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.