The Wines of November 2021

Made it through November with hotter than usual weather. Never know what that means for December.

Here are the wines from November:

2017 Chateau L’Hospitalet Grand Vin Rouge, LaClape, France

syrah grenache mourvedre  Rouge

The colour is a brilliant ruby. The intense nose is dominated by spicy and red fruit (strawberry) aromas. The mouth presents silky and fine tannins underlining the fruity freshness of this wine.

Highly expressive southern French nose of incense, liquorice, cassis and black plum with a floral hint. Strong flavoursome attack of red, ripe fruit and fresh leather with a hint of cocoa powder. Bold, hedonistic and modern.

A very good southern French wine – good fruit nose and good flavors of red fruits and hints of earth and cocoa. Got this on close out at about $20, a really good buy. Good at a higher price.

2015 Altamente Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

Color: Intense and deep red color with a fuchsia purple hue and beautiful blue rim. It is alive!

Nose: highly ripe, fresh, tempting fruits with aroma of eldelberries, herb, thicket, carob tree and blackberries. Very Mediterranean! Intense, balsamic, highly scented.

Mouth: strong personality, complex, nice texture, fresh, greasy, acid and balanced. It is very opened, quickly recognizable, enjoyable. Again ripe black fruits, redcurrants, thicket.

A good Monastrell from Spain – dark wine with good dark fruits and brush. Nice acidity to go with food – a steal at $10 a bottle. Keep some on hand.

NV Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Fay Golden Rectangle , Napa Valley, CA

A limited edition, multi-vintage bottling of Stag's Leap's FAY vineyard, this wine sees extended barrel aging and is a Cabernet Sauvignon/Petite Verdot blend. Bottled in 2015

Really delicious, typical Fay. Being NV rounds out the edges of a wine that I already think of as being approachable young. Actually a good thing tonight. A bit floral nose, good amount of fruit, but not over extracted. Plum and blueberries. Some cedar. An expressive cab that still quite elegant.

The Fay vineyard was shortened by the new visitor facility at Stag’s Leap. They made a few bottling including this and Fay’s apology from grapes that grew on the site. The wine is drinking superbly at this time – pleasant nose that becomes a good fruit balance in the mouth and has a very nice finish. Don’t know the price, but this is one good bottle of juice.

2018 Far Niente Chardonnay, Napa Valley, CA

Classic Far Niente style with aromas of grilled citrus, melon and honeysuckle with hints of white fig, gardenia and toasted hazelnuts, background of mild toasted oak that adds supportive warmth and richness. A silky entry builds on the palate with a rich texture that continues to evolve. Possessing great structure and length, a sweet core of melon and citrus is supported by white floral and toasted vanilla and baking spice notes. The broad mid palate comes back together with a long bright finish.

WW92Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: The 2018 Far Niente Chardonnay shows class and balanced. TASTING NOTES: This wine exhibits excellent richness and stays elegant to the end. Pair its aromas and flavors of ripe, core fruits, peach skin, and oak with shellfish in a generous cream sauce.

WS90Wine Spectator

Rich and juicy, with oaky accents to the dried apple and glazed apricot flavors. The well-structured finish is filled with savory and buttery notes. Drink now through 2023.

This is a sturdy Chardonnay from Napa – good nose of fruits with a good texture in the mouth and flavors of melon and citrus, with some vanilla at the finish. Nice long finish, strong enough to have with many meals. I had it for Thanksgiving and it went very well with my meal. Priced around $60, I think.

2017 Maison Louis Latour Marsannay Rouge, Cote d’Or, France

This Marsannay is sturdy and robust due to the rich iron-based soil. The wine has an intense bouquet of red fruit and a silky palate with a distinct gamey character and great tannic appeal. 100% Pinot Noir

Pair with roasted duck, "coq au vin", lamb stew, and mature cheeses.

JS91James Suckling  Aromas of strawberries, toffee, smoke and earth. Medium body, fresh and bright acidity, medium chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Linear and bright for the vintage. Drink after 2020, but already approachable.

WS90Wine Spectator   A touch earthy on the nose initially but this blows off, revealing ripe black cherry, plum, earth and stone flavors. Rich and balanced, with firm tannins and a mouthwatering finish. Drink now through 2023.

This is one great Burgundy for those that usually can’t afford good burgundy. Bright red fruits in the mouth, with some tannin and leather. Juicy finish, nice acidity, this is a real food wine. I got it for around $20 on a close out. Should get some more – this is a real pinot made in a great style

That's another month - hope everyone is staying healthy. Until next month, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.