The Wines of June 2026

I am a day os so behind - my daughter Natalie got married on the 27th and it threw me off schedule.

On to the wines:

2021 Ariabal Verdejo, Rueda, Spain (Bodegas Pandora)

Fragrances of pineapple, passion fruit and crumbled sage waft from the glass. Honeydew melon, nectarine, cocoa-butter and orange-blossom flavors skate into a refreshing finish.  89 Pts WE

Crystal clear, straw yellow color with green reflection. Strong aromatic nose with hints of citrus, pineapple, passion fruit and a typical, fine touch of boxwood. One thing immediately stands out in the mouth ... What a balance! Fats and acids are perfectly adjusted to each other and leave a wonderful structure and mouthfeel. A wine with body and an impressive final that will not let you go.

Delicious and refreshing aperitif but also delicious with cheeses, dried fruit, seafood, fish dishes from the oven, white meat and grilled octopus.

This is a wonderful white wine – excellent by itself or with a light entrée. Great balance with tropical fruits that are not overwhelming/ Priced at about $12, a steal for summertime quaffing.

 

2021 Balletto Zinfandel, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

The 2021 Balletto Russian River Valley Zinfandel is a delightful choice. Crafted by Balletto Vineyards in the Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California, this Zinfandel offers a profile of cherry and berry flavors, presenting a rounded structure with a touch of richness. It’s sustainably farmed and boasts an alcohol content of 14.5%.

“Each year, Balletto produces a distinctly bright and aromatic Zinfandel. It’s part oral, part mixed blackberry and part earth and savory spices. It expresses the lively and bright side of Zin that was grown in a cool and foggy climate and made with the fine touch associated with Pinot Noir producers. While light, the wine still shows a richness through an integrated mid-palate weight that’s balanced with crisp acidity on the front and fine, cocoa-like tannins on the finish. The resulting wine is complete and full with the vibrant aromatic prole melding nicely with the flavors and texture of the wine.” 

I love zinfandel, but this Russian River Valley wine is below average to me. The fruit is downplayed and it isn’t really balanced to offset that.  Priced around $29, I expect a lot more than this.

 

2017 Pocas Reserva Red wine, Douro, Portugal

The red wine Poças Reserva, vintage 2017 from the winery Poças has been rated in 2019 by Peter Moser with 89 Falstaff points. It is a wine made from the grape varieties Touriga Franca, Tinta Barocca, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional from the region Douro in Portugal.

Tasting Notes   

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.

A fun little wine from Portugal – priced around $20, it has a great balance in acidity, fruits and weight.  I really enjoyed this wine, probably not much around anymore, but well worth the price.

 

2020 Calcareo Cabernet Franc, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

93+ points Luis Gutiérrez (Wine Advocate): "They lost access to the grapes they used for the Calcáreo Cabernet Franc from Gualtallary, so starting in 2019 they began producing one from Altamira. The second vintage produced from Altamira, the 2020 Calcáreo Coluvio de Altamira Cabernet Franc is from the same vineyard where they source the Malbec (and the other SuperUco wines from Altamira). There are notes of herbs and spices, and it's peppery and ripe at the same time, with 14.6% alcohol and a round palate with chalky, fine-grained tannins. This fermented and matured in 500-liter barrels, so it's slightly different from the rest of the Calcáreo range. 4,000 bottles were filled in January 2021. Drink: 2022-2027. (11/30/22)"

This is an old style Cab Franc that needs to be opened and decanted to bring out the best of the wine.  Enjoyable when it opens, feels tight when not fully opened. Palate opens up and has some backbone (acid/tannin) that keeps it balanced for grilled foods. Around $20, actually nice, but need proper handling

 

2018 Cerro Anon Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain

This wine shows a shiny dark garnet colour. To the nose, at the time of release, blackberry and strawberry aromas unfold wrapped up with spice and cedarwood notes. Over time, bouquet has developed aromas of prunes and smokiness. Elegance is the first term that comes to mind when considering mouthfeel, with a pleasantly long finish. Tempranillo 85%, Mazuelo and Graciano 15%

Aromas of Mission fig, mocha and aniseed waft from the glass. Dark berry and baking spice flavors mingle on the palate alongside well-balanced acidity, robust tannins and notes violet and coffee bean. The energetic finish is marked with a touch of orange zest.     93 Pts WE

A reat drinking Rioja – wonderful palate of baking spices and red fruit flavors. Moderate finish with good mouthfeel – a very good Reserva. Priced around $25 – 30, worth the money.

 

NV Monte Vople Primo Rosso Lot 17, Mendocino, Callifornia

This creative blend produces a wine of extraordinary balance. This wine has a dark purple-garnet color, with fruity aromas and flavors of plums, blackberry jam, spice and earth with hints of toasty oak. Rich full flavors, ample tannins and balanced acidity seamlessly carry through to a long, complex finish.

Enjoy this wine with grilled steaks, pasta with forest mushroom sauce and lamb chops with rosemary and garlic sauce. Primo Rosso also make a great companion to hard well aged cheeses.

This is a rich, opulent variation of unique lots aged in American and French oak barrels. The Italian grape varieties in Lot 17 have the aromas of Black currant confiture, baked plum, dried violets, sarsaparilla, and molasses on the nose. The flavors on the palate are cooked Bing cherries, candied grapefruit, black pepper, and supple tannins to finish. Pair with grilled pork chop with apple chutney. 91 Pts WE

This is a multi-vintage wine that has several years of the grapes and wine involved.  Talked with Greg Graziano about this wine and he indicated he takes older wines and mixes them to create a fun, tasty wine. This is great at just under $15 – not a long term keeper, but great everyday sipper.

 

2023 Barossa Valley Estate GSM, Barossa Valley, Australia

This fruity GSM opens with aromas of blackberry jam underscored by a funkier undergrowth character and a hint of florals. The palate is more tempered on the fruit front. Tannins are dry and raspy, and while dark luscious fruit still dominates, the tannins and acidity never quite gel, leaving a feeling of chunkiness rather than one of harmony or ease.                                86 Pts WE

Just average Aussie GSM – has some fruitiness and a few undertones of spice but nothing to really go nuts over. Price around $15, just OK for a school night wine.

 

2023 L’Ecole no. 41 Old Vines Chenin Blanc, Yakima Valley, Washington

Winemaker Notes

With distinctive aromatics of white peach, Granny Smith apples, honeysuckle, and flint, this dry Chenin is vivid and lively. On the palate, an explosion of flavors unfolds, showcasing stone fruit, magnolia, jasmine, and tangerine, offset by a remarkable note of salinity. The wine is snappy and interesting, carrying through to a flavorful and vibrant mouthwatering finish.

91  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2023 Chenin Blanc Old Vines comes from vines more than 45 years old. Brought up in stainless steel, it has pretty scents of peach, lemongrass, toast and honey. The medium-bodied palate is concentrated and mouth-coating with gently honeyed fruit. Its generosity is foiled by vibrant acidity, and it has a long, flavorful finish.

A personal favorite of mine – I’m an old Chenin Blanc fan. This wine has the nice fruit with the touch of minerality and a nice finish. Good with lighter fare and all by itself. Priced at about $20 – great bottle.

 

2023 Parducci Cellars Merlot, Mendocino, California

The nose offers aromas of fresh and lush dark plum, cassis, tangerine, and dried Sage. The flavors on the palate offer raspberry coulis, cranberry-pomegranate, crackled black pepper, chocolate shavings, and supple tannins to finish. 89 Pts WE

Tasting Notes: Sweet summer strawberry aromas with hints of chocolate and herbs lead to rich flavors of dark cherry, raspberry fruit leather, and toasted cedar. Structure from tannins balances the wine’s velvety texture, which finishes in a nutty sweetness that lingers on the finish.

Pairings Tomato based pasta sauces, charcuterie, grilled veggies, braised short ribs and roast duck

Sustainability Certified Sustainable, Vegan

My notes read that it is a decent Merlot with red fruits and a moderate finish.  It is a $15 Merlot that you get what you pay for. Not great, not bad…

 

2022 Hearst Ranch ‘Pico Creek’ Merlot, Paso Robles, California

Elegant, earthy notes of wet clay, baking spices and raspberries hint at this wine’s elegance. Medium-bodied on the palate, flavors of wild strawberries, raspberries and rich oak meld to create a wine with excellent balance and finely textured tannins.

While this wine’s garnet hue charms the eye, the nose engages our senses with aromas of lingonberries, raspberries, and rose petals. The wine’s palate is elegant and refined, reminiscent of a strawberry–cranberry tart. Lovely as an aperitif, this wine will drink well over the next 5 years.

This is a tasty Merlot from Paso Robles. There are raspberries and red fruit with some baking spices on the nose ad palate. Moderate finish but good balance and a very food friendly wine. Priced under $25, worth a try.

 

2021 Revelry Vintners Merlot, Columbia Valley, Washington

The Merlot grape is responsible for establishing Washington State as one of the preeminent growing regions for Bordeaux varieties the world over.  It was also the initial and most influential variety in the founding of Revelry Vintners. We source our Merlot across the Columbia Valley, finding sweet spots for the grape on consistent soft grades, with moderate heat and good air drainage.  Our Merlot is built to be a crowd pleaser with soft dark red and blue fruit flavors, an undercurrent of sweet toasted vanilla and caramel, with dusty cocoa tannin backbone. Enjoy.

The first red wine to do anything for me was a Washington State Merlot. This reminds me of that type of wine – nice red fruits with a nice acidity and light tannins; balanced with those bold fruits. Good with a meal and alone, this is a good example of Merlot from Washington. Priced in the $20 range, very nice.

 

2022 Van Loggerenberg ‘Break a leg’ Merlot, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Lush aromas of ripe black cherries and subtle hints of cocoa mingle with a touch of herbal undertones, creating an inviting bouquet. On the palate, this Merlot reveals a velvety texture with flavors of dark plum and a whisper of spice, leading to a lingering finish that balances fruit and oak. This wine pairs beautifully with grilled lamb chops, creamy mushroom risotto, or aged cheddar.

My notes read “Interesting”.  The palate just didn’t hit me right – red and black fruits just didn’t balance up and the overall taste was just OK. Little better with a meal but not something I really enjoyed. Priced in the mid-20’s, can’t really recommend.

 

Another month –hope all is well. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grape vines.