The Wines of April 2022

So we try to begin Springtime - although the weather doesn't always agree. Had a major tornado in are area, so it is Spring for sure. BTW, it wasn't near my side of town. Let's talk some wines!

2014 Prunotto Fiulot Barbera d’Asti, Alba, Italy

The wine is a vivid and intense ruby red in color with a grapey and fruity (plum and cherry) aroma. Grapes grown on light and loose-textured soils and modern oenological techniques which enable producers to obtain and conserve fruit and freshness combine to make this a wine which is very pleasurable in its youth. For this reason it goes well with simple dishes such as hors d’oeuvres, soups, risotto, and pasta.

I just have never had a great experience with Barbera – I’ve had a number of them and they just don’t do it for me. This had nice balace and decent aroma, but the flavor just was an average quaff. Got it for about $12, nice if you like this type of wine.

2019 Irmana Frappato Terre Sicilianne IGT, Sicily, Italy

Tasting Note: A lively Frappato with attractive aromatics that will lull your nose deep into your glass.

Deep-intensity ruby in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of raspberry, blueberry, raisin, rhubarb, dried cranberry, strawberry, blackberry and blossom.

On the palate the dry, medium-bodied Frappato has medium-plus-intensity, red-and-black-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium-plus acidity and medium tannin ultimately completing with a floral, medium-plus finish.

The midpalate is filled with ripe-and-just-ripened red fruit.

The sort of red wine that wine lovers and wine novices would both enjoy.

Bottle Note: Produced from hand-picked grapes, Irmana Frappato is a red wine with a refreshing fruit palate and soft finish. The rich aromas of red fruits and floral notes are balanced by a pleasant finish, making it the perfect wine to sip with charcuterie, sauces with seafood, or meat dishes. From our native grapes, a wine that is an authentic expression of the island. Hand harvested and cultivated with deep respect for nature.

This was a little different, but in a good way. Never had this grape but it made a nice food wine. It didn’t seem to be very tannic, but had some nice red and blue fruits on the palate. Modest finish, but pleasant and well structured with food. Ran about $14, well worth trying.

2018 Punta Final Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Punto Final shows deep violet colors with red hues. Strong floral tones of violet and rose combined with red fruits such as blackcurrant and raspberry. In the palate , the wine is smooth and silky with round tannins and a long and persistent finish. Pair with all types of meats and light pasta.

"Aromas of ripe blueberries and plums flow freely to the mouth, where the tannins are smoothly arranged and really balanced at the finish.  Pure and upbeat."

I remember earlier vintages of this wine. It still is an enjoyable bottle, with nice red fruits and a moderate finish. Nice body to be a food wine – found this under $10 most places, well worth getting a few as school nite wines.

2018 Coster Dels Olivers Red Wine, Priorat, Spain

A new custom cuvée for Eric Solomon. Coster dels Olivers is a blend of 60% Carinyena, 30% Garnatxa, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on slate soils by the Sangenis family of Porrera. A combination of younger vine fruit, a relatively cooler northwestern exposure of the vineyards, a high percentage of Carinyena, and 12 months of aging in well-seasoned French and Hungarian oak barrels, ensures a brighter and juicier style of Priorat made for immediate enjoyment.

JD92       Jeb Dunnuck

Based largely on Carignan, with 30% Garnacha and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Priorat has a big, smoky nose of mulled red and black fruits, graphite, flowers, and new leather. This carries to a medium to full-bodied wine with terrific tannins (especially for Carignan), a balanced, elegant texture, no hard edges, and a great finish.

This is a great find – the blend, although a little unusual, drinks superbly. There are red and black fruits with hints of smoke in the flavors and a nice finish with hints of tannins. Really did not expect this to be as good as it is! I got it around $20, this is an affordable Priorat that you can share with friends.

NV Montinore Estate Vivace Sparkling wine, Willamette Valley, OR

Vivacé is Italian for “in a brisk, spirited manner,” which is the perfect descriptor for this aromatic sparkling white wine blend. Estate-grown Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling are artfully blended to highlight the best qualities of each varietal. The beautiful plants adorning the label depict biodynamic preparations we lovingly apply to our vineyard. The result is a fragrant nose of orange blossom, lemon, lime, honey and a hint of ginger while the exuberant palate features juicy green apple, ripe melon, lime zest and citrus confectionary. A wine that still has nice structure and a lasting finish. Vivacé is bubbly and easy drinking. It’s a delightful and refreshing sipper for any occasion.

An unusual blend for a sparkling wine but they really pull it off. Vibrant with citrus aromas and green apple – really well done sparkler. Priced under $20 – a great wine for openers or light food.

2021 Kokomo Grenache Rose, North Coast, California

Rosé is not a second thought for us. We dedicate blocks of fruit for our rosé program and pick when the acid is high and the sugar is low. The delicate hue of this rosé is a direct result of harvesting the fruit at 20 brix and our gentle whole berry press. Delightful flavors of pink grapefruit, orange peel, and wild strawberry fill the palate.

This Rose had some fruit flavors but they didn’t really stand out – seemed like a pleasant quaff or salad wine but nothing really notable. Priced around $20 – I’ve had better for that price and less.

2021 Stolpman ‘Love you Bunches’ Sangiovese, Santa Barbara, California

Serve cold! 2021 strikes a wonderful balance between the fleshier, warmer 2020 vintage and the more angular, high-toned 2018 and 2019 versions.  Riper red berry fruit sings over the tart finish resulting in a pleasurable, quenching crunch.  A perfected adult version of Sour Patch Kids candy.  A floaty fleshiness develops by the second glass – which, btw, arrives quickly – with some mellowing watermelon notes on the mid-palate.

A bit different – you wouldn’t know for sure it is Sangiovese – but a quaffable drink to enjoy with lighter fare. The fruit is there but there are some other flavors that mix in the palate. Not bad, but at $25, a little pricey for an experiment.

Another month has flown by and I salute you for surviving the last few years. Stay healthy, try to be happy and keep popping those corks – I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.