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.
