William F — Empire Wine Community
William F has been a customer since Jan 2016
Reviews (44)
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Robert Mondavi Private Select Chardonnay 1.5L
Posted Sep 27, 2022[Verified]
A GREAT VALUE"A very classy chard."
Santa Julia 'Reserva' Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Posted Apr 21, 2022[Verified]
TREMENDOUS LABEL"Just like the Santa Jula Mountain Red and Malbec this is another winner. Truly a better wine than what the price suggests."
Bolla 'Valpolicella' Valpolicella 1.5L
Posted Jan 12, 2022[Verified]
NOT WHAT IT USED TO BE."Years ago when I was younger, this was my version of a special occasion wine (all I could afford). I remember the young and fruity taste which was a great pairing with Sunday pasta and other dishes with tomato sauce. So, for old times sake I bought a bottle. I was not expecting five star qualityu but I was still very disappointed. The light fruity quality has changed to something I'm not sure I can describe. .Maybe my tastes have changed or become more complex. It's been 30 years since the last bottle and at my age, I don't think I will be around another 30 years to try it again."
Pellegrino Dry Marsala 750ml
Posted Nov 4, 2021[Verified]
NOT AS GOOD AS FLORIO"I know this Marsala comes from the same place as Florio. Maybe it's even from the same producer of another label. But this one seems to just lack the same earthy flavor I have always enjoyed from the Florio lablel."
Santa Julia 'Reserva' Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Posted Nov 4, 2021[Verified]
UNBELIEVABLE VALUE"This wine at this price is a steal. It's a great go to wine that at this price easily replaces most everyday bottles while still being something you serve to company, use on special occastion or with almost any dish that matches to a good red."
La Vieille Ferme 'Recolte' Rouge 1.5L
Posted Nov 4, 2021[Verified]
GREAT EVERYDAY PEASANT WINE"I do not use the word peasant disparingly. This wine reminds me of the great rustic country wines that go great with good basic comfort foods. It is a hearty wine that is great for sipping or with almost any meal."
Bodega Noemia 'J. Alberto' Malbec 2019
Posted Jul 21, 2021[Verified]
TOP OF THE LINE"One of the best Malbec's out there. Great for any special occasion."
Bodegas Ponce Depaula Monastrell 2021
Posted Mar 2, 2021[Verified]
2018 WAS BETTER"I would still recommend this but the prior few vintages had more complexity that made them a trememdous value compared to comparable wines. The 2019 vintage is missing something. It's good but a bit more bland or washed out. . Don't know the reason but that's why each years vintage can be different from one another."
Molinari Sambuca Extra 1.0L
Posted Mar 2, 2021[Verified]
YOU PAY FOR WHAT YOU GET"There is no other sambucca which even comes close. I am guessing the ingredients are for the most part natural which gives this such a complex and enjoyable. At the price, it may be a bit of a splurge but nothing beats it."
Bogle Vineyards 'Old Vine' Zinfandel 2017
Posted Mar 2, 2021[Verified]
REALLY GOOD STUFF"Old Vine Zinfandels and this one does not disappoint. A trifle fruity but not overbearing which lends a complexity for a great pairing with red meat or red pasta disches."
Florio 'Superiore' Sweet Marsala 750ml
Posted Mar 2, 2021[Verified]
TOO SWEET"I accidentally took a bottle of the sweet marsala off the shelf. Instead of returning it I decided to try it. It wasn't bad but just a bit too sweet for my taste. Probably better for cooking than sipping."
Diseno 'Old Vine' Malbec 2021
Posted Feb 11, 2020[Verified]
OUTSTANDING VALUE"This is my current go-to wine for everyday drinking because of the price and value. However, I would (and do) drink this nice Malbec with special meals calling for something which pairs well with a good roast or even pasta with a tomato sauce. Highly recommend."
d'Arenberg 'Stump Jump' Gren Shiraz Mouv 2017
Posted Feb 11, 2020[Verified]
COMPLEX - BUT NOT IN A GOOD WAY"Based on being recommended as a Best Value by Empire I bought this low priced wine. It was just OK. I could not figure out to describe it. Maybe the silly label is a tip off that the wine is nothing special."
Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi 2016 1.5L
Posted Feb 11, 2020[Verified]
SURPRISINGLY VERY GOOD"I like white wines but prefer reds hand down. However, this particular wine I knew nothing about is like any other white I've had in a long time. It's a versatile wine nice for sipping at the end of the day or with a good meal where is does not overpower the food. Since I tried it based on Empire's recommendation and was very pleased I went back bought more."
Il Bastardo di Toscana Sangiovese di Toscana 1.5L
Posted Apr 24, 2019[Verified]
NICE WINE WITH RUSTIC FOOD"Tastes close to the old chiantis in the straw bottle of yesteryear. Great with Sunday pasta and sauce."
Zonin 'Cuvee 1821' Prosecco Brut NV
Posted Dec 31, 2018[Verified]
NICE WINE WITH A BIG DINNER"A nice wine that has just the right amount of bubbles and enough taste to accompany a large meal."
Salmon Run Dr. Frank Chardonnay 1.5L
Posted Dec 31, 2018[Verified]
A NICE WINE"For the price it's not bad. Maybe not to the same depth and complexity as one of the better Napa or other California Chards but for everyday drinking after work or before dinner its very nice."
Casa Santos Lima 'Colossal' Red Reserva 2015
Posted Oct 3, 2018[Verified]
HIGHLY UNDERRATED"This is quite good and a value for the price which is typical with a lot of Portuguese wines which tend to be underrated. It's best enjoyed with any beef dish from a nice grilled steak to slow cooked stew or pot roast."
Piccini Chianti 1.5L
Posted Oct 3, 2018[Verified]
A BIT BLAND"Not that this is an expensive wine or it hypes itself as something special. It's simply an ordinary wine that is a bit bland with others in the same lower end of the price range that are better."
Eric Solomon Selections 'Novellum' Chardonnay 2016
Posted Sep 17, 2018[Verified]
NICE WINE FOR THE PRICE"For the price this wine is surprisingly good with a tasty yet clean finish. Nice sipping wine or with a seafood dish."
Ravenswood 'Vintners Blend' Zinfandel 1.5L
Posted Jul 17, 2018[Verified]
GREAT ZNFANDEL"I really like Zinfandels and I can state this is a great value for us that enjoy a good one. What is interesting about the Ravenswood Vintners Blend it has a lasting taste that leaves you wanting more. I don't think I ever felt that way about a wine before."
Columbia Crest 'Grand Estates' Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Posted Dec 14, 2017[Verified]
ENOYABLE AND DRINKABLE"This was rated by Empire as a Best Value and it does deliver just that. Good with almost anything a good Cab goes with."
Beringer 'Founders Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Posted Dec 14, 2017[Verified]
GOOD STUFF"I bought this as an everyday good wine. Turns out it is a nice Cab that goes well with any meal calling for a better wine."
Beringer 'Founders Estate' Merlot 1.5L
Posted Nov 23, 2017[Verified]
GOOD STUFF."Pair's well with beef and poultry Above average for a magnum. I will buy again."
Ninety Plus 90+ Cellars Pinot Grigio 'Lot 42' 1.5L
Posted Aug 14, 2017[Verified]
ABOVE AVERAGE WINE"This wine is good for simple sipping and relaxing at the end of the day and also pairs well with anything calling for a dry white, especially pasta dishes with aoli and fresh garden vegetables. The price makes it that much better. I have since repurchased it which I would I not do if I did not like it."
Columbia Crest 'Grand Estates' Chardonnay 2021
Posted May 29, 2017[Verified]
NICE DRINKABLE WINE FOR THE TASTE"An enjoyable wine that doesn't knock you off you chair but it fits the bill for someone looking for a Chardonnay that does not overwhelm with oak which some of us don't like. For the price - I was not disappointed."
Umbria Pinot Grigio 1.5L
Posted May 29, 2017[Verified]
A WINNER - ESPECIALLY FOR THE PRICE"There's a lot of bland Pinot Grigio around but not this one. It goes well with almost anything that a white wine is called for. And at the price it's a bargain,; beating out some of the better known Pinot Grigios in 750 ml bottles that are more than this 1.5 L. bottle. A great deal."
Charles & Charles Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah 2015
Posted May 29, 2017[Verified]
A VERY NICE EVERYDAY WINE"You can drink this wine with hamburgers to pasta or even with something a little fancier. Nice blend of Cabernet and Syrah which reminded me of Cab and Syrah blend a friend of mine used to make in has basement."
Red Newt Cellars Dry Riesling 2014
Posted May 29, 2017[Verified]
REALLY IS DRY"I love a dry riesling and this one lives up to it's billing and expectation."
Antinori Santa Cristina Rosso 1.5L
Posted May 29, 2017[Verified]
A GREAT VALUE"Reminds me of the old fashioned Chianti I grew up with that seems to be less and less available. Great with pasta and other similar dishes but just as nice as a sipping wine."
Santa Rita 'Secret Reserve' Red Blend 2017
Posted Feb 21, 2017[Verified]
NOTHING SPECIAL"When I select some wines from the Best Values list I try not to have too high an expectation. Though there are some real gems in Empires Best Value List this one was not one of them. It actually had a "corky" taste to it which left it difficult to get past it to judge it's attributes.."
Florio 'Superiore' Dry Marsala 750ml
Posted Feb 21, 2017[Verified]
ALWAYS CONSISTENTLY GOOD"This is my go to Marsala for cooking which I originally years ago for that purpose. But I discovered this is actually nice stuff. The same slightly earthy taste that pairs well with dried porcini mushrooms in making veal or chicken marsala is actually nice on it's own."
Bodegas Volver 'Tarima' Monastrell 2020
Posted Feb 2, 2017[Verified]
UNBELIEVABLE VALUE"Great tasting wine that pairs with almost anything a good Malbec for Cabernet does."
Cline Cellars 'Old Vine' Red Zinfandel 2015
Posted Sep 6, 2016[Verified]
ALWAYS GOOD"I've been a fan on Cline Cellars Zinfandel for at least 15 years. Every year it delivers good quality Zinfandel. It's consistent and one of my favorite Zins."
Carnivor Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Posted Jul 25, 2016[Verified]
NICE ITALIAN RED"Goes well with any red meat or robust pasta sauce. Especially good with grilled chicken."
Tilia Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Posted Jul 25, 2016[Verified]
DOING SOMETHING RIGHT"This Cab holds up just as well their Malbec. A great wine for the price."
Tilia Malbec 2022
Posted Jul 25, 2016[Verified]
AMAZING VALUE"I love Malbecs and I was skeptical about seeing how low the price was but I gave it shot because Empire rated it a best value. What a surprise. This wine can hold it's ground against many Malbecs that cost $5 to $10 more. Good with pasta or a steak off the grill."
Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Posted Jul 25, 2016[Verified]
NICE DRINKABLE WINE"This is a nice wine whose citrus undertones go well with light summer fare such as grilled chicken. I originally bought the 2014 and liked it enough to go with the 2015."
Simi Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Posted Jun 22, 2016[Verified]
CLASSIC PREMIUM CABERNET"I used to enjoy the Simi Cabernet Sauvignon years ago but for some reason I got away from it. Maybe because I was raising a family and there are other almost as good Cabernets out there for less money. But now I am able to buy the Simi without second thought and it has brought back memories of how great some of the California Cabs can be."
Barefoot Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5L
Posted Mar 14, 2016[Verified]
NICE EVERYDAY WINE FOR THE PRICE"I had this wine at a friend's and frankly did not expect much. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality for the price. It's a nice, easy drinking wine good with burgers, roast chicken or just relaxing at the end of the day. Is it a 90 plus rated wine? No, but it's pretty darn good for everyday. BTW - try their Zinfandel."
Candoni Pinot Grigio 1.5L
Posted Feb 17, 2016[Verified]
I EXPECTED BETTER"This wine was OK and fine for accompanying a simple meal. But for going with something with a delicate flavor such as sole or other similar seafood; I think this wine would be overpowering. Considering that there are a lot of good Pinot Grigio choices I felt there are better values."
Don Miguel Gascon Malbec 2013
Posted Feb 1, 2016[Verified]
GOOD"I have been a fan of Don Miguel Gascon Malbec for several years and have recommended it to others. However, the 2013 while still good does not live up to the earlier years. The thing that comes to mind is that the flavors are somewhat muted. It's still a decent price for a good wine. Just not as good as before."
Los Vascos Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Posted Jan 25, 2016[Verified]
DISAPOINTED"I have been a fan of the Los Vascos label. I've never gone wrong on any of their reds. Based on the high rating and best value designation I thought I would try their Sauvignon Blanc. It just did not cut the mustard. There was nothing delicate about it. It was to harsh. But it was worth a try considering the Los Vascos track record."
