Pouring for Kevin Zraly's Advanced Wine Class: Right Bank Bordeaux at Sherry-Lehmann Wines

I was at Sherry-Lehmann Wine & Spirits​ today pouring wines for the advanced class on Red Wines of Bordeaux: Right Bank (St. Émilion & Pomerol) taught by Kevin Zraly​ & Robin Kelley O'Connor 🍷😎

The “banks” are a reference to the river banks that are on either side of the Gironde Estuary (River) of Bordeaux. We tasted the Right Bank wines today which are dominated by the Merlot grape. These wines are usually smoother & more elegant than the Cabernet Sauvignon dominant Left Bank wines. It was a pleasure to taste these! Always a hit!

San Marzano Wine 62 Anniversario 2015 Primitivo Di Manduria Scores 91 Points

Happy National Drink Wine Day! Guess what I am doing?!? Tonight it’s going to be San Marzano Wines​ 62 Anniversario Riserva 2015 Primitivo Di Manduria from Puglia, Italy. This prominent producer highlights the region’s traditional varieties like this Primitivo I am drinking. * This wine also scored 91 points from the 2019 Ultimate Wine Challenge held by Ultimate Beverage Challenge​🍷 Judges describe it as “vanilla-kissed potpourri” with “bold black fruits” and “dried figs” on this full-bodied wine with a consistent finish. Very yummy! * I hope everyone had a delicious wine-sipping day!

Valentine's Day at The Capital Grille in Stamford, CT

My husband and I got a last minute babysitter and thought it would be nice to have a quick date night at The Capital Grille (Stamford)​ in CT. It was so sweet to see they were still celebrating Valentine’s Day! I was greeted at the door with a single rose and all the tables were decorated with heart-shaped confetti. What a sweet touch and it certainly changed the energy in the room. It just goes to show you how something so thoughtful went a long way because its pretty impressive to put a smile on someone’s face before they even sit down. Loved it! * Along with our meals we had a bottle of Orin Swift​ “Palermo” 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. This wine went beautifully with our food. The deep garnet color hinted that it was going to be full of flavor. I picked up blackberry and cassis but the cocoa consistently lingered throughout. This is a wine you want with steak! Absolutely delicious!

My Friends Tom's Wine Tasting Group in Westchester, NY

Montalcino wine tasting at St. George Bistro was so much fun! My friend , Tom, couldn’t make it to the NYC tasting so he recreated his own. Wow!! They were all so great and we had such a good time trying them blind. I was pretty proud of myself for getting a few of them right! I couldn’t choose a favorite bottle so I gave them a big group hug

It's Always Good To Have A "Go-To" Wine

When my stash is low, I will visit my local wine shop and pick up some reliable bottles. Sometimes I just want to know exactly what I am getting. For the past year one of them has been Textbook 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. Full bodied, with notes of raspberry, plums and vanilla. It also comes off not too dry because of its impeccable balance. * Sometimes it’s good to go with what won’t disappoint you! Usually, I like to push people to keep trying new wines so they can learn about different regions and expand their knowledge. Not tonight! Tonight is all about kicking my feet up and hanging out! 😘🍷💕

Gallo Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 scores 91 Points

Tonight I am lucky enough to open this Gallo Signature Series Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 from Napa Valley (E. & J. Gallo Winery​ ) * With a score of 91 points from the 2019 Ultimate Wine Challenge held by Ultimate Beverage Challenge​, this wine showed aromas of cocoa nib, stewed berries, and cinnamon stick. The judges also mention the impressive soft balance and silky tannins. I loved it and pretty bummed it was my bottle. This is one of those wines I should have saved for a special occasion but then I figured being Tuesday was enough of a celebration 😎🍷

Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening 2020 in New York City

My love for Barolo goes so deep. Over a decade ago, when I first started learning about wine, I went to the region of Barolo located in Piedmont, Italy by myself for ten days. I tasted wine all day, went truffle hunting, and went to the original Eataly​💗🍷 * Now they came to NYC!! The first ever Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening was held here as part of their campaign to promote these wines around the world. The Grand Tasting had over 200 producers pouring wines made from 100% Nebbiolo. The point was to experience one grape and how its vineyard location affected its taste. Wines from Barolo and Barbaresco can age up to 40 years and are some of the most sought after in the world. I couldn’t wait for this day!! Barolo has such a special place in my heart and everyone knows that if it were my last day on Earth, I would want a big glass of Barolo. This was amazing and I was very lucky to be here! 💕🍷💕 * All food catered by Eataly NYC Flatiron💥

Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino 2020 at Gotham Hall in NYC

Really enjoyed the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino tasting held at Gotham Hall🍷🎉These wines come from the Montalcino region of Tuscany, Italy. Just like the well-known Chianti wines everyone loves, Brunello di Montalcino is made from the same grape called, “sangiovese”. 
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The wines poured yesterday were delicious! Most bottles were from the stellar 2015 vintage and showed flavors of bright red cherry, baking spices and grippy tannins. This is my second time trying this particular year and it really didn’t disappoint. They definitely need more time in the bottle to age and I am sure it will be a dream once they’re ready. It was a great time!

Sotheby's Wine & Union des Grand Cru de Bordeaux Tasting Tour 2020 in NYC

Sotheby’s (@sothebyswine ) X The Union des Grand Cru de Bordeaux Tasting Tour (@ugcb_net ) showcased the 2017 vintage at @cipriani today. The regions showed so well considering it was a difficult year. The cabernet sauvignon dominated wines from the Left Bank were beauties!! @chateautalbot , @chateau_beausejour& @beychevelle1855 were some of my favorites💥 It was a really great tasting and so fun to see my friends! 😎🍷💕
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Holiday Wines of 2019

Our holiday spirits are so high right now! We are still enjoying gifts and making every night special by eating good food and drinking great wine. I saved this @marquesderiscal_usa Reserva 2013 specifically to enjoy over the holiday. This was one of the first producers I became familiar with when I started learning about wine. The Spanish grape variety, tempranillo, was intriguing and I found their labels beautiful so I started with them!
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Now I have a chance to give them some more praise because they scored an amazing 94 points at the 2019 Ultimate Wine Challenge held by @ultimatebeveragechallenge 💥 Judges describe its characteristics as dried blackberry, tar and dry rose. A soft and dusty tannic structure plays nicely with the balsamic macerated strawberry flavors, underpinned with dried herbs and a final toasty note on the finish.
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What a beautiful wine and so grateful for the memories! 💗
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Check out this 91 point wine from the Bordeaux region of France. Retail price: $15!

Last night I opened this delicious Laville Pavillon 2018 Bordeaux Rouge that was outstanding. The grapes here are Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot and it was so silky and smooth. I thought it was luscious without being overbearing. Beautiful! This easy drinker was a “standout expression of Bordeaux” according to judges from the Ultimate Beverage Challenge 🍷
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$15 dollars for a wine that scored an amazing 91 points! Judges also say it has flavors of dried cherries, raspberry compote, soft leather, and subtle French oak that are apparent over a medium body with dusty tannins. *
I would love to pick up a case of this. Drink now! But still would love to see it develop over the next few years.