August Wines 2016

Just a few wines during the summer

2013 Maipe Cabernet Sauvignon Mendoza, Argentina

100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35 years old vines.

 This Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense ruby red color with aromas and flavors of ripe blackcurrant, red pepper, mint, chocolate and vanilla hints. The fruit and tannins are perfectly balanced to give a wine of excellent structure making it ideal for grilled meats, game, pasta or pizza.-Winery Notes.

Not a bad wine – not anything to make you get too excited about. Not badly made, just not the best source – fine for a $100 case.  The Reserve would be better for about $10 more.

2015 Fog Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon California

Opens with lush aromas of floral potpourri, bright red fruits, and cloves that are complimented with subtle notes of blueberry and a hint of minerality. On the palate, this Cabernet is round and lush with flavors of red currant, Bing cherry and orange pekoe tea. Beautifully balanced, it displays well-integrated tannins and a smooth texture that leads to a long, silky finish." Winemaker's Notes

Had the field blend earlier, this is an adequate wine, good for the price but not something to seek out. Another one in the $100 case.

2012 Trivento Amado Sur, Mendoza, Argentina

This pitch black colored Malbec based blend from Argentina is consistently very good every vintage. This year is no exception. It is also a very good wine for the money. It opens with an appealing black raspberry and blackberry bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced, juicy and very easy to drink. The flavor profile is a tasty blackberry with notes of nicely integrated mild oak and hint of gentle minerality. I also detected to a touch of black licorice and dark chocolate. The finish is dry and its flavors and moderate tannins stick around for a while after the wine is gone. This very nice wine would pair well with barbecue steak tips. Enjoy

Grape blend: 70% Malbec, 18% Bonardo, & 12% Syrah

This was an email special from my wine friends. Cost was around $10 – rated over 90 points by several of the wine magazines. Interesting combination of grapes and it really works.  Good acidity for foods and a decent aftertaste, this is a great bargain.  Worth finding and stocking up on a few bottles.

Color: Straw yellow with gold reflections.

 Aroma: Sweet scents of elder and pear tree flowers followed by ripe apricots, pineapple and

melon.

 Taste: Flavors of pineapple and melon with a good mid-palate weight and a long, mellow and

harmonious finish.

GRAPE VARIETIES 100% Garganega

If you are old like me, you remember Soave as a tasteless thin wine, not unlike much of the pinot grigio craze today.  This wine was very good – I never guessed it was a Soave. Very food friendly, easy drinking but with distinct flavors that kept lingering. Price is under $20, a great summertime wine.

Well, that's all for now folks! Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.