The Wines of August 2026

The month of August had some really hot days. Ugh. Waiting for Fall to happen. Meanwhile, I've added another grape/wine to my list of just average. Carignan - it usually ends up very light and sometimes missing most of the flavor you want. Probably best as a "breakfast wine". Any way, here are the August wines.

2023 Kermit Lynch Cotes du Rhone, Rhone Valley, France

Half an hour east of Avignon, there’s a town whose name begins with Châteauneuf and whose vineyards are littered with the Rhône’s most quintessential terroir feature: the rounded river stones called galets roulés. No, I’m not talking about the Châteauneuf—Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which brought the region fame through its history of papal schism and legendary wines—but Châteauneuf-de-Gadagne, a charming medieval village where our most beloved house blend originates. For this cuvée, the blend changes every year. We taste samples from twenty cuvees and allow the vintage to guide our proportions of mostly Grenache and Syrah, along with some Mourvèdre, Carignan, and splashes of Marselan and Cinsault. As with many of the southern Rhône’s quintessential reds, this one originates from a galet-strewn terroir, which reflects the southern sun into the forty-year-old vines and yields an expressive rouge full of beautiful aromas and flavors of black cherries, stones, and a hint of black olive. Year in and year out, we are amazed to find this much southern French character and deliciousness at this price."

Very nice under $20 CDR from famous importer Kermit Lynch. Full black and red fruits, nice acidity with a touch of tannic structure. Great buy to have either after a special wine or just for everday.

 

2023 Protocolo Blanco , Castillo, Spain

87 Points James Suckling

A simple and light white with subtle herbs, stones and green apples. A fresh but rather neutral flavor. Drink now.”          60% Macabeo, 40% Airén

Flavor Profile: Offers a light, fresh, and straightforward palate featuring green apple, pear, bright citrus, and subtle herbal or stony notes. Alcohol Content: Around 12% ABV.

Under $10 Spanish white, just right for those 100 degree days. Fresh and quaffable, this is the answer to drinking heavy whites and reds in the summer. Did I mention just under ten dollars!

 

2022 Vispius Red, Bespen, Spain

A bold and distinctive red blend from the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. It is rich and concentrated, delivering deep flavors of dark bramble fruit, black plum, and a hint of wild mountain herbs and smoky minerals. Built for the grill- this is a perfect match for barbecued ribs, smoked brisket or hearty stews.

Dark, intense and adventurous. This wine offers a fantastic alternative to Cabernet or Syrah, providing a serious structure and a rugged high altitude character that stands out on the table.

A fifty-fifty blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo, a tasty little wine. Good dark fruits with a bit of herb undertone. Priced at about $13, a great little wine to have on a weeknight.

 

2023 Morro Rock GSM, Paso Robles, California

TASTING NOTES “Based on 52% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache, and 5% Graciano, the 2023 GSM Morro Rock is a beautiful wine showing red and black cherries, herbes de Provence, spice, and leather. Medium-bodied, supple, seamless, and charming, with considerable depth and character, it has ripe, integrated tannins and should have a decade of prime drinking. Drink 2025-2035.”                      

COMPOSITION 52% Syrah, 33% Mourvedre, 10% Grenache, 5% Graciano

Aromas of baked red fruit, incense and a hint of lavender show on the nose of this blend of 52% Syrah, 33%Mourvèdre, 10% Grenache and 5% Graciano. The palate's core of raspberry and red plum is spiced by palo santo and incense elements. 91 Pts WE

Interesting blend from the Paso area. More red fruit with nuances of herbs, heavy enough for a meal but good for sipping. Has light tannins leaving it OK to age a few years. Priced under $25, nice bottle of wine.

 

2022 Raymond Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California

A captivating expression of Carneros terroir, this Chardonnay opens with vibrant aromas of ripe pear, honeydew melon, and citrus zest, layered with hints of acacia blossom and brioche. The palate is a beautiful balance of bright acidity and rich texture, showcasing golden apple, Meyer lemon, and a touch of toasted almond. Aged in French oak with partial malolactic fermentation, it finishes with subtle vanilla, hazelnut, and a refined mineral elegance.

Not a die-hard Chard fan, but this one was fairly tasty. Citrus with hints of oaky character, nice on a hot day. Priced just under $20, pretty nice.

 

2021 Charles Woodson’s Intercept Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, California

The 2021 Intercept Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of ripe blackberries, red currants, and dried herbs. The wine is full-bodied with baking spice flavors and plush ripe fruit with a long, fine-grained tannin finish. Pair with anything off the BBQ, steaks, braised short ribs, and lamb chops.         

Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 3% Petite Sirah, 1% Petite Verdot, 1% Cabernet Franc

James Suckling  92 Pts

This big, robust wine is dense in dark fruit and oak spices. Tasty, smoky aromas lead to rich, roasted-fruit flavors on firm tannins and a full body. Wood smoke, grilled beef and blackberry flavors are deep and persistent.

A really good wine with a football players name attached. A nice mix of red and black fruits with a long mouthfeel and hints of tannins. Would last a few years easily and is best with a slab of meat. Best thing – it is under $20.

 

2023 Honoro Vera Cabernet Sauvignon, Jumilla, Spain

The Honoro Vera Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the rich and expressive characteristics typical of the Jumilla region. This red wine presents a full-bodied profile with a pronounced depth that entices the senses. Its acidity is bright, providing a lively contrast that enhances the wine's fruit intensity, which is prominent with notes of dark berries and plums. The tannins are structured yet approachable, lending a firm character that supports the flavors beautifully. As you savor this wine, you will appreciate its well-balanced dryness, making it an excellent choice for pairing with hearty dishes or enjoying on its own.

A modest little Spanish Cabernet, not something to parade around, but a good week night cab. Mostly dark fruits with a hint of tannins, finish is a little short. Around $11, better than expected. Their other wine has the really cool label...

2019 Mastro Janni San Pio Toscana Rosso, Montalcino, Italy

The 2019 Mastrojanni San Pio Toscana Rosso is an exceptional Super Tuscan blend of roughly 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Sangiovese from the renowned southeastern Montalcino estate of Mastrojanni.

Appearance & Vibe:  Deep ruby red in the glass, marrying the dense, muscular structure of Cabernet with the aromatic lift of Tuscan Sangiovese.

Aromas: Concentrated ripe blackberries, dark plums, and cassis, layered with savory secondary notes of tobacco, earthy underbrush, and rustic leather.

Palate: Medium to full-bodied with broad, persistent, and smooth tannins. The core of dark fruit is balanced by a distinct savory herbal complexity and a long, polished finish.

Vintage Quality: The 2019 vintage across Tuscany was exceptionally strong and balanced, making this bottling particularly age-worthy yet approachable now.

A super Tuscan of Cab and Sangiovese. Dark fruits on the palate with some earthiness and mild tannins. Would hold for a few years in the cellar, but drinking nicely now. Usually in the $35 range, we will have it for about $25 – 30. Worth the mild splurge for a bottle or two.

 

2022 Granville Basalt Chardonnay, Dundee, Oregon

A mix of Dundee Hills and Eola-Amity, Latch Key Vineyard in the Dundee Hills is at a lower elevation, and then Koosah is a higher elevation site. It’s a barrel selection with such great stony lemon minerality. Aged sur lie for 11 months—only 15% new oak. Jackson does more leaf removal for Chardonnay than he did; he finds more texture in the skins, which makes a linear and lithe Chardonnay with wildflower aromas, crushed stone and apricot skin. Partial malo allows him to get more freshness, and he uses thicker staves to get the reduction he wants without going to stainless.

This chardonnay has some minerality to it, as well as a little touch of oak. Good balance and length, a very nice wine. Priced from $30 to 40, it is not cheap, but a buy for white wine folks.

 

2025 Field Recordings Pizza Nights Gamay Noir, Central Coast, California

Bright ruby with a purple rim. The nose shows fresh red cherry, strawberry, and a light floral note typical of Gamay. On the palate, juicy red fruit leads through a light to medium body, with soft tannins, lively acidity, and a clean, refreshing finish.

A fun little wine, vented via carbonic maceration. Not one to keep in the cellar and better as a sipper. Decent with pizza and red sauce – mostly red fruits with good acidity. Priced at only $20, worth the price. Label looks like waiting on a lawsuit from Pizza Hut.

 

2023 Cote Blanches Sancerre Rouge, Loire, France

Domaine des Côtes Blanches' Sancerre Rouge is an elegant red wine from the Loire Valley, made from 100% Pinot Noir. The grapes come from vineyards aged between 45 and 55 years, planted on Sancerre's characteristic Kimmeridgian clay soils. These chalky clay soils give the wine a beautiful structure, refined minerality and a distinct terroir character. The vineyards are situated on sunny slopes between 240 and 290 metres above sea level, where the grapes can ripen optimally while maintaining their fresh elegance.

A Sancerre red – not something you see too much. Made from Pinot, this is a tasty lighter red, fruits like strawberry and cherry and nuances of mineraqlity. Nice finish – this wine will run about $40 retail.

 

2024 Ca’ Del Sarto Cabernet Sauvignon, Abruzzo, Italy

Fresh, dark fruits, balanced spicy note, nicely structured with just enough grip that eases into a long finish. Excellent with cold cuts, starters and various cheeses, first courses with tomato sauce, grilled burgers, pizza and roasted meats.

This is a decent little sipping Cab. Decent black fruits, some texture and acidity but not very tannic. Not a true keeper, but something to openanytime. Costs under $15 retail, makes a nice weeknight wine.

 

2022 Wines of Substance Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington

92 pts    James Suckling

This is a full-bodied cabernet that has inviting aromas of chocolate cherries, black plums, mocha and some vanilla. It’s firm yet creamy and plush with excellent persistency. Drink now or hold.

90 pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon offers high quality for its modest price. Matured for 10 months in 15% new French oak barriques, it's scented of red cherries, charcuterie, aniseed and dried herbs. The full-bodied palate is concentrated and savory with soft, grainy tannins, refreshing acidity and a layered finish.

This is a nicely made Washington Cabernet. Good body with red and black fruits on the palate, nuances of herbs and tobacco, integrated tannins and a nice finish. For a wine that retails for $15 and is readily available a really nice bottle to pick up and keep on hand.

Another month and I'm still alive and kicking. Hope all is well. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.