandwine.com has offered some guidance on this topic. These are general “Rules of Thumb”; it is always best to rely on your own common sense to determine if a wine is still good to drink. 

According to F&W, wine generally stays drinkable for 1-7 days after opening, depending on the type and how it is stored. Sparkling wine will generally stay 1-3 days when refrigerated. To keep the bubbles, consider buying a stopper designed for sparkling wine. For light-bodied whites/Rosé, count on 2-3 days (refrigerated). Full-bodied whites can last 3-5 days (refrigerated). Red wine is good for 3-5 days (refrigerated). Some important constants to keep in mind when storing any open bottle of wine are to recork and refrigerate it. Using a vacuum stopper to minimize air contact is also a good idea. Boxed wines can last 3-4 weeks in the fridge because they are in a bladder inside the box that collapses when you draw wine out, and that keeps air contact with the wine low. 

If your wine goes bad, you will know because it tastes or smells like vinegar, stale, or just plain unpleasant. When this happens, don’t drink it and throw it out. You now have a good excuse to have another glass when you open the bottle. Waste not Want not.

Wine Review: Bogle Petite Sirah 2021

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Bogle Petite Sirah 2021 is a good choice for anyone looking for a dark, full-bodied California red wine that is approachable and not as “big” as many of the California Cabernet Sauvignons are. Notes of dark berries lead to flavors of dark berries, think blackberry and blueberry. It has a long finish featuring balanced tannins and acidity with a hint of oak. Best paired with hearty fare like grilled red meat, lamb, burgers, or pasta in red sauce. Always a bargain at less than $15 a bottle. 

Wine Review: Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay 2022

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Next up in my series of wines in wide distribution is Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve 2022. The Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnays have been America’s best-selling Chardonnay for 30+ years for good reason. Their 2022 is no exception because it adheres to their successful approach of producing a crowd-pleasing Chardonnay that is not too dry, too sweet, too acidic, or too much oak but is also food-friendly, easily available, and all for the value price of around $15. If you are looking for a Chardonnay that will pair nicely with your Thanksgiving turkey and will be a hit with your guests, consider this time-tested cool coastal region California Chardonnay. P.S. It even has a screw cap to make your hosting duties easier. 

Wine Review: The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi 2019

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The latest entry in my ongoing series of reviews featuring enjoyable and affordable wines that are widely available highlights a Lodi, California Zinfandel. The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi is not the Zinfandels of folklore that were rendered from zinfandel grapes shipped from the Cucamonga Valley of California in crates adorned with colorful labels depicting the cultural heritage of the region. Those wines were big, bold, “over the top” wines with high alcohol content. What made those wines unforgettable wasn’t their high quality but the physical link they provided to the immigrant communities, which made them feel connected to their homelands and the cherished memories of people and places they left behind in search of a better life in America.

The Federalist Zinfandel Lodi 2019 is a good example of a Zinfandel from Lodi, California. It displays a bold but restrained body with flavors of dark fruit and cherries that complement its tannins, leading to a surprisingly smooth finish. It can be easily found for less than $20 a bottle and at that price point represents a good “QPR” (Quality-Price Ratio) value buy.

It’s Sauvignon Blanc Season!

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Warm weather has arrived, and with it the tradition of drinking lighter wines, like Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. The reason this long-standing annual tradition continues is that it is enjoyable and satisfying on so many levels. 

For many, the mere mention of Sauvignon Blanc brings images of New Zealand and France to mind. While it is hard to go wrong when selecting a Sauvignon Blanc from either the North or South Island of New Zealand or the Loire Valley and Bordeaux in France, there are also outstanding examples of this wine being produced in other regions. California, Chile, Argentina, and Australia also make great Sauvignon Blanc. 

Sauvignon Blanc offers a diverse variety of taste profiles that vary widely from mouth-watering fruit-driven wines laden with citrus aromas to ones exhibiting a savory character filled with vegetal undertones that drift in the direction of green bell peppers and freshly mown grass. 

Depending on your personal preferences, you can find a Sauvignon Blanc that is made in a style and at a price point that meets your tastes and budget. 

It is no coincidence that SB shows up on dining tables as the seasons change. This versatile white wine boasts citrus notes that enliven seasonal fare while its bright acidity cuts through creamy sauces and buttery dishes. The perfect complement to seafood, shellfish, and any lightly prepared fish. Sauvignon Blanc really shines when paired with charcuterie boards. 

Consider these four well-made Sauvignon Blancs from California, New Zealand, and France. All are moderately priced, at around $30, and widely available. 

Rutherford Hill AJT Sauvignon Blanc 2022 (USA) Wine Spectator 94 pts James Suckling 91 pts Jeb Dunnuck 90 pts

Saracina Sauvignon Blanc Mendocino County 2023 (USA) Wine Enthusiast 95 pts

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc  Marlborough 2023 (New Zealand) Wine Spectator 93 pts

Domaine Philippe Raimbault Les Fossiles Sancerre Blanc 2023   (Loire Valley, France)

Photo Credit: finewineandgoodspirits.com