October Wines

Maybe we can kill the Pumpkin spice crapola ...

2014 Chateau Subilaux, Bordeaux, France

Commune: Pleine Selve.

Owner: Herve Lardiere.

Surface: 8 ha.

Soil: Sandy and clayey.

Grape varieties: 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc.

The 2014 Subilaux is a terrific value. Grilled herbs, dark cherries, plums, smoke and tobacco are pushed forward in a fleshy, hearty Bordeaux best enjoyed in its youth. Antonio Galloni, April 2015

A real nice little Bordeaux that is ready to drink. Nothing pretentious, just some good juice to go with a hearty meal. Around $12 – buy a couple bottles to enjoy.

NV Blanc Pescador, Catalunya, Spain

From the Spanish town of Girona, located about an hour east of Barcelona near the coast, the Blanc Pescador is essentially baby Cava. It’s from Catalunya and is made with the key three Cava grapes of Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo. But rather than being made as a fully spumante wine, it remains only lightly sparkling. Still, I would categorize this as a white wine, not bubbly; the fizz just adds a little boost of freshness to make it truly crave-worthy.

This was a $7 bottle I was told to try – it is a fun summer wine that goes well into dishes as well as your gullet. Low in alcohol, simple but very pleasing. Great fun – stock up for the summer.

2012 Falesco Montiano Merlot, Lazio, Italy

A 100% single-vineyard Merlot grown in the Montiano parcel in Montefiascone, Lazio. The volcanic, mineral-rich soil of the Montiano vineyard and a rigorous hand selection of these grapes contribute to Montiano’s solid structure and concentration. One of the most sought-after wines from central Italy, this is a perennial favorite of red wine collectors worldwide!

T A S T I N G N O T E S Montiano is deep ruby-red in color and exhibits a wide range of aromas, from vanilla to red berries along with layers of jam and sweet spice. It is powerful and full-bodied, yet well-rounded on the palate with an elegant and lingering finish.

This is an excellent example of well made Merlot from Italy. There are places where the grape grows well and the winemakers produce very good examples of this variety. Very nice, could use it for a special occasion – runs around $35 a bottle.

2015 Crossfork Creek Merlot, Yakima, Washington

Scott Greer, owner and winemaker at Sheridan Vineyard, created Crossfork Creek as an outlet to play with small lots of Sheridan fruit utilizing alternative winemaking techniques while staying true to his vision of exceptional quality, richness and balance. This merlot shows blue fruit, Rainer cherry and hints of cedar. It's a forward, fruit driven wine with plenty of immediate appeal. A very clean and focused Merlot.

This is a decent Washington State Merlot – price makes it more attractive. Runs about $15-20, drinkable now, not one to keep for a long time.

2014 Saddleback Cellars Merlot, Oakville, California

This is a thick, rich and chocolate-laden wine, soft and generously ladened with tannin. Cigar, cedar and dried sage remind one of its varietal intent, while its medium-bodied size allows for plushness on the palate.           Wine Enthusiast               90 Points

Saddleback Cellars was established in 1981 in the heart of the Napa Valley by Nils Venge. Nils Venge is universally regarded as one of the foremost pioneers of the Napa Valley wine industry.

Born to Danish immigrants, Venge's exposure to wine came at an early age: his parents operated a wine and liquor import and distribution company in Southern California. Venge continued his pursuit of wine at the University of California in Davis where he earned a BS in Viticulture in 1967.

Following a tour of duty in Vietnam as a Navy Reservist, Venge moved to the Napa Valley to pursue his interest in winemaking. In the subsequent years, Venge worked for notable wineries, such as Charles Krug, Sterling, Villa Mount Eden and Groth. During his tenure at Groth, Venge became the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 point rating from wine critic Robert Parker Jr. The 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon catapulted Venge to a venerated position in the California wine industry.

A complete Merlot from California – this is what makes you realize how good Merlot can be.  More finesse than brute force, the wine lingers and finishes with a nice length. Price is around $45.

2013 Franciscan Reserve Merlot, Napa Valley, CA

Rich scarlet with vibrant dark cherry, plum and dried fig, that is layered with tobacco, cedar, toasted oak and vanilla bean. Rich, supple palate with concentrated dark fruit, barrel spice, and velvety tannins. Long and beautifully balanced finish of fig, cherry and dark chocolate. 93% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard Notes

The 2013 vintage gave us near perfect growing conditions which led to an early harvest. Spring conditions were warm and dry which led to an early bud break and very even set. Aside from one hot spell at the end of June, temperatures remained moderate throughout the spring and summer. With only 8 inches of rain from January through June, the vines had less green growth and an earlier turn to fruit development. Early October saw a major north wind event, bringing dry air off the arid northern CA interior down across the coastal areas. Humidity during October 3-7 was very low, single digits, with strong winds buffeting all parts of Napa. Thirsty vineyards prompted harvest to accelerate even more than usual. In 7 days we brought in ~24% of our fruit. The first Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville was harvested off a young block on September 13th with the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon hitting the hopper on October 22nd. As harvest progressed, we became more and more aware that the color and intensity of Bordeaux reds in the 2013 vintage would lead to a truly phenomenal vintage.

Another blockbuster from a winery I know and like. This was another Merlot that makes the fruit shine, finesse but with a long finish. A wine to savor and serve with hearty dishes. Very nice – around $40 -45.

2013 Un Uva Nocturna Garnarcha, De la Tierra, Spain

Composition : 100% Garnacha. Mechanical collection Night harvest Situation of the vineyard on the slope of the Aragonese pre-Pyrenees, at an altitude of 450 m. We use the technique of night harvesting to preserve better the aromas and flavors of our grapes.

Method of preparation : Pre-fermentative cold maceration between 6 and 9º that allows to mark the fermentation times. After destemming, a slight pressure of the juice extractor releases only the must of the flower, which ends its fermentation between 25 and 28º. Finally it remains for three months in French oak barrels.

SENSATIONS

Color: Bright red with blue tones.

Aroma : Intense, with red fruits and raspberries with subtle touches of wood.

Palate : Soft attack and powerful on the palate, characteristic of the authentic and elegant Garnacha.

It is a wine with a lot of fruit, with personality, good body, something spicy and very tasty.

A $10 bargain Spanish wine, I was surprised that this Garnacha had some of the body and intensity as similar Mouvredes. One that should be sought out for hearty meals – heck, buy a number of bottles. It really is that good.

I started out November with a cold and the weather has been funky - hot then cold - can't make up its mind. Hope you enjoy - the Holidays are approaching. Until later, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.