Author Archives: lcwineguy1997

Orée des Roses Rosé (Languedoc, IGP) Day 14’s wine is a delightful little rosé from the Languedoc region of France, Orée des Roses. According to the blurb on the back of the label, “orée des roses” translates to “entrance to the rose garden”, which implies the delicacy of a French garden. Which is interesting becauseContinue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 14”

Cavalys Cabernet Sauvignon (Mendoza Region, Chile) For the 13th day of Advent it’s back to the Mendoza region of Chile to try Cavalys’ Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine has the aromas of dark red fruits like black cherry, as well as hints of cocoa, vanilla and spice. If I was going on aromas alone, this wineContinue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 13”

Undivided Pinot Noir (France) Halfway through Advent Season 2025, and we have a Pinot Noir that demands our “Undivided” attention. Yeah, that was corny. Well I am entitled to at least one “dad” joke per season, right? Anyway, on to the wine… Undivided is a festive Pinot Noir – very much fruit forward with strawberries,Continue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 12”

Magic Box Chardonnay For Day 11, we’re trying another Chardonnay, this one from Magic Box. This Chard is lush, almost creamy at times with fresh lemon flavors. Total Wine says “yellow fruit” flavors, but I largely tasted lemon in all its various forms: basic lemon, a hint of lemon peel, the softness of lemon chiffon…Continue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 11”

D’Amati Red Blend (Puglia)(IGP) For Day 10 we try D’Amati, an Italian Red from Puglia. It is a deep garnet color, almost opaque with some gradation towards the rim. Looks almost intimidating but appearances are deceiving. This is a fruit-forward, easy drinking wine. Red fruits of cherry, strawberry begin on the palate. The tannins provideContinue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 10”

Grand Sud Sauvignon 2024 Day 9’s offering is Grand Sud’s Sauvignon, a no-frills wine that is unapologetically a Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of white flowers and citrus are on the nose. On the palate, the trademark flavors of grapefruit and grass dominate with a high acidity and a less rounded mouthfeel than the Magic Box SauvContinue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 9”

Magic Box Cabernet Sauvignon For the 8th day of Advent we have another Magic Box wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon. This full-bodied red has flavors of black cherry compote, cooking spices and vanilla. It is rather bold at first spice and oak leading the way, but the tannins are supple giving this wine depth without overlyContinue reading “Wine Advent-ure: Day 8”

HXM Riesling (Rheinhessen, Germany) One week in. For Day 7, we try a dry Riesling from Rheinhessen. I always said that a good Riesling is like lemonade, a perfect blend of sweetness and lively acidity. This Riesling is a little more tart than sweet, but there is a burst of citrus fruit (lemon in particular)Continue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ures: Day 7”

Laboure’-Gontard Pinot Noir For Day 6 we have a Pinot Noir from Laboure’-Gontard. Unlike the other five wines we tried so far, this one is a Total Wine Advent Calendar “exclusive”. Exclusivity hype aside, this Pinot Noir is pretty good. Very fruit forward with black cherry, blackberry and other dark red fruit on the palate.Continue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 6”

Magic Box Sauvignon Blanc 2024 (France) Total Wine’s Day 5 feature is Magic Box 2024 Sauvignon Blanc. This French Sauv Blanc is delicate and somewhat softer than its more acidic – and popular – New Zealand cousins. It still has the trademark grapefruit on the nose and palate, along with some tropical fruit (papaya) andContinue reading “2025 Wine Advent-ure: Day 5”