A pair of stylish Tuscan beautiesTenuta di Arceno is located in the southernmost commune of Chianti Classico region of Tuscany – Castelnuovo Berardenga. Bordered by the ancient walled town of San Gusmè, this estate makes three Chiantis and three IGT Toscana wines, and I have very much enjoyed their kindly, entry-level, Merlot-dominant Bordeaux blend, il fauno, in the past. Having said this, my featured wine is a cut above, and if there is one bottle to get you in the mood for the rest of the portfolio at this estate, then this is it!While I am very keen on this classy red wine, it is not what I call a ‘firework wine’. There is nothing showy, explosive or shocking about this creation – thank goodness. By contrast to so many freakshow Tuscan wines found on this famous region’s catwalk, Tenuta di Arceno’s portfolio is measured, calm and sophisticated. With a medium-bodied chassis, admirable control throughout the experience, a surprising amount of juiciness and completely controlled oak, this is a treat for the senses. If only more Chiantis could capture the grace and resonance of this wine. If you are a little disillusioned with the musculature, forestry and astringency found in hosts of wines that seem to garner much admiration and also nose-bleed scores from some of the world’s wine, commentators then find solace here.

Wine of the Day: Nielson Pinot NoirOver five decades ago Uriel Nielson saw the cool terrain of Santa Barbara and said, I can grow grapes here. I am sure some thought he was crazy because at the time the region was considered too cool to grow grapes, but Nielson saw it as the ideal place to grow two key varieties that thrive in cool temperatures, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Today the Nielson wines shine as approachable, varietally correct examples of these two loved varieties thanks to the influence of the Pacific Ocean that benefits from evening fog to keep grapes cool, and then an early fog burnoff in the morning allowing sunshine-filled days to ripen delicate fruit. Nielson Pinot Noir layers ripe black cherry, blackberry, and cherry with black tea, fragrant violets and roses, and a touch of earthiness. The finish is toasty with caramel and spice notes, enhanced by twelve months of French oak aging. #Cheers

“Increasingly convincing, American-owned Tenuta di Arceno (Kendall-Jackson Group), which produces wines of impeccable quality and craftsmanship." - Gambero RossoOn the property they grow 50% Sangiovese and 50% other varieties (mostly international) - the other 10% of this Chianti is Cabernet Sauvignon taken from the highest point of the estate; aged 10 months in French (with never any new used) - total aging ends up being 24 months before release. The alcohol is a high 14.5%, which helps create that rich, round almost sweet dark fruit note to this Chianti, but the balancing act the acidity plays here helps it from being an over-the-top, weighty mess and even shows a freshness and age-ability: Smoky black cherry, floral, tobacco, cassis, cinnamon, aniseed, black licorice, a little char and even some herbal/savoury notes all help add to the enjoyment of this wine. Love the complexity. The tannins are quite tight now but should loosen their grip over the next 10 or so years. (****+)

Chianti Classico Connection At this Manhattan-based event, I was able to taste the three different Chianti Classico example, including the Tenuta di Arceno Strada al Sasso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG 2018, rich and luscious with velvet tannin. This classification is the pinnacle of quality for Chianti Classico.

This Merlot-led blend (74%) is a very different wine compared to the other Merlot-based blend, Il Fauno.The first key difference is that Vanderno has elevated, racy acidity. The reason is that it is sourced primarily from the Valadorno and Capraia blocks.These two blocks produce the estate’s most complex and mineral-based expressions of this variety. The blocks are located within the cooler part of the estate, naturally irrigated by the stream that undulates through it, and feature sandy brown soils and lower yields than typical. These blocks are often the last Merlot blocks to ripen at the estateThe other two varieties used are 19% Cabernet Sauvignon 11% Cabernet Franc 5%.Beyond the acidity, to me the wine really speaks of its terroir with rich black cherry, blackberry, mission figs, and rich, decadent dark chocolate.

Cabernet Franc (74%) makes up most of this delicious wine. Ten percent each of both Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon even out the blend with six percent of Petit Verdot.Succulent flavors of wild cherry, milk chocolate, rose, licorice, and dark earth are just some of the complex flavors in this wine. It ages in French oak for a year.Arcanum is the pinnacle of the estate’s offerings. Based on Cabernet Franc, the true signature of the estate, built to age but drinkable young.Arcanum is sourced primarily from the Apparita and Belvedere blocks of Cabernet Franc. With superb exposure and sandy clay soils, each year these blocks.

This is a Merlot-based blend (54% Merlot) with 32% Cabernet Franc. 12% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot. It ages for 12–15 months in French Oak.The wine is rich, with a rich texture that encompasses corduroy to velvet. Elegant wine with fresh acidity and a long finish. Flavors include ripe morello cherry, black currant, ripe plum and vanilla bean.This Bordeaux-style blend embodies the diversity of the estate and is sourced primarily from the Arceno di Sotto, La Curva, Colombaio and San Giovanni blocks.

This citrusy, low-alcohol Chardonnay is made from a percentage of wine that has been de-alcoholized and wine from grapes harvested at full ripeness. Winemaker Randy Ullom say, "I'd rather do it this way than pick unripe grapes and make a low-cal, low-carb wine that tastes horrible."

Wine of the Week: Willamette Valley Pinot NoirIn Willamette Valley, it’s all about location, location, location, and the Zena Crown Vineyard in the Eola-Amity appellation is the epitome of the adage. Winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash has been lucky enough to take some of the best grapes from this consistently cool climate and well-drained volcanic soil for her 2018 Penner-Ash Zena Crown Pinot Noir. The pretty bouquet sports scents of red cherry and bright red berry. Flavors of cherry, baking spices and clove feel silky smooth in the mouth. A hint of cocoa on the back of the palate really adds a delightful note to the beautiful, lush finish.

The wine has intriguing gamey aromas with mixed flavors of piquant, dried berries, and hints of ripe plum — lean, but not austere, with flavorful tannins.

Beautiful ruby color followed by notes of crème de cassis, blueberries, forest floor and leather with a hint of spicy oak in the background. The oak is completely balanced by the wine's rich fruit, medium-bodied texture, and impressive purity, length and equilibrium. This elegant Bordeaux is ready to drink now and should be drunk within the next five years. Try will grilled lamb chops or a rich beef stew.

With aromas of white flowers and pineapple, Kendall-Jackson Avant Chardonnay at 9 percent alcohol, and 85 calories, shows a hint of vanilla and hazelnut.

Rich cabernet aromas of blackberry, blueberry and dark chocolate lock in an embrace with shiraz's red berry and plum flavours. Fine tannins, balanced acidity and an incredibly long finish are hallmark characters of the historic 1850 Clarendon Vineyard.

The aroma of this gorgeous, lighter-weight red wine leans heavily on distinctive Central Coast black cherry and herb elements. The entry is seductive, with soft and generous fruit flavors and a handsome and structured mid-palate in which the tannins play a very minor role. If this wine had come from a more prestigious area of California, its price point would be approximately twice as much. As it is, some discounters are carrying it for less than $20. A startling value.

Intense, brooding, concentrated, complex.

Pear and apple notes with s smooth texture and a touch of sweetness.

Crisp and lively acidity with tropical fruit and apple flavors with a dash of citrus.

Wine of the Weekend: ChardonnayFilled with sunshine from sandy Santa Barbara soils, Nielson Chardonnay leaps from the glass with vibrancy and juicy lushious layers. Slightly tropical, opening with notes of pineapple and guava, melding seamlessly with honeysuckle and and fresh citrus, leading to a palate of ripe pear, creamy lemon custard, and blanched almond. Highly affordable, this easy going wine is perfect for any day of the week.

Classic wine, chocolate pairing with a twistNaturally, the Murphy Goode "Liar's Dice" Zinfandel 2015 and its super-friendly texture, with smoky cherry, blackberry cobbler flavors, was a fit for all four chocolates, but perhaps was best with the plain dark chocolate, as the fun-loving wine's ripe fruit flavors were all the action needed.

Classic wine, chocolate pairing with a twistCambria Pinot Noir Julia's Vineyard Santa Maria Valley 2018 had a soft texture and tart strawberry, cherry, loamy earth and leather flavors. It was a natural for the Dark Chocolate with Tart Cherry and Cocoa Nibs.

Classic wine, chocolate pairing with a twistEach of the four featured Jackson Family Wines paired well with the Vine to Bar dark chocolate. Which was a bit of a surprise considering that the Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2019 and its flavors of pineapple, green apple, cinnamon, creme brulee and a round almond note on the finish, and La Crema Rose Monterey 2019 with its snappy fruit, strawberry, melon and green herbal note, were part of the tasting.

Classic wine, chocolate pairing with a twistEach of the four featured Jackson Family Wines paired well with the Vine to Bar dark chocolate. Which was a bit of a surprise considering that the Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2019 and its flavors of pineapple, green apple, cinnamon, creme brulee and a round almond note on the finish, and La Crema Rose Monterey 2019 with its snappy fruit, strawberry, melon and green herbal note, were part of the tasting.

Anyone who knows me well is aware that I have a soft spot for Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs. Now, one of my favorite Pinot producers has just released its first Chardonnay.Siduri, critically acclaimed for its elegant, cool-climate, single-vineyard Pinots, has only crafted a handful of white wines in its 27-year history. As a result, there’s no doubt that its 2019 Willamette Valley Chardonnay will automatically pique interest far and wide.It’s full of finesse, with the lovely fragrance of white flowers and orange blossom, plus heady notes of apple, lemon, nutmeg, and just a hint of vanilla.Cheers: If you’ve turned your back on Chardonnay of late, this one’s sure to win you back to the pleasures of this varietal.Winemaker Matt Revelette has previous experience making Chardonnay at Sonoma’s Sojourn Cellars, Sebastopol’s Kosta Browne, and Healdsburg’s Williams Selyem. The Siduri Chardonnay, of which I received a sample, is a blend of several vineyards that was divided up three ways to ferment in stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs, and 25 percent new French oak barrels. The resulting wine is the best of all worlds — velvety but without flabby richness, and bright with acidity but not overtly tangy.

Wine of the Week: Around the world with RieslingRiesling may not be the first grape variety you think of when you think of the Willamette Valley of Oregon, but the 2018 Penner-Ash Old Vine Hyland Riesling just may just change that. In the hands of founding winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash this wine is intoxicating. With aromas reminiscent of a classic Loire Valley Riesling, it features scents of citrus peel, roasted almonds, stony minerality and petrol (a good thing). On the palate, the wine sports a wonderful richness with flavors of ripe white peach, tart nectarine and a touch of green melon. The finish is expansive and lengthy, with just a hint of mineral-laden acidity to keep the wine in balance.