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!
