The Wines of May 2023

I recently read a book about Champagne - and I found how Mayonnaise came to exist.

I'll bore you with that fact later. Let's talk wines.

2019 Margerum M5 White blend, Los Olivos, Ca

#30 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 of 2020

Slight straw and golden hues with a viscosity that clings to the glass as it is swirled. Aromas of apricots, white floral, sweet honey, hints of brioche toast, sweet pea flowers and pineapple. Full, round and pleasing with ample acidity to balance the richness that will continue to evolve with time in bottle. Flavors of apple, wet stone and a touch of peach nectar engage with a lovely long persistent finish that lingers.

WE94Wine Enthusiast

Complex and yet utterly refreshing, this estate blend of 45% Grenache Blanc, 21% Marsanne, 14% Viognier, 13% Roussanne and 7% Picpoul Blanc begins with wet stone, chalk, nectarine, Rainier cherry and creamed pear on the crisp nose. The palate sizzles with acidity and ashy, chalky tension, delivering flavors of kiwi, lychee and more stone fruit.

WS92Wine Spectator

Mouthwatering and vibrant, oozing with perfectly ripe white nectarine, Casaba melon, mango and dried pineapple flavors, with hints of candied ginger on a fresh, fleshy body. Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Viognier, Roussanne and Picpoul Blanc.

Enjoyable white wine – not sweet, yet with good balance and body. Unusual grape varieties, but well worth the price at $20.

2020 Paul Dolan Zinfandel, Mendocino, Ca

Deep and concentrated fruit flavors give this full-bodied wine plenty to savor, while light vanilla and cinnamon notes from oak aging dress it up nicely. Moderate tannins maintain good balance despite the wine's richness.   RATING91

Paul Dolan Vineyards 2020 Zinfandel has rich aromas of dark fruits and plum which give way to subtler notes of cinnamon and white pepper. The wine's smooth tannins and medium weight round out flavors of boysenberry, cranberry, anise, and cardamom leading to a spicy, zippy finish of nice length and rich fruit.

Good zin that carries a lot of fruit with some subtle hints of spice. Moderate finish, good balance to match with grilled foods. Bought at $16, nice bottle- recommended.

2014 Torres Celeste Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Dark cherry red with intense garnet highlights. Aromas of black fruit (wild blackberries, blueberries) and delicate toasted notes (coffee) with nicely oak-aged undertones (toasted oak). Serious and warm with very fine, juicy, velvety tannins.

Given its tannic and fruit properties, it pairs well with a wide variety of meat dishes, including roasts and wild game.

WW89Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

A solid red, the 2014 Torres Celeste delivers excellent ripe fruit aromas and flavors. The wine, coupled with its fine oak presence, would pair well with oven-baked short ribs. (Tasted: November 15, 2017, San Francisco, CA)

Estimated price around $16 – a gift. The fruit had mellowed some with age, but was still showing nicely. Tannins were slight, but overall good balance. Inexpensive for that area of Spain, worth trying again.

2020 Vina Robles Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, Ca

Deep purple with aromas of boysenberry, caramel, hints of chocolate, white pepper and savory spice. Full-bodied with juicy dark fruits, dark chocolate and a mouth-filling palate coating and creamy finish.

WE92Wine Enthusiast

Violet and lilac aromas are wrapped in toasted walnut and black currant on the nose of this bottling. The palate is lush with dark fruits and oak spices, which evolve into mocha and coffee bean flavors by the finish.

Oh, yeah. A meaty Petite with balance of fruit, acidity and tannins. Well made with dark fruits and a good finish. Priced around $20, this is a good buy.

2020 OZV Estate Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, Ca

An earthy, doughy aroma shows how fresh this wine is, before revealing layered, indulgent flavors of raspberry syrup, blackberry jam and dark chocolate that coat the mouth. With a full body, smooth texture and lingering finish, it's easy to love.  RATING92

This zinfandel tasted a little young – the fruit was bright but it was like it needed something to make it balance. No real tannins and a modest finish, not the best I’ve had at this price. Average price is about $15 – you get what you pay for on this one.

2021 Wente Sandstone Merlot, Central Coast, CA

Our 2021 Sandstone Merlot is supple and beautifully balanced, showcasing aromas of ripe red cherry and plum that are complimented by creamy oak notes of sweet caramel and vanilla bean. Additional notes of white pepper, cardamom, and graphite provide more complexity and continue to develop as the wine breathes in the glass.

Moderate little wine, decent upfront fruit and hints of spices. Modest aftertaste, didn’t really feel complete – a little hollow in the mid palate. Fair acidity and a few tannins. Maybe better in a year or so?  Priced around $15, just ok, not great. (Like before – you get what you pay for).

2020 Hedges Family Estate Red Blend, Red Mountain, WA

Reddish black bramble fruits, red currants, bright cinnamon, clove, vanilla and a touch of chili pepper, cocoa, toasted seeds, and a touch of earthy graphite. Nice structure, good length and lovely flavors of fruit, spice, and earth. This wine has a classic Hedges style with a modern touch, very enjoyable now and will age for years to come.

This wine had broad fruit on the palate, with some tannin interwoven. The flavor brought some spice and earth to the palate with a long finish. Classic Bordeaux blend, this wine shows the good land where this is grown in Washington. A little higher in price – around $28, but worth the price – buy this one and enjoy.

2019 Penley Estate ‘Tolmer’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia

Sourced from older vines, the “Tolmer” bottling is marked by refined tannins and a well-rounded, balanced texture. During fermentation, some lots are left to macerate on skins for as long as 30 days, to extract more tannin. The finished wine is aged in French oak barrels (30% new) for 12 months, then for a brief period in stainless steel tanks, before bottling.

Deep ruby-black, the wine leads with aromas of blackcurrant, cassis, licorice, violet, chocolate, and a hint of eucalyptus. It is medium-plus in body and incredibly silky without being at all “flabby” or sweet. While the tannins are soft, the acidity is fresh and balanced, which should bode well for aging. Pair this with braised short ribs or grilled ribeye with lots of char.

The dark berry fruit shows first with hints of earth and spice. Tannins are still a little tight – would be better with a year or two of aging. Priced like the previous bottle – around $28. Not really for everyone – not a typical Cabernet from Australia. (Pretty Label)

I hope all is well - remember to keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.