Loren Sonkin

Cleveland, Ohio

Husband, father, owner of dog. Proprietor/winemaker of SonkinCellars winery. Estate planning and elder law attorney. Wine lover and writer.

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Articles

MV Ca' del Bosco Cuvée Prestige 46ª Edizione Extra Brut, Italy, Franciacorta, Wine Review

3 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

NV Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut, Italy, Lombardy, Wine Review Beautiful sparkling wine from the north center of Italy. It is a blend of 75% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Bianco, and 15% Pinot Nero. Light golden in color with a steady stream of tiny bubbles. The nose has red apples, minerals and slight toast. Full bodied. On the palate, this has a slight oxidative note along with apples and slight toast. A nice backbone of acidity. Long finish.
2023 Bruno Rocca Langhe Nebbiolo Fralu, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

3 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

Some of the best bottles are not expensive but consumed in a great place or environment or just have a great story. This is one. The bottle had been given to me a few days earlier when visiting Bruno Rocco winery by our guide Marta. https://www.intowine.com/visit-bruno-rocca-barbaresco-italy We were travellin thru Italy with friends and they had gone to dinner.
2001 Caparsa Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

3 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

2010 Isole e Olena Vin Santo del Chianti Classico, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review Current Price: There are a lot of Vin Santos being made but not a lot of outstanding ones. This Vin Santo is consistently outstanding. Amber in color, clear and bright. The nose is great with apricots, orange peel, honey, maple syrup and roasted cashews. Full bodied. Viscous. Great acidity. On the palate, roasted nuts, honey, peach, apricot and a bit of maple. Long finish. Delicious. Complex.
2022 Donnafugata Passito di Pantelleria Ben Ryé, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

3 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

This was ordered in Trento, Italy at Ai Vicola (great restaurant). 8 Euros a glass off the dessert menu. It is from an island that is technically part of Sicily but is actually closer to Africa than it is to Italy. There are strong winds and the grapes lose their moisture and raisin on the vine. Made from the Zimbibbo grape, also known as Muscat of Alexandria. Iced tea in color, clear and bright. Intense now of orange peel, apricots, pineapple, and sage. Full bodied. Viscous texture.
A visit to Foradori

3 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

While in Italy last month, we made a stop at long time favorite, Foradori, in Trentino in northwest Italy. It is a beautiful winery surrounded by the Dolomites just north of the city of Trento. Foradori is certified bot as Biodynamic and Organic. They utilize grapes native to the area and some international varieties and seem to be always trying out new (or ancient) methods. While many wineries in Italy seem to be experimenting with Amphorae, they are using them and committed.
2018 Foradori Granato, Italy, Trentino, Wine Review

4 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

This wine was reviewed back in January, 2024 and it is just as good or better. https://www.intowine.com/reviews/2018-foradori-granato-italy-trentino-alto-adige-wine-review This bottle was tasted at the winery. It is 100% teroldego. 13% abv. Purple in color, ruby at the rim, opaque and bright. The nose is deep and complex. Earthy with black cherries, cherries and nice minerality. Great texture. Medium to firm tannins. Great acidity.
2018 Foradori Teroldego Morei Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT

4 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

2016 Foradori Vigneti delle Dolomiti Teroldego IGT, Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Wine Review Made from the Teroldego grape, this is the basic wine from this wonderful producer. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, lots of minerality and a touch of salinity. On the palate, there are firm tannins on this. Lots of black cherries and some cherries. An underlying minerality. This is drinking nicely now, but surely will improve as it integrates over the next five years.
Canvasback 2022 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

5 days ago | intowine.com | Michael Cervin |Loren Sonkin

From the initial Canvasback launch, I have sampled this wine for years and without question this Washington state red has proven its worth. Value, yes. Structure and depth, yes. Made predominantly from Cabernet Sauvignon. There are small amounts of Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc to round out the wine. It was aged just 19 months in French oak barrels, just about 1/3rd of those barrels contributing new oak. It offers slightly deeper more macerated fruit notes than its California counterparts.
2023 Foradori Teroldego Morei Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Italy, Trentino, Wine Review

5 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

2016 Foradori Vigneti delle Dolomiti Teroldego IGT, Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Wine Review Made from the Teroldego grape, this is the basic wine from this wonderful producer. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, lots of minerality and a touch of salinity. On the palate, there are firm tannins on this. Lots of black cherries and some cherries. An underlying minerality. This is drinking nicely now, but surely will improve as it integrates over the next five years.
2024 Foradori Lezèr Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT, Italy, Trentino, Wine Review

6 days ago | intowine.com | Loren Sonkin

2016 Foradori Vigneti delle Dolomiti Teroldego IGT, Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Wine Review Made from the Teroldego grape, this is the basic wine from this wonderful producer. Purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose has black cherries, lots of minerality and a touch of salinity. On the palate, there are firm tannins on this. Lots of black cherries and some cherries. An underlying minerality. This is drinking nicely now, but surely will improve as it integrates over the next five years.