January 2017 Wines
What was that? January just flew by!!
How about some wines?
2003 Chateau
Lascombes, Bordeaux, France
In less than five years this property has emerged as one of
the appellation’s up and coming stars thanks to the infusion of money from the
American conglomerate, Colony Capital, as well as the braintrust that now
oversees the winemaking, Yves Vatelot (of Reignac fame) and the internationally
renowned oenologist, Michel Rolland. The dark plum/ruby-hued, open-knit 2003
offers a big, sweet nose of barbecue smoke, plum liqueur, creme de cassis, flowers,
new saddle leather, and damp earth. Loads of black fruits, a full-bodied palate
impression, low acidity, and a savory, expansive mouthfeel suggest it can be
drunk in 2-3 years, or cellared for 15+.
Robert Parker score 92
This was a half bottle
my brother sent me. It is drinking wonderfully, smaller bottles tend not to age
as well as bigger bottles. It has enough acidity to be very good with food, but
was a pleasure to drink on its own. The black fruits were tantalizing, a full
mouth feel with a nice long finish. What
a great bottle of wine. Thanks T man!
2012 Domaine du Gros
“Nore”, Red blend Bandol, France
Wine Spectator: 93 Points
This has a dark leathery frame but remains sleek and pure
overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly
mulled blackberry fruit, studded with dried anise and singed juniper notes. A
bolt of iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025.
“This has a dark leathery frame but remains sleek and pure
overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly
mulled blackberry fruit, studded with dried anise and singed juniper notes. A
bolt of iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025. 93 points. #94 Top 100 wines of 2015” Wine
Spectator Oct 2015
Really nice wine – a
blend of 80% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache, 5% Cinsault from the Bandol region of
France. Very good with food, yet a
substantial sipper as well. The wonderful spice note made the fruits stand out
– a very good bottle. Normal retail $35-40, can be found for around $25-30.
2014 Chilcas Cinsault
Valle del Itata, Chile
If you are looking to try something a little different, give
this slightly cloudy dark red colored Cinsualt from Chile. It opens with a
fragrant strawberry and craisin bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium
bodied, slightly acidic and juicy. The flavor profile is a red plum, craisin
and pomegranate blend with notes of mild minerality and faint oak. The finish
is dry and its fruit flavors are slightly prolonged. This Cinsault is food
friendly and would pair well with a barbecue meatloaf.
A single vineyard
Cinsault – the usual blending grape gets its own bottle. And this Rhone
varietal comes from Chile (!). This was a fun, enjoyable wine that would go
with a lot of different foods. Probably
not to heavy, but would hold up to a lot of different meats and sauces. The
fruit is nice, not overwhelming but a nice harmonious nose and on the palate .
Really fun – price is around $20, can find for $15 probably. Well worth trying
and make your friends guess the grape.
2014 Cooper &
Thief Red Blend, California
“ Dark and dense with aromas of fennel, vanilla, spice,
black plum, and tobacco. A full-bodied wine that handles the whiskey well, with
an impression that is potent with sweet star anise and Port-like power.”
This is a new trend,
aging wine in Bourbon barrels. Adds a layer on the nose and extra alcohol –
this came in at 17% (Oy). For me – the underlaying wine was not great – too
fruity without any nuance, aftertaste or real appeal. The spirit makes it
almost seem port like, but not nearly as good. New trend, but I’ll stick to
something else. Retails around $34, even
at a sale price, I’ll pass.
2013 Hayman and Hill
Meritage, Monterrey County, California
Winemaker's Notes
Hayman & Hill are firm believers that sometimes the sum
of the parts are greater than the individual components. Meritage blends are
just that, the perfect marriage of several varieties, each grape bringing out
the best in each other and representing the region with the utmost quality.
Blend: 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, 16% Merlot,
14% Petite Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc
Accolades
"Shows great improvement over last year’s so-so
bottling. This Meritage displays a nice balance of firm tannins, acidity
and currant-licorice flavors, with well-integrated oak. Feels elegant and
subdued, and will be a good companion to anything that wants a dry, full-bodied
red wine.
Very nice little
Meritage that I got on a close out around $10. Should have bought more – it had
good fruit, balanced acidity and a decent finish. Went well with beef dishes
and pizza – pick this one up for anything under $15 – you won’t regret it.
2014 Rio Madre,
Graciano, Rioja, Spain
"An unusual Rioja, the 2014 Rio Madre Graciano is 100%
Graciano grape. The wine shows relatively decent acidity, dried cherries and
underbrush, a medium-bodied mouthfeel, dark ruby color and some old, slightly
musty oak, but otherwise is attractive. Drink it over the next 2-3 years."
-Wine Advocate
I really likes this
wine – similar to the usual tempranillo, but not the same. Plenty of acidity to match manyfgoods, the
flavors were more subtle but lingered nicely. At $10 – 15 a bottle, this is a
wine you should buy a number of bottles – good value for a good wine.
Well, that's another month - until we meet again, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.
