Wines of April

April Showers bring...Flooding?

2014 J Lohr Syrah South Ridge Paso Robles, California 

WINEMAKER’S COMMENTS

Varietal aromas of plum, black tea and blueberry are lifted by barrel aging on the lees in a mix of American and French oak barrels. A touch of spicy white pepper on the palate opens up slowly to reveal baking spice and pomegranate fruit.

Pretty nice little syrah, pleasant fruit notes with a touch of spice. Not bad for the price – around $12.

2011 Balthus Tempranillo Rioja, Spain  

Very bright color of dark cherry red with brilliant flecks. In the nose it is fresh, clean with aromas of wild berries and also hints of nuts, spices, minerals, very complex and elegant. Full-bodied in the mouth, structured, powerful with a good balance between alcohol and acidity, between the fruit and the oak. Pleasing lingering finish.

Not a bad little wine, but not the best either. Made a best value selection, the fruit was decent, nice acidity – typical of Spanish Tempranillo- but not one I would stock – around $13.

2014 Southern Right Pinotage Hemel-en-arde, South Africa

Southern Right is re-defining Pinotage with this intense classically styled, clay-grown wine, packed with complex berry fruit, beautiful tannins and subtle wood spice.  Full ripeness and the longer hang-time afforded by cooler sites, combined with the complex, more classic fruit aromas and structure resulting from clay-rich soil, make this wine a highly individual expression of South Africa’s unique grape variety.

Nice Pinotage – this wine did not have that rubber tire aftertaste that often happens with the varietal. Turns out that extended maceration causes that, so modern wine makers are watching how long they leave the fruit and skins in the vat. Moderate nose, decent red berry fruit and a mild but pleasant aftertaste. Priced around $24.

2014 Kasteelberg Shiraz, Swartland, South Africa

A complex wine offering the upfront black fruit/berries of a New World Shiraz with spicy nuances on the nose. The palate is concentrated and balanced, showing dark fruit, sweet vanilla and spice.

New world style, but not over the top with berry flavors and aromas. Nicely balanced for food, but plenty of fruit to carry the wine. Available for under $20.

2014 Mulderbosch “Faithful Hound” Western Cape, South Africa

The wine’s appearance is marked by a vibrant, dense and purple hue. The nose exhibits berry fruit aromas of mulberries and blueberries, subtly framed by vanilla spice and earthy notes. Gentle structure and finesse combine to make the 2014 so attractive. It has good weight and richness, with layers of flavor, yet there is a really classic element to the fine grained tannins, providing a moreish, savory finish.

Blend: 32% Cabernet Franc, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 16% Malbec, 7% Petit Verdot

Enjoyable Bordeaux blend from South Africa. A little restrained at the moment, but a pleasant wine that would grow with a few years bottle ageing. At a $20 price, a bottle you could keep or serve to your friends – the structure goes well with foods and has enough fruit and finesse to please the palate.

2014 Klein Constantia Estate Red, Western Cape, South Africa

Due to the warm and dry conditions we experienced in 2014, this vintage has great fruit expression. A lot of work and effort has been put into fine tuning our oak programme which is displayed in the delicate balance between fruit and oak in this wine.  2014 also sees the reintroduction of Shiraz to the Estate Red blend.

Intense red and black fruit with elegant notes of cinnamon spice on the nose. The palate is full bodied and savoury with a well-integrated oak component, ending with a long and rich finish.

A very nice Cabernet blend, the shiraz adds an extra layer to an intense wine. The nose indicates the red fruit core and the taste follows through with additional notes of mocha and vanilla. The tannins are integrated – there but not intrusive – allowing for several years of ageing, or enjoying right now. The wine that Napoleon drank on Elba is back and very enjoyable. Available under $30, a bottle worth buying and showing to you wineaux friends.

2015 Goru VerdeOrganic Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

mouthfeel. Very soft and generous, with distinct notes of overripe blackberry, chocolate, violet and scrubland thyme. Levante sunshine in a glass!

Monastrell is originally from Spain but is now grown widely in France, where it is known as Mourvedre, and in Australia and California, where it is sometimes called Mataro. Its high tannins led the French to christen it, 'Etrangle-Chien' - the dog-strangler. As a variety it is drought-tolerant, late ripening and fickle. Unblended examples are rare outside of SE Spain.

This wine is all organic, but doesn’t carry the “greenness/earthiness” that often goes with the Spanish organic wines. Big broad flavors of dark fruit and mild tannins. Needs a hardy food or it will overpower an entrée. I enjoyed this wine and it was under $10 – buy a couple bottles for weeknight wine.

Well, another month has flown by - keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!

March Wines - No Time for "Madness"

Another Month and More Wines

Here are the wines I enjoyed this last month

2011 Masi Campofiorin Rosso Del Veronese Italy

Winemaker's Notes

Fruity cherry and plum aromas, with vanilla, cinnamon and spice notes. Shows sublime, soft tannins on the palate, with fresh acidity. Finish is long and persistent, with ripe fruit flavors and a touch of sweet spiciness. This very versatile wine is perfect with various foods, including pasta with rich meat- or mushroom-based sauces, grilled or roasted red meats, game and mature cheeses.

Blend: 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella, 5% Molinara.

Critical Acclaim  RP91

The Wine Advocate - "The 2011 Campofiorin is an IGT Rosso del Veronese executed in a Ripasso style that sees a double fermentation on Amarone skins. Campofiorin is a wine that is dear to my heart because it has long been one of my top drinking choices while sitting by the fireplace on a cold winter's night. It offers Ripasso intensity with brooding dark fruit nuances followed by a dense, chewy build. "

Points of distinction

Created in 1964 using what Hugh Johnson called an “ingenious technique,” Masi's original interpretation of ancient Veronese “refermentation”

Masi’s double fermentation process enriches the wine’s color, extract, tannins and alcohol to bring new aromas and flavors

The orginal "Supervenetian," can age 15-20 years

I got this on close out around $13 – what can I say. I love the Ripasso style wine – where the must from the Amarone wine is put in with the Corvina blend to add extra depth of flavor. I didn’t age it more than a week in my cellar because it called to me, with a pasta meat dish I made for dinner. Very good, still had considerable length and hearty fruit. Nice finish – one of my Italian favorites for deep red wine.

2010 Chateau St. Jean Cinq Cepages, Sonoma County, California

Winemaker's Notes

The 2010 Cinq Cépages is a stunning color in the glass, deep ruby with a subtle violet colored rim. Layered aromas are vivid; black plum, blackberry compote, clove spice, tanned leather and a hint of fresh tobacco leaf. Secondary aromas of raspberry and spiced cherry mingle with notes of violet and pomegranate. The aromas lead to an incredibly juicy palate with flavors of blueberry, cherry and blackberry. Nuanced flavors of espresso and a distinct mocha component add to the complexity. The full-bodied wine has smooth, silky tannins that offer solid structure but do not overwhelm. The wine is plush and approachable yet complex and appealing in the glass. In signature Cinq Cépages form, this wine combines the strength of the diverse Sonoma County region to create a well-balanced, complex and powerful wine.

Blend: 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec

Critical Acclaim  WS93  Wine Spectator - "An authentic Bordeaux-style expression from Sonoma. Firm, dense and muscular, with a tight core of vivid blackberry, spice, cedar, loamy earth, black olive and cigar box notes, framed by tight, ripe, gripping tannins that extend the flavors. The finish impresses with purity, focus and complexity. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Drink now through 2026."

RP92 The Wine Advocate - "Far superior is their flagship offering for Bordeaux varietal blends, the 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Cinq Cepages, which is 78% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and the rest Petit Verdot. It possesses a deep ruby/purple color along with notes of cranberry sauce, black cherries, black currants, dusty, loamy soil, unsmoked cigar tobacco and underbrush. Medium to full-bodied and rich with light tannins as well as a textured mouthfeel, there are 7,000 cases of this beauty that can be enjoyed over the next 10-12 years"

A gift for the Holidays, I held onto this bottle a while. It would have held for a number of years – there was still some tannic grip in the bottle. The nose opened nicely while the French style blend was a mouth full of fruits, spice, cedar – many nuanced flavors that changed as the bottle stayed open. Well worth the acclaim, though out of my usual price range. A good bottle for special occasions and friends.

2013 Renegade Wine Company Red Wine Columbia Valley, Washington

glad to know that we made enough this year to last more than 5 months! We could have called this wine a Cabernet, since it is 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 16% Cabernet Franc, 5% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot. It certainly drinks like a Washington State Cabernet based blend, with lots of red and black fruits, scents of loamy minerality, and fine grained tannins that are matched with balanced acidity. Like all the Renegade wines, this drinks as well as something twice as expensive. Certainly a candidate to buy by the case! Don’t hesitate, be a Renegade!

The lesser priced offerings from the Sleight of Hand Cellar folks. Price is under $13, not bad for an inexpensive wine. Fruit holds up pretty well, light finish – I think they are changing the labels on upcoming vintages. Worth a try as a school night wine.

2015 Sleight of Hand The Spellbinder, Columbia Valley, Washington

Our 2015 Spellbinder is a dark, stunning, mouth coating blend of 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, and 21% Cabernet Franc, sourced from some of the most sought after vineyards in Washington State, including some of our Estate Vineyards. Elegant and full bodied, while still approachable, it boasts fresh fruit aromas and flavors of black cherries, raspberries, and currants, with just a hint of cedar from older French oak barrels in which it was aged.

The winemaker made a visit to Kansas (Trey Busch - see below) and we sampled the wines with dinrer. This Cabernet blend was a very nice wine – full bodied but no heavy tannic grip. The touch of cedar/oak from older barrels really added to a moderate finish. Priced in the low to mid-20’s, a nice bottle of wine.

2014 Sleight of Hand The Conjurer Red Wine Columbia Valley, Washington

The 2014 Conjurer is a blend of 59% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot and 1% Petit Verdot. It was aged 12 months in 15% new French oak. Hailing mostly from Red Mountain Vineyard, Blue Mountain Vineyard, and Phinny Hill Vineyard, it shows tremendous weight and concentration from the warm vintage. With a gorgeous nose and flavor profile of red and black cherries, herbal notes from the Cabernet Franc, as well as savory spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, this Washington State Bordeaux-style blend will age gracefully over the next decade, but like most of our wines, will be delicious young. Like anything in life, The Conjurer is certainly best enjoyed with friends.

Another Cabernet based wine from SoH, this one is more intense and heavier. The tannins are well behaved, but the depth of this one is apparent from the first taste. The Cab Franc adds a nice note to the flavors – a very good blend of good fruit. Excellent buy for under $30. Oh, that is Neil Patrick Harris on the label!

2013 Sleight of Hand The Illusionist Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley, Washington

89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot

The 2013 Illusionist is everything we dream of when we dream of Cabernet, it is dark, savory, and full bodied, while remaining balanced and elegant. This wine is aromatically compelling, filled with aromas of cedar, tobacco, graphite, and a hint of fennel and vanilla. Dark fruit notes of blackberry and cassis explode on entry, and are quickly followed up with dark cherry and savory herbal flavors that linger throughout the extended finish. The tannins are fine-grained and well integrated and provide structure that will reward an extended period in the cellar.

The full Cab from SoH. The nose took a little time to open but was very good with red fruits, oak and nuances of fennel (I know, I miss some of this a lot, but that stuck in my mind). The dark fruits in the mouth were big and broad, while the finish was moderately long and refined. There were tannins but they were well integrated into the fruit. A bottle that could be cellared for several years, it still drank very nicely with our meal. I can recommend this wine – price is around mid-40’s to mid-50’s and well worth that price.

Trey Busch          Co-Owner and Winemaker          Sleight of Hand Cellars

Trey remembers his very first concert like if was yesterday (Helix, Keel, and Accept at the Omni in Atlanta in 1984 if you are wondering). His love of music, especially Pearl Jam, is one of the reasons he ended up in the Pacific NW. After moving to Seattle in 1992 and working for Nordstrom for 8 years, Trey was offered the chance to move his family to Walla Walla and get into the wine business with the Dunham Cellars family. Eric Dunham, the winemaker and owner of Dunham Cellars, gave Trey the foundation for his winemaking and philosophy. Trey fell in love with the winemaking process on the first day of crush in September of 2000, and that journey led him to Sleight of Hand Cellars.

Trey is in charge of, and oversees, the winemaking, keeping his finger on the pulse of what is happening in the vineyards and cellar. He also shares the sales and marketing duties with Jerry, traveling to far-away places to spread the Sleight of Hand love around the country. Trey also is a world renowned Air Guitar player, and will often be found at a local karaoke bar belting out Tom Petty or Pearl Jam. He has two amazing daughters that he loves more than anything, and can't believe how lucky he is to have ended up in this business with Jerry and Sandy.

Very neat dude – Trey is a great guy to meet. He’d rather be home working than jetting around the country-side, but he is gracious and fun winemaker. Had to give him a plug…

2014 Cabriz Red Wine Doa Portugal

"Limpid, intense ruby. Fruity on the nose, being predominant in fresh red fruits, forest fruits jam, spices and toasted notes. Fruity palate smooth, elegant and harmonious." —winemaker

Wine Anthology review:

With just six months spent in French oak to give this 2014 a touch of spice box and cedar, this 2014 is all about the fruit, dropping in with perfumed, complex aromas of ripe black fruits and spiced redcurrant. It's suave and well-structured in the mouth with a dash of zesty white pepper to liven up the fruit to a super polished sheen. The juicy, spiced finish features a closing touch of tannin to wrap up each tasty sip.

Critic' Notes  #46, Wine Spectator's Top 100 of 2016

"A crisp and minerally red, with concentrated flavors of dark cherry, roasted plum and dried raspberry, layered with rich, spicy notes. White chocolate details show on the finish, accented by hints of pepper. Drink now through 2020. 208,000 cases made. Best Value." —Kim Marcus, Wine Spectator

When you can get a bottle of the “Top 100” for $9, you jump at it. That is the good news. The rest of the news is that it isn’t bad, but lacks the depth you would expect. There was dark fruit flavors – I got no white chocolate – some toasted flavor but a pretty short finish. Decent acidity but best with a pork loin instead of a big chunk of steak. Yea, it’s worth the $10 price, just don’t expect miracles.

Well, that’s another month – Times flies while you’re having toast! I see you next time, until then keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines!

That was one short Month - February

Time for a little Wine!

2013 St Paul’s Pinot Grigio Alto Adige, Italy

90 Points

This full-bodied wine is loaded with sensations of fragrant white flowers, ripe tropical fruit, juicy yellow peach and tart green apple. The creamy palate is brightened by fresh acidity and energizing mineral notes. It's well balanced, with more depth than most other Pinot Grigios.

Variety  Pinot Grigio, Pinot Grigio/Gris

Appellation  Alto Adige, Northeastern Italy, Italy

Winery  St. Pauls

I don’t drink a lot of whites and I usually steer away from what’s the current rage. This wine is a very good Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris) with a lot of body, a full palate and very nice depth. I got it on close-out at $10 – well worth buying several bottles to have on hand for guests. Perfect for spring and summer sipping.

2013 Ludovicus Garnacha Terra Alta, Spain

This mineral, spicy Mediterranean red drinks like a wine two times its price. It is produced from organically grown grapes in the high elevation Terra Alta region. These high lands are located just 45 minutes south of Barcelona in the mountains of Tarragona overlooking the Mediterranean. Ludovicus pays tribute to the roman heritage of this region. The Romans planted vineyards in this area during the 3rd century. Terra Alta neighbors the acclaimed Priorat region. Just like in Priorat, Garnacha and Mazuelo (aka Cariñena, or Samsó) are the most commonly planted grapes. The Garnachas that grow in Terra Alta are among the finest in Spain due to three factors: the elevation, the limestone soil and the plethora of old vine that Terra Alta possesses.

"An amazing wine, it shows boisterous and exuberant black cherry/kirsch liqeur notes, medium to full body, terific purity and exuberance."

Region: Catalunya, Spain
Grapes: 100% Garnacha
Vintage: 2013

Another real nice inexpensive Spanish wine. For my money, old vine garnacha is hard to beat. Good body, lively acidity to go with lots of different foods and nice juicy red fruit flavors in a bottle priced around $10-11.

2015 Left Coast Cellar White Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, Oregon

Famed for its diversity to complement nearly any food pairing, our White Pinot Noir is a peoples favorite. Limited skin contact gives the White Pinot Noir its pristine clarity. The wine itself is perfumed with fresh scents and mirrored flavors of Ranier cherry, peach and poached pear.  Rich and broad with bright, balancing acidity on the palate and a lingering mineral finish.

A surprising white wine – we had this as a salad wine at a tasting of Pinot Noir. Nice body, good fruit, kinda like a red wine without color. Little pricy in the $20-25 range, but a fun wine to try if you get the chance.

2014 Zorzal Eggo Pinot Noir Tupangato, Argentina

This hand harvested, single vineyard from Gualtallary is 100% Pinot Noir and is completely un-oaked to let the fruit driven quality of the wine shine. Bright red fruits, predominantly raspberry, jump out of the glass with gamey notes, cola, dried leaves, and forest floor. The mouthfeel is rich, soft, and supple with light tannin and medium acidity. The chalky soil comes through in the long finish, great with or without food.

This was decent, but had a bit of earth with it. Not real bad sweat sox, but enough that it carried over into the aftertaste. The wine is aged in concrete eggs (hence the Eggo) and isn’t bad, but a little much at $18-25 range.

2015 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir Marlborough, New Zealand

This Pinot Noir is very generous on the nose, showing vibrant aromas of dark cherry, raspberry and plum combined with spicy oak notes. It has an impressive concentration of flavour and a nice acid backbone. The finish is dry with a nice touch of dark chocolate and subtle French oak coming through.

Fragrant and ebullient, with caramel and vanilla bean accents to the core of ripe black cherry and plum flavors, balanced by velvety tannins and dark chocolate nuances. Expressive and generous on the long finish. Drink now through 2026. 93/100 Points. Wine Spectator

This was a good New Zealand pinot – dark cherry flavors –aged in oak and stainless steel to give a hint of oak, but not overpowering the finesse of the pinot grape. Priced in the $18-20 range, this was the winner of the evening of Pinot noirs. Of course, it has a screw cap.

2015 Refugio Pinot Noir Casablanca Valley, Chile

93 points James Suckling

 Cedar, strawberry, flower, light iodine, and oyster shell. Medium to full body, silk tannins and a juicy finish. Shows soul. From Alsace's Andrew Ostertag and Julio Donoso... Made from biodynamic grown grapes.  (5/2016)

If you found your way to this product description, let's say accidentally, and you're not one of the people hip to this project, here is some quick info: Andre Ostertag helps to make the wine. Vineyards are composed of granite. Professional photographer/proprietor Julio Donoso is putting some truly interesting cooler climate Pinot Noir out there, and we strongly recommend you try it. Fermentation and ageing takes place in concrete eggs. No steel, no barrels, just huevos concretos.

This Pinot noir has a lot of Chile style “funk” with it. Suckling says light iodine, it’s a lot heavier to me. It blows off after a while (from the nose) but there is a bit of barnyard on the back end.  Some strawberry and cherry flavors but not a real great wine for my money. ($25 range…)

2014 Saracco Pinot Noir Piedmonte, Italy

Saracco Pinot Nero combines the traditional delicate bouquet of red berries and a velvety taste with good acidity, round body, complex structure and high persistence on the palate.

Vinification is in stainless steel tanks, refining in 225 liter barriques and then in big barrels for 12-14 months. After bottling, the wine is aged for an additional 6 months before releasing. 13.5 Alcohol

Recommended Food: Goes well with grilled salmon, braised rabbit, pasta with porcini mushrooms as well as roasted duck

Pinot Nero is Italian for Pinot Noir – this little bottle was very tasty – showed red berries and dark cherry on the palate and had a nice nose with moderate aftertaste. Not a bad wine for the $20 range – again, Pinot is not my grape.

2014 Fatum Bobal Tempranillo LaMancha, Spain

Grapes: 50% Bobal, 50% Tempranillo

Vintage: 2014

Color: Red

Vinous             89

(raised entirely in stainless steel tanks): Bright violet color. Lively redcurrant and cherry on the nose and palate, with a mineral nuance emerging as the wine opens in the glass. Conveys good depth and focus without any excess fat; a spicy note contributes back-end cut. Notes of fresh red berries and spices carry through a zesty, gently tannic finish that's sharpened by juicy acidity. 2016 – 2019

Another fun wine from Spain – Bobal is a formerly rustic grape that they kept for themselves – made cheaply, overcropped and quickly made. Then someone decided the grape could make a nice wine and here we are. This example is half anf half – a very good example of affordable and tasty wine. Cherry and red fruits cut through the flavor – good acidity and the hints of mineral make it go well with a variety of foods. Well worth the $14-16 you can spend on it.

That’s it – until later, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines!

January 2017 Wines

What was that? January just flew by!!

How about some wines?

2003 Chateau Lascombes, Bordeaux, France

In less than five years this property has emerged as one of the appellation’s up and coming stars thanks to the infusion of money from the American conglomerate, Colony Capital, as well as the braintrust that now oversees the winemaking, Yves Vatelot (of Reignac fame) and the internationally renowned oenologist, Michel Rolland. The dark plum/ruby-hued, open-knit 2003 offers a big, sweet nose of barbecue smoke, plum liqueur, creme de cassis, flowers, new saddle leather, and damp earth. Loads of black fruits, a full-bodied palate impression, low acidity, and a savory, expansive mouthfeel suggest it can be drunk in 2-3 years, or cellared for 15+.

Robert Parker score        92

This was a half bottle my brother sent me. It is drinking wonderfully, smaller bottles tend not to age as well as bigger bottles. It has enough acidity to be very good with food, but was a pleasure to drink on its own. The black fruits were tantalizing, a full mouth feel with a nice long finish.  What a great bottle of wine. Thanks T man!

2012 Domaine du Gros “Nore”, Red blend Bandol, France

Wine Spectator: 93 Points

This has a dark leathery frame but remains sleek and pure overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly mulled blackberry fruit, studded with dried anise and singed juniper notes. A bolt of iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025. 

“This has a dark leathery frame but remains sleek and pure overall, with a dense core of currant preserves, steeped plum and lightly mulled blackberry fruit, studded with dried anise and singed juniper notes. A bolt of iron is buried deeply on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2025.  93 points. #94 Top 100 wines of 2015” Wine Spectator Oct 2015

Really nice wine – a blend of 80% Mourvèdre, 15% Grenache, 5% Cinsault from the Bandol region of France.  Very good with food, yet a substantial sipper as well. The wonderful spice note made the fruits stand out – a very good bottle. Normal retail $35-40, can be found for around $25-30.

2014 Chilcas Cinsault Valle del Itata, Chile

If you are looking to try something a little different, give this slightly cloudy dark red colored Cinsualt from Chile. It opens with a fragrant strawberry and craisin bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, slightly acidic and juicy. The flavor profile is a red plum, craisin and pomegranate blend with notes of mild minerality and faint oak. The finish is dry and its fruit flavors are slightly prolonged. This Cinsault is food friendly and would pair well with a barbecue meatloaf.

A single vineyard Cinsault – the usual blending grape gets its own bottle. And this Rhone varietal comes from Chile (!). This was a fun, enjoyable wine that would go with a lot of different foods.  Probably not to heavy, but would hold up to a lot of different meats and sauces. The fruit is nice, not overwhelming but a nice harmonious nose and on the palate . Really fun – price is around $20, can find for $15 probably. Well worth trying and make your friends guess the grape.

2014 Cooper & Thief Red Blend, California

“ Dark and dense with aromas of fennel, vanilla, spice, black plum, and tobacco. A full-bodied wine that handles the whiskey well, with an impression that is potent with sweet star anise and Port-like power.”

This is a new trend, aging wine in Bourbon barrels. Adds a layer on the nose and extra alcohol – this came in at 17% (Oy). For me – the underlaying wine was not great – too fruity without any nuance, aftertaste or real appeal. The spirit makes it almost seem port like, but not nearly as good. New trend, but I’ll stick to something else.  Retails around $34, even at a sale price, I’ll pass.

2013 Hayman and Hill Meritage, Monterrey County, California

Winemaker's Notes

Hayman & Hill are firm believers that sometimes the sum of the parts are greater than the individual components. Meritage blends are just that, the perfect marriage of several varieties, each grape bringing out the best in each other and representing the region with the utmost quality.

Blend:  34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Malbec, 16% Merlot, 14% Petite Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc

Accolades

"Shows great improvement over last year’s so-so bottling. This  Meritage displays a nice balance of firm tannins, acidity and currant-licorice flavors, with well-integrated oak. Feels elegant and subdued, and will be a good companion to anything that wants a dry, full-bodied red wine.

Very nice little Meritage that I got on a close out around $10. Should have bought more – it had good fruit, balanced acidity and a decent finish. Went well with beef dishes and pizza – pick this one up for anything under $15 – you won’t regret it.

2014 Rio Madre, Graciano, Rioja, Spain

"An unusual Rioja, the 2014 Rio Madre Graciano is 100% Graciano grape. The wine shows relatively decent acidity, dried cherries and underbrush, a medium-bodied mouthfeel, dark ruby color and some old, slightly musty oak, but otherwise is attractive. Drink it over the next 2-3 years." -Wine Advocate

I really likes this wine – similar to the usual tempranillo, but not the same.  Plenty of acidity to match manyfgoods, the flavors were more subtle but lingered nicely. At $10 – 15 a bottle, this is a wine you should buy a number of bottles – good value for a good wine.

Well, that's another month - until we meet again, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

Holiday Wines

December, 2016

2014 Rios de Tinta, Tinta del Pais, Ribero del Douro, Spain

Made exclusively from Tempranillo vines, locally called Tinta del Pais , aged between 15 and 20 years old. The vines are planted in sandy loam with calcareous clay and limestone at an altitude of 850 meters. Fruit from three different vineyards are blended to produce this wine.

 “Bright violet color. An exotically perfumed bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, lavender pastille and Asian spices, with a subtle touch of licorice emerging with aeration. Juicy and focused on the palate, offering black and blue fruit flavors that flesh out on the back half. In an energetic style, displaying zero excess fat, easygoing tannins and strong spicy persistence.” 90 points Vinous, Central Spain: Tempranillo and Beyond December 2015

This is a very big wine – still tannic without the aid of oak barrels. Better after leaving it open for a while (or the second day), this is a jammy wine with dark berries and exotic nuances of spices. Would not call the tannins easy going, but they are smoothing out. Real interesting wine for around $10…Not many Ribero del Douro wines at this price point.

2012 Carmen Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva, Maipo, Chile

91 pts. Wine Spectator: September 30, 2015

A rich, well-spiced red, with luscious flavors of tar, licorice and dark plum, supported by ample acidity and firm tannins. Offers a lip-smacking finish of dark chocolate and pepper. Drink now through 2019. 20,000 cases made. [WS 91, #32 Top 100 of 2015] [JS 92]

This wine was in the Top 100 of the Wine Spectator – you can score it for under $12. Well structured Cabernet from Chile; good balance in acidity, clean berry flavors and light tannins to carry the finish. Buy a couple bottles (or 6) to keep on hand – guests will enjoy and is a great everyday wine.

2013 Lincourt Pinot Noir, Lindsay’s Vineyard, Sta Rita Hills, Ca

Wine Enthusiast 92 Points ($30) There’s a very savory, gamy element on the nose of this wine, which shows wild berries, woody shrubs, rusty iron and turned forest-floor aromas. The palate is punchy at first, with decent acidity and cranberry-plum-raspberry flavors, then clings to a pencil-lead core deeper into the sip. It offers quite a bit of complexity.

Tasting Notes

The 2013 Lindsay’s Pinot Noir is a wonderful reflection of this cooler vintage. Mouthwatering aromas of cherry cola waft from the glass, followed by a palate of ripe cherries, raspberries, and jam with a hint of sandalwood spice and vanilla. The finish is long and bright with a decent amount of acidity and soft tannins.

I’m not a big Pinot Noir fan, but this was a well made California wine that had good flavors, nice acid acid balance and a nice, yet soft finish. Very much a food wine – the earthiness was well matched with  cherry and cola notes. You can find it for under $20 – nice Pinot to have on hand.

2005 Langtry Meritage, Lake County, CA

The 2005 Langtry Meritage is a blend of the Bordeaux varieties similar to the 2004 vintage but with a greater portion of Petit Verdot. This translates into increased color and dark fruit intensity, along with complex flavors of chocolate, licorice, and spice. The tannins are rich and integrated for a nicely balanced finish.

Traditional fermentation in stainless tanks, before aging in French and American oak barrels for 18 months. The 2005 Meritage Red goes well with lighter meat dishes, such as chicken and pork chops.

Langtry was the higher level of Guenoc, the main producer from Lake County. Once owned by the Magoon family, it is now owned by the Foley family. This was a special treat – don’t know if there are many left to purchase. The wine had held up well; the tannins had retreated but left a nice red and black fruit medley that would go well with a lot of different dishes. This was from Matt, my wine guy, and I had half the bottle. Very nice.

2013 EOS Petite Sirah, Paso Robles, CA

Wine Enthusiast, 87 Points

Dried red cherries and lighter cranberries mix with black slate on the nose of this wine from a longtime regional label, now owned by Bill Foley. The palate shows lots of iron and bloody meats, along with dried cranberries and elderberries.

I love Petite Sirah – the dark brooding colors and intense flavors – this was a nice example. The variety likes the southern area (Paso Robles), as well as other Rhone style grapes. I compare Mouvdre and Petite Sirah, because they produce similar meaty, beefy wines. This was a bit pricey - $20-25 range, but it was nice to have a little bottle age to mellow the flavors.

2014 Sebastiani Gravel Bed Red, Cabernet Blend, Sonoma County, CA

Winemaker Notes

The 2014 Gravel Bed Red is dark purplish to ruby in color. Its nose is swarming with Cabernet spice, currant, black cherries, coconut wood aromatics and hints of black tea. The flavor is fruit forward with delicious blackberries followed by raspberry, underbrush tones, and dried leaves. The finish has great acidity and tannins which helps reign in the generous fruit afforded by a riper season.

Other Notes

67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 12% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot

This is a serious wine for not a lot of moola. You can get it for $25 – 30, although the winery lit is $40. Sebastiani is a long time Sonoma producer that fell into family squabbles and has since been purchased by the Foley family. The good news is that the Foley group is not trying to make all the brands “corporate” wines, forcing them into price points and market groups. They bought some great vineyards and names and invested in making them what they should be, not what they became.

The nose is very berry with nuances of spices; the fruit forward flavor of red and black berries have good Sonoma quality – notes of herbs and spices – followed by a nice finish with a little tannin. Would hold up to many types of dishes and might overpower lighter fare. Cool label design and you should pour this for guests.

2013 Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA

92 Points - Robert Parker. "Offering a good contrast to the Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley offers a dense ruby/purple color and complete symmetry in its tannin, acidity, alcohol and wood. It is full-bodied, ripe, with loads of black fruits, a slight earthiness that gives it a different element than the Sonoma cuvée, and seems slightly bigger and richer than the Sonoma, but both are great values in the scheme of world-class Cabernet Sauvignons. This wine should drink well for 20 years."

Another great cab from Sebastiani – the Sonoma Cuvee is the least expensive and good. This is similar in price to the Gravel Bed Red, but mostly all Cabernet Sauvignon (89%) and 11% Merlot to round out the flavor.  Good nose of dark fruits and a full mouthfeel dark fruits and nuances of dusty herbs. Long finish with some tannins, a good balace of acidity – needs a pretty big meal to stand up to it. A real gem for the $25-30 price range. I’ll admit, I love Alexander Valley cabernets – it is the area where Jordan is located  and Silver Oak makes an Alexander Valley cabernet. Pretty good company, I’d say.

2008 Hafner Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA

Winery Notes:

At a tasting in October 2016, we tasted the 2008 and here are our notes: Youthful qualities with blackberry and milk chocolate aromas and mature notes of carpaccio and nutmeg. Lively and rich on the palate, its India ink, vanilla toastiness and spicy black pepper notes enhance the nose. It is beginning to develop some notes of bottle bouquet and has a rich, long finish that adds complexity and depth to the wine. Like all of our Cabernets, the 2008 has the balance and structure to allow it to develop for another ten years.

For 49 years, our family has worked together to create this family vineyard and winery. Those early days included our two daughters, Julie and Betsy, now living on the East Coast. Parke and Sarah’s daughter Kate has joined the winery staff to make Hafner Vineyard a three generation enterprise.

Many have written eloquently of the deep feeling that comes from working with the earth. We can attest to that. Work in such a beautiful setting has inspired us and the enjoyment our wines have given to our patrons is deeply satisfying.

Now the second generation is guiding this venture with Parke and Scott as managing partners. Mary and I draw great fulfillment from looking back on nearly five decades of our family working together here. We have a deep sense of belonging to the land and a strong appreciation of those who tend the soil and bring forth its products.

A small family owned winery, with most sales via the internet and customers ( like my brother) that keep buying these wonderful wines. This is a well structured wine – a good nose of red fruit and some earthiness, the flavors are nuanced yet very pleasing. Good backbone of acid and mild tannins, this wine melds with many beef and pork dishes.  I love when a small winery is able to survive and flourish with well made wines. The wines probably range in the $45-50 range (mine have been gifts – Thanks again, Bro).

Hope you enjoyed these littles tastes - until next time, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines. Salut!

November Wines

Just a few wines to get to the Holidays

No picture - sorry

2013 Patterson Cellars Syrah Sirah, Red Mountain, Washington

Dusty tannins frame this inky purple, full-bodied wine led by characters of blueberry and blackberry with hints of black and white pepper carried on the long finish.

Nicely peppery with lots of red fruit. Nice blend of dusky Petite Sirah and the spicy Syrah. Very enjoyable.

2013 Flora Springs Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California

From the Winery; Our Napa Valley Chardonnay combines the enticing characteristics of three highly renowned sub-appellations within Napa Valley: Oakville, Carneros, and St. Helena. Blending fruit from the warmer appellations on the valley floor and the cool, rolling hills of Carneros allows us to craft a Chardonnay with great intensity and restraint. This bottling balances shimmering bright acidity with the full-bodied, concentrated fruit flavors found in grapes sourced from our sustainably farmed vineyards. Aged 8 months in 15% oak barrels, 22% oak ovals, 63% stainless steel tanks. Our 2013 vintage shows rich aromas of juicy green pear and candied ginger with a hint of crème fraiche and vanilla bean. The palate is bright and crisp, bursting with juicy Granny Smith apples and lemongrass. An underlying creaminess - reminiscent of fresh baked brioche - adds warmth to this crisp, refreshing Chardonnay, which finishes with spicy notes of cinnamon and nutmeg.

A nicely put together Chard – some oak but a lot of juicy green apple and hints of citrus. Nice finish, too. On sale for around $15 makes it even better.

2007 Chateau Larose Trintaudon Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

Beautiful ruby color with violet hues. A rich array of aromas from the spicy: black pepper and menthol hints, to the fruity: wild black currant and blackberry scents. Great roundness and fullness as well as superb tannic structure and balance. A fi ne, clear-cut, homogeneous wine where ripe fruit is present from beginning to end. The silky finish with excellent length. A truly enjoyable wine!

2010 Chateau Larose Trintaudon Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

Beautiful dark ruby color with quite an intense bouquet bringing together aromas of red ripe berries (raspberry) as well as spicier vanilla notes. On the palate the wine is incredibly round with a dense tannic structure, yet not overly massive. Great freshness finished off by slight mineral undertones and a silky texture. Without a doubt the best Larose Trintaudon of these last 25 years! Please decant two hours before tasting. To be enjoyed by 2020.

OK – got to do a Vintage tasting with the wine group. We had these two years of this wine. The 2007 started out a little chunky and not quite together. The 2010, typical of the vintage, was vewry smooth and well structured. After a day on the counter with a cork in it, the 2007 reallly smoothed out and was a great compliment to a meal. The 2010 stayed about the same, not really getting better, but not worse. The tannin level dipped a little, but it was still there on the finish. Nice to let a large group try something like this and the next two wines.

2009 Chateau Paloumy, Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

Wine Enthusiast 92

"With a blend that is half Cabernet Sauvignon, half Merlot, this is as rich as the year. The weight of fruit is borne by sweet tannins and layers of wood toast. There is a very dense dusty texture along with fine acidity and final blackberry fruit. It is for aging over the next 45 years."

2012 Chateau Paloumy, Cru Bourgeois, Haut Medoc, France

In the south of Haut-Médoc, near Bordeaux, Paloumey has been revived as a vineyard in the last 20 years. This 2012 is full of ripe black fruits, aged in new wood with its mint flavors. It has a good tannic structure, so it will age well. Drink from 2017

Another moderate priced Bordeaux trying two vintages side by side. Both were good years – the 2009 was drinking great. The 2012 seemed a little more closed, not seeming to reach its full potential. Several days after opening, the 2009 still shined bright; the 2012 just seemed to stay put. There were some tannins, but neither is a real tannin bomb.  Both of these 2 French wines can be found from $18 to 25 range. Nice little bottles to have with a meal and feel like you are splurging.

2014 Dry Creek Fume Blanc. Sonoma County, California

"At first swirl, this beautiful wine emanates the classic Dry Creek Vineyard “house” style of Sauvignon Blanc with crisp lemon-lime citrus characters and a zesty mineral edge. Several more turns of the glass reveal tart green apple, fresh grass and a steely quality that harkens to a good Sancerre. On the palate, the wine dances with wonderful bright fresh fruit notes and juicy acidity. The wine is bone dry but not overly so - it has a lovely intensity that finishes clean and pure. A wonderful wine that is simply delicious!"

Sauvignon Blanc is one of my least favorite wines. It doesn’t do much for me – whether it is oaked, unoaked, from New Zealand or anywhere. That being said, this was a rather nice $13 bottle to have with Turkey. The acidity matched with food very well and the flavors were good; not too much citrus and grass.  I could have this again, only under $10, if possible…

Hope you enjoyed - till next time, Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

A Few October Wines

Still trying to finish some other tasting notes, meanwhile, enjoy these!

2013 The Prisoner Wine Co. Blindfold White Wine Napa Valley, Ca

2013 The Prisoner Wine Co. Blindfold White Wine Napa Valley, Ca

Winemaker's Notes

The wine opens up with alluring aromas of freshly peeled mandarin orange, peach nectar, and honeydew melon. Hints of white citrus blossom, marzipan and toasted hazelnut add a nice layer of complexity. On the palette, the wine has a rich creamy entry that is balanced by bright acidity and minerality. These characteristics carry through to the finish with flavors of lime zest and toasted marshmallow.

RP90

The Wine Advocate - "A blend of 30% Chardonnay, 20% Viognier, 20% Roussanne and the balance Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc and a few other grapes, the 2013 Proprietary White Blindfold is close in quality to the brilliant 2012 I reviewed last year. Reminiscent of some of Sine Qua Non's white wines from California’s Central Coast, the 2013 is more zesty, and plays it closer to the vest, but it offers lovely notes of fresh pineapple, tangerine skins, orange marmalade, melon and honeysuckle. I wish more California wineries would consider using such innovative blends as this given the high quality that can result. This beauty should be enjoyed over the next several years."

This was an impressive white wine – surprising balance with great overtones of honeysuckle and melon, and a layer of zest to bring completeness to the mouthfeel.   Nice finish – a “meaty” white wine that is very good. Got it on close out, makes it even better!

2011 Cantina del Nebbiolo Barbaresco

Wine Enthusiast

93 Points

Red rose, balsamic herbs, red berry and baking spice aromas jump out of the glass. The succulent palate weaves together lush black cherry, cinnamon, eucalyptus, licorice and orange peel sensations that are supported by velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Drink 2015 through 2021.

Made from nebbiolo grapes grown on vineyards in Barbaresco, Neive, Treiso and Alba. Fermentations with lengthy stays on the skins followed by ageing in oak casks produce an intensely red wine with slight hints of garnet, a complex nose of ripe red fruit and spicy overtones, and a warm, mouth-filling flavour with soft tannins, great elegance and an excellent finish.

Italian wines seem to be best with food. Alone this was OK, not great. A little light in color, moderate nose – the flavors weren’t as distinct until I had it with dinner. Tannins are very light, but the finish is moderate – available for around $20-25. Worth the money for some good pasta or Italian style meal.

2011 PORTADA Winemakers Selection red, Lisboa, Portugal

Grapes

Tinta Roriz, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Caladoc, Castelão, Pinot Noir, Touriga Nacional.

DFJ Vinhos 2011 Portada Winemaker's Selection Tinto Red (Lisboa)

WE         90 Points              Best Buy

A dark colored, dense wine that is rich and firmly structured. Aged in wood, it holds flavors of plum and berry fruits balanced with a fresh acidity. This is a wine for aging, its structure a powerful statement. Drink from 2014.

Tasting Notes: This deep, ruby red, medium-bodied wine has berry fruit flavours and a beautiful balance, very smooth and tasty with notes of matured red fruits, compote of fruits and honey

This is a $10 inexpensive wine that packs a lot of fruit and flavor in a tidy package.  Not a complete fruit bomb, there is some finesse – no real tannins. The finish is not too long, but a very good “school night” wine or a second bottle open type. Can’t beat the price.

Until later, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!