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Our Best Deals of 2025!
Tonight, we are recapping some of our favorite wines of the past year.
The winner for the best buy would be from our 6/26/2025 show on Italian wines. A 2022 Madia Torre Zambra Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. We purchased this wine from Costco for $7.99. We both loved the wine and scored it a 4.
We also loved the Stone Hill Dry Rose which we tasted on our 5/28/2025 show about Rose'. We purchased this wine from the Winery in Missouri and paid $13.00. Again, we both loved the wine and rated it a 4.
My favorite overall wine came from the 7/23/2025 show. It is a 2020 Infinito Monastrell that was purchased at Costco for $14.99. I loved the wine and scored it a 4, Denise was less enthusiastic and rated it a 3.
We also had some Honorable Mentions.
Oregon Pinot Noir
California Petite Sirah
Sonoma Old Vine Zinfandel
Tonight we are tasting two Cabernet Sauvignons from Chile. They are.
- 2019 Santa Ema Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva from the Maipo Valley, Chile. It received a 90 rating from the Wine Spectator. Aromas of cherries and prunes with notes of menthol, tobacco, and toast. Ripe tannins and tremendous structure. Perfect for grilled meats. 13.5% alcohol. I purchased this wine from Costco for $7.99.
- 2019 Vivendo Cabernet Saquvignon. It is also from the Cachapoal Valley, Chile, but comes from high altitude vineyards. (1600 meters) 14.0% alcohol and comes from the Calyptra Winery. Notes of black cherries, fresh plums, blueberries, along with a floral hint. Smooth tannins and juicy acidity. Tank-aged for 12 months and then bottle-aged for a least 12 months. I purchased this wine from Winestyles for around $20.00.
We both liked this wines. Denise rated both wines a 4 and I gave them both a 3 rating. Very different wines, but both are good. The Santa Ema (#1) is a darker and very fruit forward wine. The Vivendo (#2) is dark fruit, but lacks the spiciness and oak of #1. However, the Vivendo is probably a more complex and earthy Cabernet.
Next week, its New Years so we will be tasting some Champagne and talking about the past year. Things we are thankful for, list of things we have learned about wine this year, and what's in store for 2026.
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By Dennis LollTonight, we are recapping some of our favorite wines of the past year.
The winner for the best buy would be from our 6/26/2025 show on Italian wines. A 2022 Madia Torre Zambra Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. We purchased this wine from Costco for $7.99. We both loved the wine and scored it a 4.
We also loved the Stone Hill Dry Rose which we tasted on our 5/28/2025 show about Rose'. We purchased this wine from the Winery in Missouri and paid $13.00. Again, we both loved the wine and rated it a 4.
My favorite overall wine came from the 7/23/2025 show. It is a 2020 Infinito Monastrell that was purchased at Costco for $14.99. I loved the wine and scored it a 4, Denise was less enthusiastic and rated it a 3.
We also had some Honorable Mentions.
Oregon Pinot Noir
California Petite Sirah
Sonoma Old Vine Zinfandel
Tonight we are tasting two Cabernet Sauvignons from Chile. They are.
- 2019 Santa Ema Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva from the Maipo Valley, Chile. It received a 90 rating from the Wine Spectator. Aromas of cherries and prunes with notes of menthol, tobacco, and toast. Ripe tannins and tremendous structure. Perfect for grilled meats. 13.5% alcohol. I purchased this wine from Costco for $7.99.
- 2019 Vivendo Cabernet Saquvignon. It is also from the Cachapoal Valley, Chile, but comes from high altitude vineyards. (1600 meters) 14.0% alcohol and comes from the Calyptra Winery. Notes of black cherries, fresh plums, blueberries, along with a floral hint. Smooth tannins and juicy acidity. Tank-aged for 12 months and then bottle-aged for a least 12 months. I purchased this wine from Winestyles for around $20.00.
We both liked this wines. Denise rated both wines a 4 and I gave them both a 3 rating. Very different wines, but both are good. The Santa Ema (#1) is a darker and very fruit forward wine. The Vivendo (#2) is dark fruit, but lacks the spiciness and oak of #1. However, the Vivendo is probably a more complex and earthy Cabernet.
Next week, its New Years so we will be tasting some Champagne and talking about the past year. Things we are thankful for, list of things we have learned about wine this year, and what's in store for 2026.