22 April 2026 2022 Quink Vineyard Pinot Noir

2022 Quink Vineyard Pinot Noir

April 22, 2026 By

Besides the amazing food, sexy space and polished service, what I love about Crown Shy in Manhattan is the creative wine list. On a recent visit, I had the opportunity to sample the 2022 Quink Vineyard Pinot Noir by Trail Marker Wine Co. and wanted to document the tasting notes in case I see this wine featured at other places. With only 68 cases made, it might be a little difficult to find!

This Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir would pair beautifully with mushroom dishes (thinking Porcini Risotto), seared salmon, duck or grilled chicken. Alternatively, having a glass of this wonderful Pinot Noir on a beautiful afternoon on the lanai would be fantastic also, sans food.

Producer: Trail Marker Wine Co.

Color in the glass: Light ruby

Aromas: Cherry, raspberry with some earthy notes

Taste: Bright fruit, more cherry, light bodied with a medium finish   

Price: $45

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Region: Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Pinot Noir, United States, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
15 April 2026 2022 BACA Home Base Zinfandel

2022 BACA Home Base Zinfandel

April 15, 2026 By

I had the opportunity to sample this delicious, lush Zinfandel at the Hall Napa Valley tasting room in Palm Springs recently. The 2022 BACA Home Base Zinfandel is  a great example of Dry Creek Zinfandel with big, bold dark berry flavors and a rich mouthful. Just a delicious wine even better a few hours after uncorking.

This California Zinfandel would pair beautifully with anything coming off the grill, but especially with ribs, lamb or pork chops and BBQ chicken.

Producer: BACA

Color in the glass: Dark inky red

Aromas: Cherry, dark ripe berry with some spiced notes

Taste: Ripe juicy berry, chocolate-covered cherries, rich, full bodied with a medium-long finish   

Price: $28.99

Grape(s): 98% Zinfandel, 2% Petite Sirah

Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Petite Syrah, United States, Wine Reviews, Zinfandel Tagged With: , , ,
8 April 2026 2023 Heart & Hands Dry Riesling

2023 Heart & Hands Dry Riesling

April 8, 2026 By

I’ve had a love affair with Finger Lakes wines for many years and a favorite producer is Heart & Hands Wine Company, located in Union Springs, NY, on the east side of Cayuga Lake. The boutique winery produces stellar estate-grown, Burgundy-style Pinot Noirs and excellent Rieslings.

Here are additional posts I’ve written about Heart & Hands and its fabulous operations.

I just ordered a case of this affordable Finger Lakes dry Riesling for the summer as it’s very food friendly and perfect for patio sipping.

Producer: Heart & Hands Wine Company, Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Color in the glass: Medium yellow

Aromas: Citrus and pear

Taste: Green apple and Meyer lemon, long and dry finish with just a tad of sweetness  

Price: $25.99

Grape(s): Riesling

Region: Finger Lakes, NY, USA

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Riesling, United States, White Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,
1 April 2026 2022 Evolution Big Time Red

2022 Evolution Big Time Red

April 1, 2026 By

I was excited to see this delicious and affordable red wine at Total Wine & More recently. It’s great to have on hand for summer grilling season and pairs beautifully with many things like grilled pork chops, ribs, skirt steak, pizza and even grilled chicken wings.

It’s by Evolution Wine which is a label of Sokol Blosser from Oregon, which I had the pleasure of visiting on two occasions and highly recommend.

Get yourself a case for summer grill outs, I sure did!

Producer: Sokol Blosser Winery, Dundee Hills, Oregon, USA

Color in the glass: Bright purple-red

Aromas: Cherry, tart raspberry, tad herbal with floral notes

Taste: Medium-to-big bodied, juicy cherry, little stone fruit

Price: $14.99

Grape(s): Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, with a small percentage of Pinot Noir and a touch of Evolution Lucky No. 9 White

Region: Columbia Valley, Washington, USA

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Red Wine, Syrah / Shiraz, United States Tagged With: , , , , ,
24 January 2024 Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero 2019

Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero 2019

January 24, 2024 By

Hadn’t enjoyed an Emilio Moro wine is some time and need to more often! This is a classic Spanish Tempranillo that I served with roasted pork for a great pairing.

👁️ Inky purple

👃 Blackberry/ripe raspberry

👅 Juicy cherry, little mocha on the finish

💲 $25

🍇 100% Tempranillo

🗺 Ribera del Duero, Spain

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Spain, Tempranillo, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Tasting Notes Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs

December 13, 2023 By

Friends brought this lovely, well-priced, crisp Crémant de Bourgogne to our home for a wine-filled weekend and we really enjoyed it as one of the afternoon sippers with munchies.

For fans of Cava and Prosecco, Crémant de Bourgogne is a great option, at a similar price point. I enjoy the warm biscuit and lemony flavors, typical of Chardonnay, this Crémant showcased. Lovely acidity also. Nice find for under $25.

In the glass: Pale straw yellow

Aromas (nose): Ripe pear and Meyer lemon aromas with baked bread notes.

Flavors (palate): Juicy green apply with citrus and nutty notes.

Texture/finish: Creamy mouthfeel, fine mousse with a medium finish

Pairings: Seafood, fish, grilled chicken

Wine type: Sparkling wine

Grape: Chardonnay

Region: Burgundy, France

Cost: $25

Adding the Cave de Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs to my repertoire.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Chardonnay, France, Sparkling Wine, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
4 December 2023 2013 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo Tasting Notes

2013 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo Tasting Notes

December 4, 2023 By

Had this lovely Barolo at a dinner party I hosted at my home and boy did it deliver. Paired great with the beef I served, but also held up to the secondary meat, pork belly. Pretty traditional, classic version of Barolo.

In the glass: Dark ruby red

Aromas (nose): Leather, mocha aromas with some earthy notes

Flavors (palate): Chocolate-coated cherries flavor with some dried fruit notes

Texture/finish: Medium body, velvety medium finish

Pairing: Grilled or roasted meats (beef, lamb, duck), charcuterie

Wine type: Red wine

Grape: Nebbiolo

Region: Piedmont, Italy

Cost: $75 – $90

Adding the 2013 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo to my repertoire.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Italy, Nebbiolo, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Chenin Blanc

November 4, 2023 By

I don’t drink a lot of South Africa wines but I should!

Very crisp and fruit forward. This 2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Bush Vine Chenin Blanc was perfect with scallops and risotto.

2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Bush Vine Chenin Blanc

Adding the 2022 Stellenrust Heritage Collection Bush Vine Chenin Blanc to my repertoire.


👃Citus and ripe peach
👄 Medium body, bright, great minerality, rich pear and nectarine flavors, bit Meyer lemon tart on the finish
💲17.99
📍Stellenbosch, South Africa

Very food friendly and also lovely as a porch sipper!

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Chenin Blanc, South Africa, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
3 August 2023 2021 Bodega Martin Codax Albarino

2021 Bodega Martin Codax Albarino

August 3, 2023 By

I’ve been a huge fan of Martin Codax wines for 15+ years. Love Albarino for its food friendliness, big flavors, great minerality and fantastic value.

This 2021 Bodega Martin Codax Albarino was great paired with seafood for on a warm Sunday evening.
👃Citus and ripe melon
👄 Medium body, bright, great minerality, citrus, touch of oak
💲14.99
📍Rias Baixas, Spain

Buy a case of this for the summer, it’s ideal!

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Albarino, Spain, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
25 July 2023 2021 Il Pino Pinot Grigio Tasting Notes

2021 Il Pino Pinot Grigio Tasting Notes

July 25, 2023 By

I don’t typically go in this direction for white wine, but on a hot summer day, this 2021 Il Pino Pinot Grigio at a $15 price point did the trick.

Classic Pinot Grigio – light, clean, crisp with refreshing citrus notes.

👃Light, faint lemony aromas
👄 Citrusy/grassy palate
👅 Dry, crisp with nice acidity

Nice Summer porch sipper.

Cheers, Veronique

Filed Under: Italy, Pinot Grigio, Wine Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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