The Wines of July 2026

    Surviving the recent heat - I've had a few more white wines lately. Hope you enjoy  these.

2018 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California

With its blackberry patch aromatics followed by hints of raspberry preserves and accents of leather, there’s a ripe, pure fruit quality to this stunning new vintage. Generous layers of red fruit flavors fill the entry while subtle cocoa and baking spice undertones linger on the midpalate. Resolved tannins enhance the almost-velvety texture throughout the entire wine, and fresh botanical notes add vibrance to a finish that is at once long, luscious, and lifted

93           Wine Enthusiast

An array of bright red fruit with herbal undertones opens the way to a core of grippy concentration and powerful ripeness in this ageworthy wine. The tannins are structured and considerable. Best After 2028. Cellar Selection

From Far Niente Winery

Got this to have at my daughter’s wedding – drinking very nice at this point in time. Wouldn’t haold too many more years, but would be good in several more…Priced around $55 in our store.

 

2024 R. Dutoit Chardonnay ‘Les Vieilles Collines, France

While R. Dutoit is best known for their Pouilly-Fuissés, they also work with some lovely, sun-kissed old vines in the Roussillon, in Southern France. It is here that they make their Les Vieilles Collines, a gorgeous, golden-fruited, and exotic Chardonnay.

A very approachable Chardonnay that’s well-rounded in flavors of white peach, green apple, ripe pear and spice notes. The palate is lively and the finish is pretty and harmonious. Serve as an aperitif and also makes the perfect match for fish or seafood as well as white meat and pasta in a creamy sauce.

This is a Chardonnay from the south of France by people that make expensive chardonnays. Priced under $15, it is a pretty good wine without too much oak. Nice flavors and would do chicken or fish very well.

 

2021 Y3 Jax Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast, California

This wine is powerful, dense, but beautifully balanced and precise. The evocative nose of this wine is defined by true cassis, lush red currants and espresso. On the palate, there is a broad structure with textured flavors that are plush and full but with grace and elegance interwoven, supported with bright acidity and delicate tannins.

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon 5% Merlot

92           James Suckling

Notes of black cherries and currants with dried flowers, sweet spices and dried citrus peel. Medium- to full-bodied with firm tannins. Very attractive dark berry character with hints of hazelnut and bark.

Tasty little wine, with good fruit and a nice body. Tannins are not overpowering, leaving a few years to age. Runs about $20, sale priced to move at $15 in the store.

 

2023 R Collection by Raymond Cabernet Sauvignon Lot 1, California

Raymond's R Collection showcases Cabernet from Napa including Raymond's renowned Rutherford Estate. The wine is made from 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 1% Merlot and opens with aromas of plum, rhubarb, cassis, pepper and smoke with a hint of vanilla. A red fruit based Cabernet with flavors of cherry, raspberry, rhubarb and red plum with touches of spicy white pepper, vanilla and cocoa on the finish. Beautifully balanced rich fruit flavors, it has well-integrated tannins and a smooth texture. Pair this with grilled flank steak (marinated in Cabernet, of course) or lamb chops, or gourmet burgers. Certified Biodynamic/Organic vineyard. Vegan.

This is a good school-night wine; pleasant body, decent acidity with little tannic structure. Under $15, not a bad wine to have on a Tuesday or Wednesday with red meats or red sauce. Now owned by Boisset - the husband of Gina Gallo

 

2022 Pesquie Terrasses Ventoux White wine, Rhone Valley, France

90 Points - Wine Advocate

An equal-parts blend of Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Viognier, all made in stainless steel, the 2022 Ventoux Terrasses Blanc features straightforward, pleasing aromas of lime and tangerine. It's medium to full-bodied, zesty and clean, with an appealing bit of plumpness and some charming peach notes on the finish. Drink it young.

Still tasting young, this is a nice Rhone white that has some citrus and peach flavors. Good for sipping on a hot day or with lighter dishes of chicken or fish. Priced under $15…

 

2022 Kate Arnold Pinot Noir Hirschy Vineyard, Willamette Valley. Oregon

This single vineyard release from Kate Arnold offers more of everything than the entry-level Oregon bottling—aroma, complexity, depth of flavor—yet it displays similar stylistic restraint even it its more generous profile. Red fruit notes predominate but are enhanced by undertones of baking spices and cola, with tannic structure that will enable this to develop over time but don’t assert more than gentle grip now. Impressive, but without trying too hard.

The winemaker's restraint in alcohol and oak, all neutral barrels, is appreciated. There are fresh aromas of red raspberries and the saline quality one associates with a crisp sea breeze or the lining of a fresh-shucked oyster. The ripe red cherry fruit on the palate gives the wine a sweetness similar to a cherry phosphate or a childhood drink made with those fizzy tablets. This is a light and refreshing Pinot Noir experience. 90 Pts – WE

A nice little Pinot with the usual  cherry flavors with a bit of salinity. Better with lighter fare, maybe grilled pork chops or chicken, still a very good wine. Priced about $30, worth the money.

 

2020 Six Hats Pinotage, Western Cape, South Africa

Sourced from the Piekenierskloof & Swartland region, vines are 18-30 years old, trellised and planted to sandy, loam soils. All sustainable practices as reflects with the principal of the Six Hats.

Notes of strawberry, plum, and black cherry, along with pepper, smoke, and earthiness. Medium-bodied  with a balanced structure, hints of vanilla on the finish.

Pinotage is something that people like or hate. This is a decent example with red fruits and a bit of body. A school-night type wine priced about $15.

 

2024 Perelada Nomes Garnatxa Blanc, Catalonia, Spain

Crisp orchard fruits and white sage drive through a palate of firm acidity. A silken mouthfeel helps soften the experience of the wine through a lengthy finish. 90 Pts WE

Pale yellow with some green reflections. Aromatically this is so very intense. Fresh fruits, aromatic herbs and touches of anise. In the mouth it is well balanced, fresh, enveloping. This is a complex, long lasting wine, nice, with a marked varietal personality.

Food matching  The complexity of the wine sits well with spice! Moroccan, Asian and Indian dishes.

Another white, this from Spain, that is great as a summer sipper as well as something to have with spicy foods. Priced under $20, can be found at $15 – something to have with the summer heat.  The 'x' in Garnacha is correct for that area of Spain.

 

2024 Paul & Remy ‘Le Rose’, Aragon, Spain

Winery : Chapillon           Grapes : 50% Garnacha, 50% Moristel 12.5% ABV

Region : Somontano – Aragon (Spain)

Barrel : 12 months in French oak (30% new oak)

Allergens : Contains sulfites. Suitable for vegans.

Color : Pale pink                Nose : Intense fruity aromas

Palate : Finish of red fruit with minerality

Pairing : Enjoy on its own or paired with snacks and charcuterie.

I’m not going to lie – this is not a favorite of mine. There are much better Rose wines available, even from Spain.  My notes read “average”, and that is generous. Probably about $12 – search around for something better…

 

2024 Pizza and Pasta Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy

The "Pizza & Pasta" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo  is a fruit-forward, medium-bodied red native to Italy's Abruzzo region. The 2024 vintage delivers vibrant dark cherry, ripe plum, and subtle earthy spices. With soft tannins and lively acidity, it perfectly cuts through rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella.

This is a decent moderate Montepulciano – not something I would seek out but could have with a nice Italian meal. Decent acidity but not as much as a Sangiovese – priced as an every day wine around $13.

 

2023 Pessimist Red Blend, Paso Robles, California

The 2023 vintage delivers yet another bewitching blend with trademark Pessimist flair. This is a bold and powerful wine that opens with ample aromas of blueberry, boysenberry, plum, and strawberry. Smoky notes of truffle and roasted coffee are accompanied by floral notes of lavender and lilac. The palate is lush and engulfing, showing both robustness and elegance with juicy flavors of cherry, huckleberry, kirsch, and cassis. Underlying suggestions of fennel, olive, and spice bring enticing complexity to a silky, balanced finish.    

Blend: 68.7% Petite Sirah, 17.9% Syrah, 11.4% Zinfandel, 2.0% Lagrein    

Barrel Aged: 10 months in 50% new French oak

Lively and lush aromas of dense cassis, toasted graham cracker and fennel pollen converge on the nose of this bottling. Grippy, nearly sticky tannins wrap around the palate, where charred meat, espresso bean and purple fruit flavors arise.                93 Pts WE

This is a nice blend with bright fruits and a textured body. Decent aftertaste, enough body to go well with red meat. Priced at around $20, a good bottle to have on hand.

2020 Opaque Red blend, Paso Robles, California

Toasty aromas of cocoa and charred fennel meet with dark cherry on the nose of this bottling. There's an amaro-like kick to the palate, where licorice, toasted coffee and dark red fruit flavors align. 90 Pts WE

"Our 2020 Opaque Darkness is a masterful blend of Zinfandel, Primitivo, Petite Sirah and Petit Verdot, showcasing richness, texture and full-bodied, concentrated fruit. Sourced from our estate vineyards—Stefano, Maddalena and Quarry Heights—situated in the El Pomar AVA of Paso Robles, these vineyards are renowned for their well-drained, rocky soils and a climate that combines warm days with cool afternoon and evening breezes.

The 2020 Opaque Darkness presents a deep, inky color that hints at its intensity. The nose opens with enticing aromas of black cherry, ripe plum and dark chocolate complemented by subtle notes of toasted oak. On the palate, this full-bodied wine offers layers of blackberry, raspberry and mocha underscored by a rich, velvety texture. Aged for 18 months in French and American oak, it boasts complex nuances of spice, vanilla and a hint of brown sugar. The finish is long and satisfying with lingering mineral undertones and a touch of spice."          

Varietal Composition: 37% Zinfandel, 30% Primitivo, 18% Petite Sirah, 15% Petit Verdot

Another red blend that is a little deeper than the last one.  Nice body and it went very well with a steak. Overall, a nice wine. Now for the unusual part – this comes from the family that also produces Stella Rosa – but this is a serious style wine, not sweet. Runs around $30, worth trying.

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