The Wines of November 2023

Hope you made it through another Thanksgiving and all the shopping hoopla. I don't partake of the shopping part, mind you, but I did have a good Thursday meal of ham and fixings with friends.

Let's talk about some wines.

2019 Voix de Vigne Cabernet Franc, Red Mountain, Washington             

 

Wild strawberry, dusty earth, mixed spices and dried cumin and chili. Some menthol, very dark cocoa, slight hint of coffee and a touch of almond. The palate starts out subtle then hits you with flavors of strawberry, raspberry, chili, crushed rock and a touch of almond. A very pleasant Cabernet Franc with a lengthy, smooth finish.

Decanter D94

Nice dark, late summer strawberry, cocoa, dried thyme and basil, with a touch of graphite. There is a colorful mix of dried, savory herbs in this wine that pairs beautifully with the fruit. Undertones of cocoa, just a hint of coffee and earthiness really create a lovely blend of aromatics in the classic, yet somewhat bold Cabernet Franc. The bright entry mixes well with the slightly creamy berry mid-palate. The finish is lengthy with fine tannin and flavors of thyme, mocha and just a touch of spice and earth. 100% Cabernet Franc.

This is an excellent bottle – deep, rich with dark fruit flavors and then some earth-like overtones. This was on sale under $20 – a great buy.

2016 Finca Collado Fet a Ma Hecho A Mano, Salinas, Alicante, Spain

GRAPE: 85% Monastrell 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

VINEYARD: Monastrell vines of over 40 years of age, located throughout the municipal area of Salinas, intermingled with Garnacha, Bobal and Forcallat. On honest, sandy and slightly saline soils low-goblet vines with a production limited to 2 kg per vine naturally.  30-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon strains located in Finca Collado on sandy soil.

Fet a mà is a very expressive and tasty wine, where the Monastrell, the degree of maturity and the breeding are fused in a perfect balance.

VISUAL: High-intensity color, without reaching saturation.

NOSE: In the nose it is very intense, with a very well-combined aromas of fruits, balsamics, licorice and coffee, very complex.

MOUTH: In the mouth, it has a good entry, silky, and tasty entry on the palate, with a little ripe tannin. In the finish, a slight acidity and balsamic aftertaste brings the perfect balance to the wine.

I got this on close out for under $10; of the three Finca Collado wines, this was showing the best. Not much in the way of tannins left, but the fruit was still expressive of dark fruits and hints of earth. Really nice everyday wine.

2019 Boomtown Syrah, Columbia Valley, WA

The 2019 Boomtown red wines hail from McNary Vineyard, perched right along the mighty Columbia River in the Southeast corner of the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Beautiful fruit and balance are the hallmarks of these wines, and with the addition of roughly 10-15% of our Dusted Valley estate fruit, the result yields wines with polish, concentration and varietal typicity that over deliver time and again.

Blend: 96% Syrah, 4% Petite Sirah

92  Wine & Spirits

Dark and plummy, with a youthful vibrancy and modest peppery bite, this wine isn’t so much powerful as focused with deep juicy flavors, good concentration and light tannins. It’s not complex, but it’s thoroughly satisfying—nothing fancy here—well-made, well-priced juice, delicious and straight-ahead for ribs.

A good Syrah – hints of pepper with red fruits with a moderate weight. Not one to store away, but drinking nice right now – priced around $20.

2016 Guardian  ‘The Wanted’, Columbia Valley, WA      

 

This Bordeaux style wine was aged 22 months on 50% new French oak, leading to a wine that is deep and bold, yet approachable. This vintage prominently features the beauty of Washington state Cab Franc with notes of juicy red berries and pie cherries, violet, tobacco, and thyme. A hint of leather and pepper round out the palate and lead to a clean, lingering finish.

A classic French red blend with red fruits and herbaceous overtones. Long finish – somne light tannins still hanging around. Could hold for a year or two and not hurt it. Got it at $25 – a really good bottle at a great price.

2020 Stoke’s Ghost Petite Sirah, Monterey, Ca

Inky and dark, this Petite Sirah is brimming with black cherries, blackberries and cassis flavors.  Violet notes and hints of white pepper enchant, while intense jammy fruit stains the front teeth.  Stokes' Ghost is full-bodied with balanced tannins and a finish that lingers on the palate.  This rich, deep wine is just what the doctor ordered.

This ghost makes itself easily approachable! Aged in American, French, and Hungarian oak for 12 months, the wine is an earthbound and extracted extrovert, concentrated in a well-structured frame. Teeth-grabbing slate and plum-skin tannins are enveloped in blackberry, bramble, and dark chocolate.

This is an intense Petite Sirah – nothing about it is petite! Dark red wine that has a berry nose that follows with a big jammy mouthfeel of red and black fruits with nuances of spice.  Just a blockbuster wine that has some tannic backbone to last several years in a cellar. Closed out at around $20 – it’s about$35 on the internet. Well worth it, even at the higher price.

2020 Antinori Il Bruciato Tenuta Guado Al Tasso, Italy

Il Bruciato 2020 is an intense ruby red color. Its nose is intense and enticing with notes of currants, blackberries, delicate hints of vanilla and sweet spices. Excellent harmony on the palate where a fruity finish dominates and imparts good persistence and easy drinkability.

This is the wine I had for Thanksgiving – very food friendly wine with nice fruit, good acidity and overall balance. This is not the real expensive one, more like the intro wine, but it is well worth drinking at around $25.

NV Domaine du Priuere Cremant de Bougogne, Burgundy, France

Chardonnay (60%), Pinot Noir (30%) and Aligoté (10%)

Lovely Cremant made in the style of Champagne from a solid family producer in Burgundy. Apple and cream notes with mild toast and an elegant bubble. Fresh and lovely with cheeses, baguettes and olives for entertaining.

A Cremant from Burgundy that drinks like Champagne. Bright acidity, wonderful fruits – green apple, and pear, with excellent bubbles. Priced around $27 (under $30), this bottle could replace those more expensive bubbles from the pricier region.

2022 Domaine de Couron CDR Viognier, South Rhone, France

It's rare to find a GREAT viognier at such a low price.  Like all of our most affordable wines, they overdeliver with a LOT of wine for the money.  Stonefruits, mandarins, honeysuckle, this aromatic grape delivers a textbook version in this wine, with one thing a lot of the Condrieu and new word wines lack, ACIDTY!  It has the oily texture with a nice beam of acidity, just enough for perfect integration.

A good French Viognier at an affordable price – stop the presses. Wonderful acidity with those stone fruits filling your mouth. Priced at $15 or under, this wine is tremendous.

2019 Pira Giogio Nebbiolo, Langhe, Italy                             

 

“Deep rose colored. Scents of roses and subtle red fruit.  Subtle red fruit, earth with soft silky and seductive. Firm mouthful of spice and tannin on a lightly medium frame.  Finishes with a classic kiss of earth and roses.”

I wrote this is a pleasant wine; red fruits with herb overtones. Needs food to really make the wine best. Priced just over $30, probably won’t seek this one out.

 

2019 Domaine du Grangeon Chatus, Ardeche, France

 “Ample, violet-laced blackberry fruits, scorched earth, tar, graphite and licorice to go with a medium-bodied, structured, yet elegant profile on the palate. The texture is liquid granite and it flows over the tongue as if woven from the finest silk. Yet this medium-bodied wine is light and graceful, with notable, savory tannin and integrated acidity with cherry, spice and pepper.”

This is an ancient grape variety – grown only in a few places in France. Somewhat like a Cab/Syrah kind of wine, very pleasant with red fruits and some earthy overtones. Always fun to try something that is not common – priced around $30, it is worth that price.

 

2018 Poggio Mori ‘Sertorius’ , Tuscany, Italy      

Cabernet Franc (25%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Merlot (50%) and Petit Verdot (5%)

“The 2018 Sertorius is sweetly seductive with a mix of cinnamon and clove, embellishing vivid black cherry. This sweeps across the palate, cool-toned yet potent, with bright acidity motivating its tart wild berry fruits. While lightly structured, the 2018 maintains a pleasantly fresh persona, finishing spicy with a medium length.”

90 Points, Vinous Oct 2022 Eric Giudo from 2023-2026

 “Cherries, cloves, lemons, bark and plum stones on the nose. Supple and juicy with a medium body, fine tannins and bright acidity. Bright finish. From Organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.”

90 Points.  JamesSuckling.com.  Jan 2023

This is a Big Boy wine – a real Super Tuscan. This wine fills your mouth with red and black fruits and overtones of spices. Still a little tannic, the finish was a bit short. A very tasty wine – priced around $38 – not bad for this style of wine.

 

2019 Poggio Mori IGT Toscano, Tuscany, Italy    

 
 

Merlot (90%), Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot

The 2019 Poggio Mori, a blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc lifts from the glass with a spicy and inviting mix of wild berries, cinnamon sticks and pine shavings. It’s silky-smooth with tart cherry and blueberry notes complicated by savory herbs and clove hints. This leaves a sour citrus tinge while finishing lightly structured yet long. The 2019 does a lovely job coming across as classically dry and poised yet packed full of immediate pleasure.

91 Points.  Vinous. Eric Guido. 2024-2028

This would be the little brother of the ‘Sertorius’ above. This wine was less open than the other one, felt still a bit closed. Still a little tannic, the finish is modest. Not as much balance or acidity as the previous Italian wine. Priced around $55, I would seek out the other bottling.

Another month, a few more wines. Hope all is well and remember to keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of October 2023

Wow, we went from Summer to Fall to Winter and then back to Fall in a matter of a few days. Had pretty leaves but the cold and rain knocked most of them down. Oh well, that's life. How about some wines?

2019 Castello D’Alba Douro Tinto Reserva, Portugal

Rated 93 by Wine Enthusiast

#22 TOP 100 BEST BUY 2022. This vineyard in Douro Superior has produced fruit for a fine, full-bodied and structured wine. With its black fruits, firm tannins and concentration, the wine will age. Drink from 2024. (Best Buy)

Very complex, intense aromas with the Touriga Franca conveying wild berries and rock rose. Spices and red fruit from the Tinta Roriz and very fresh and elegant floral notes of violet from the Touriga Nacional.

Not a fruit forward wine, the flavors are somewhat subdued.  Some tannins and acidity made it go well with hardy meals. Aftertaste has hints of spices and floral tones. Really good for a $10 school-night wine.

2013 Alges Costers del Segre, L’Allages, Spain

The name itself binds us to this territory, as Alges is a contraction of Albagès, the name of the village where the vineyard is located. Extreme climatic conditions and low yields are reflected on Alges, a wine with a deep, intense color which displays powerful aromas of ripe fruit and elegant oak notes. On the palate is concentrated, structured and plenty of character. It has a remarkable bouquet with red fruit jam, liquorice and spicy notes over a mineral background. Its finish is lingering, rich and silky. Truly gourmand.

This is a very nice Spanish wine. The fruit is not over the top but has a nice quality to it. Some oak stays with you, and it went well with beef.  Good finish, well worth buying at around $15.

2017 Covalli Nebbiolo, Langhe, Italy

"This great Nebbiolo comes from Langhe area in Piedmont region and it is aged for 18 months in big wood barrels and then few months in the bottle. The colour is ruby red, while the bouquet is pleasant and intense with scents of red fruits and noble spices. The taste is balanced, full and harmonic." —winemaker

"Rose-water, orange rind and citrus are the main elements on the finely perfumed nose. Medium body, quite intense acidity and a fruity finish. Drink now." —James Suckling

This is really a food wine – tasted alone, it is not very impressive. Once served with Lasagna, it really showed its colors. A nuanced wine and somewhat elegant, the finish lingers a little while. I think it was around $18, a good wine to have Italian food.

2019 Maisulan 12 Tempranillo Graciano, Rioja, Spain

It is equal parts fruity and savory, offering flavors of black cherry, purple fig, dried Mediterranean herbs and olive tapenade, with a hint of rose petal. Grippy tannins coat the palate while vibrant acidity restores a feeling of brightness. — Mike DeSimone WE 92 points

Maisulan is a biodynamic winery in the Basque Rioja. The red wine "12 Crianza" is made from the Tempranillo and Graciano grape varieties. It was matured for 12 months in barriques.

Color  Crimson

Nose  - The red wine has an attractive bouquet of red fruits, Mediterranean herbs and floral aromas. The nose is fresh and bright and has a certain lightness about it. An earthy mineral undertone ensures that the wine does not take off.

Palate  - In the mouth, this crianza is characterised by a juicy acidity and a fine, taut tannin. The balance of primary and secondary aromas is very well done, the wood is perfectly integrated. The red wine runs silky over the palate and is overall fun to drink. The cuvée also combines traditional Rioja with the new trends in the region in a very nice way. One can clearly recognise the origin.

The fruits stood out much more in this bottle, compared to some of the earlier ones. Red and black fruits dominate with hints of herbs, olives and dates. Lightly tannic, with decent acidity, it stood up well to items off the grill. Priced under $20, I recommend this wine.

2014 Heitz Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

One sniff and anticipation takes hold. Beautiful aromas of vine-ripened blackberry contrast perfectly with spicy notes of nutmeg. There are a luscious weight and texture to the wine, but also a racy edge of well-balanced acidity on the palate.

This is an extraordinary Cabernet – powerful, yet elegant, with all the wonderful aging potential you’ve come to expect from Heitz wines.

JS93James Suckling

Attractive red berries and licorice in this medium-bodied cabernet. There’s handy freshness and detailed red plums and black currants and a smooth, fine and juicy feel to the finish. Drink or hold.

WE92Wine Enthusiast

Representing one of the finest values in Napa Cabernet, this 100% varietal wine is bright and plush, layered in anise and cassis liqueur. A fresh high-toned midpalate evolves to show a softly round ending as a classic style of structure and elegance play out. Editors’ Choice

WS90Wine Spectator

Ripe and focused, featuring a pretty beam of cassis and cherry puree flavors lined with light singed vanilla, tea, sandalwood and anise notes. Polished and fine-grained through the finish. Drink now through 2030.

This was a spectacular Napa Cabernet from a decent, not great, vintage. The fruits were singing in the wine, with an undercurrent of spices. Nice long finish, the tannins were fully integrated in the wine. Can’t tell you a price, but I do know this is from the family, not the new owners. If you find it and can afford it, buy it and drink it.

2013 Covalli Barolo,  Italy

Dry, high tannin, moderate plus alcohol, high acidity, medium bodied. On the nose, raspberry reduction, wet leaves/ forest floor , sweet cherry. On the palate, Black tea, fresh raspberry, pink peppercorn.

Tastes like a more expensive Barolo

Barolo, maybe the best red in the world. Typically, you pay for the pressure, but this one is a bargain. The Orange hue in the glass gives away it’s age and complexity. The nose is jammy blackberry and blueberry. Taste finishes dry with a leather boldness to it. Great with eggplant parm

This is the big, older brother of the Italian bottle earlier. A wine this old does show its age, the rim was a touch brickish colored.  Yet, the nose gave up red fruits. The flavor was very good, with a nice backbone of acidity that made this wine sing with the meals from the Italian bistro. There was only a little sediment, so not a lot was lost. This is priced around $35, a steal for a Barolo. Buy it and drink it, I wouldn’t keep it too much longer.

2021 Domaine des Forges Anjou, Loire Valley, France

2021 - A very fresh, upfront, aromatic Cabernet Franc with notes of black cherry, black berry, wild raspberry with violet and sweet peppers. Forward, plush fruit flavors fill the palate with a soft velvety finish. Pair it up with pork chops, duck or pizza

Stephane’s lovely Anjou Rouge is a delicious and delightfully harmonious Cabernet Franc with super black fruits. Floral aromas of violets come through on the nose while the palate really sings with supple and juicy cherries and plums, accompanied by a subtle hint of peppery spice. There is a wonderful slatey minerality that comes through on the palate as well thanks to the shale soils, accompanied by silky tannins and a pleasantly long finish. Vinified in tank, it has a lovely purity of fruit and vibrant character, perfect for a summer lunch: charcuterie, white meats, grilled meats, light cheeses, etc.

My notes said interesting – meaning the nose and first taste were more than I expected. The fruit was more reserved, but it was smooth and hints of some peppery notes. Very pleasant wine – priced around $18, a nice bottle to “get your French on”.

2021 Field Recordings Franc, Paso Robles, CA

100% Cabernet Franc from a mix of four different Paso vineyards. A rustic punch of blueberries, black cherries and red currants with a touch of mint and rosemary.

Enjoy with asada tacos, chili cook-offs and BBQ chicken pizza.

This wine came off pretty “big” – much more fruit assertive than the French Cab Franc. Besides red fruits there were some herbs in the flavor. Not much of a finish, but a very drinkable wine that held up to a meal. Priced around $20, a nice bottle to enjoy.

2020 Chakana Estate Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

Chakana Cabernet Franc is made from 100 percent Cabernet Franc.

Chakana is the name of the Southern Cross constellation. Its rotation in the sky throughout the year made it an effective agricultural calendar for the ancient Andean people.

Review: The 2020 Cabernet Franc Estate Selection comes from the Uco Valley and was aged for six months in French, 500-liter barrels. A rich reddish color. The nose offers ripe raspberry and blackberry with hints of mint and herbs that enhance the other flavors. The aging process makes itself felt in the mouth. The flow has a terse, broad texture initially, but then it grows more compact and linear. The mild acidity enlivens the reactive tannins, which establishes a good structure. A balanced take on the year, it will grow milder with more time in the bottle.  -Vinous 91 Points

A very pleasant wine, not had too many Cab Franc from South America. Mostly red berries on the nose with similar flavors on the palate. Undercurrents of herbs flow through the wine, as well. Another bottle priced around $20, well worth drinking – held up well with a meal.

Well, another month has flown by. Hope all is well - keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of September 2023

Another month has flown past. Fall has started but someone forgot to tell the weather.

On to the wines.

2019 Casa Castillo El Molar, Jumilla, Spain          

94 points Wine Advocate

 The Garnacha bottling from 2019, the 2019 El Molar, was produced with the grapes from three plots of vines planted on gravel and sandy soils covered with tosca stones planted in 2004, 2006 and 2010. 2019 was marked by torrential rains on September 13th that changed everything, but the Garnacha (and the Syrah) were harvested before the rain, so this wine is from a "normal" Mediterranean vintage. Fifty percent full clusters were used for the native fermentation in underground stone pools with a short maceration. It matured in 500-liter oak barrels and 5,000-liter oak vats for 12 months. It's a little lower in alcohol but shows ripeness (without excess), but the core is floral, perfumed and elegant. The tannins are very fine-grained with the essence of the limestone soils, that chalky quality of the texture. Very impressive for a 2019.

I really liked this bottle of wine. Great value and the wine is very good. Nice red fruits on the nose and palate, moderate acid for food and a moderate finish. Only $20, well worth it.

2019 Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA          

Appearance: Opaque ruby core, translucent half inch at the meniscus;

Nose: Dusty, pyrazines (green pepper), new French oak, dried fig, toast;

Palate: Grippy tannins. Medium acid. Raspberry fruit.

Artesa’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of carefully selected vineyards across Napa Valley. It is comprised of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Petit Verdot, and is aged 8 months in 100% French oak barrels (50% new oak).

Wine Enthusiast scored this wine 92 Points saying, "This wine delightfully overdelivers on its price point, offering dark chocolate and cherry richness around a lush texture of approachable elegance. Hints of clove, nutmeg and oak provide a balanced nuance of savory contrast."

This was a closeout priced cabernet that is really nice. Dark fruits on the nose and the palate withksome spice notes and a moderate finish with a few tannins. Priced around $25, this is one to buy several bottles and  keep for a year or so. It will be better!

2017 Stilio Primitivo di Manduria, Salento, Italy

This wine is ruby red with purplish reflections with an austere aroma of red fruit in jam, Morello cherry and walnut shells. It is velvety, full bodied and harmonious on the palate.

This is a heavier prmitivo than others I’ve had. Red and black fruits on the nose and palate with a nice weight to the wine. Moderate acid for food and a modest finish. Only problem is the bottle is one big heavy dude. Priced between $20 – 25, it is a nice bottle to try. Just don’t carry it far.

2021 Fontana Freddo Del Commune de Gavi, Italy

This is a white wine with personality, which resolutely defends its characteristics against the perils of time, allowing it to maintain the highest quality for several seasons. Straw-yellow with greenish highlights, it has an ample nose, with an intense bouquet featuring flowers, vanilla, lemon, lily of the valley and bitter apples. Its nicely dry taste is full, well-balanced and elegant.

JS90       James Suckling

Fresh and steely, with sliced limes and green apples and some minerals. Medium body, nice fruit and a steely finish.

From the Piedmont wine region, Fontanafredda 2021 Gavi di Gavi is a dry, medium-bodied, lean and steely 100% Cortese produced from sustainably grown grapes. Look for green apple crunch, lime zest and mineral flavours brilliant and lingering on the palate. Chill and enjoy it now.

A real tasty Italian white for light appetizers or summer weather. A touch of minerality with the fruits, like apple and pear, finishes nicely dry. Around $10, a great white wine.

2020 Gemtree Dragon’s blood Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Aus

With the Southern Ocean coastline just minutes from Gemtree's vineyards, the maritime influence runs deep at this winery. Couple this with the certified organic vineyards that are tended by hand and you have a perfect recipe for a bold and full-bodied Shiraz; the Dragon's Blood McLaren Vale Shiraz. Choosing sites that offer the greatest varietal expression, concentration and finesse, the wine then saw maturation in French oak of sizes ranging from barriques (225L) to puncheons (500L) for 12 months. The result is a foreboding Shiraz that displays notes of blueberry, blackcurrant, aniseed and balancing earthen touch. Ideal served on its own to fully appreciate the rich and complex flavours but also at home when paired with French cutlets and slow cooked duck.

This is organic and all the trendy things, and it actually is a pretty nice wine. Not as overbearing as the old style Aussie Shiraz, but good red fruits and spice notes. Short finish and better on the second day, still worth trying. Priced under $12, no complaints.

2019 Charles & Charles Double Trouble, Columbia Valley, Washington

Blackberry, white pepper, black licorice, cocoa with hints of smoked meat. Long and energetic finish that builds with floral notes. . The blend in the end is 58% Syrah and 42% Cabernet Sauvignon. The Syrah adds a depth add richness that just makes the wine better.

A tasty Washington wine of Cabernet and Syrah – a nice blend that leads with the cabernet and dark fruits but is lightened by the Syrah. Hints of spice and a long finish makes this a good wine that goes with food, as well. Priced under $15, this is a must buy.

2017 Secret Squirrel Rhone Blend Red, Columbia Valley, Washington

One of the best value Rhone blends from Washington. Wonderful sweet raspberry and mulberry, cured olive, purple flowers, fig and cigar box. Beautifully balanced for sipping or pairing with just about anything from the grill, it also has plenty of cellar life ahead of it. 61% Syrah, 18% Grenache and 21% Mourvedre.

Ignore the cutesy label, this is some darn good juice. Similar to a Cotes Du Rhone, this is a balanced wine with red fruits and some earthiness (in a good way). Moderate finish, tannins are integrated, nice acidity to nake it a food wine.  Priced around $25, well worth a try, just don’t let your friends see the label until they have tried it.

2020 K Vintners ‘Motor City Kitty’ Syrah, Yakima Valley, Washington

"All-encompassing. Dense, rich, action packed. Explosive dark cherry, huckleberry, black olive. Ash, grilled herb, wet earth. Great intensity, taut and balanced. This has it all and more!"

An impressive Syrah with a lot of body, some tannic structure and dark fruits with some herb and earthiness. Long finish, an impressive Syrah. Normally about $50, Matt had it for about $35. Nice for a ‘splurge’.

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

 Wines of August 2023

    Survived a hot month - lots of 100 degree days in my area. Discovered the difference between sparkling wine, Frizzante and Pet-Nat wines. I'll tell you about it another time. Now some wines:

2012 St. Francis Lagomarsino Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Russian River Valley, USA

Red - Bold and Structured

Critic tasting note: "Tar and black fruit loll on the full-bodied palate here, the wine well composed to highlight dark, leathery cigar and a hint of cedar. Smooth and round on the finish, it's a varietal rarity for the appellation." - 90/100, Wine Enthusiast

A gift from my brother, this is a great wine drinking in its prime. The tannins have faded into the body of the wine, but the dark red fruits still fill the mouth, with echoes of wood and tobacco. Long finish – a wine made for a steak. Superb wine – the label is a little non-descript.

2012 Easton Cabernet Sauvignon, Sierra Foothills, CA

                From the Shenandoah Valley, Sierra Foothills, California Easton Estate 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon is fragrant with cedar and sweet spice, black cherry and smoky on the nose. Beautiful and bold and tannic with dark cherry, plum, savoury herbs, smoky toasty oak and cake spice flavours on the palate, Pair with a well-marbled prime rib done rare.

Color is dark purple, with complex aromas of cedar, tobacco, and asian spice box. The fruit is blackberry/cassis/olive with a pleasant St. Julien-like texture, mineral-infused flavors, and sappiness. The wine has good balance, intensity, a plush texture, and length. It is a youngster now and slow to open, which bodes well for age ability. We think this is the best Cabernet Sauvignon we have made from this site to date.

I bought this for my daughter last Christmas, so I opened it when we went to their house after they moved. Cork broke because it had been stored upright. The wine still had good color and good red and black fruit flavors. Good body and a moderate finish really made this a good bottle of wine. I think it’s $35 -40, well worth it.

2019 Casa Castillo Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

RP91Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The entry-level red, the old Monastrell, has been reverted to the varietal name, even if in 2019 it has some 15% Garnacha because it was a very good year for the variety (because it was harvested before the rain). As with the other wines, I had the chance to compare the 2019 Monastrell with the 2020. This 2019 fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter oak foudres for 10 months. It has an expressive nose of Mediterranean herbs and a combination of ripeness and lightness, a little in the style of 2016, a little more fruit-driven. They had to sort and discard and produced less wine. It's medium-bodied and has very good balance and fine tannins. 160,000 bottles produced. I tasted the September 2020 bottling, but all the bottlings are from the same master blend. Best after 2022.

A nice Spanish wine for just over $10 – this has good fruit, nice balance. Buy several and enjoy over a few years; not a “special time” wine, but an everyday drinker. Buy several of these.

2020 Stoke’s Ghost Petite Sirah, Monterey, Ca

Inky and dark, this Petite Sirah is brimming with black cherries, blackberries and cassis flavors.  Violet notes and hints of white pepper enchant, while intense jammy fruit stains the front teeth.  Stokes' Ghost is full-bodied with balanced tannins and a finish that lingers on the palate.  This rich, deep wine is just what the doctor ordered.

This ghost makes itself easily approachable! Aged in American, French, and Hungarian oak for 12 months, the wine is an earthbound and extracted extrovert, concentrated in a well-structured frame. Teeth-grabbing slate and plum-skin tannins are enveloped in blackberry, bramble, and dark chocolate.

This is an intense Petite Sirah – nothing about it is petite! Dark red wine that has a berry nose that follows with a big jammy mouthfeel of red and black fruits with nuances of spice.  Just a blockbuster wine that has some tannic backbone to last several years in a cellar. Closed out at around $20 – it’s about$35 on the internet. Well worth it, even at the higher price.

2022 Domaine De Couron Viognier, Cotes du Rhone, France

 

Vinification:        Native yeasts.  Harvested entirely by hand.   Very short contact time between crush and pressing.   Full malolactic fermentation as the Viognier ferments slowly and coolly under 60°F in concrete. Brief maturation in stainless steel.

Tasting Notes    “Aromas of yellow flowers, honeysuckle and peach.  Flavors of pronounced white peach and passionfruit with a seductive, zesty finish. Brings back summer in just one sip”

This is a nice wine.  Golden in color, clear and bright.  It has a very pretty nose.  Peaches with a floral note.  Slightly viscous texture.  On the palate, nice acidity.  Peach fruit notes.  Good finish.  This is refreshing and an excellent value.  Nice on its own, but better with food.  This would be nice with lighter foods such as fresh seafood. 

I have always been fond of this varietal – it has a better body than chardonnay, better fruit than Sauv blanc – it just makes a good wine. This was a good example of Viogier, made correctly. The white peach and hints of citrus with a good body and acidity, good with lighter fare or just on its own. Priced around $15, well worth it – great summertime or anytime drinker.

2022 Field Recordings Freddo, Paso Robles, Ca

Winemaker Notes:  Serve chilled. Pop this one in the fridge, and when the label turns blue, you know what to do.

Winemaker Andrew Jones has a keen eye for diamonds in the rough: sites that are unknown or under-appreciated but hold enormous untapped potential. He strives for unique wines that are loaded with personality and a one-of-a-kind experience. The Freddo is carbonically macerated for two weeks had and has a juicy strawberry-cranberry sorbet vibe with crushed cherries blended in. Enjoy this slightly chilled with an antipasto plate by the pool.

VARIETAL  79% Sangiovese, 16% Dolcetto, 5% Valdiguié

This wine is meant to serve cold – not one to keep for very long in your cellar. No real tannins, but just upfront red fruits, moderate body and short finish. Fun wine for a hot weekend. Priced around $20, so not bad for the price.

2022 G.D. Vajre ‘Clare J.C.’ Nebbiolo Langhe, Italy

DESCRIPTION: Produced with grapes from the younger vines of Nebbiolo, JC Claré reminds us of the true and forgotten history era of the piedmontese Nebbiolo, when from 16th century until the early 1950’s, it still was vinified and enjoyed in its lightest and fresh garment. VARIETY: 100% Nebbiolo VINEYARD AND TERROIR: A range of vineyards starting in Barolo, opening up to Novello and reaching out to Bricco Bertone in Sinio.

TASTING NOTES: Light ruby color, slightly sparkling and very fresh, eye-catching. Spices and red fruits and a vibrant minerality, the JC is to be consumed fresh and a versatile wine: to be drunk in summer time and an ideal companion for cold cuts and lightly fried foods. An unprecedented expression of Nebbiolo with which one will be able to surprise even the most skeptical friends!

 I associate nebbiolo with Barolo, a long aged Italian wine. This is a young style wine with nice body, dominate red fruits with acidity to match foods. Lighter than other reds, but not so light you skip over flavor. Good wine for summer meals. Priced around $22, well worth the price. 

2022 Intellego ‘The Pink Moustache’, Swartland, South Africa

In this instance, facial hair symbolizes the three different styles of wine red(beard), rose (clean skin) and the light red(moustache). This wine represents the lighter red style and the word pink describes the colour as it’s a mix between a pink/light red colour.

Grapes: 48% Cinsault - 33% Syrah - 19% Mourvèdre

Bright magenta. The nose is awash with red currants, cherries, and strawberries with a herbal nuances and freshly ground peppercorn. On the palate, the party continues with tobacco leaves and such a pleasant tickle of tannins. Throw this bad boy in an ice bucket, grab a blanket, and head to the park.

Pretty little wine, with an interesting mix of flavors. Pleasant but not something I would spend my money on – priced around $26.

2019 Domaine Maire Arbois Pinot Noir, Jura, France

The Pinot Noir grapes were handpicked and sorted on sorting tables at their arrival at the winery. Then they were put in thermos-regulated stainless steel tank for a total maceration of 12 days, followed regularly throughout the fermentation with occasional pumping and stirring. Then the press and drop juices were assembled and withdrawn for malolactic fermentation on fine lies. 100% of the cuvee was then placed into 2 to 3-years oak casks for 6 month ageing period allowing to enlarge the aromatic palette. Bottling in June with a light filtration.

NOSE  Pleasant, straight and fine, with delicate small wild berries notes.

PALATE  It is a round, supple, velvety and greedy wine with light rounded tannins and a very present fruit.

This was a smooth little wine, I wrote down it was “moderately intense”. Pretty light red color, the wine had red berry and cherry hints in the mouth. Decent structure for foods, not much of a finish; not a bad little Pinot Noir. Priced around $27, not sure I would buy many of it.

Hope all is well as we finally head toward fall. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 Wines of July 2023

It took summer a couple of weeks, but when it went full blast, it really got hot! Found out that Frizzante has a second fermentation in the bottle, like Sparkling wine, but there is less yeast used and the bubbles are less than half of sparklers. It also takes less time. Often seen in Italy, they are fun little wines to drink.

OK, now for the month of wines:

2020 Philippe Viallet Vin de Savoie+

#55 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021

Bright light straw with green and grey hints. Discreet and smoky with aromas of stewed fruits and notes of honey. Light and straight, with a good minerality and a slight saltiness on the finish.

Serve with fish, shellfish and with traditional local dishes (cheese fondue, tartiflette).

WS90Wine Spectator

Pretty, with unadorned star fruit, fennel and jasmine notes laced with a hint of lime zest on the breezy finish. Jacquère, Chasselas, Chardonnay and Altesse. Drink now through 2022.

Varietal: Jacquère, Chasselas, Chardonnay, Altesse Taste: The Viallet family have been working the vineyards of Savoie since 1966, when Marcel and Yvonne purchased their first estate, Domaine Clos Réservé, in Apremont, a mere 10km from Chambéry. Their second son Philippe joined the business in 1984, after having studied wine-making in Beaune. He realized the strong commercial potential of the wines of Savoie, and in 1985, he created Maison Philippe Viallet. This wine is a blend of grapes from the region not commonly known to us here (with the exception of Chardonnay) - Chasselas, Chardonnay, Altesse with a majority of Jacquere. In the glass, the wine is a bright light straw color with green and grey hints. The nose is exuberant and bouncy, with an Alpine freshness, crisp orchard fruit and Asian pear notes that follow through to the palate in the most pleasant way. There’s fantastic minerality and texture here, with a slight saltiness on the finish.

A very enjoyable white wine – hint of minerality with fruit flavors of pear, Fuji apple and floral hints. Moderate body, matched well with cheeses and chicken. Got it on special for about $16. Well worth it in a hot summertime.

2019 Four Vines the Biker, Zinfandel, Paso Robles, CA

This Four Vines The Biker Zinfandel is the solution to a boring evening. This classic California wine is produced by Four Vines. It is made from the red Zinfandel grape. The 'biker' variety tastes like black fruit and spice. It complements barbecued meats.

Black cherry and spicy aromas lead to an elegant palate of wild blackberry and plum flavors bolstered by a touch of black pepper and sweet, toasted oak.

The 2019 offers a plush mouthfeel and a long, velvety finish

This is a lighter style of zinfandel, not a heady, high alcohol fruit bomb. Nicely balanced with good fruit and body to match a meal. Red and black fruits dominate the palate with a modest finish.  Not something to age, drink in the next year or so. Priced around $14, worth buying to drink with your grilled foods.

2018 Zeni Costalago Rosso Veronese IGT, Verona, Italy

The label of this wine underlines the origin of Lake Garda in the Würm ice age with its adjacent morainic hills. These hills form an ideal pedoclimatic environment to cultivate the queen of the Veronese grapes: the Corvina grape.

Nino Zeni, eclectic oenologist and father of Fausto, Elena and Federica, started planting Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the early 90s in some vineyards nearby the lake. An idea came up in his mind to create a new wine as a modern expression of our region, a harmonious blend where the local character and the elegance of the Corvina grape are blended with the international character and the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot to give a unique and balanced wine.

Tasting notes

Intense ruby red. Floral notes with hints of well ripened fruit. Vinous, velvety and lingering. Pairs well with pasta with sauce, grilled red meat, game and cheese.

Hand selection of the best grape bunches which are collected in small crates and left to raisin for a while.

Soil: hilly soil of morainic and volcanic origin.  Vine yield per hectare: 100 ql./ha.

Grape varieties: Corvina & Corvinone 70% - Merlot 15% - Cabernet 15%.

A modest Italian red that has the right body to go with many foods. Mostly red fruits with a nice mouthfeel; modest finish. Great with pasta and red sauce – priced around $14. Not one to age, but buy now and enjoy

2020 Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa County, CA

This Cabernet Sauvignon leaps from the glass with rich ripe flavors of sweet black currant, juicy blackberry, and cherry liquor, intermingled with hints of shaved chocolate, earth, and fresh tobacco leaf. The layers of flavors are balanced by hits of tasty oak. Silky soft yet structured tannins coat the palate and contribute to a long lasting finish.

This is a sumptuous, lush, and full-bodied wine, with flavors of juicy blackberry and cherry fruit, creamy like milk chocolate, and dusty notes all tied together with a toasty oak finish that is lingering.

This is not a cult-cabernet, but an affordable Napa Cabernet that delivers rather well. Dark fruits with some pencil shavings and a fairly long finish. Good body to stand to foods – capable of some aging, though not really tannic. Priced around the mid-20’s (was a gift) worth a try.

2020 Laxas Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain

Clear, brilliant wine, yellow straw color with green nuances. An intense aroma on the nose, perfectly combining the fruity and floral notes, particularly apple and stoned fruit (apricot). Freshness on the palate typical of Albariño, with a touch of acidity perfectly balanced with the structure and body of this wine.

WS90Wine Spectator

Broad and creamy on the palate but trimmed by well-cut acidity, this balanced white shows a pleasing range of baked pineapple, dried papaya and orange peel, with accents of fresh tarragon and green almond. Light- to medium-bodied, with a snappy finish. Drink now

Albarino is a great summer time wine. Crisp, with peach and apple notes that has good structure and body. Good with a summer repast. Priced around $15, well worth buying and enjoying.

2018 Riverside Wines Rio Mendoza Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Exotic and unusual for value-priced Malbec, with aromas of blueberry and Middle Eastern spice. Feels chunky yet juicy, with good acidity highlighting lightly herbal flavors of plum and tomato. Meaty, round and solid on the finish, with saucy spiciness.

Better than expected – an under $10 bottle that has nice upfront red fruits and a moderate body. Certainly, no aging potential, but at the price you can slug it down or open as a second or third bottle with friends.

2018 Izadi Reserva Rioja, Spain

 

Located in Rioja Alavesa, where Tempranillo thrives in a microclimate strongly influenced both by the elevation and the proximity of the Atlantic ocean, Bodegas Izadi specializes in red wines make almost exclusively from Rioja’s signature grape variety. Izadi Reserva is made from 100% Tempranillo grown in limestone rich soils and aged in American and French oak.

JS93James Suckling

Aromas of ripe plums and blueberries with hints of blue flowers, licorice and dried herbs. Medium-to full-bodied with plush tannins and savory fruit character. Polished and structured, with notes of chocolate and minerals to close. Drink of hold.

RP91Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2018 Reserva, a blend of Tempranillo with 9% Graciano, still feels quite oaky after 15 months in French and American oak barrels, half of each. It has good ripeness for a cooler vintage, at 14.1% alcohol, and has a creamy mouthfeel with tannins and plenty of oak-related flavors in the finish. For fans of oaky modern Rioja.

WS91Wine Spectator

A polished red, layering supple tannins with an aromatic overtone of star anise, mocha and graphite. Fresh and medium-bodied, revealing black cherry coulis and fig cake notes, with a spiced finish. Drink now

This was an email special from Matt at Auburn Spirits. Whether it is 100% or 92% Tempranillo, it is a sturdy, almost rustic wine that has a long finish and tannins to be laid down for up to five years. Dark fruits and dries herbs dominate the palate, with oaky notes and a tannic grip of a wine meant for aging.  Got this for $16 –a tremendous buy. Recommend getting two and putting one down.

Hope all is well - I'm still hanging around, like a bunch of over weight grapes. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.