April Wining

April was a great wine month. I only have a few bottles for now; I spent a weekend in Napa, California and the Midwest Winefest was held in Wichita in April. I will be posting tasting notes from the Winefest soon. Tee Napa trip will be coming also, got to finish typing notes and sorting pictures.

2014 Bodegas Filion Garnarcha, Calatayud, Spain.

"The 2010 Filon was sourced from 30- to 40-year-old vineyards. It offers up notes of smoke, mineral, and wild cherry that mingle with layers of ripe cherry fruit on the palate. A bit more elegant than the Retorno bottling but no less pleasurable, this savory offering over-delivers in a big way. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.". Stephen Tanzer, 90 Points. Producer The winery is located in Villarroya de la Sierra, one of the highest areas of the Do made of Paleolithic materials, mainly quartzite and slate. In addition the soils have the right organic content, which provide sufficient nutrients to the plant with proper aeration. The climate offers little rain and large temperature fluctuations between day and night.

Real nice little sipper, went well with foods. Still young, but not something I would age very long. Good acid balance but no tannins.

2011 George DuBoeuf Fleurie Gamay, Beaujolias, France

The name of the wine "Fleurie" evokes the flowers, which the company "Duboeuf" adorns the labels of its wines. Perfectly balanced cuvée "Fleurie", one-eighth of which matures in new oak barrels, has flavor, characteristic of classical Gamay - with hints of wild strawberries and rose petals, cedar nuances.

Wine Spectator: 90 Points

Well-focused and fresh, this stylish red offers creamy flavors of blackberry puree, plum pudding, graphite, anise and smoke. Well-knit, with supple tannins. Drink now through 2020. 5,000 cases made

Stephen Tanzer: 87 Points

Brilliant ruby.  Raspberry and candied flowers on the fragrant nose.  On the jammy side, offering plush red fruit flavors that spread out to coat the palate.  Comes up a bit short on the finish but offers plenty of appealing, straightforward fruit.

You usually don’t drink anything from this region after a few years. I got this on close out and it still stood up nicely, with the fragrant nose and nice fruit flavors and balance. I wouldn’t keep it very long, but great for Spring and Summer drinking.

2014 Simone Scalletta Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy

Red ruby brilliant color with violet reflections, it opens on the nose with fresh and fruity aromas of blueberry and violet and velvet notes of almond. In the mouth it expresses harmony and pleasantness, with an almond note at the end. Even if it may be drunk when still young, it doesn’t fear ageing for some years.

Dolcetto is not a real common Italian wine for most Americans, but I have had a number of nice ones. This wine showed very well with the Italian meal served with it – could have stood to even heartier fare like lasagna.

2012 Vietti Tre Vigne Barbera d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy

Ruby purple color with ripe red cherry aromas with hints of mineral and vanilla. A dry, medium bodied red wine with refreshing acidity (making it perfect to pair with food) and soft tannins, the Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne is well balanced with good integration of oak, good complexity and a finish of more red cherries.

I have had many Barbera’s – some god, some not. This is one of the better ones I’ve had – always stick to Italian ones, California ones have always disappointed. Went well with the meal and was very popular at the tasting/meal. Perfect for a true Italian dinner.