The wines of February 2026

February is a short month, but has a bunch of ups and downs. Ground Hog day, Valentines, Snow and warmth - just pretty wacky. Here are the wines I sampled this month.

2021 Olianas Cannonau di Sardegna, Gergei, Italy

Marked notes of small wood berries mix wisely with hints of dark chocolate and tobacco. Silky tannins and a good concentration, well balanced by a pleasant acidity, can be felt on the palate.

Cannonau Doc di Sardegna is an intense ruby red wine: in the mouth it is fresh and well-structured with a texture of dense and well-integrated tannins, the nose has fruity and floral notes. Strong notes of berries are skilfully mixed with hints of dark chocolate and tobacco. On the palate, tannins remain in a concentration well balanced by a pleasant acidity.

Cannonau is the Italian word for Grenache.  This wine is not likely to last too many years longer, but it has a nice acidity to accent foods.  Priced under $20, worth a buy to hve with some red sauce.

 

2022 Vik Omega Cabernet Sauvignon, Millahue, Chile

The VIK 'Omega' Cabernet Sauvignon is a luxurious and complex red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (88%), Carménère (10%) and Syrah (2%) grapes grown on the VIK estate located at Millahue in Chile’s Cachapoal Valley. At the winery, the grapes were carefully sorted and vinified in the gravity fed cellar. Fermentation took place with wild yeasts in small, temperature controlled stainless steel tanks of 18,000 litres, followed by malolactic conversion. The wine was aged in French barriques for 12 months in a combination of used barrels, recycled barrels and ‘barroir’, barrels that were made at the VIK winery. The resulting blend displays notes of ripe dark fruits, strawberry and a hint of spice, enveloping the complex and perfectly balanced palate with subtle, rounded tannins and a pleasant, unforgettable finish.

I saw about this winery on a TV show – very high-tech and beautiful. This wine is under $30 – the “entry” level wine and it is very good at that price. Nice acidity with nice dark fruits, it leaves a decent aftertaste. Nice – worth trying at the price point.

 

2021 Ridge Three Valleys red, Sonoma, California

Nose of toasty oak, strawberry jam, mixed berry pie, black tea and baking spice. Layered black and blue fruit on the palate with milk chocolate, cherry, garrigue and textured tannins on the finish.

Blend: 65% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Alicante Bouschet

Wine Spectator 92

 A broad-shouldered red, with a potent structure but expressive blackberry, savory dill and white pepper flavors that speed toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2033.

Not enough Zinfandel to be called a Zin, this is another of the great field blends that Ridge is famous. Really full bodied with great black and red fruits with a nice finish to keep you going.  This was about $24, worth every penny.

 

2022 Le Volte Dell’Ornellaia, Toscano IGT, Italy

Displaying a deep purple red, Le Volte dell’Ornellaia 2022 shows ripe fruity aromas such as cherries and blackberries, in addition to black pepperiness.

The palate is generous with considerable body at first, followed by smooth and enduring tannins. Upbeat freshness and pleasurable fruity aromas make up the finish.

The baby brother of the famous Super-Tuscan Ornellaia. Only about $35, this is a good wine totry Super-tuscans at an entry level price. Good body and fruits, went very well with Italian food.  See it – buy it.

 

2021 Mommessin Morgon Cotes du Py Gamay Noir, France

2021 Mommessin Morgon Cotes du Py Gamay Noir, France

The wine shows a deep red-ruby dress with violet hues. The nose is dominated by black fruits aromas, blueberry and spicy notes. A great pure minerality in the mouth with dense and velvety tannins, a very elegant wine with a long aromatic persistency.

Got this closed out at $20 – this Gamay Noir really gives you a bang for the buck. Black fruits with some hints of spice, this is a great example of this region. Usually about $30 or so, Mommessin delivers every time.

 

2019 Tobin James Fat Boy Zinfandel, Paso Robles, California

Fat Boy Zin is full-bodied with a saturated violet purple color. Fruit forward and bold, this wine is for the adventurous person looking for anything but ordinary.

Big, bold, jammy, olallieberry pie smacking-you-right-in-the-face wine. Although this wine is mega jam packed it also has a slight spice. Clove and cinnamon flavors tease the palate. This wine is rich, juicy, and packed with flavor. 

Food Pairings: Pepper encrusted filet mignon, with earthy mushrooms sautéed in butter. Blue cheese and chorizo stuffed dates. Pairs well with desserts such as cheesecake, dark chocolate, or simple blackberries. Pair with bold and zesty cheeses.

A gift from a member of the wine group, this is a big boy Zinfandel. The fruits start punching in the nose and follow on the palate. Then you get the spice on the palate and a long finish. An impressive Paso Robles Zinfandel – priced at $55 on the website. A truly exceptional wine.

 

2022 Andillian Malbec, Los Chacayes, Argentina

Color is deep ruby red. Intense aromas of spices typical of the fields of Los Chacayes such as thyme and jarilla, in combination with red fruits such as strawberry and plum. On the palate it is easy to drink, with the fruit intensity of the varietal and the place predominating.

La Coste de Los Andes is an Argentine project from France's Chateau La Coste. Their wines are to merge the sunny spirit of La Provence with the luminous heights of the Andes Mountains. This organic malbec comes from alluvial vineyards in Alto Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, and was pre-ferment carbonically macerated for 5 days before 2 weeks of ferment, with foot stomping. Dark violet, blueberry, blackberry is cut with a tart acidity, and lined with finely sticky tannins to a snappy finish. A bright, tight, tart malbec, ready for drinking now.

Pleasant little Malbec with a nice price – about $16. Good red and black fruits with a touch of tannins. Good buy.

 

2022 Pesquie Terrasses White, Rhone Valley, France

Fermented and aged entirely in tank, the classic floral and pit fruit flavors and aromas of the Viognier are tempered by the crispness of Clairette and the creamy weight of Roussanne and Grenache Blanc.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 90 Pts

An equal-parts blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, all made in stainless steel, the 2022 Ventoux Terrasses Blanc features straightforward, pleasing aromas of lime and tangerine. It's medium to full-bodied, zesty and clean, with an appealing bit of plumpness and some charming peach notes on the finish.

Rather nice cheap French white, won’t knock your socks off but a good deal at $10. Medium body with enough acidity to make it good as a sipper and food.

 

2023 Alta Luna Sauvignon Blanc, Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Italy

The 2023 Alta Luna Sauvignon Blanc from Vigneti delle Dolomiti, Italy, is a refreshing white wine characterized by flavors of lime, green apple, passion fruit, and white peach. It is known for its light, tingly, and dry profile, making it an excellent aperitif or pairing well with vegetable dishes or fresh fish. The wine is produced in the Trentino region, which benefits from a cool climate that enhances the fruit's acidity and flavor. The average price for this wine is around $20.

I have said that Sauv Blanc is not my favorite white wine. That being said, this was a tasty little on from the Dolomite mountain region in Italy. We have it for around $15, it is a nice wine to begin an evening.

 

2024 Renato Ratti Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy

Intense red color. Fragrance of ripe fruit against a spice background. Full flavored, pleasant and elegant, with good persistence. It's a rich and structured wine, also suited to medium aging. A wine for first courses and red meats.

Barbera is another wine I have never said is my favorite. This one was good, nice fruit and structure for a wine about $25.

 

2023 Farina Valpolicella Ripasso, Veneto, Italy

A dark ruby-red color, with the fragrance of pepper, fruit marmalade (cherries, prunes) and spices, licorice and ginger.

Excellent with roasted meats and cheeses.

This deep was deep and flavorful, with dark fruits and kitchen spices. Was even better with a beef short rib meal – enough acidity and finish to match the food well. Runs about $20 in the store, really good Italian wine.

 

2022 Antinori Il Bruciato. Bolgheri, Italy

Il Bruciato was first produced in 2002 in one of the most difficult vintages ever for the Guado al Tasso estate. The wine is a modern interpretation of Bolgheri's unique terroir made from carefully selected Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah grapes from Guado al Tasso's vineyards. The geological composition of the soil is diversified giving the wine structure and complexity.

Wine Enthusiast  92 Pts

The nose is hot, sanguine and earthy, with prominent aromas of leather, espresso and berry compote, but a gentle whiff of vanilla for levity. The palate offers an intense warmth like a sunrise's first rays that illuminate flavors of soil, herbs, flowers and finally, ripe berries.

I always enjoy this wine – full of red and black fruits with texture and body. Goes with heavy meals – well made bottle of wine. Runs around $30 - $ 35, worth having a bottle in the cellar.

 

There are the wines – hope all is well with you. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.