The Wines of October, 2025

Halloween is over so I've taken off my mask. Now I just look old... Here are the wines I got to taste during the month.

2020 Calcareo Cabernet Franc, Mendoza, Argentina

92 points Tim Atkin, MW: "Like the SuperUco Paraje Altamira Malbec, this ripe, comparatively forward Cabernet Franc comes from Enrique Sack’s vineyards. Showing a hint of the farmyard on the nose, it has notes of forest floor and tobacco leaf, some chalky undertones and a grassy, red berry palate. 2023-2028. (2022)"

The Calcáreo line is of naked, fresh, wild wines from calcareous soils of the Uco Valley. Coluvio de Altamira comes from Finca Beth, a large vineyard in Altamira, mineral, with great texture and tight tannins.

This is a good wine that needs time to open up. Got it for $20, it is an old world style Cabernet Franc, with bright red fruits and some earthiness along with some herbs. Goes well with red meat.

 

2022 Baileyana Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, California

Exemplifying the vivid excellence of the Edna Valley, this Pinot Noir bursts with expressive dark fruit notes, currants and blueberries, along with a hint of vanilla and cherry cola. The wine has a brilliant acidity that is balanced by notes of ripe cherry and structured by soft, supple tannins that lead to a long, memorable finish.

92 Points              Wine Enthusiast

A well done Pinot from Edna Valley. Lots of red fruits, blueberry and some hints of baking spices. Priced around $22, I would drink this anytime.

 

2022 Gehricke Zinfandel Russian River Valley, Windsor, California

With a deep purple hue, sweet aromas leap from the glass with strawberry jam, jelly doughnuts and confectioners sugar underscored by notes of allspice. Fruit forward and mouthwatering, the palate boasts juicy flavors of ripe blackberry and raspberry with a touch of white pepper. The finish is round and lasting.

92 Tasting Panel

This wine revels in high- toned mulberry, spiced black raspberry, and clove. Seasoned with white pepper, hints of underbrush, red beet, and wild strawberry linger on the palate. Fresh, with bright acidity.

A good Zin from Russian River – the flavors were bright. Red fruits dominate with a nice bit of zing in the palate. Well worth the $30 price tag.

 

2023 Shannon Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake County, California

The beauty of high-elevation Cabernet Sauvignon sourced from Lake County is its ability to produce various hues and flavor profiles to delight everyone's palate. This bottling is a snapshot of a concentrated, full-bodied red wine with aromas of blackberry jam, molasses, violets, and vanilla spice on the nose. The flavors on the palate are youthful Red plum, cassis, cherry liquor, dried tobacco leaves, leathery tannins, and a dry, silky finish. Decant and pair with BBQ ribs.  92 pts WE

This Cabernet Sauvignon displays a deep crimson color and opens with aromas of dark chocolate, plum, cranberry, and cassis. The palate reveals flavors of blackberry, spice, and a hint of tobacco, all balanced by toasted oak for a smooth and refined finish.

This Cabernet Sauvignon surprised me – it was very good, had all the elements of the grape and what you want from a well made wine. Priced under $30, this is a Lake County gem.

 

2023 Harvey & Harriet Red Wine, Paso Robles, California

The 2023 Red Blend reflects the depth and elegance of a sensational vintage in Paso Robles. Luscious aromas of violets, boysenberry and blue fruits reveal accents of tobacco and clove. The mouthfeel is silky and structured, offering seamless layers of black cherry, cocoa, leather and baking spice. A stellar rendition of our signature blend, made for ultimate drinkability.

Blend: 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 9% Petit Sirah, 8% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec, 2% Grenache, 2% Mourvèdre

91 Vinous

The 2023 Red Blend is a total pleasure to take in as crushed blackberries and cherries combine with autumnal spices and nuances of licorice. Soft textured and round, it offers brisk acidity and ripe wild berry fruit that finds lovely contrast in a bitter tinge of dark chocolate toward the close. Gently tannic and pleasing to the senses, the wine carries through a long, balanced finish as a hint of tart blackcurrant fades.

This is produced at the old Booker winery in Paso Robles. Nice red blend that comes together nicely – enough acidity for food but pleasant without it. Priced around $26, a good buy.

 

2022 My Favorite Neighbor Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California

The 2022 My Favorite Neighbor is everything you’ve come to expect from their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced from their favorite Paso Robles growers who lend their neighborly spirit to the wine. Effusive aromas of raspberry and currant reveal notes of blue fruit and purple flower. On the palate, juicy red fruits are interwoven with hints of black cherry, cinnamon and toasted oak. Structured tannins carry into a long, chewy finish. Whether it’s a casual backyard barbecue or a fine celebratory meal, this versatile wine has you covered for summer and beyond.

92           James Suckling

Dark-fruited, classic aromas of blackcurrants, cedar and tobacco. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and acidity, showing notes of blackberries, cassia bark, dried herbs and leather. Very savory and austere. Made from a blend of 79% cabernet sauvignon, 8% malbec, 6% syrah, 4% petite sirah and 3% petit verdot.

From the same winery as the previous wine, this a Cabernet they had help making. Their neighbor was a French Winemaker, and he helped them to produce this wine. Somewhat old world, but with enough New World nuance to make the wine taste great. About $50, it is a good wine as a gift as well as keeping and drinking yourself.

 

2019 Col des Vents Corbieres Cuvee Speciale, France

Expressive notes of jammy strawberry, hints of garrigue and olive show on the nose. Medium bodied, this bottling offers supple tannin and flavors of ripe black cherry and black olive. Enjoy now but the wine will drink well through 2026.           89 Pts WE

50% Carignan, 30% Grenache, 15% Syrah and 5% Cinsault

An inexpensive wine that you should buy several. Nice fruit with hints of tannin and good acidity makes this a great every day wine. Priced under $15, quite a steal.

 

2022 Chateau Fage, Red wine Graves de Vayres, France

A wine round and fruity by its blending dominated by Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and also complex by the presence of Petit Verdot and Malbec, which bring intense licorice aromas. This elegant wine with a beautiful finesse on the palate and a good length offers a very nice potential.

Blend: 65% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 5% Malbec

90  James Suckling

A juicy and vibrant red that goes deep on dark cherries, blackberries, toasted spices and walnuts. Medium-bodied with polished tannins and vivid acidity. The finish is smooth, with a chocolaty character.

A well made Bordeaux for not a lot of money. I also got to taste an older one of these (2010) and it held up great. Consider the wine is currently under $15, it is a steal.

 

2021 Montebuena Cosecha Cuvee KPF, Rioja, Spain

Montebuena displays a brilliant deep ruby red color. Aromas of juicy fruit combine with a spicy vanilla bouquet. Smooth and fruity in the mouth, with some well-integrated secondary nuances. Full-flavored with a persistent, pleasant finish.

Decanter             92

Prune, plum, cherry, lavender, rosemary and oregano in a refreshing, fragrant wine, deep yet unpretentious. Vibrant, veil of powdery liquorice and graphite. Elegant, poised and immediately appealing. Long finish with a tail of nutmeg, pink pepper and cocoa powder. 100% Tempranillo fruit from vines averaging 25 years of age in the highly regarded 160ha Montebuena vineyard in Labastida, Rioja Alavesa. Fermented in stainless steel tanks then aged in mildly toasted American and French oak barrels (new, second and third use) for 10 months before clarification and bottling without filtration.

Another weekday wine from Rioja – good fruits, acidity from Tempanilloand a touch of oak and tannins. Good wine that is under $15. Well worth buying a few…

 

2023 Don Miguel Gascon Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Don Miguel Gascon Malbec opens with intense aromas of blackberry, plum and a hint of mocha. Dark fruit flavors intertwine with notes of spice, licorice and chocolate to create a magnificent, full-bodied Malbec. Round tannins and a plush mouthfeel lead the way to a long, velvety finish.

A decent Malbec – I can’t say I have had a “bad” Malbec – some are better than others. This has good fruit, decent body and is well priced between $12 - $16.

 

2022 Corazon del Sol Malbec, Uco Valley, Argentina

Crafted in the prestigious Los Chacayes region of the Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, this Malbec delivers rich, expressive flavors with notes of ripe dark fruit, floral undertones, and a hint of spice. Elegant and full-bodied, it reflects the high-altitude terroir that defines Argentina’s finest wines. Perfect for pairing with grilled meats, hearty pastas, or aged cheeses.

A selection of three different vineyard blocks in the Los Chacayes region of the Uco Valley ranging in elevation from 3,000 – 3,700 feet. Under the guidance of famed Argentine Winemakers, Santiago Achaval, and Cristian Moor, this fruit is hand-picked, hand-sorted, and micro-fermented by individual block. This results in an expression of high-altitude Malbec with floral and fresh notes accented by elegant tannins developed by the intense sunlight and cool nights in the Uco Valley.

A much heavier weight Malbec – this has more tannic structure to go with the dark fruits. Needs hearty food to go with it – a nice experience for a Malbec. Priced around $26, pretty good, although maybe not a weeknight wine.

Hope all is well. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.