Deep purple colored with moderate staining and a medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of candied raspberry, red licorice, candied red apple, grape bubble gum, spice box and green asparagus.  The palate is slightly off-dry with medium (+) acidity, a medium (-) body, and low tannins.  It’s super easy to sip this wine- the mouthfeel is made for easy drinking. The flavors are red fruit in nature, either ripe or I think the residual sugar is messing with my taste buds.  The green notes make way for a slightly bitter hint, akin to steeped black tea.  There is a smoky note and also some spice.  The finish is short and concise.  It’s a very interesting wine that is rather simple yet very pleasing- I like it as much as the 2020 vintage I tasted recently.  87 points for this $17 bottle make for a 3 star wine to pop-n-pour.  Pair with lighter meats or vegetarian pasta dishes.  Salut….

Medium ruby colored with medium viscosity (13% ABV).  The nose has medium (+) intensity aromas of game, infused blackberry, funk, macerated black cherry, baking spice, elderberry and over-ripe papaya (yes, I know, but there’s a definite funkiness).  The palate is dry with medium acidity and medium (-) tannins on a lithe medium (-) body.  It’s an interesting melange of ripe dark fruit with some funk, game and spice.  My first foray into this relatively new grape variety that happens to be a cross of two other varietals from Germany.  The spiciness really kicks in on the medium (+) finish- very interesting.   I picked this wine to pair with grilled Pork Tomahawks, I think it will work nicely.  The funky game note will pair up with the rosemary infused Dijon mustard that will glaze the meat.  Lower acidity and low tannins will allow the fruit to shine on the white meat.  For lack of experience I will give this wine a generous 86 points, and for $15, it gets 3 stars.  Try the varietal if you are in an adventurous mood or just want to expand your palate.  This one probably needs drinking sooner rather than later.  Salut….

Dornfelder is a new grape for me.  It grows mostly in Germany and was developed as a cross back in 1979.  Medium purple colored it has a watery sheen in the glass (12.5% ABV).  Medium intensity aromas of black cherry, spice box, blackcurrant that is a touch green, blackberry leaf and a hint of charcoal.  The palate is seemingly a touch off-dry with juicy acidity and very low tannins.  Medium intensity flavors of grape, blackberry leaf, black cherry and blackcurrant.  Medium bodied- it carries on to a medium length finish that has some really nice acidity.  It conjures up thoughts of Gamay meets Pinot Noir, a very easy-going wine with lithe tannins and a nice mouthfeel.  The acidity offsets the trace residual sugars that make it a touch off-dry. This wine screams out for smoked meats, even a semi-spicy bowl of chili.  I like it and am glad I tried this varietal.  You too can get a bottle for $17.  Not wildly complex or cellar worthy, it gets 87 points from me and 3 stars.  Drink soon.  Salut….