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.