Wines of April 2024

    We are going to have a brief discussion about Pinot Noir. 

This popular red grape originated in Burgundy but has spread across the New World. Like its white Burgundian counterpart Chardonnay, Pinot Noir is early-budding, early-ripening and thin-skinned. The sites where it tends to thrive can experience tough growing conditions, which lead to more rigorous fruit selection and lower yields. This is one of the reasons that high-quality Pinot Noir often carries a higher price tag than other wines.

The variety enjoys cool climates and grows best in calcareous soils, marl and loam. Pinot Noir is known for its bright red fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, as well as floral notes. Its structure is friendly to many wine lovers: light in body, low in tannins, with good acidity. Pronounced earthiness can be found in Old World versions, like those of red Burgundy, whereas riper fruit-forward flavors are typical of New World styles, which are found in cool pockets of California and Oregon. The wines are juicy and approachable in their youth, but the best versions can develop elegant complexity as they age.

Sometimes called the Heartbreak Grape due to problems growing the grape to get the full flavor from it.

Often the juice is kept on the skins for a longer time to get more color and flavor. Or some of the lightly colored juice is pulled off to become a Rose.

Inexpensive Pinot Noir spoiled the grape for me.  They are light, lack body and depth and generally are a little disappointing.  It seems, you have to start at around $35 to get real Pinot that gives you the version of the wine. Yes, I am reviewing a wine at $20 – but it was over $60 to start with.

So, I have several Pinot Noirs in the list for April. Hope you enjoy!

2013 Siduri Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA

Winemaker Adam Lee goes big on this bottling from the vineyard planted by the two Garys (Pisoni and Franscioni), showing bacon fat, blackberries and graphite on the nose. Once sipped, it veers more tart, with cranberry and just-ripe raspberry picking up some complexity from thyme herbs. 93 Pts WE

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

I was blown away by the 2013 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard. It's a gorgeously complete, balanced and still structured 2013 that offers rocking notes of cassis, black cherry, crushed rock and forest floor to go with a medium to full-bodied, textured and concentrated feel on the palate. Easily one of the riper, larger framed and powerful wines in the lineup, it nevertheless has the fruit to drink nicely today. It should be at its best from 2017-2023.

I got this wine under cost. I took the chance it hadn’t gone bad. It had not gone bad – it was an incredible wine – felt much heavier than a Pinot Noir, but had classic red fruits, hints of earth and rocks and a full mouthfeel. So good and I got it for $20 on close-out. (Orig cost over $40).

2019 Contrade Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy

 The 2019 Contrade Negroamaro is a red wine from Puglia, Southern Italy. It’s made primarily from the Negroamaro grape variety. Here are some details about this wine.

Tasting Notes: The wine has intense aromas of cherry and blueberry jam, cocoa, licorice, and floral fumes. On the palate, it is round with a warm structure and silky smooth tannins.

Flavor Profile: Expect black fruit notes such as blackberry, plum, and dark fruit.

Got this around $10 on close out- a nice every day drinking wine. Nice acidity to go with foods, very little tannins, but a good mouthfeel. Well worth the price I paid for it.

 

2018 Kaiken Terrior series, Mendoza, Argentina

Condensed berry and plum aromas are slightly green, with notable oak giving off a maple-like scent. On the palate, this blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Petit Verdot is full and saturated but blocky. Jammy blackberry and prune flavors are a bit lazy and heavy, while this remains jammy and lightly desiccated on the finish.

Not as bright tasting as the older brother to this wine. Felt a bit dull on the palate – nice red and black fruits but  a hint of flabbiness. Got it at around $13, so not bad but not a favorite of mine.

 

2020 Stoke’s Ghost Petite Sirah,  Monterrey, CA

Without Petite Sirah the California wine industry would look vastly different. Since its arrival from France in the late 1800s, Petite Sirah has provided the color, flavor, and backbone to many of the state's most popular reds. Stokes’ Ghost explores the more complex aspects of this wonderfully powerful grape. Inky black in color, it delivers haunting aromatics, commanding flavors, and red velvet tannins.

Fresh if somewhat tart aromas of violet, lavender and cracked pepper show on the nose of this bottling. The palate carries that floral line forward with more lavender as well as blueberry-candy flavors, as tannins rise into the finish. 90 WE

These bottles were closed out and I grabbed one before they went at $15. This is a powerful wine, with black and red fruits and hints of floral tones. Enough body and acidity to go with grilled items, gotta love this wine.

2022 Daou Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robbles, CA

This is a complete package of a Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of snappy lime, apple flesh and rainy cement click the variety's main boxes, while the palate is firmly structured, presenting flavors of lime, ash and tropical grasses. 90 Pts WE

Lovely and bright—a quintessential rendition of Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc. Tantalizing aromas of grapefruit, pineapple, gooseberry and quince reveal floral impressions of lemongrass and acacia, all balanced by notes of lychee and wet stone. The palate is classily structured and elegantly styled, displaying crisp, juicy fruit flavors that burst across the palate, including lemon chiffon, key lime pie and kiwi accented with green apple, white nectarine and pineapple. Decisively refreshing, this wine finishes clean with lingering notes of dragon fruit, passionfruit and citrus.

A nice Sauvignon Blanc – I just cannot get over excited about these wines. Priced around $16, worth the price with a crisp palate of green apple, exotic fruits and pineapple. I just can’t see spending more than $25 on this type of wine…

2020 Poggio Landi Rosso di Montalcino, Italy

Notes of red berries, flowers and spice with an elegance that envelops the palate. A young and lively wine that asserts its identity with its terroir. 

91           James Suckling

Notes of red plums and cherries with dried orange peel, spices and wet stones. Firm and chewy on the palate with a nice grip of polished tannins and a toned fruit character. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Very much a food wine, dominated with red fruits and a hint of baking spices. Not bad, though it runs about $24, you might do better.

2017 Milbrandt Merlot, Wahluke Slope, WA

Aromas of vanilla, shaved coconut and baking spice are at the fore, with the oak taking over. Dark fruit and barrel intermingle on the palate. The oak completely steals the show. 87 Pts WE

A tasty wine, although I think it only has a few years left on it. Dark black and red fruits dominate the palette , while a little oak shows in the aftertaste. Tannins are mostly gone – currently $20 at the store.

 

2021 Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir Rose, France

100 % Pinot Noir.              Colour: Elegant light raspberry pink.

Nose: Fresh red fruits flavours (raspberry, strawberry), with citrus notes (grapefruit, tangerine) and English candy.

Palate: A frank and supple attack. The mouth is fulfilled by a sense of tension, an unctuous character and a light sweetness. A refreshing, harmonious and fruity wine, ending on persistent and acidulous notes.

Enjoy as an aperitif, with thinly sliced Serrano ham, a mix of garden vegetables and all summer dishes such as a grilled white meat, a filet of pork in curry sauce, grilled prawns, tapas, and mixed salads.

Bright millennial pink in the glass, this wine has a nose offering calamansi, Valencia orange and watermelon rind. Juicy, crisp flavors combine watermelon, strawberry and Meyer lemon acidity, with a line of crushed chalk on the finish. FIONA ADAMS                88 Pts WE Best Buy

This rosé is incredibly light in aromas, with hints of white cranberry and underripe strawberry on the nose and mouth. There's pleasant acidic lift to the palate, and it's otherwise a short and breezy quaff.

The ultimate porch pounder – a pleasant tasty wine that can go with light meals or just great on the back porch watching sunsets. Priced at $10, a wine that you need by the case.

2022 Blicks Lane Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand

This has a vibrant bouquet of ripe red fruits with underlying earthy tones and subtle spicy oak. The palate displays layers of delicate fruit and savory characters, balanced with gentle acidity and fine tannins. A very stylish and appealing Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand; light bodied and dry, smokey and leathery with notes of bright ripe strawberry and raspberry, hints of purple flowers, vanilla, and stone, with sublte oaky undertones, balanced acidity, soft tannins, and a long pleasant finish. Certified Organic and Vegan

A pleasant, light bodied Pinot Noir – red fruits with a touch of earth dominate the palate. Finish was only mpderate – nice but not really memorable – priced around $20

2021 Domaine de Suremain Mercurey, Burgundy, France

The nose of this wine offers freshness and concentrated blackberry, Amarena cherry, rose complemented with a perfect amount of oak spice for depth. The palate offers similar concentration with mouthwatering acidity that provides energetic lift. Hard not to enjoy now. 92 Pts WE

"Pure and elegant, offering cherry, currant, strawberry and mineral flavors allied with a sleek, vibrant structure. Reveals refined tannins, with a long, complex finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases made, 450 cases imported. "

92 pts Wine Spectator

This is a great example of French Burgundian Pinot Noir. Black and red fruits including dark cherries fill your mouth and then minerality to make a complete mouthfeel. Light tannins but a long finish. What Pinot should be like – priced about $40.

2022 Brooks Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

A dazzling and complex red fruit-driven Pinot Noir. Elegant notes of candied violets on the nose, with bright and vibrant notes of cranberry, wild strawberry, and red currant on the palate with a saline umeboshi plum finish.

Comprised of pinot noir grapes from the following vineyards: Muska-Bement, Crannell, Muska, Yamhill, York Hill, Eola Springs, Sunset Ridge, Hyland, Sunny Mountain, Temperance Hill, and Fayetta.

3,500 cases were produced!

A stunning example of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied with notes of cherry cola and blueberry on the nose and a delicious salted caramel and cherry compote finish.

Heavier than the earlier New Zealand Pinot, this was moderate bodied, with red fruits with a nice acidity.  Good for an Oregon Pinot, priced around $35. 

2021 MacRostie Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California

Smooth, complete and nicely fruity, this full-bodied wine shows fresh red and black cherries, dark plums and subtle oak spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and cedar, while moderate tannins aid the appetizing texture. 91 Pts WE

90           Wine Spectator

Fresh and crunchy in feel, with vibrant pomegranate and damson plum notes laced with rose petal and savory accents, all allied to a light, wiry frame. Should sleek out a bit with age, while staying on the light-bodied edge of the spectrum.

Finally, a California Pinot Noir – flavors were more toward dark red fruit flavors with some baking spices. Drank very well with food, it showed nicely with the Oregon and French wines. Priced around $40, not bad for this well built of wine.

Hope this finds everyone well. Until next month, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 

Wines of  March 2024

    Another month has flown by, along with Easter. Hope the bunny stopped at your house and left something good. Just going to jump into the wines...

2017 Parker Station Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

This was a wine I couldn’t drink. Slightly oxidized and so green tasting – pyrazine to the max (think green bell peppers with green beans and asparagus – in a wine).  Won’t even share a pic or web info…

2010 Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville, CA

The long hang time this year offered nice flavor development in the 2010 State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, and this wine delivers a wonderful expression of bright berry fruits. The velvety texture carries flavors of raspberry and black cherry, while the toasty oak adds spice. The soft, thick palate is warm and inviting, and the rich, defined tannins create a solid backbone, carrying the flavors to an extremely long finish.

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon State Ranch from Yountville boasts an impressive bouquet of chocolate and creme de cassis, and powerful, full-bodied flavors. It may be the most concentrated, dense and powerful effort in this portfolio. This blockbuster, full throttle (14.8% natural alcohol) wine should age effortlessly for two decades. I wonder if this designation has any kinship to the State Lane Vineyard owned by the Kapcsandy family?

A wine almost fourteen years old and still a powerhouse. Not many tannins left, but still a good body with life and dark fruit flavors with spices. Mouthfilling , this wine just stands out – made for a hearty fare. Priced around $125, very, very nice.

2015 Trapiche Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Arg

Rich wine perfumed with aromas of cassis and raspberry jam. Elegant touch of smoke and roasted pepper with balsamic and spicy notes. Soft, complex, and very long aftertaste.

Ideal to serve with pasta, grilled red meats, and stews.

A wine just about past its prime – still drinkable but feeling a little tired. Aftertaste was not long, the red fruits were there but fading, touch of spice notes.  Close out at under $10, ok as a weekday wine.

2020 The Butcher Zweigelt, Burgenland, Austria

Violet-reddish in color. Aromas of cherry, dark berries, herbs and spices. On the palate it is balanced with firm tannins and flavors of cherry and oak.

FOOD PAIRINGS                               Anything your local butcher sells.

VINIFICATION   12 months aging in used barrique oak barrels

zz-why-galt. Austria's most planted red wine grape and is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent (tastes like Pinot Noir). Resulting wines are bright, tart, and fruity.

The winemaker used to be a butcher, hence the name. I’ve enjoyed this grape (wine) before – it is a lighter red but has decent body to go with the fruits. Label is a bit scary, but whatever. Normal price around $20 – we closed it out for under $10. Worth that price for spaghetti or pizza.

2016 Zorzal Eggo Franco, Mendoza, Arg

“The Eggo Franco is produced, like many of their wines, with grapes from Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It fermented in cement eggs with some stems and with 50% of the wine kept in contact with skins for some three to four months, then pressed and put back in the eggs to complete its elevage, which lasted some nine months. It typically shows a mixture of herbal and candied berry aromas, hints of beef blood and iron. The absence of oak shows the naked tannins and provides an earthy side, which to me is very much the wild character of Gualtallary.” –Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

91           James Suckling

Aromas of currants, flowers and stones follow through to a medium body, firm and silky tannins and a delicious finish.

A Cabernet Franc from Argentina – kept in concrete eggs – thus “Eggo”. Still a fairly tasty wine – there is an initial funk on this wine that needs an hour to blow off. (Funk meaning barnyard components). Moderate body with some dried red fruits. Another wine to consider for weekday, non-guest meals. Saw it online for $30, I think we had it for around $20. Bought it for under ten dollars, just to try again.

2021 Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

Dark Plum in color with exuberant aromas of dark cherry strudel, ripe blackberry and cocoa nibs.  Bold and opulent flavors dance on the palate.  Boysenberry jam, dark chocolate, and Malabar plum swirl with a hint of clove.  Elegant with strong acidity and velvety tannins lead to a long smooth finish.  Pairs wonderfully with creamy tomato pasta with Italian sausage or a juicy portobello mushroom burger with pesto.

94           Tasting Panel

Ripe boysenberry preserves are amplified by a wash of milk chocolate and almond brittle. Sumptuously textured, with sleek tannins enveloped in sandalwood.

91           Wine Enthusiast

Powerful and rich-tasting, this wine from Joseph Wagner is velvety in texture and spicy in aroma. It drips with jammy, Port-like flavors that are backed by fine-grained tannins that tighten a bit on the finish for a good grip. Best from 2025.

From the Joseph Wagner family – makers of Caymus. Heavy duty Cabernet with interwoven tannins and a long finish. Lots of dark red fruits, hints of cocoa and some spice notes.  Could take a year or two of bottle aging to bring out more of the nose. Nice wine – priced from $40 – 55, worth popping for your wino friends.

2021 Protocolo Rouge, Castilla, Spain

One of Spain's greatest bargain reds! Tempranillo- mostly from 35 year-old vines in Manchuela- is blended with 10-15 year old Tempranillo from Eguren's holdings in Toro and Rioja to create a wine that tastes literally three times the price. Take a look in the wine press: top critics everywhere annually bestow 90+ ratings on this still-overlooked gem.

Ruby red with violet hues. Fruity, raspberry, red fruits. Light notes of vanilla and spice. Good balance of tannins and acidity. Finishing with notes of raspberry, vanilla, and light notes of wood.

90           James Suckling

Earth, dark berries, dried herbs and forest floor on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm tannins. It has an earthy edge in the mouth with a dusty, flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

I have had many vintages of this little gem of a wine. Not a long term keeper, but a bottle to open and enjoy any day of the week. A traditional type of Spanish wine – not a fruit bomb, but nice red fruits, hints of spice and a moderate backbone.  Typically about $11, we sold out at $8.99. Always a consistent and pleasing wine.

NV Tapiz Malbec Rose Extra Brut, Mendoza, Arg

Bright pink colour. Delicate and intense aromas of red fruits, cherry and strawberry stand out. Persistent and small bubbles. In mouth is fresh and fruity. Excellent balance acidity‐sugar.

Bright pink in hue, delicate, persistent small bubbles provide crisp freshness on the palate with the aromas carrying through. Fresh and fruity ripe cherry, pomegranate molasses; crisp with minerality and sliced strawberry.

 

A very nice bubbly – a fresh palate of light red fruits with a good balance. Suitable for lighter fare or just sipping on the porch. Priced at around $20, a great bottle to buy.

 

2021 Domaine Bousquet ‘Alavida’ Malbec, Mendoza, Arg

With its mix of black fruits and floral notes, Alavida is an expressive example of Malbec from the increasingly sought-after high-altitude vineyards of the Uco Valley. Deep purple in color, this is a vibrant dry red, rich in fresh, newly picked fruit. Pleasingly round on the palate, it concludes in a long finish.

This wine is Kosher for Passover.             

89           Wine Enthusiast

This is one of the few Argentine Kosher Malbec wines on the market. The grapes were sourced from organic vines in Uco Valley. It’s fruit-forward, with notes of ripe plum and cherry on the nose and the palate. Soft tannins and lively acidity lead to a flavorful, medium finish.

Wine opened with a touch of funk on the nose but that blew off quickly. Fruit forward with red fruits with decent acidity to go with foods. Not a long finish, but a pretty good bottle. Priced under $20, great for a Kosher wine.

2021 Chateau Haut-Monplaisir, Cahor, France

92 pts James Suckling - "This has a bright and fruity nose of red plums, raspberries and orange slices. It’s juicy and fresh with a medium body and crunchy acidity. From organically grown grapes."

89           Wine Enthusiast

Tannins and structure support the black fruits in this fruity, balanced wine. The wine is still young, but shows ripeness and a fine juicy character. Drink from 2025. Organic.

The French Malbec always  stands out in a tasting, compared to the Argentine bottles. Fruit is more refrained, nicely acidic for food and just a moderate wine. Not bad, just not my favorite style. Priced just over $20…

 

2020 Kaiken ‘Ultra’ Malbec, Mendoza, Arg

A Malbec of an intense bright red color with purple hues. On the nose, enticing aromas of dark fruits and spices come out, laced with the most enthralling mineral nuances. It is solid and robust on the palate, revealing plenty of concentration, a defined character and smoothness. Its soft tannins create a pleasant texture, while its crisp acidity, personality and balance all lead seamlessly to a long and complex finish.

Blend: 100% Malbec

92           James Suckling A generous and fruity malbec with lots of ripe black cherries, strawberries, blackberries and spices. Hints of graphite and violet, too. Round and juicy on the medium- to full-bodied palate with firm and lightly chewy tannins.

 Another nice South American wine – this has nice dark fruits and some spice nuances. Moderate finish, enough acidity for food matching – overall a very nice wine. Priced around $25, good buy.

 

2021 Catena ‘La Consulta’ Malbec, Mendoza, Arg

92           Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The range of appellation wines from 2021 is very fresh and balanced, clean and precise, as can be seen in the juicy but serious 2021 Appellation La Consulta Malbec, which was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1996 on alluvial soils. This is still young and a little marked by the élevage in barrel, with spices and some creaminess, and it has the mineral sensation and fine tannins that this wine always has. It has black fruit and an earthy twist.

Catena Appellation La Consulta Malbec hails from Argentina's renowned Malbec-producing regions. This Malbec showcases dark berry and plum flavors, often with hints of spices and a velvety texture. Argentina's high-altitude vineyards contribute to the wine's intensity and balanced acidity, making it an ideal choice for grilled meats and spicy dishes.

 

This wine had a nice nose and good mouthfeel. Nice fruit flavors without too much of a fruit bomb. Nice hints of spice and soft texture – nice acidity for food and a decent aftertaste. Priced just around $26, another good bottle.

Another month, more wines. Hope all is well and keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The wines of February 2024

    Leap day is always kinda weird. That extra day in February...More news - I've retired from my full-time job and now I am working part-time at Auburn Spirits. Now I can get a discount on things I would have bought anyway! So, I am semi-attached to the "Business", but only as someone that helps people select wines and spirits and occasionally drops things - making a mess...

    So, Short month but some decent wines - here they are

2017 Villa Antinori Toscano IGT Tuscany, Italy

An intense ruby red in color, this red wine shows a complex nose of ripe berry fruit along with cherries and plums, with the spicy sensation of vanilla and pepper. The 2017 Villa Antinori Rosso, supple on the palate with soft and velvety tannins, is firm bodied and endowed with a long and tasty finish and aftertaste.

93           James Suckling

Aromas of currants, black cherries and bark. Chocolate, too. Full-bodied with fine, creamy tannins. Really polished texture. Walnut and light hazelnut undertones. Well done for the vintage. Drink or hold.

90           Wine Spectator

A beam of black currant suggests Cabernet is part of the makeup here, while black cherry, iron, tobacco and oak spice complete the flavor spectrum. This is rich and succulent, with well-integrated acidity and tannins, and an extended finish. Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. Drink now through 2032.

Nice wine meant to go with a variety of foods. Nice acidity and body,witht pleasant dark fruits and hints of spices.  Recommend it at a price of around $16.

2019 Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

 

The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful, full-bodied Napa Valley wine. On the nose, this wine has hints of cherry cola, vanilla, and dark fruit. The finish is a rounded mouthfeel that is persistent in the long and lingering opulent finish.

Priest Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon was aged in 40% new French oak and 60% once-used French oak barrels. The lees were stirred for the first year, followed by three racking in the second year of aging. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

This is a ”big boy” wine, with a lot of body and red/black fruits in the mouth. Good with food, having body and moderate tannins. Nice bottle – got it for $35 at Auburn spirits – good one to have for friends. Could bottle age a few years, as well.

2022 DePaula Ponce Monastrell, Spain

Wine Advocate: 93 Points

It has a fresh Mediterranean nose of aromatic herbs and fine, elegant fruit, with a sensation of more ripeness than what the alcohol level points at. In fact, the problem here is that Monastrell doesn't ripen if you don't work well in the vineyard, pruning short to control yields, and they have been improving the viticulture since they bought the vineyard. This is fresher and more floral Monastrell, with a balsamic twist and a juicy palate with deep flavors, with backbone and support. It fermented with full clusters and indigenous yeasts in 4,500-liter oak vats, where it matured for seven months. This is now certified organic. 17,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in April 2023.

Depaula Monastrell 2022 has intense aromas of red and black fruits, with herbal and mineral notes. The palate is full of fruit, with a juicy Mediterranean edge. A wine that mixes its elegance and pleasant flavors to create a very nice and easy to drink red wine.

Usually Monastrell is an inky monster type of wine. Not so here – this feels like an aged Grenache. More fruit in the nose and mouth with decent body, just not the bomb I was expecting. Really nice, both with a meal and for sipping. Very likable – priced around $21.

2018 Rio Mendoza Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Lagarde Rio Mendoza Malbec wine is a full-bodied, fruity wine with a rich and complex flavor profile. It has notes of ripe red fruit, spices, and vanilla, and a smooth, elegant finish.

Wine of deep ruby ​​color with purple reflections.

The wine has an elegant, harmonious taste with a pleasant aftertaste.

The aroma of wine in harmony with fruit and floral notes.

I think I talked about this once, as a ten dollar weekday wine. Well, it’s now $5 – nothing to write home about, but for pizza, spaghetti and such, it is not awful. Finish it by the second day – even with a screwtop, it doesn’t stick around well. Worth what I paid for it.

2019 Chateau La Caussade Bordeaux Blanc, Bordeaux, France

"100% Sauvignon Blanc. Nice yellow straw, pale, brilliant and limpid color. Expressive nose of exotic fruits, citrus fruits and floral notes (flowers of acacia). Beautiful palate, fleshy with a wonderful freshness. Fruity and expressive with a very long finish." Winemaker's Notes

Chateau La Caussade's Sauvignon Blanc presents a stunning yellow straw hue, exuding brilliance and clarity. Its aromatic profile is a symphony of exotic fruits, citrus tones, and delicate acacia flower notes. On the palate, it boasts a luscious texture paired harmoniously with invigorating freshness. The fruit-forward expression leads to an enduring finish that delights the senses.

With no other grape included, this is a very nice little SB. Flavors of flowers and citrus notes, it is an enjoyable wine to drink any time. Enough backbone to go with appetizers and light entrees. Priced around $13 –well worth that price. (Really, why does anyone pay over $20 for a Sauv Blanc?)

2018 Chateau D’Haurets, Bordeaux, France

The 2018 Château d'Haurets Bordeaux Rouge opens to aromas of cherries and plums, which are accented by spices, licorice floral and tobacco nuances. On the palate this possesses a medium body, with fine, velvety tannins that frame the core of juicy red and dark fruits. This is well-structured and has a firm grip on the finish. While it is drinking nicely today, it would be best to allow this another year in bottle to flesh out and watch it develop even more character.

A somewhat simple, yet enjoyable red from the land of overpriced bottles. Bordeaux makes on ocean of wine, so you have to choose when to spend the big bucks. This wine has a touch of tannins (would hold a few years in a cellar) , pleasant red fruits with spice nuances. Good with food and the wallet. Priced at around $15, good buy to have around.

 

2020 Chateau Bel-Air Eiffel, Graves de Vayres, France

The Chateau Bel-Air Eiffel 'Heritiers Gustave Eiffel' Graves de Vayres 2020 is a classic Bordeaux blend that beautifully expresses the unique terroir of the Graves de Vayres. This small right bank region has soils more associated with the left bank and has nothing to do with the larger left bank region of Graves. The combination of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon results in a wine that balances fruitiness with structure, enhanced by subtle oak aging

An elegant wine with aromas of black fruits, spices and cocoa. The attack is silky in the mouth, rich and ample with nice roundness and generous tannins. The finish is long with lovely aromas of cherries and currants. 80% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

A step up in price and complexity – this wine has the tower on it! Flavors of black fruit, tightly wound tannins, hints of dried fruit and a moderately long finish.  Enjoyable with a meal, also on its own. Price is around $30, could age a few years in a cellar, as well.

2019 Chateau Anthonic, Moulis-En-Medoc, France

A delicate expression of Left Bank Bordeaux, this shows fresh blueberry and blackberry aromas combined with a hint of clove. The palate shows a fresh and crunchy character, with redcurrants, graphite and ripe blackberries to the fore. A touch of white pepper and toast pull through on the finish, rounding out the wine. With a few more years in bottle this will gain more savoury complexity but can be enjoyed now with some pâté on toast, or a selection of hard cheeses. Drink now to 2030. Barbara Drew MW, September 2023

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

A slightly more complex Bordeaux, the Anthonic has red and black fruits in the mouth with nuances of spices. Moderately tannic, more bottle age should round this into a splendid bottle. Drinking well now, and only priced around $35, this is a great bottle.

Another winter month has passed, hope all is well. Until next time - keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 Double Post - NYE and January 2024

Went to a small gathering on New Years Eve (NYE) and had a few great wines. The remainder is the January line up I tasted.

New Years eve

Thanks to Chris and Ryan for the invite and special wines. We also had some caviar, stuffed mushrooms and more food. Ryan wrote the detailed tasting notes - it is really fun tasting with an Astronomy professor!

Bourgmont Winery, Sparkling Wine, Kansas NV

Seyval Blanc. Light straw yellow / gold. Very fine, persistent bubbles. Very nice nose of ripe pineapple, green apple, a bit of fresh apricot, orange rind, and some steely mineral. On the palate, a bit of orange / lime upfront, pineapple, red apple / pear, a touch of apricot / nectarine, something tropical like papaya / passion fruit / mango, and then honey toward a finish of steely mineral and some nice toasty yeastiness. Full bodied with a rich, fleshy / savory texture and lively acidity; what great balance. This is delightful, satisfying, and remarkably complex. A shocking 15.5% all but doesn’t taste like it at all. What an impressive achievement for Kansas. Buy and serve with confidence when you need a high quality sparkler. 3.5 Stars [12/31/23]

This was a surprise – an enjoyable Kansas wine! Surprised by the alcohol level, but it wasn’t revealed in the taste. Priced around $35 (?), I think.

Balfour, 1503, Hush Heath Estate, Classic Cuvee, Kent NV

Pinot Noir, Pinot Menuer, and Chardonnay. Light straw-gold with rosy reflections. Subtle but rich and deep nose of red apple, a hint of cherry, blood orange, lemon curd, and loads of toasty, yeasty depth, exceptional, rather wonderful nose. On the palate, loads of blood orange, a lovely bit of meaty black cherry, pineapple, apricot, and then loads of sweet raspberry and citrus-infused honey toward of a long, long finish of toasted almond and pound cake, yeast, and chalky stone (with perhaps the oyster shell of Chablis), and lingering red berry and crystalized honey. On the light side of full bodied with a rich, fleshy, honeyed texture, vibrant acidity, and savory minerality. Wonderful, wonderful depth and complexity. Wow. A solid 10 years ahead, and 15 us not out of the question. 4 Stars [12/31/23]

While its flagship vintage rosé has secured Balfour a firm place among England’s top wine producers, the estate introduced a second tier of traditional method sparkling wine. This pair of non-vintage wines, a rosé and a classic brut, appear under the ‘1503’ label, reference the date when the estate’s historic manor house was built. Made from the property’s estate vineyards and with a fresher, aperitif style in mind, this offers a very approachable yet still refined English fizz experience. This bottling saw the introduction of 10% Pinot Meunier, rounding out the fruit profile. This ‘Classic Cuvée’ is arguably England’s best value traditional method sparkling wine.

The fruit was harvested throughout October and the grapes were destemmed then whole-berry pressed to stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was inoculated with a house-specific strain and fermented at a cool temperature, preserving the vibrant fruit notes. Malolactic fermentation occurred simultaneously with primary fermentation. The wine was bottled and hit with the liqueur de tirage to the optimum potential pressure as dictated by Victoria, the winemaker. Following a minimum of 12 months on lees the wine was disgorged in November 2022. It was given a 10 gram dosage, which enhances the vibrant fruit notes. The wine is bottled to order for freshness.

I had this earlier in December and just had to bring it. English sparkling wine has come a long way and this is a great example. This runs around $40, so not a cheapie, but well priced for a good bottle of bubbly.

Louis Roederer, Cristal, Champagne 2002

 

My first Cristal. Nice color, gold with a touch an orange, but also some green reflections. Fantastic, fascinating nose, combining ripe, rich apricot / plum, raspberry, black currant, blood orange marmalade, ginger, yellow passion fruit, loads of chalky-stoney depth, all overlaid with mature Champagne notes of sour bread dough, and fresh fruitcake; phenomenal complexity. On the palate, loads of fresh orange marmalade upfront, with subtle notes of meaty cherry and currant/plum, lovely pineapple / mango / passion fruit, then guava and lime curd before a finish of black cherry, a touch of fresh honey, and a long, long finish chalky but smokey stone, yeast / sour bread dough. Full bodied and fleshy, rich and sweet but with serious poise and a study in elegant balance, fantastic complexity and depth; a study in the juxtaposition of rich, vibrant fruit with mature Champagne funky yeastiness. Absolutely captivating, the combination of rich texture with serious complexity are eye-opening. 20 years ahead easily. 5 Stars [12/31/23]

Cristal 2002 by Louis Roederer comprises a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay.

Nose  Intense, delicate and precise, the nose harmoniously blends fragrances of sweet flowers, cocoa, finely toasted hazelnuts and candied citrus fruit.

Palate  The palate is seduced by this champagne’s silky texture, its concentration and its explosion of aromas of ripe fruit, red fruit and white chocolate mixed with flavoursome notes of caramel and pastry, which are characteristic features of this wine. Throughout the tasting experience, this champagne increasingly reveals its powerful and refined expression and leads to a finish marked by a beautiful freshness and a bitterness, offering the pleasant ‘’crunchy’’ sensation.

My first time having  a “classic” Champagne (read that as really expensive). Beautiful body, fine bubbles with citrus and yeasty stone edges –  incredible Champagne.  No doubt one of the best I’ve had. Interesting note – the bottom has no punt, like most sparkling wine – it is flat, but pretty thick. Originally packed in crystal (clear) there was no punt and it continues that way. No clue to the price.

 

Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Sauternes 1998

Gorgeous orange-gold with a hint of green, no mature bronzing showing, impressively youthful for its age. Phenomenal, d’Yquem level Sauternes nose; amazingly rich/ripe pear with raspberry and apricot, crystalized ginger, honey / barley sugar / gorgeous floral nectar, loads of vanilla, then lime, loads of botrytis mace / nutmeg, white peach / yellow melon, and incredible steely mineral depth; such elegance and power and depth; as it opens, mature fruitcake, burnt sugar, and butterscotch. The palate is just as incredible; loads and loads of honeyed ripe/rich poached pear, candied ginger, and endless, luscious array of honey and orange blossom / white flower nectar, laden with botrytis mace and nutmeg, hazelnut, and then creamy butterscotch / vanilla before a finish of chalky mineral and a endless finish of honey / flower nectar, a firm touch of vanilla / oak, white peach, and a hint of raspberry. Full bodied, rich and honeyed and very sweet, with fleshy texture, candied citrus acidity, incredibly elegant but powerful balance like a high end Meursault (white Burgundy). This is so close to the ’98 d’Yquem. Phenomenal. A long life ahead of it still, 20 - 30 years. 5 Stars [12/31/23]

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey

Lovely sweet apricotty nose with spicy, fruity complexity. There's a rather unusual lanolin-like edge to the palate, which is honeyed and syrupy. Attractive, but a bit simple overall? Very good+

This is an incredible bottle of dessert wine. Had an apple ginger tart with it and the match was heavenly. Sad part – the wine and tart were so richI couldn’t finish both. The mouthfeel of this wine is intense – floral, pear and spices that just fill the senses. Nice acidity to match the sweetness, a balance that is divine. Hard to say much more – you just drink in the pure luxury and are wrapped in a sugar cocoon.

January 20204 wines

 2021 Bodegas Manzanos 111 Red Blend, Navarro, Spain

Aromas of Mission fig, black currant and mocha waft from the glass. Vibrant acidity and plush tannins play backup to black cherry, blackberry, butterscotch, star anise and dried sage flavors that dissolve into a pomegranate-splashed finish.                       WE 93 points

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha, this red is full in feel, with nice grip and strength to the palate showing flavors of dark berry and plum that finish dark and spicy. Ripeness and fruit are paramount on this Navarran red.

This is a very fruit forward style of wine. Very enjoyable with enough acid and body to match with food. Priced around $14, worth buying several to enjoy, though only not something to put away for more than a year.

2020 Country Heritage Vignoble, Laotto Indiana

Semi dry white wine. Estate Grown Fruit.

Bright and crisp semi-dry white wine. Sweet fruitiness with tart citrus flavors.

Alcohol 11.50%

Gift and I can not say I really liked it. Too sweet, used it mostly for cooking.

2020 Las Gundinas La Vizcaina, Bierzo, Spain

WA 95  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, February 2022

(95+ points) The 2020 La Vizcaína Las Gundiñas has a new plot, a west-facing vineyard that is steeper and cooler. Pérez likes Gundiñas and Rapolao in warmer years like this. In 2020, 50% of the wine matured in 2,000-liter oak foudre and the other half in used 500-liter barrels. It was harvested much earlier, and the wine shows more freshness even if it shows more tannin today. He likes long macerations (40 to 45 days) and works toward having tannins and weight in his wines. Some 6,000 bottles were filled in August 2021.- LG

La Vizcaina Las Gundinas shows very fresh aromas of black fruit with certain notes of graphite and a background of thyme. In mouth it is fleshy, ample, with a tannin of grape very marked and certain earthy aftertaste.

Mostly Mencia, this is a tasty wine with nice black fruits and body with fine grained tannins as the backbone. Could cellar for several years, but drinking fine now. Priced around $40, I got a better deal from Matt.

 

2018 Ramirez de la Piscina Crianza, Rioja, Spain

This wine has aromas of dark plums, clove and cocoa powder. Flavors of black currant, blackberry, milk chocolate, clove and orange zest are set into polished tannins that gently fade into an orange-zest finish. — Mike DeSimone                                90 WE

100% Tempranillo picked by hand aged for 15 months in American and French oak barrels after alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Thereafter the wine is transferred back to the tanks for 5 months of natural fining and settling before filtering and bottling.

93  James Suckling

Blackberry, tar and violet aromas. Wet earth, too. Medium to full body with firm, racy tannins and a solid finish. A structured and very classic Rioja. Drink or hold.

Classic Tempranillo from the Rioja, old style. Very enjoyable with black fruits and spice elements. Nice body without many tannins. Priced around $30, a very good wine to enjoy with friends.

 

2019 Guidalberto Tenuta san Guido Toscano, Italy

95           Wine Enthusiast

This enticing red offers alluring aromas of fragrant purple flowers, dark-skinned berries and crushed mint. The elegantly structured palate doles out succulent blackberry, orange zest, licorice and saline notes set against taut, refined tannins. It’s nicely balanced by fresh acidity. Drink 2022–2029. Editors’ Choice.

94           Decanter

Guidalberto is still considered the 'second vin' of Sassicaia but this is a terrible mistake - first of all, its blend is completely different, as is the selection of the grapes. Secondly, the quality of the tannins today is excellent. In good - if not great - vintages such as 2019, Guidalberto shines for its classic style of sleek bramble fruit, astonishing elegance of the tannins, and the signature freshness of the estate. The suppleness of Merlot helps this wine to become more approachable sooner, yet no less ageworthy.

93           James Suckling

Plum, currant and fresh-herb aromas follow through to a medium to full body, firm and silky tannins and a long, linear finish. It’s clear and already delicious, but another year or two will improve it.

I made a mistake and opened this wine. It is still very tight and needs some bottle time to allow it to open up. The second time I tasted it (the day after I opened it), the fruits had become apparent with a mix of red and black fruit and overtones of herbs and spices. Went well with a steak, but keep this puppy for a few years and enjoy. Got it for $50 at Auburn spirits, heck of a great deal.

Another month, a little more wine. Hope everyone is well - keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of December 2023

Another year has passed, the Holidays are past. Hope Santa was good to you...

Lets talk about some wines.

2020 Uggiano Chianti Colli Fiorentini, Firenze, Italy

Very pleasant and persistent, with hints of violets and cherries, complemented by clear vanilla hints

Harmonious, dry, with a pleasant tannicity. Very clean finish with a persistent aftertaste.

It pairs well with typical Tuscan pasta dishes, such as pappardelle with wild boar sauce, pici with meat sauce. It also pairs well with Tuscan liver pâté, grilled meat, stewed meat, and medium-aged cheeses.

This is one of thiose tasty Chiantis, with good fruit and nice acidity. Red fruits dominate with some hints of vanilla – very good for a $12 bottle of Italian Chianti.

2016 Estampa Reserva Carmenere Malbec, Colchagua, Chile

Color: Intense purplish-red.

Aromas: Spicy and fruity. Sweet red fruits and spices.

Flavors: Smooth and round at the start. Soft tannins and a sweet finish.

94 pts  Decanter World Wine Awards

(Silver Medal Winner) Opulent and inviting on the nose with pristine, pure fruit, then the lush palate has heat, spice and a delicious pepper edge.

Still holding up well, the Malbec cuts some of the tartness of the Carmenere. Tannins are mostly gone, but a nice mouthfeel of red fruits and hints of baking spices. Moderate finish, enough acidity to go with meat and umami items. I think it was around $20, well worth that price.

2019 Chateau Bellevue Bordeaux Superieur, France

With its deep red color and nose of red fruits including blackberry and blackcurrant, this wine is round in the mouth and full and fleshy. Château Bellevue is slightly spicy with nice length and pleasant tannins. Pairs nicely with grilled meats such as duck, roasted beef, and leg of lamb. The slight spice to wine makes it a great accompaniment for pastas with red sauce and barbeque foods such as chicken, sliders, and ribs. The velvety finish to the wine complements a variety of cheeses.

A youthful Bordeuax with mostly red fruits and a touch of spices. Lightly tannic, with a modest finish, not a wine expected to age years, but a tasty little wine. Priced around $18 – 20, worth getting.

2010 Chateau Duplessis Moulis en Medoc, France

Marie-Laure Lurton’s carefully tended vineyard – a shining example of sustainable viticulture – produces a generously flavoured, balanced and fresh tasting claret which is both excellent value and a delight to drink, especially in this magnificent Bordeaux vintage.

A gift from my brother – a forgotten bottle from the excellent 2010 vintage. Mostly red fruit with a bit of herbs, the flavor was still alive and kicking. Considering this was about $17 at purchase, the wine (and this vintage) has shown resilience and is drinking well. In a great vintage, winemakers can make great long lasting wines. In a bad vintage, the best winemakers still make good wines – others not so much.

2018 Provenance Deadeye Red blend, Napa Valley, CA

Expressive aromas of ripe black cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate invite the senses, complemented by subtle notes of clove and spice. The palate showcases structured tannins rounded out by exuberant red berry fruits and vanilla bean flavors. The wine is deliciously chewy, round and plush.

92  James Suckling

Ripe-blackcurrant, stewed-blackberry, mint-chocolate, charred-bark and mocha aromas. It’s full-bodied with round, sleek tannins. Intense bitter-chocolate and dark-berry notes on the finish.

This was a jammy wine with a serious nose and flavors of black fruit with some integrated tannins. Nuances of baking spices and a moderate finish that was an echo of the flavors. Enough backbone for a heavy meal, yet not overpowering on its own.  I got it for about $30, on close out – good price for a great bottle.

2019 Domaine Galevan Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, South Rhone, France

(CASKS) Matt-Hued Dark Red Colour; the bouquet is broad, leads on oak and varnish, pine, the cellar. There is a sweet bundle of cooked plums, red stone fruits within. The oaking dominates the attack, is central to the wine, so it's true ID is masked by that. The result is a tight, dry close, the spiced content suppressed by the non-vineyard element of the equation. The oak stands out on its own on the aftertaste, which is cool, not overdone. From 2024-25, and hope the oak backs off. 14.5°. 90% Gren, 10% Mourv. 100% oak raised, used to be part vat, part oak.

The nose is red fruits and hints of floral and oak. Mostly red fruits with a hint of some stewed fruits, with a hint of spices and oakiness. The tannins are noticeable, but not overpowering – held up to a heavy meal. Nice bottle, better in 3 – 5 years to tame the oak. Priced around $40, a nice example of CdP.

2021 Vina Robles Creston Valley  Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California

This is a rich and thoroughly satisfying Cab, starting with aromas of roasted boysenberry, cocoa, violet and toasty oak on the nose. The palate is cohesive and neatly woven, with rich black fruit, mocha and espresso flavors that are wrapped in firm but balanced tannins. — Matt Kettmann WE

The nose is a little closed, but hinted at red fruits, chocolate and oak.  Palate was darker – black fruit, cocoa, and fine grained tannins, yet it had some brightness to it. Feels young at this point – tannins and oak on the finish. Needs about 3 -5 years in the bottle to loosen the tannins and meld the flavors. Priced around $50, this was a store pick at Auburn Spirits.

2016 Skyharp ‘Pettirosso’, Napa Valley, California

Pettirosso (French for the bird Robin) is a wine inspired by proprietor Robin Smith. The goal was to utilize fruit that was typically made for blending and examine the world of natural fermentation. The natural process allows for a slower fermentation which in turn brings out stronger varietal notes.

The dark color characteristics of the Petit Verdot extract out plum and floral notes. Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc are the focus grapes, the Malbec is blended to enhance the wine with sweet tobacco and leather notes.

Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec   ABV % 14.40              AVA Napa    DISTINCTIONS Sustainable

One of those wines that showed up out of the blue – this Pettirosso is a tasty, ready to drink blend of grapes from Napa that would not be featured, just blending items. That said, this was a good bottle where the red fruits stand out on the nose and on the palate. Nice body structure and a moderate finish. Of course, with its heritage (Napa Valley) it ain’t cheap – around $40. A fun bottle.

Another year, times fun while you’re having flies. Stay warm and keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.