The wines of August 2021

Another month has blown by - included some right hot days. I've got some Rose' wines, but I won't tell you how they are made (again). 

2017 Chateau St. Jean Reserve Syrah, Sonoma County, CA

This exemplary expression of Syrah entices with deeply saturated violet hues, evoking the Sonoma landscape with vivid aromas of lavender and iris, wild blueberries and plum jam, followed by subtle, intriguing notes of white pepper and game. Compact on entry, the wine is generous in black cherry and crushed berry fruit tinged with vanilla and cardamom, unfolding on the palate with luxurious texture, effortless harmony and long finish.

This was a gift – an excellent California syrah with deep red fruit flavors and nuanced overtones of spice. Finish was moderately long, with a little tannin. Nicely developed, good drinking and fine with meat for a meal. Estimated Price around $35 - $60.

2019 Cantine Paradiso Sant’ Andrea Primitivo, Puglia, Italy

Cantine Paradiso is located is the South of Italy, in the region of Puglia. Angelo Paradiso, the third generation of winemakers in the family, manages the vineyards and the winery.

Southern Italian wine is all about fun. This week’s special is a fantastic 90 Point Primitivo from the “heel of the boot” in Puglia. Primitivo shares a lot of genetic material with Zinfandel and that comparison feels quite apt when you get a big glass of the 2019 Sant’ Andrea from Cantine Paradiso. The nose requires no coaxing to give up fabulous scents of cherry hard candies, fresh plucked rose petals, cedar, and cinnamon. Swirl it all around and it just keeps on going, delivering more and more engaging aromatics with each passing moment. Sip it and delight in the exuberantly ripe fruit that you only get in a warm climate like Puglia. Bountiful flavors of cherry pie filling, raspberry preserves, and kirsch liqueur are neatly accented by stylish hints of cracked pepper, Ceylon cinnamon, dry cedar, and warm graham cracker pie crust. The palate has big volume and plenty of intensity of ripe fruit but it’s still a really classic Old World Red. The finish is dry and shows nice earth and spice. It’s fruity, that’s for sure, but it’s not that sneaky sweet junk that you all too often see coming out of California. This is the real stuff! Pair this beauty up with a piece of homemade pizza and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven!

Even though Primitivo and Zinfandel are genetically the same, wines from Puglia are not Cali Zin.  That being said, there are some good Primitivos – this one was a good example.  Bright red fruits, good acidity to match foods – a real good wine for any Italian foods. This was a $10 buy and well worth the money.

2017 Regina Viarum Godello, Ribeira Sacra, Spain

View: Golden yellow clean and shiny.

Nose: ripe fruit (apple, pear), floral notes.

Mouth: pleasantly sweet entrance, fresh, warm, gentle acidity, harmonious, spacious, well structured and balanced, persistent.

APPELLATION: Ribeira Sacra.

GRAPES: Godello.

ALCOHOL CONTENT: 13%

Pretty fair white wine from Spain – has a lot of aroma (it was noticed by others in the room, not drinking wine). The fruit is a little nuanced on the palate, mostly on the aftertaste. Good wine for the heat of summer, at $9 or so.

2020 Esterhazy ‘The Kiss’ Rose, Burgenland, Austria

Tasting-notes: Medium salmon rose. In the nose dominates a red fruit cocktail of rose hips, red ribs and raspberries. In addition there are hints of rhubarb and a fine herbal spice. The acidity is elegantly integrated, the train in the exit ensures a nice drinking flow.

The red berries and herbal notes are perfect for light, summery cuisine as well as for a terrace or pool party. Also known as “after work” drink.

This wine seems a little light – even for a pink one. Flavors are pretty good – strawberry and red raspberry with some herbal tones. Acidity good for lighter food matches. Little pricy for a pink at $20 that doesn’t really wow me.

2020 Stolpman Para Maria Rose, Santa Barbara, California

Blend : 60% Mourvedre / 20% Syrah / 20% Grenache

The nose pops with berry spice, tropical fruit perfume, and taught tiny strawberries.  In the mouth, deeper red fruit flirts with crisp acidity and firm crunch.  Cherry juice lingers on the finish with zesty freshness.  The wine calls for a frolic through a sheltered alpine meadow capped off with a schmoopy love scene.

This is a very good Pink wine, good pronounced red berry fruits and firm acidity. Seems much deeper than the previous bottle (above).  Very good and worth the $18 average price.

2018 Eyrie Vineyards  Trousseau,  Willamette Valley, Oregon

Eyrie’s Jason Lett and crew planted the Willamette Valley’s first Trousseau noir in 2012. The vividly red wine has aromas of dark berries, loam, and baking spices. Acidity and smoothness are perfectly balanced on the palate, with evolving flavors of herbs and fruits such as blackberry, pomegranate, and rhubarb. Light tannins combine with a precise, long finish to suggest promising ageability.

Trousseau is an ancient variety, originating in France’s Jura region and centered in the hillside village of Montingy-les-Arsures. In 2012, inspired by these wines, Jason Lett planted the Willamette Valley’s first Trousseau.

Our Trousseau is made from estate-grown, certified-organic grapes and transformed to juice by wild yeast. We strive to make a Trousseau that’s the truest expression of the fruit. That’s why we’ve chosen to not fine or filter this wine. Likewise, no sulfur is added during bottling.

The bright yellow, red and purple clusters produce a vibrantly colored wine. On the nose, there are distinct berry notes with a hint of baking spices. All of this continues on the palate with rich, crisp fruit and nice acid balance, and then light tannin on the finish.

I was surprised at how much O enjoyed this wine. Kind of like a “revved” up gamay with more character and better acidity. There are dark berries in the mouth and some spices nuanced into the palate. Not a long finish, but tasty.  A little pricy at $33, but worth trying.

2018 Birichino ‘St. Georges’ Zinfandel, Central Coast, California

This bottling, mostly from 1922-planted vines, is a uniquely intellectual spin on Zinfandel, proving unlike most other takes on the grape and somewhat simple, yet constantly calling out for attention. Aromas of red plum, cranberry and light herbs lead into light strawberry, dried meat and more herb tones, as well as a hint of blood. These elements all grow more ethereal with time. WE 91 Points

Vivid ruby-red. Lively cherry and boysenberry aromas are complemented by suggestions of cola and candied flowers. Allspice and licorice notes emerge with air and carry onto the palate, which features gently sweet red/blue fruit flavors that show fine definition and spicy lift. Displays strong, fruity thrust on the gently tannic finish, which echoes the spicy note.

This is not one of those over-the-top Zins that takes a bit to get used to. This is a thinking man’s Zin, restrained, with good fruit flavors, herbs and some earthiness. Nice acid to match a meal, the tannins are barely noticeable. Almost “airy” in a way; nice drinking right now. Priced around $26, worth trying.

I hope all is well - until next month, Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.