Most weeks, this wine column highlights specific wines that have something particular in common.

Affordable white wines from France’s Rhone region.

Nero D’Avola wines from Sicily for under $25 a bottle.

This week, the focus is a bit broader.

Yes, they all have one thing in common. They’re all red wines.

But beyond that, they cover a wide range from around the world – a cabernet sauvignon from Argentina, pinot noirs from Oregon and Chile.

But all these wines do have one more thing in common – they’re all fantastic. And they all taste great now.

Timing is everything when it comes to wine, music, sports or even comedy. If you’re a split second too late, the song doesn’t sound quite right, your team just missed the game-winning shot or perhaps no one’s laughing at your joke.

The timing isn’t anywhere near that fast when it comes to opening a wine. Instead of matter of a seconds, we’re usually talking about months or years.

Many times, certain red wines get better with age. But if you wait too long – or not long enough – some red wines just don’t taste right.

In most cases, wines that should have been opened months or years earlier taste flat, dull or sometimes (worst case scenario) even vinegar like.

These six red wines recommended this week taste perfect right now.

Hope you enjoy.

WINES TASTING NOTES

2022 Domaine Bousquet Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic Grapes) ($9.99 at Table & Vine in West Springfield)

Region – Mendoza, Argentina

Grape – 100% cabernet sauvignon

Tasting Notes – What makes this wine so great right now is how fresh and lively its light, bright fruit flavors taste right now. Sure, you could wait a few months to drink this wine. But the beauty of this wine made with organic grapes is its youthful energy and flavors, which include hints of fresh raspberry, cherry and blackcurrant.

2019 Ritual Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir ($20 Suggested Retail Price)

Region – Casablanca Valley, Chile

Grape – 100% pinot noir

Tasting Notes – Like the Argentinian cabernet sauvignon recommended above, what I love about this pinot noir from neighboring Chile is its light, bright character. Instead of trying to bowl us over with powerful, intense flavors, this delightful wine has a delicate, lighter-than-air finish with floral hints and raspberry-like flavors and aromas.

2021 Esporao Riserva Red Wine ($23 SRP)

Region – Alentejo, Portugal

Grape – 25% Alicante bouschet, 25% trincadeira, 20% touriga nacional, 15% aragonez, 15% cabernet sauvignon

Tasting Notes – This rich, elegant wine from Portugal’s Alentejo region in the southern central part of the country hits all the right notes – it’s delicate but not too light, fresh but not too fruity. Flavorwise, this understated red wine has hints of wild blackberries and pepper mixed with hints of toasted almonds and black licorice.

2021 Tapestry Red Blend ($25 SRP)

Region – Paso Robles, California

Grape – 72% cabernet, 16% syrah, and 12% petite sirah

Tasting Notes – Napa and Sonoma Valley often steal the spotlight when to comes to great wine regions in California. But if you look further afield, you can often find great, affordable wines like this one from Paso Robles, which is located further south roughly halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles. This charming wine has many delightful flavors, including subtle hints of cedar, dark chocolate, blackberry and black pepper.

2020 Tenuta Di Arceno Chianti Classico Riserva ($30 SRP)

Region – Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Grape – 90% sangiovese, 10% cabernet sauvignon

Tasting Notes – This luxurious red wine from Italy’s Chianti region illustrates why so many of us love red wines from this part of Tuscany. Many great Italian red wines can cost a fair amount of money. That’s what makes many Chianti Classico wines such a great deal. In many cases, you can find rich, voluptuous wines like this one that don’t cost a fortune. In this particular case, the wine’s flavors are soft and vibrant with hints of cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate.

2019 Appassionata Allegro Pinot Noir ($95 SRP)

Region – Williamette Valley, Oregon

Grape – 100% pinot noir

Tasting Notes – In music, the word “allegro” refers to a piece that’s “bright and lively.” The same description could easily apply to this entertaining pinot noir from Oregon’s outstanding Willamette Valley, which is famous for producing outstanding pinot noirs like this particular gem. Here, the flavors are earthy yet elegant, with hints of cherry, blackberry and plum that last at least half a minute after each sip.

UPCOMING WINE EVENTS

Pairing Perfectly – Table & Vine will host a wine tasting focusing on pairing wines with different foods. The free event will be held Saturday, May 11 from noon to 2 pm at Table & Vine, 1119 Riverdale Street, West Springfield. To register for the event or for more information, please visit Table & Vine’s website.

Rose Wine Open House – Provisions Mill District location is hosting a complimentary wine tasting with emphasis on rose wines taking place on Saturday, May 11, from 1 to 4 pm at 65 Cowls Road, Amherst location. Entry tickets cost $25 per person. Further details about the event are available on the Provision’s website.

Enjoy your drink!

Wine Press by Ken Ross is featured on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s Weekend section each Thursday.

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