Wines of March 2025

    Happy April Fools day! No jokes, just some good wines. Did you know in the past, when most South African wines were being made by Co-ops, that Chenin Blanc was called Steen? True fact. Now for the wines I tried and enjoyed.

2019 Giorgio Pira Nebbiolo. Langhe, Italy

2019 Giorgio Pira Nebbiolo. Langhe, Italy

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.

Really nice Nebbiolo – good acidity for food and that deep fruit of this type of wine. Some tannins remain on the finish, overall a very good wine. Priced around $20 at the store.  Be sure to put the Giorgio in fromt of Pira or you get a totally different wine!

 

2019 Hayes Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Coast, California

A light shade of ruby in the glass, this bottling's nose recalls freshly plucked berries and lavender. The palate picks up sandalwood spice and peppercorn, giving depth to the rounded red-fruit core. 88 Pts WE

Medium-bodied; ripe cherry and raspberry backed up with just enough acidity to leave you craving for more.

An every night style of wine with nice red and black fruits, some acidity and a little tannin on the finish. Not real deep in flavor but nice for a ten dollar week night bottle.

 

2017 Mullan Road Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington

This complex Cabernet Sauvignon wine reveals sultry aromas of muddled red fruits, raspberry, and dried strawberry with hints of light baking spices. Swirling brings up notes of crème brûlée with black tea, mocha, and cocoa powder. The palate is round and polished, with black currants and plum puree accented by vanilla bean and balanced by fine tannins. Hints of dark chocolate and pressed berries linger on the finish.

Roasted coffee bean, tar, melted butter and dark chocolate aromas are up front. An assortment of fruit and barrel flavors follow. Lightly chewy tannins back it up. The freshness is compelling. Best after 2024. 91 Pts WE

This bottle is at its prime – mostly black fruits with essence vanilla and hints of oak. Tannins are mostly tamed and show on the finish. Really nice bottle from the Cakebread family – priced at only $35. Well worth the price!

 

2022 Anticiclone Red wine, Península de Setúbal, Portugal

An anticyclone, or a high pressure area, signifies fine weather—an optimistic name for this wine. It is fruity with light tannins and juicy acidity. The wine is ready to drink.        87 pts WE

The Anticiclone appears a ruby color in the glass. The nose is filled with notes of raspberry, blackberry, black beer, typical aromas of the young Castelão.  Smooth and present tannins on the palate, with a long finish marked by red fruits.           74% Castelão, 26% Aragonês

Made by Jose Maria da Fonseca , the Port producer

Pretty nice little wine from Portugal – not the best I have had, but better than others. Black and red fruits, though the depth is lacking slightly. A hint of tannins and fair acidity mark the wine and the finish. Priced around $15 – worth trying.

2017 Waters Interlude Red Blend, Walla Walla, Washington

Cabernet Sauvignon (79%) makes up the majority of this wine, with the rest Merlot. The aromas bring an assortment of charming fresh herb, raspberry, whole green pepper, flower, black currant and cherry notes, displaying a sense of freshness. There's a dazzling purity to the rich but cranberry tart fruit flavors, with compelling acid and tannin structure. Pair it with roasted pork loin with a cranberry glaze.

92 Pts WE

Bought the last bottle on the shelf – well worth the price. Mostly red fruits with a touch of tannins and hints of vanilla and oak. Moderate finish, drinking very well now. Priced at around $20 – well worth that price

 

2021 Thorne & Daughters Wanderer’s Heart Red Blend, Onrus, South Africa

The 2021 Wanderer’s Heart is our Cape Red – a wine that is built around the incredible vineyards found all over the Western Cape. Over the past few years, we have slowly dialled up the Syrah component in this wine to take advantage of these wonderful dark, peppery wines that compliment the other components so well. The wine is focused, with mulberries, black olive flesh and cedar wood on the nose. The tannins are supple and integrated into a fresh palate of cranberries and woody spices.

Nuts & Bolts

Syrah – 46% Overberg(15 years old) and Breedekloof (10 years old) - shale

Grenache noir – 32% Breedekloof (10 years old) - shale

Mourvèdre – 18% Bot River (14 years old) - gravel/clay duplex soil

Carignan - 4% Breedekloof (10 years old) - schist

A somewhat simple yet good tasting wine. Blended like a Rhone style wine, this bottle has good backbone for food. Tannins are well integrated into the red and black fruits and touches of forest flavors. Priced around $20, really nice bottle to drink.

 

2018 Casa Natal Malbec Reserva, Mendoza, Argentina

Ripe blackberry and dark plum aromas are pulpy and jammy but not fat or overextracted. A pure and racy palate is powerful but well structured. Blackberry, dark plum and chalky mineral flavors remain lively on a focused finish. Drink through 2024.    93 Pts WE (listed at $38 there)

It is a dark ruby on the pour with aromas of spice, cigar box and dark fruit; in the mouth, flavors are blueberry, blackberry, black licorice; the wine is medium plus in body with good acidity; finishes nice. 

This wine was very pleasing – not fat but somewhat tight with tannins and good dark fruits showing through with nice acidity. Really needs food – and shines with a slab of beef or pork. Priced under $15, a best buy.

 

2018 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Shiraz, California

78% cabernet (Napa Valley and Sonoma) with 22% shiraz (Paso Robles). Matured 16 months in 60/40% 1yo/new American oak barrels. Peter Gago describes his entry-level ('if you'd call it that!') California blend as strongly Australian influenced, 'because there couldn't be anything more Australian than cabernet shiraz' He lets cabernet take the lead here, 'because it's so much better than shiraz in California.' The ultimate multicultural marriage, a far-flung take on the great Australian blend, exuberantly celebrating the luscious, ripe and generous mood of California within the signature scaffolding of Penfolds. A core of cabernet is proclaimed in impressive blackcurrant and cassis, with a fleshy mid palate built by the spicy blackberry fruit of shiraz. In time, it morphs triumphantly into intense fresh licorice straps. Fine American oak and fruit tannins unite to form a taut frame that declares a strong finish of great length and grand potential.

A very fine and polished red with cherry, berry, chocolate and cedar aromas and flavors. Some spice and meat with hints of tea leaf. Some ash, too. Medium body and extremely refined texture, showing real balance and elegance. The tannins spread across the palate in a beautiful way. 78% cabernet sauvignon and 22% shiraz. Drink or hold.          James Suckling, 93 Pts

A very tasty wine – the balance of the two varieties is good. The bit of Syrah balances a hardy Cabernet Sauvignon. Even with American oak, there is very little “dill” flavor in the wine. Red and black fruits dominate the palate, but some forest floor and pencil shavings show through. Moderate finish – a very well made wine. Priced around $40 at the store.

 

2020 Reserve de Bonpas Cotes du Rhone, France

Located very close to Mont Ventoux in the Rhône Valley, the Domaine de Bonpas echoes the eponymous La Chartreuse, a former fortified monastery where the cultivation of vines and olive trees has always been at the heart of the activities. This blend happily combines the classic Syrah and Grenache grape varieties with Mourvèdre, which adds personality. A wine that will go just as well with grilled sausages, a homemade burger or pork chops with fine herbs.

We co-ferment different grape varieties. Fermentation give way to the traditional Rhone Valley method, which consists of submerging the pomace cap at the end of fermentation. This final extraction, conducted at 28°C, is comparable to an infusion. While respecting and preserving the aromas and flavours of stewed red fruit, it allows the wine to acquire velvety tannins and roundness. It also guarantees good length on the palate.

Tasting notes     Visual: deep ruby-red.   Nose: Expressive, with notes of fresh red fruit.

Palate: a warm, powerful wine combining flavours of mild spices, black olives and stone fruits. Ample and supple, with velvety tannins.

A nice CDR made in the typical style with expected results. Red fruits on the nose and palate with hints of  earth. Smooth drinking and has backbone to pair with food.  Priced around $18, really nice.

 

2021 Leviathan Red Blend California

James Suckling-CA- Capturing decades of winemaking experience and vineyard knowledge of renowned winemaker Andy Erickson. Lots of black olive, tar and asphalt with black fruit. Medium to full body with firm...tannins that run the length of the wine...multi-region blend...large percent from Sonoma.

Always a good value, the 2021 California Red Wine is no exception and has darker berry fruits, some leafy herb, sage, lavender, and chocolate nuances, full-bodied richness, and a lush, round, seamless style that's already impossible to resist. This is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon (with plenty of other red varieties), and it should shine for 7-8 years, if not a decade, although I would drink this puppy in its youth.    Jeb Dunnick 94 Pts

Good red blend – full bodied with black fruits and hints of tar and oak. Would age without a doubt, but very good at present. Only priced around $35 at the store, this is one to have on hand for company.

2023 Sterling Vintner’s Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, California

Upon tasting, Sterling Vineyards Vintner's Collection Sauvignon Blanc presents a charming bouquet of aromas, with prominent notes of citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemon, and lime, complemented by hints of green apple, white peach, and subtle herbal undertones, creating a bright and inviting aromatic profile. The palate is treated to a wine that is crisp and invigorating, with a light to medium body, balanced acidity, and a clean, zesty finish. The flavors evoke citrus and tropical fruits, with a subtle herbal twist that adds complexity and depth to the wine's profile. This Sauvignon Blanc's versatility and refreshing character make it an ideal partner for a wide range of culinary pairings, from fresh seafood and salads to poultry, goat cheese, and dishes with delicate herbs.

My notes say it is crisp, a pleasant seasonal white – meaning spring and summer sipping. Sufficent body to go with lighter fare, decent price at around $15.

 

2023 Camp Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, California

Charming indoors or out, the Camp Cabernet Sauvignon. 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot, 4% Malbec and 2% Cabernet Franc from Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Sonoma Valley in Sonoma, California. The wine was aged in French oak barrels ranging in age from 1-5 years.

I noted it was a touch flabby, with modest body. Moderate finish with some tannic notes. Dark fruit dominate the palate but does not have a lot to back it up. Decent with food – Priced around $20.

 

2022 Bezel Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California

Bold blackcurrant aromas mingle with herbaceous bay leaf, blackberry, and juicy raspberry jam notes. Fresh acidity, fine tannins and a bit of toasty oak on the long finish add exciting depth to the generous fruit.

AGING  14 months aging in French oak barrels,26% new

This Central Coast project by Cakebread is producing classic wines at great prices. This bottling begins with clean and expressive aromas of blackberry, black pepper and dark spice on the nose. The palate is easygoing with red to black fruits, light pepper and a hint of mocha. 91 Pts WE

Real nice red fruit nose, the palate had bright red and black fruits. Good body and acidity to be even better with food. Moderate aftertaste, tannins are intertwined with the fruit. Priced under $30 ($25 at the store), pretty good Paso Robles Cabernet.

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 February 2025

Well, we survived the bitter cold that came through in February, and now we "March" on. 

Enough puns, here are the wines.

2018 Trombetta Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California   

This is a lifted, floral and funky wine in all the best ways, full of black tea and forest floor. Cranberry, orange peel and a hint of strawberry fill out the crisp fruit profile, with balanced acidity keeping things bright.   93 Pts WE

This was an impressive Pinot Noir – red fruit nose followed by red and dark berry and a wave of earthiness and bramble. Sounds bad, but it was so well put together it just took over your palate. Fairly long finish. Bought for about $30, a dynamite bottle for a special meal.

 

2016 Matthiasson Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

The fruit was fermented at low temperatures and pumped over twice per day; we don’t strive for a high rate of extraction, instead choosing to preserve the freshness and high-toned aromatics. Since the fermentation temperatures were cool, the fermentation was long and slow, lasting for three weeks. The wine was pressed at dryness, blended immediately, and aged for 20 months in a combination of mostly used and a few new barrels (<20% new French oak). The nose shows abundant red fruits, lots of bright cherry along with bramble-berries, such as blackberry, cranberry, mulberry, and framed with hints of mineral/herbal characters such as graphite, cedar, and pencil shavings. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with light tannin and beautiful acidity. Decanting is highly recommended. 

The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol is 13.3, TA is 5.3 g/l, pH is 3.65. 1603 cases produced.

This Cabernet is in a perfect spot, right now. A palate of red and dark berries, with pencil shavings and dust under pinning the flavors. Broad mouthfeel and a nice aftertaste. Just fabulous – priced in the store at $40, well worth the monry.

 

2016 Backsberg Family Reserve Red wine, Paarl, South Africa   

This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 17% Malbec is warm, bold and spicy right off the bat, with aromas of spiced plum, black cherry, cassis and blackberry all hit by a solid dusting of allspice and fennel pollen. The palate is medium-plus in weight, with concentrated black fruit flavors that are supported by moderately firm tannins and ample acidity to lend some freshness through the close.             90 Pts WE

Very tasty import from South Africa. Lots of red and black fruit notes with some spice notes. Moderate finish, limited tannins, but good acidity for food. Priced at $36, this is a great bottle to open with a nice meal.

 

2019 Chapillon Siendra, Calatayud, Spain            

Medium-density ruby in appearance, with a pronounced concentration near the center. Aromas of eucalyptus, freshly cut orange peel, hibiscus flower, rosehips, lemongrass, ripe strawberries, tobacco leaf, and rhubarb. Smooth and medium-bodied on the palate, with very well-integrated, fine tannins and a refreshing acidity. A delicate and lengthy finish of candied strawberry, fresh leather, cocoa, tobacco leaf, sour cherry blossom, and rose petals. Drink now–2026.

From Bodegas Langa Hnos in the Calatayud wine region, Chapillon Siendra 2019 is a dry, medium-bodied 80% Old Vines Grenache, 7% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot red wine blend, savoury and plushy on the palate with ripe dark fruits, dark berry, cherry, blue florals, cedar brush spice and chocolate flavours. Tannins are velvety.

Food pairings: grilled pork chops, roast lamb, bison burgers.

This wine threw me for a little while. Upon opening, it had an unusual flavor on the aftertaste. Made it seem unbalanced – the fruit showed nicely on the palate, but that note of something made me wonder. I came back to the wine later and the note had disappeared. The palate has dark fruits and essence of earth and leather. Buy it but let it stay open a while – priced at $20, worth trying.

 

2019 Blackbird Arise, Napa Valley, CA   

This classic Napa blend is primarily comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It’s elegance and purity of flavor come from exceptional vineyards, minimal winemaking intervention, a deep understanding of the nuanced interplay of wine and oak, and countless hours of tasting.

"Plum, cherry, pomegranate, tobacco, forest floor, nutmeg, black pepper, blood orange zest in a very integrated yet complex nose. Good mid palate richness with blackberry jam, plum and cherry, tobacco and earthy notes, tannins are plush and rich. The wine ends with good length, finishing with crushed strawberries, plum jam and milk chocolate."

A wine that is just a great experience. Mostly dark fruits that fill your palate with some tobacco notes – finely tuned tannins and good acidity. Long finish – a wine that just sings. Priced at $40 (on sale), this is an awesome wine to drink.

 

2020 Tempo d’Angelus, Bordeaux, France

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Tempo d’Angélus charges out of the gate with bold notions of plum preserves, fresh blackberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of tilled soil, black olives and truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate has a beautifully velvety texture and a racy backbone supporting the generous black and red berry layers, finishing earthy. Very impressive for this price point! 90-92 RP

A tight, linear red with lots of currants, salt and cloves on the nose and palate. Really spicy. Medium-bodied with firm, polished tannins and a flavorful finish. A new wine from the owners of Chateau Angélus, from the area of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux.

The third wine of Chateau Angelus, it is mode from property further from the main estate and from newer vines. The blend is typical Bordeaux – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This is the first vintage of the wine. I found it very nice – a little more fruit forward than some from this area, but with similar nuances in the flavor. Not very tannic, probably not something to hold for over 10 years, but a good wine for the price. In store for around $35.

 

2017 Pocas Reserva Tinto, Douro,Portugal          

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicate notes of sour cherries and black forest berries, a hint of fresh orange zest, floral notes. Slender, a touch of coconut, fresh structure, red berry aftertaste, an uncomplicated food wine. Grape Variety: Touriga Franca, Tinta Barocca, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional

This perfumed, wood-aged wine comes from a field blend of grapes from old vines. Its density and concentration are proof of its origins, enhanced by the 12 months in wood. This is a powerful wine, balancing rich black fruits and acidity. Drink from 2022. 93 Pts WE

I hate when we get a close-out this good. Pocas is known for their port, but this wine is excellent. Deep color and flavors of black fruit and floral notes. Moderate aftertaste – tannins seem light – the overall affect is an excellent sipping and food wine. We had it for $20 and it flew out the door. Well worth drinking , if you can get it.

2016 Vina Gormaz Crianza, Ribero del douro, Spain

A compact nose with blackberry and integrated oak aromas leads to a flush, round palate that's balanced and whole. Blackberry, black plum and cassis flavors are ripe and pleasing, with a touch of raw oak in support. An edgy finish with grating tannins suggests giving this as much air as possible before serving. Drink through 2027.   92 Pts WE

A ripe, juicy and [quite] assertively fruited wine that has a wealth of red cherries on the nose with crushed flowers and a sappy edge. The medium-bodied palate has a juicy, firm and focused feel with plenty of red cherries and plums. Drink or hold.      — 92 Points James Suckling

A hearty wine, the flavors are more nuanced in this Ribero Crianza. Red fruits with tones of darker berries and some undertones of oak and herbs. Not in your face like newer style Spanish wines, but a good old-style example of Spain. Priecd at around $15- $19, well worth having a few bottles to have over the next few years.

 

2021 Easkoot Foggy Bottom Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California        

Easkoot Cellars Foggy Bottom Pinot Noir is farmed sustainably and fermented with native yeasts and a small portion of whole clusters. Beautiful aromas of ripe berry fruits, flowers, and black tea waft from the glass. On the palate, notes of dark-skinned berries and forest floor show in restraint, with hints of fine spice and cranberry.

Here in the Petaluma Gap of Marin County, fog rolls in at night and cools down vines and grapes to produce an old-worldly style of Pinot Noir with a tangy and animating yet complex and expressive character.

Natural berry yeasts, preserved through sustainable farming practices by Marin legend Mark Pasternak, ferment the Easkoot juice spontaneously. Some full clusters make it into the fermentation tank and underline the earthy flavors of the Easkoot Pinot character.

This wine is in its perfect spot – wouldn’t be better in a year. The red berries dominate a good mouthfeel with herbs and hints of sagebrush.  Good acidity to have with a meal – a great Pinot! Close-out priced at $20, worth buying a few and drinking up.

 

2018 Chateau Des Demoiselles, Bordeaux, France

This rich, fruity and wood-aged wine promises balance from the blackberry fruits and generous tannins. At the moment, a dry core shows strongly, but this will soften. Drink from 2021.     88 Pts WE

Fleshy and ripe but so juicy and alive, the acidity and strawberry character of the fruit creates a lively, bright expression. Fruit on the palate is concentrated on the dark, riper spectrum; plum, date and blackcurrant with soft liquorice undertones, but it all really works together. A deep, seductive style that is balanced, smooth and determined. A classic easy-drinking claret with lovely mentholated finish.

92 Pts Decanter

A nice little Bordeaux, blend of Merlot and Cabernet,  goes down easy with light tannins.  Probably not a keeper, maybe a year or two, but good drinking with acidity to go with a meal. Priced around $15, good bottle to have on hand.

 

2021 Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

This new Terlato venture into Paso Robles fruit is bearing solid, immediate results. Aromas of cassis and toasted oak are rich on the nose. The palate is layered in dark fruit, elegant baking spices and a bold acidity that slides into the finish.      92 Pts WE Editors Choice

Dark ruby red with aromas of ripe blackcurrants and hibiscus with subtle notes of vanilla, cinnamon and clove. Full-bodied on the palate, this wine burst with red bright juicy fruit flavors elegantly balanced with vanilla, coffee and baking spices.

Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Syrah

You know Terlato – they brought Santa Margerita Pinot Gris to the States. This is a bright upfront Cabernet with that ususal Paso Robles hints, touch of green pepper, but showing very well. Good with red meat – runs about $30. Not a bad wine to have around.

 

2021 Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

The Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. It has a complex nose with ripe plum, boysenberry, and cassis, along with hints of cedar and vanilla. The wine is drinkable now but can age gracefully for the next 15-20 years. The vines are 20-42 years old, and the flavors include raspberry, plum, cassis, and layers of ripe cherries and red currants. The wine is well-integrated and elegant, with aromas of blackberry, clove, and dried herb.

Juicy, flavorful and approachable, this wine is delicious and good value. Dripping with ripe plum, freshly picked berries and just enough cocoa for additional depth, this wine is a smart choice to please everyone at a meal, including the wine aficionado.          92 pts WE

I have had a number of Truchard wines and they are always very good. This is an excellent wine from the family owned winery. The winery is located near Carneros, but they source fruit from other areas of Napa Valley. This was a deep, almost brooding wine that opened up to dark fruits and hints of herbs. Really nice, went great with red meat. Priced around $42, it still is a good bottle to have. Kudos to Truchard!

 Hope all is well with you. Another month to enjoy some wine. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!

 The wines of January 2025

Another month - a long one at that, is finally over.  Cold and snow made it longer. Here are some wines I tasted and enjoyed over the month.

2020 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Verona, Italy

Wine Advocate                 WA90

A blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Sangiovese, the 2020 Palazzo della Torre is luscious, dark and exceedingly contemporary in style and execution. This is a soft and well-textured expression with layers of ripe fruit, black cherry, spice, bitter chocolate and tangy Spanish cedar from oak aging. The oak is quite dominate, so be ready for this particular stylistic approach. This is an ample production of 600,000 bottles.

This wine is elegant and well balanced, with a good structure and aroma. Ruby red in colour with purple hues, it offers light hints of raisins, sophisticated notes of vanilla, black pepper, cloves and cinnamon. It has a long, velvety finish and soft tannins. Palazzo della Torre easily pairs with various Italian dishes, above all risottos, especially those flavoured with saffron, porcini mushrooms and pork; classic dishes such as pasta with Amatriciana and Carbonara sauces, baked lasagna, gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts; grilled meats and roasts.                 

Decent little Italian, much better with food. Tannins are very slight and the fruit does not jump out, but is nuanced with herbs and spices on the palate. Moderate aftertaste, not bad for this price and style of wine - $20

 

2019 Phantom Red Wine, California

Intriguing, beguiling…this mysterious apparition of ripe berry and relentless spice returns to haunt wine lovers. Enveloped in shadow, this wine's intensity and concentration will entice you with every sip. Full-bodied and jammy, Phantom's origins of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel emerge from the glass. Spicy pepper and juniper tantalize your senses, while black plums and blueberries emerge on the palate. Notes of pipe tobacco and clove settle around the finish, long and lingering, like the Delta fog.           

Varietal Blend    60% Petite Sirah               40% Zinfandel

Not as vibrant as it once was, the 2019 is showing some age. Moderate fruit on the nose and palate, mostly dark fruit flavors and a hint of spices. The 2019 is available most places at around $15, I would say drink now.

 

2018 Chateau La Rose du Pin, Bordeaux, France

Damson plum, cedar and herb notes mingle in this light-bodied, direct offering. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 17,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. 86 Pts WS

A ripe and juicy blend with almost equal proportions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is fruity. Laced with tannins, the wine has a firm, dry core that will soften over the next few months into attractive, fruity richness. Drink from 2021. — Roger Voss 89 Points WE

This is a very tasty 2018 Bordeaux , a Grand Cru, and it is holding up very well. Moderate nose but a nice palate of red and darker fruits with some herbs and moderate tannins.  Priced at about $16, a good bottle to enjoy, then  store one away for next year.

 

2013 Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon, Greve, Italy

Cedary and woodsy notes lead off as this red settles into plum, leather and tobacco flavors, though it is still firmly structured and dry on the finish, with a lightly astringent feel. Sweet fruit returns in the end. Best from 2019 through 2032. 2,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.                              93 Pts WS

Basilica del Cortaccio, an elite vineyard in Cafaggio, comprises 4.2 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, with sensorial attributes that reflect a fine ‘terroir’, evoking the variety of origin. Produced for the first time in 1989, the Basilica del Cortaccio variety is grown according to the principles of organic farming.

Villa Cafaggio covers approximately 60 hectares, of which 30 are cultivated as specialised vineyards and about 10 as olive groves. The remaining area is woodland. Situated in the hamlet of Greve in Chianti, in Panzano, the estate is nestled in the ‘Conca d’Oro’ (Golden basin), an area recognised as the finest zone for producing Chianti Classico.                                         

I had this wine in my cellar for a couple years. My opinion is to drink soon, it still has Cabernet Sauvignon notes, but it has lost a lot of the fruit flavors, while retaining herbaceous notes.  The aftertaste was short, it would have been better a year ago. Priced at $30, buy a newer vintage.

 

2013 Malleolus Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Of a deep mature cherry color, this wine stands out for the intensity and quality of the sensations it offers. From black fruit aromas to strong and mature tannins that fill our mouth. The integration of fruit and wood offers an exquisite balance.

92           James Suckling

Elegant and deep nose of candied red fruit and petal character. Full body, soft tannins and a caressing, long and flavorful finish. Drink now.

As compared to the previous 2013 bottle of wine, this bad boy is still in its prime. Still has a good red fruit nose, the palate gets reated to dark and red fruits, with oak influences and a little touch of tannins. Cork broke, of course, so I had to filter the wine, but this is an exciting wine. Priced around $30, Emilio Moro (the producer) is a name worth seeking out.

 

2017 Uggiano Brunello di Montalcino, Italy

With a color somewhere between pale and dark ruby, this wine has cherry, clove, and sandalwood on the nose (maybe also chocolate?). A fleshy mouth-feel with sour cherry. The finish is all over the tongue, even if it’s short-lived. After decanting, the wood gets subtler and the sweetness of the cherry comes through more.

Intense ruby red color. Ethereal bouquet with a complex array of aromas displaying violets, cloves, wild berries and vanilla. Very warm mouthfeel, dry, full-bodied and slightly tannic.

Food Pairing       Grilled meats, game and seasoned cheeses.

Winemaking Notes         After crushing, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks by selected yeasts. Fermentation’s temperature is contained within 26-28°C and the must is pumped over its skins twice a day to draw color and soft tannins. After 18- 22 days the wine is separated from the skins and the fermentation is completed in big oak casks. This wine is preserved for maturation in big oak casks from Slavonia for 36 months.                        

Tasty little Brunello, maybe not as concentrated as I expected but it is a bargain at only $45. Some tannins, though not overpowering, with berries and spices on the mouthfeel. Moderate finish, nice little bottle that could age another couple of years.

 

2015 Haut-Pezat Saint Emilion Grand Cru, France

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 90 points saying "Richly endowed with spice and wood-aging flavors, this is a firm and toasty wine. In many years, the wood would have been too much, but not in this vintage. The black fruit weight will balance with the wood as it ages to give an elegant, juicy wine ready to drink from 2022."

Vinous also scored it 90 saying "The 2015 Haut-Pezat, matured in one-third new oak, has a wonderful fresh and lively bouquet with black cherries, raspberry and vanilla scents, rose petals and violet following after. The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannin, crisp acidity, very caressing in the mouth with a hint of dark chocolate towards the finish. Superb."

James Suckling scored it 91 and said "Perfumed aromas of fresh flowers and dark fruits. Some citrus peel. Full-bodied, tight and focused with pretty fruits and a crisp, clean finish. Needs two or three years to soften but already very pretty."                      

Ready to drink now, this $25 Bordeaux is a nice little find. Needed a few moments to open up but it did in a short time. Tannins are interwoven with the flavors, dark berries and some floral notes. Moderate finish, but it had nice acidity to go with a meal. Good buy at that price.

 

2020 Tree Fort Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

Wine Tasting Notes         This juicy Tree Fort Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon holds a deep purple hue in the glass. Floral aromas of violets fill the nose along with notes of bay leaf and cigar box. The palate is bold with flavors of juicy blackberry, black currant, and a welcomed density. This full-bodied wine has a long, slightly dry finish.

Food Parings      With a rich palate, this wine will stand up to various meat dishes such as char gilled ribeye steak or a Portobello mushroom burger with melted blue cheese. This cabernet sauvignon is sure to please at your next grill out.

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec                     Alcohol 14.5%                   

A school night wine priced around $10, this provided some decent fruit, more red than black but some nice nuances of herb and spice. Worth keeping around at the price for every night type consumption.

 

2018 Ramirez de La Piscina, Rioja, Spain

This wine has aromas of dark plums, clove and cocoa powder. Flavors of black currant, blackberry, milk chocolate, clove and orange zest are set into polished tannins that gently fade into an orange-zest finish. 90 Pts WE

100% Tempranillo picked by hand aged for 15 months in American and French oak barrels after alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Thereafter the wine is transferred back to the tanks for 5 months of natural fining and settling before filtering and bottling.

90           Wine Spectator

Wafts of dried flowers and cigar box spices offer a subtle, fragrant thread that winds through plump cherry, plum sauce and vanilla flavors in this well-meshed red. Fresh and focused, with dense, fine-grained tannins emerging to trim the finish. Drink now through 2029. 3,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

A typical Rioja, with dark berries and nuances of spices. Tannins are very mellow and the oak complements the wine. Short finish, but nice acidity for food. Available around $13, nice wine to have on hand.

 

2020 Domaine de L'Arnesque Cote du Rhone, France

Dark, smoky and meaty, with dark plum and cherry coulis laced with tar, tobacco and charred alder. Offers warm spices and incense that add lushness to the round palate, with salty minerals dominating the finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2025. 1,600 cases made, 300 cases imported. 90 pts WS

A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. A deep ruby colour in the glass. An expressive nose of red fruits leads to a fleshy midpalate with spice and sweet tannins complimenting the red fruit notes.

Very nice CDR, with lots of red fruits and a touch of brambles on the palate. Really nice with food, a stand-out at only $20.

 

2021 Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino, California

This lovely, well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% organic grapes. Bright, ripe fruit tones of blackberry, black cherry and black currant are balanced by well-integrated oak notes of toasted cinnamon stick, star anise and pepper. WE 91 Pts

Brilliant ruby in color, the Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon has enticing aromas of ripe cherry with hints of cedar and a warm earthy undertone. An elegant wine with a round mouthfeel and firm youthful tannins, complimented by brambly blackberry and dark huckleberry flavors. Subtle notes of nutmeg and cinnamon spice from the oak round the rich fruit in a full-palate that carries from start to finish.

This is a wine from organically grown grapes.  Nicely balanced with red and dark berries, with notes of  oak.  Nuanced by spices, very well made wine, with just little tannins. Decent acidity for food, well worth the $20 price tag.

2021 Greg Norman Cab Sauvignon, Knights Valley, California

 

This layered and well-structured wine wraps powerful fruit flavors in assertive oak spices and firm tannins. The wine is enjoyable now if decanted and poured with a grilled lamb chop, but will gain more complexity with time. Best from 2026–2032.     92 Pts WE

A ripe, polished and easygoing style, with plum and blackberry notes backed by light-handed toast. Reveals a late hint of worn cedar. Drink now through 2025. 5,000 cases made. 88 Pts WS

Ripened berries, currants and notes of espresso. This is a well-structured wine, defined by grace and balance, with a firm backbone yet is elegant and approachable.

This wine still has a broad tannic back bone, indicating another couple of years in the cellar. Hints of cedar and cigar box go with the dark fruits on the palate. Moderate acidity, making It work with meats. Nice wine at a price of only $20.

Hope all is well - I'll be back next month. Until then, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.

 The wines of December 2024

Just a note - I don't always have an entire bottle of what I am reporting. I am the speaker at a monthly wine dinner with a gathering wine and four wines at the table. Since I started part-time at Auburn Spirits in West Wichita, I also get partial bottles from tastings that I add to this list. So, my liver is just fine... Now for those December wines

2022 Tolentino Single Vineyard Malbec, Mendoza Argentina

The Tolentino single vineyard Malbec has a dark violet color with dense black fruit aromatics and some mocha character in the nose. It also has very soft and silky tannins, a natural balance, nice concentration and a distinctive smooth lengthy finish.

91 Pts James Suckling

Wild herbs and stems to the nose with a hint of white pepper to the black cherries. Juicy, dry and pretty silky on the palate with a fluid, fruity finish.

An amazing bottle of Malbec – good nose with fruit and spices, followed by full red and black fruits with hints of spices. Runs under $20, a real bargain of a Malbec.

2017 Marques de Casa Concho Carmenere, Puemo, Chile

Marques de Casa Concha's 2017 Carmenere is 90% Carmenere and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit is from Peumo Vineyard in Cachapoal Valley, Chile, and the vines were planted from 1994 through 1996 on alluvial silty-clay soil. The wine spent 14 months in French oak barrels and has an ABV of 14.3%.

The color of the wine is a deep cherry red and on the nose there's aromas of plums, red cherries, black pepper, and mint chocolate. It's medium bodied with a rich mouthfeel, grainy tannin, and mellow acidity. For flavors the red cherries on the nose turn to black cherries, and the plums, black pepper, and mint chocolate return with a new friend of belly-warming Ancho chile. Then it finishes with black cherries and caramel.

Getting a bit on in age, this Carmenere still held up with red fruits and some herbs and spices in the mouth. Can’t say there was much Ancho pepper, but did still have a nice medium finish. Only $20, bought on close-out under $10. A real steal.

2021 Bela Red wine, Ribera del Douro, Spain

"Ripe without excess, with very integrated oak and a velvety palate with silky tannins. It reminds me of the historical wines from the early 1990s. With time in the glass, it develops a precise note of licorice intermixed with berry fruit and some spices and herbs. They feel this is the wine they wanted to produce from the beginning; they consider it their best vintage to date." The Wine Advocate, 92 Points

No 79 on the Wine spectator 2023 Top 100 wines, this Tempranillo based wine is a very good example of modern style wines from Ribera del Douro. Good red fruits with some baking spices, very nice wine. Priced around $20, well worth it.

 

2018 Bodkin The Victors Spoils Sauvginon Blanc, Sonoma County, CA

This is a delightfully bright, light and refreshing wine, grassy and herbal within a context of textured grapefruit and lime. It's lovely and complex with a persistence of acidity. 90 Pts Wine Enthusiast

This bottle was a touch past its prime, but was decent. Used it mostly for cooking – the newer vintages are better. Runs about $18. Really enjoy this brands Sparkling Sauv Blanc.

 

2015 Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France

SAINT COSME Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 – 94 points

 “A focused, slightly taut style, with a good dose of singed cedar and alder framing the core of red currant,  plum and bitter cherry paste flavors. Lots of bay leaf, rosemary and sanguine accents fill in on the finish, which keeps a cedary edge. For fans of the old-school style.

A special treat, an aged CDP from a good producer. Lovely red fruits with herbs on the enge of the palate. Just right to enjoy now – priced at $30, super buy.

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. 91 Pts WE

Fairly nice zinfandel with red fruits and some underlying spices. Tannins blend into the background but leave a moderate finish. Pretty good for an organic Zin priced around $20.

 

2016 Robert Biale Founding Fathers Zinfandel, Napa Valley, CA

Earthy and brimming in crisp red fruit, this is a floral, somewhat ethereal wine that's powerfully built in ripe plum and licorice that finishes in grippy tannin. 88 Pts WE

The old argument – does zinfandel age and how old is too old. This is about near the end of its life, yet the fruit was still grippy and there was a little spice in the aftertaste. A wine that should be consumed if you have it (2016), but a nice display of good Napa Zin. Priced around $30 – 24 on close-out.

2022 The Prisoner Red Bland, California

The Prisoner Red Blend was inspired by the wines first made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. The Prisoner is now the most recognized red blend, leading the resurgence of interesting blends by incorporating Zinfandel with the unlikely mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono. Bright aromas of ripe raspberry, vanilla, and coconut give way to flavors of fresh and dried blackberry, pomegranate, and vanilla, which linger harmoniously for a smooth and luscious finish.

The 2022 is bursting at the seams – a brooding, powerful Red Blend with raspberry, blackberry, vanilla and cranberry flavors on the attack that mesh with a hint of vanilla, and some well integrated sweet oak notes. It’s so silky smooth and inviting with pristine fruit – a mass appeal wine that is sure to be the talk of any table.

The darling of the wine world – The Prisoner – and I got about half a bottle. It does have goos red and black fruits, with a hint of oak and some herbs on a moderate finish.  Can’t really complain about it – tasty and would appeal to any red wine drinker’s palate. Priced right around $50.

2013 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

The 2013 Bella Union presents a luscious nose of ripe black cherry, plum, strawberry, opulent berry compote and cassis. The entry is rich and inviting with succulent flavors reminiscent of cherry pie. The palate builds to trademark Rutherford dust mingled with chewy tannins, offering a mouth-filling, integrated texture, as hints of baking spices linger on a beautiful finish. 

A product from the folks at Far Niente – from a vineyard near Bella Oaks. This aged red is at its prime right now – tannins are not showing much, but the black and red fruits are very rich and alluring. Lengthy finish and hints of baking spices do come through.  Great bottle – current vintages run about $55 – 60. Great for a special occasion.

 

2016 Hafner Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA

At our Annual Vertical Tasting in January 2024, we tasted the 2016 and here are our notes: Blackberries, raspberries, Mirabelle plums, boysenberries, coppa and fresh mint aromas. Rich, complex, velvety. Niçoise olives, anise, toasted bread and dark chocolate notes.

A small family owned winery in Sonoma, they make some very tasty wines. The 2016 is in a perfect drinking mode – full of fruit – mostly dark fruit flavor with some baking spices undertones.  Nice moderate finish, very good bottle of wine. Estimated price is around $55.

 

NV Segura Viudas Brut Cava, Spain

"This sparkling shows aromas of white fruits, citrus, tropical fruits, and light floral notes. The palate is exquisite, complex and full of flavor, with good acidity and notes of lime and pineapple. It is dry and long on the finish.

Segura Viudas Brut Cava, created from a blend of reserve and non-vintage wines, is clean and delicate, yet rich in flavor. Brut is a cuvée of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes grown in the renowned Penedès region of Spain. The wine is vinified according to méthode champenoise technique and is aged in the bottle for up to 2 years."

I usually drink the Reserve from this company, but this is what I got. It is a dry cava, high acidity and some notes of tropical fruits. Nice, but nothing to get too excited about. Priced at $12- 14, you get what you pay for.

2019 Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Cava, Spain

Pale yellow with golden highlights. Aroma with good intensity, ripe white fruit such us apple and peach. Aniseed, fennel notes. Reminiscences of patisserie, yeast and dry flowers notes. Dried nuts. One experiences the work of more than five years of aging on the lees. On the palate, wide on entry, full and creamy on the palate. Thick and velvet. The dry white flowers and fruit aromas come back on the palate. Its good acidity provides a refreshing and lasting finish.

There is a difference in Reserve cava over regular. This wine had a fuller mouthfeel, with acidity, but not overwhelming. Creamy feeling, with hints of green apple and peach – very good bottle to enjoy with friends. Priced around the mid-$20’s – very nice.

 

2021 Hearst Ranch Bunkhouse Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

Dried cherry, cola and baking-spice aromas make for a clean and well-integrated nose on this bottling. Ample tannins frame the ripe fruit, dried meat and graphite flavors, as acidity lingers into the finish.

 93 Pts WE

Violets, lavender and rum-soaked black cherries form an inviting bouquet as the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Bunkhouse opens in the glass. Round and creamy in feel, yet lifted throughout, this impresses further with its sleek red and black fruits, as fine tannins build toward the close. This leaves a peppery flourish to linger through the structured finale, as hints of tart raspberry linger.

A well made Cabernet from Paso Robles – with mostly red fruits and some graphite in a well integrated wine with little tannins. Probably not one to age too long, but it is drinking so well right now, don’t wait. Priced around $21, it is a good bottle to pick up and drink.

 

2019 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, Southeastern Australia

93 Wine Spectator

Polished from top to bottom, this red boasts fine-grained tannins, offering a generous core of blackberry and cassis flavors that show accents of cured black olive, sandalwood and vanilla-laced cedar, with a whiff of peppermint and dried sage, all harmonious on the long finish. Drink now through 2035.

93           James Suckling

An amalgam of redcurrant and blackcurrant aromas with cedary and leafy tones, dark berries and pepper and plenty of oak strut. The palate has a deep vein of black-fruit flavors, as well as plum and chocolate. Bold extract. A blend of Padthaway, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley. Drink now.

This is a classic Cabernet that comes from Australia. More dark fruits but nuances of spice and herbs with a nice finish. Original price is $80, you can find this vintage for about $50. It has the body to age for a number of years, despite Suckling’s comment above. Very good for a special occasion.

 

2022 Vino Cabos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina

Red ruby color with dark tones. Aromas of red pepper, fresh red fruit, incense, white pepper hints. It's medium body, with chewy tannins, textured and balanced, nice finish.

93  James Suckling

Well-concentrated with velvety tannins, this full-bodied wine boasts pure blackberry and black cherry flavors and a hearty drinkability. Black pepper and tobacco accents show up first on the nose and interlace on the palate with rather full tannins.

A nice Cabernet from Argentina – this doesn’t have the “funk” that you get from some Chilean Cabernets. Full mouthfeel, black fruits with undertones of spice and oak with some tannic flavors. Moderate finish, would age well for several years. Priced at around $20, nice bottle to have whenever.

Another month and now a New Year.  Hope all is well and keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.