The Wines of May 2021

Another month and we are getting to go places with less masking. Get vaccinated if you haven't.

So, I killed off my over 20 year old bottle of Weller's Bourbon. Then I find out, that Weller's is now an "allocated" item at my liquor store - they only get a few bottles per month. How about that, I was hip before it became hip. I settled for a bottle of Buffalo Trace - they now own Weller's.

Now to the wines

2019 Chateau Guichot Famille Petite Vignobles, Bordeaux, France

You know the wine is not well known when you only find things about the White and Rose they produce. It was an adequate wine, some red fruits, a little acid to be food worthy, no real tannins or aftertaste. What you expect for a $10 Bordeaux

2018 Montes de Leza Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain

100% Tempranillo, this is the first wine of the Lozano family produced in its own winery located in the north of Spain. Each bunch of grapes has been carefully selected during the harvest.

It presents a very elegant nose to new wood and pleasant fresh notes of red fruits. The aging in new barrels makes this wine very balanced and shows very well integrated into the whole. The entrance in the mouth is wide and round. In addition it has good structure, Acidity friendly. The end is persistent that leaves us a memory of red fruit.

A pretty decent little Tempranillo from Rioja. Decent body, nice fruit flavors with a little touch of fruit on the end. Worth the $10 it cost, should pick up some more for “Week night” wines.

2019 Centine Paradiso Sant’ Adrea Nero di Troia, Puglia, Italy

Cantine Paradiso, Nero di Troia has varietal red berry fruits which dominate the nose. The palate offers balanced structure, good persistence and a nice twist of acidity.

Tasting characteristics : a ruby ​​red wine with purple reflections. Varietal red berry fruits dominate the nose. The palate offers balanced structure, good persistence and a nice twist of acidity

Food pairing : a wine to drink through the meal and a fine partner for vegetable or white meat-based preparations. Equally delicious when enjoyed on its own

This was a very good bottle of wine – nice fruits in the nose and mouth, good body and acidity to make it a real good food wine. Priced under $12, well worth getting a few.

2017 Waterdog Red Vinho, Portugal

Loving, loyal and intelligent, Portuguese Waterdogs are a treasured breed originally from the southern coast of Portugal – near where our winery originates. Waterdog red wine, a blend of Castelão, Trincadeira and Touriga Nacional grape varieties, have a fruity palate with notes of red berries and a touch of wood. Aged for 6 months on French and American Oak. Enjoy it with BBQ, roasts and pasta dishes.

Wine Enthusiast: 90 Points

This is a new wine from this producer, a blend of three grapes that is designed to be drunk young. In that, the wine succeeds, with its fine tannins cushioned by layers of black fruits and balanced acidity. Drink the wine now.

Another unusual grape blend, but very tasty. Good fruits ,both red and black with some vanilla, acidity for food and a touch a dryness on the finish. Screw cap available for around $12, really nice when grilling.

2018 Domaine de Ju Red wine, Ventoux, France

Raspberry and strawberry preserves are dusted with crushed earth and tea leaves in this big, juicy blend of Grenache (60%), Syrah (35%) and Carignan (5%). Vinified without oak, it's firmly focused on rich, fleshy red fruit flavors but there's an undertone of sweet spice that lends a sexy kick. Best enjoyed young. 89 Points WE

Lying just east of the Rhône, the beautiful vine clad Ventoux region is dominated by the giant Mont Ventoux. It's a region prized for its fresh, red fruit and spice character wines. Like this Gold medal winning Grenache based red from Domaine de Ju.

A bright tasting wine with an undertow of spice that made it very good. Red fruits dominate the nose and palate making it a good food and sipping wine. Another $11 bottle that I would drink again and again.

2020 Ver Sacrum “Geisha de Jade” White Blend, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

This wine is a blend of 40% Marsanne and 60% Roussanne all from a single vineyard in the Los Chacayes IG in the Uco Valley. The nose jumps out of the glass with notes of orange peel, apricot, candied peach, and tangerine all woven together with white flowers, lavender, and a touch of coriander. The palate shows good acidity to match the full bodied character and the wine finishes with notes of honeydew melon and just a hint of flor. Rockstar juice in a bottle!

 

You just don’t see white Rhone varietals growing in South America, but here it is. Very refreshing -  like a Chardonnay that went on a diet and bulked up. A short finish, but dry – very interesting wine. Available around $17 or so.

2019 CVNE Vina Real Rosado, Rioja, Spain

 Attractive salmon pink in color with a rose pink rim. This is an aromatic wine, the nose revealing floral aromas along with peach, apricot and background notes of strawberry and citrus. Delicious balanced, palate, rounded with a lightly acidic aftertaste and a long, fruit-driven finish. An elegant wine which can be enjoyed at any time, with food or without.

RP90Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2019 Viña Real Rosado is a clarete produced with white and red grapes: 70% Viura and 30% Tempranillo and Garnacha. At 12.5% alcohol and with good freshness, it was produced in a light and approachable style and bottled early to preserve the primary character. This almost has more character of a white wine than a rosé, obviously very pale and with great freshness. It's balanced with moderate ripeness and a dry and serious palate with a long, dry and chalky finish that I like very much. Rating : 90+

 

Good fruit flavors in this Rose, even though it is a pale pink. I noted the freshness and balance; the finish was dry. Very drinkable and only around $12.

2018 Ver Sacrum GSM, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina

13% alcohol. Bush vines. 70% Garnacha, 15% Monastrell, 15% Syrah, planted 2012. The grapes are co-fermented. First of all they have 8 days semi-carbonic maceration, then they are pressed to a 3000 litre unlined concrete egg for fermentation to complete for 20 days off skins, then the wine spends 8 months in old oak. There’s a bit of reduction on the nose, which shows bright berry fruits. The palate is juicy, light and bright with a vibrancy to it, as well as compact cherry and plum fruit. It’s a really pretty, drinkable wine with perhaps some latent seriousness under the currently quite simple fruit. The freshness, carbonic character and purity are all lovely. On day two it has shed the reduction and it’s silky and delicious. 93/100

G.S.M. is an Australian term for a southern Rhône Valley-style blend of grenache, syrah and mourvèdre. Argentina is better known for malbec, of course, but Ver Sacrum chose to focus on other grapes in its high-altitude vineyard in the Uco Valley of Mendoza. This bottle is 70 percent grenache, with 15 percent each of mourvèdre and syrah. It’s intense and juicy, yet well-balanced and precise, full of red fruit and herbal flavors. - Eric Asimov of The New York Times

This wine is a little lighter than most GSM’s, but had good fruit in the nose and on the palate. A moderate finish with integrated tannins, a real nice food wine and sipper. Only priced at $16 or so.

2016 Feudi di San Gregorio ‘Rubrato’ Aglianico, Irpinia, Italy

An intense ruby red color, this Aglianico displays aromas of wild berries, licorice and herb. It's well-balanced with savory notes of balsamic, and pairs well with hard cheeses, eggplant parmigiana or hearty beef stew.

JS94James Suckling

Great fresh-plum and herbal character on the expressive nose leads into an aglianico that manages to be concentrated with no trace of opulence. Fresh, without being overly tart, at the long, dry and mineral finish. Drink or hold.

 

I noted the dark and red fruits, herbs and spice on the palate. The tannins were fairly light, but brought some body to the wine. Nice moderate finish – good with food, also. Priced around $25.

2016 Bodega Ordonez ‘Vatan’ Tinta de Toro, Toro, Spain

Showing even better than when I tasted it last year, the 2016 Vatan (100% Tinta de Toro) is still a baby and sports a deep purple color as well as blockbuster notes of blackcurrants, melted licorice, violets, ground pepper, and earth. It starts out tight and backward on the palate but slowly opens with air. It’s full-bodied, opulent, and powerful, yet still stays light on its feet, balanced, and lively. It still needs another 2-3 years and is going to evolve for 15-20 years or more.

COMMENTARY: The 2016 Bodegas Ordoñez Vatan does an excellent job of combining power and style. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings enticing black fruit aromas and flavors upfront and center. Pair it with the first cut of a prime rib, if you can get it away from your dining partner.

This wine had a great fruit nose, then flavors were like a blockbuster. Heavy red fruits and big tannins, with a very long finish. This wine needs at least a few years in the cellar to tame down – it is a massive wine. Priced from $35-40, this is a beast that needs to calm down and would hold for years.

I hope you all are safe and well. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of April 2021

A little slow posting this, I had a birthday occur and I'm older and slower. 

Here are the Wines from April

2017 Elk Cove Vineyard Estate Riesling, Willamette Valley, OR

An intense wine that shows floral aromas of candied apricot, orange-blossom, and honey. The palate evokes lively green apple and bosc pear, finishing with shortbread cookie and a touch of lavender and slate.

RP 89  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2017 Riesling Estate has a spicy nose of honeysuckle, musk and white pepper over a core of white peach and apricot. Light-bodied with stone fruits in the mouth, it has very juicy acidity and touches of white flowers and pebbles coming through on the long textural finish.

This is a well made wine – the fruits are clean, almost like stones, but very fragrant with good acidity for food. Dry but not puckering, great wine with lighter fare or appetizers. Really nice bottle of wine. Priced at $15 – 18.

2018 Erath Resplendent Pinot Noir, Dundee OR

TASTING NOTES

This ruby beauty offers beguiling aromas of raspberry jam, strawberries, cherry turnover with

vanilla icing and a fragrant hint of orange blossom. The palate is round and gratifying with

flavors of plum, loganberry, pomegranate and a dash of sage. Pretty, fruit-forward and perfectly delicious.

Really nice Pinot from this winery. A step above the regular bottle but not as pricey as the reserve. Good fruits with some herbal tones, decent acidity to match foods. Another really good bottle. Priced at $15 – 18.

2017 Pedroncelli Merlot Bench Vineyard, Dry Creek, CA

Aromas are rich and enticing with hints of strawberry, sage, and baking spices. Flavors of red cherry, plum, and notes of freshly ground black pepper are showcased along with a touch of vanilla and toasty oak. Medium-bodied with rounded tannins follow through to a spiced finish. A beautifully balanced wine.

90 pts Wine Spectator

Well-structured, with a firm backbone of acidity to the dried dark currant, dark cherry and dried berry flavors. Cedary accents show mid palate, featuring notes of graphite and slate on the tannic finish. Drink now through 2023.

$20

This is what Merlot should be like – good red and black fruits, hints of herbal flavors and a nice moderate finish with some tannin interwoven. You get some oak, but not overpowering. Great bottle for some red meat, will hold for a couple of years if you get a couple bottles. Priced around $20.

2019 Willamette Valley Vineyards ‘Whole Cluster’ Pinot Noir Rosé, Willamette Valley, OR

Electric pink color, this wine opens with vibrant aromatics of tropical peaches, strawberries and cream and candied pineapple. The palate is juicy and displays fresh raspberry, kiwi and honeysuckle flavors while remaining bright and balanced with refreshing acidity. The finish carries lush watermelon flavors well beyond the sip.

Pair with complex, spicy and herbal dishes that highlight fresh spring and summer ingredients. Also enjoy with seafood like seared ahi tuna, shellfish and ceviche, curry dishes and other pairings with harissa sauce, sweet potato fries and antipasto platters.

WE90     Wine Enthusiast

Bright and spicy, this does not shy away from herbal scents and flavors, notably thyme and chervil. The crunchy fruit conjures up freshly picked mountain strawberries. It’s clean, crisp and most refreshing.

Not a bad little bottle, not my top pick of “pinkies”. Drawn off the whole cluster Pinot Noir and then made into this Rose. Fairly deep palate, some berry and floral hints, but gets a little lost near the end. Not much of a finish. Pleasant on a hot day or before more serious wines. Priced around $16.

2017 Domaine Bel-Air ‘Briante’ Brouilly, Beaujolais, FRA

Ripe red fruits dominate this broad wine. Rose-petal aromas are followed through with perfumed tannins that back up that fruit. Aged for eight months before bottling, the wine should be ready from late 2019.

100% Gamay from Brouilly which is the most southerly of the ten Beaujolais Crus. This famous cuvée “Briante” is an aromatic wine, full of plum, cherry, and kirsch notes. The palate is long, the tannins are refined and there is great freshness on the finish.

Think “light style pinot” with more dark fruits. The finish is average, tannins not noticeable by this time. Available at around $15, not a bad wine, but nothing I would seek out.

2018 Tenuta Sette Ponti ‘Crognolo, Tuscany, IT

RP93Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Tenuta Sette Ponti 2018 Crognolo is mostly Sangiovese blended in with about 10% Merlot. This is a nicely balanced wine that offers the tangy freshness and acidity of the first grape ironed out and softened by that smaller percentage of the second. The wine is redolent of cherry, blackberry and plum. Its primary intensity is bright and cheerful. The finish shows pretty thickness, extraction and nicely integrated tannins.

Clay and sand soils as well as Tuscany’s special stony galestro limestone, combined with ideal sun exposure and a climate tempered by the Mediterranean, provide an ideal climate for the Sangiovese grape. Low yields of excellent-quality hand harvested fruit ensure a rich and concentrated result. Following hand sorting and destemming, grapes are fermented in a combination of temperature controlled and lined open-top tanks. Crognolo is aged in French Allier barriques and in bottle.

This is a knock-out style Super Tuscan at a reasonable price. Sangiovese with a little Merlot – a dark, tasty wine with dark fruit flavers, integrated tannins and a touch of oak. Nice broad finish, this wine could be held for several years and still be great. Available from $35 to 40, worth the money.

2019 Stolpman Vineyards Crunchy Roastie, Ballard Canyon, CA

Deep, luscious blue, purple, and black fruit welcomes one into the smooth, supple, billowy mouthfeel.  Classic Syrah notes of olives, olive tapenade, and “roast” meats compliment the fruit purity from the nose all the way through to the seamless, soft finish.  Deep enough to pair with summertime grilling yet so smooth it gets yummier and crunchier – almost refreshing - drinking it with a chill.  As the bottle opens up with air, red-fruit appears above the blue-black and a nice spicy framing of freshness begins to lift the palate.

The giving “come-to-mama” yumminess seems weightier than its light 12.5% alcohol would suggest.

95% Syrah, 5 % Viognier

WE92Wine Enthusiast

Crumpled rose and violet aromas meet with Dr Pepper spices and grape bubblegum on the nose of this bottling, which includes 5% Viognier. It’s very zippy on the sip, blending purplefruit and flower flavors with white-pepper spice and a lightly toasted finish.

This is a big French style Syrah, as opposed to the overly fruity Aussie style of Shiraz. Very nice, with broad flavors and nice acidity to make it pleasant sipping and matching food. The finish is moderate with hints of spice. Very nice style of Syrah, priced around $24 - 29

2015 Toricoda Primitivo, Salento, Italy

Red cherry and blackberry aromas meld with snippets of baking spice and menthol on the nose. The medium-bodied palate is firm, with structured tannins and crisp acidity, housing juicy berry flavors dotted with red floral tones. Dark plum rounds out the finish.  88 Points WE

The 2015 Torcicoda is an intense ruby red in color. The wine expresses rich and complex aromas of raspberry and black cherry, followed by delicate notes of licorice and vanilla. The wine is supple and ample with a complex, long-lasting finish.

JS91James Suckling

This is a gorgeous young wine with dried strawberry and cherry character. Hints of cream. Medium body, light tannins and plenty of luscious fruit at the end.

This is different than a Cali zinfandel; yet it has good red fruits and a deeper flavor profile of spices. Dark and almost brooding, it has enough acidity for food or just sipping. Moderate to long finish with mild tannins interwoven. Great buy – Available under $20 – try this one for sure.

2019 Chacabuco Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

   Best Buy              85 Pts WE

Cassis and plum aromas come with a sweet dash of cinnamon that seems a bit fake but not off-putting. A rubbing palate is slightly tannic, while this tastes of foxy berry fruit and metal. A lightly herbal finish with mild green notes is the close. 

Crafted from high elevation vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina by former Wine of the Month Bodega Los Haroldos, Chacauco represent three generations of the Falasco's family immigration from Italy to Argentina to pursue their dreams of creating a winery. In 1939 Octavio Rufino Falasco sold his family wine from a basket on the front of his bike. With time and hard work he bought more land and established a winery in San Martin. The label is to honor these humble roots in creating one of the most successful wineries in Argentina.

James Suckling: 90 Points

"This has plenty of violets and cassis on the nose with attractively fresh, primary style. The palate has a succulent, juicy feel. Light, smooth and fresh. Cassis to close. Drink now." James Suckling, 90 Points

A pleasant little Malbec with fruit forward berries and hints of spice. At a $10 price point, drink everyday – enough umph to go with meals and a pleasant little sipper.

Another month has flown by. Hope you are well and staying safe. Get the vaccination when you can. Until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of March 2021

Another month has come and gone. Going to briefly talk about the Syrah grape.

Syrah, also known as Shiraz, is a dark-skinned grape variety grown throughout the world and used primarily to produce red wine. In 1999, Syrah was found to be the offspring of two obscure grapes from southeastern France, Dureza and Mondeuse Blanche. Syrah should not be confused with Petite Sirah, a cross of Syrah with Peloursin dating from 1880 (Called Durif in France).

Legends of Syrah's origins come from one of its homonyms, Shiraz. Because Shiraz, capital of the Persian Empire (modern-day Iran), produced the well-known “Shirazi” wine, legends claim the Syrah grape originated in Shiraz and then was brought to Rhône. At least two significantly different versions of the myth are reported, giving different accounts of how the variety is supposed to have been brought from Shiraz to Rhône and differing up to 1,800 years in dating this event.

2016 Zorzal Eggo Franco, Tupungato, Argentina

“The Eggo Franco is produced, like many of their wines, with grapes from Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It fermented in cement eggs with some stems and with 50% of the wine kept in contact with skins for some three to four months, then pressed and put back in the eggs to complete its elevage, which lasted some nine months. It typically shows a mixture of herbal and candied berry aromas, hints of beef blood and iron. The absence of oak shows the naked tannins and provides an earthy side, which to me is very much the wild character of Gualtallary.” –Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

JS91       James Suckling

Aromas of currants, flowers and stones follow through to a medium body, firm and silky tannins and a delicious finish.

A nice Cabernet Franc from Argentina- there can be bottle variation, although my bottle was very good. The medium body had an undertone of meatiness. Nicely made, good with food, good bottle of wine. Special at around $12.

2015 Langman Estate Grace’s Grenache, Sierra Foothills, CA

This wine is rich and soothing, showing distinctive floral, grapey aromas, a broad mouthfeel and ripe concentrated plum and prune flavors. It feels quite full bodied but not very tannic, and leaves a lingering finish. JIM GORDON           RATING 87

Another close-out from Matt – this is a really nice drinking Grenache. Good fruit, like the old vine Garnarcha from Spain. Priced at around $11, this is a buy several bottles.

2016 Brotte Chateaunuef-du-pape Blanc ‘Le Hautes des Barville’, Rhone, France

A tinge of copper to this white's hue suggests a bit of skin contact, and there's a decided textural element and tannic grip on the palate as well. Pear and melon flavors finish refreshing and mouthwatering in spite of the wine's richness. Drink now.  WE RATING 91

Wine Advocate 91

The 2017 Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc les Hauts de Barville is 80% Grenache Blanc, fermented and aged in stainless steel. Straightforward grapefruit and lime notes abound in this medium to full-bodied offering. It's crisp and clean, with riper hints of stone fruit to round out the mid-palate, while citrus keeps the finish fresh and long.       by Robert Parker, JC, 2018.

A splendid white wine that had a great body with melting flavors of pear and melon with a nice acid balance. Great for sipping or with lighter meals. Priced around $35, kind of a splurge.

2014 Domaine De La Ville Rouge Crozes-Hermitage ‘Inspiration’, Rhone, France

“The Crozes-Hermitage ‘Inspiration’ is made from the estate’s youngest vines (10-15 years old) grown on the ‘plateau de Chassis’, a terrace made up of thick layers of pebbles from different glacial periods, interspersed with red clay. The juice gets a four-day pre-fermentation soak, with 80% then aged for 12 months in stainless steel, the remainder in oak barrels. A creamy, juicy nose of plum and spice and just a suggestion of the typical Crozes ‘bacon fat’ character. Light-bodied, fresh acidity, savoury, with soft tannins. Sleekly textured, elegant and just delicious – an approachable style to be drunk young and on the fruit. Very good value for the appellation.”

This wine may be at or just past its peak.  Over-ripe red fruits and tar, almost a little off-putting. Not a bad bottle, just showing its age. Around $24, try to get a newer vintage

2017 Finca Collado Syrah/ Monastrell, Alicante, Spain

RATING: 92 Points - James Suckling* An attractive color, with great intensity. The nose of the wine show ripe fruits and a touch of unroasted coffee. The nose leads to a tasty, intense palate, that has a touch of spice to go with a boat load of different fruit flavors. The finish is clean with a hint of tobacco lended from the Monastrell. An enjoyable, easy drink! Pairs well with appetizers, bbq and grilled meats, even a nice cheeseburger would work! Also a good combination with dark chocolate and red jams!

A very dark wine with red fruit with spice and tobacco. Medium body with a modest finish, a very nice drinking wine.Acidity to make it a food match – runs under $15 – well worth drinking

2018 Parducci Small Lot Petite Sirah, Mendocino County, CA

Parducci pays homage to the hearty character of Petite Sirah with grapes harvested from Mendocino County’s heritage vineyard sites and winemaking that embraces each wine’s unique varietal qualities. Full and velvety with bold dark fruit flavors and aromas of blackberry, sage and a hint of vanilla.

From Mendocino’s heritage vineyard sites, the 2018 vintage depicts the best of the qualities we’ve come to expect from this velvety, rich red, which aged in oak barrels and redwood tanks. Notes of briar and lavender play a key role on the juicy palate alongside bright acidity. It’s more of a gentle giant than a harsh teeth-grabber.

Nice red fruits show in this bottling – some tannin and decent acidity make it very tasty. Moderate finish – a really nice Petite that doesn’t overpower food. Priced around $15, buy several bottles.

2017 Shinas Estate ‘The Guilty’ Shiraz, South East Australia

Deep dark red black colour with a dark red hue. Spiced dark plum and liquorice allsorts aromas intermix with vanillin oak and hints of dark chocolate. Rich, plush and sweetly fruited with medium to full body weight, the palate is filled with luscious dark plum and liquorice flavours over a back drop of spicy vanillin oak. Soft acidity and velvet smooth tannins finishing with a medium length aftertaste.

Drink over the next 1-2 years.

Dark, brooding Aussie Shiraz that is not too fruit forward. Some tannins, but the blend well with the dark red fruits and oak. Long finish that ends on a almost sweet note. Well built shiraz with enough acidity to go with heavy meats. Priced around $25, nice bottle to have around.

Another month has flown by. Hope you are well and staying safe. Get the vaccination when you can. Until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 Wines for the month of February 2021

Wow - a short but cold month went by. Hope everyone was warm enough - here are the wines to review.

2014 Passalacqua Cabernet Sauvignon TR Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley, CA

The story of the Passalacqua family in the United States starts in 1865, when Francesco Passalacqua emigrated from Genoa, landing in San Francisco and settling in Healdsburg, where he immediately planted grapes. In 1895 he opened Fitch Mountain Cellars. The original house and one half acre of grapes still stand on Fitch Street in downtown Healdsburg. In 1930, Francesco’s widow Rachel purchased the Oliveto Wine Company in downtown Healdsburg, and in 1933 her daughter Edith opened Sonoma County Cellars in the building. Edith was one of the first women to make wine and to own and operate a winery in California after prohibition. She finally retired in 1958. Aunt Edith’s original label design graces each bottle of our Passalacqua Estate Zinfandel.

In 1979, third generation Tom Passalacqua and his wife Sandi purchased a 300-acre ranch off Mill Creek Road, at the southern tip of Dry Creek Valley. They planted almost 110 acres of it to Cabernet Sauvignon in 1996. In 2000, their son Jason, inspired by the Cabernet acreage and the families’ history, began making wine. The current winery property on Lambert Bridge Road opened as Passalacqua Winery in 2004, showcasing Zinfandel from select vineyards in Dry Creek Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon from the families’ TR Passalacqua Vineyard.

The aromatics completely show the barrel fermentation. It smells like mashed blackberries, cherries, and plums that have been soaking in a cedar bowl. You can get a sense of the oak, but it’s so integrated with the fruit, it’s hard to tease them apart. The palate shows some of that fruit, but turns more to dusty tannin and there is a dried leafy character in the background mixed with a touch of brown spices. The finish is mostly cedar and tannin that will continue to soften over the years.

This wine is drinking wonderfully right now. There are dark red fruits with a remaining touch of tannins.  Very good wine for a heavier meal, good drinking. Gift so I don’t know a price.

2015 Graziano Old Vine Carignane, Mendocino, Ca

Editors' Choice

Excellent concentration helps this medium-bodied, uncomplicated and gorgeously ripe wine stand out. It blends red and black fruits for a sense of focus and pure enjoyment in the flavors, while light tannins and good acidity balance it out nicely.

This is an interesting wine, much like a less spicy, refined Zindfandel than the usual Carignane.  Nice acidity to balance with a meal – red fruits but not overpowering with an herbaceous tone. Very nice – got on close-out for about $12. Get some if you can find it).

2018 Frescobaldi Remole Toscana, Tuscany, Italy

Remole Rosso 2018 boasts a bright and intense violet-red color. Fruity aromas, such as blackcurrant, raspberry and black cherry slowly give way to extremely delicate spicy notes. On the palate, the warm note is balanced out wonderfully by a fresh vivacity. It is a pleasant wine that marries elegance and balance with great softness.

Villa di Remole, in the heart of Tuscany, is the cradle of the 700 years of history and tradition of the Frescobaldi family. Remole is an intense, soft and fruity wine that will captivate and delight you. Particularly suited for full-flavoured first courses, charcuterie and red meat.

Not a bad little wine, lacking in comparison to other wines of this ilk. Goes well with Italian food, a little soft in mid-palate. No real tannin feel, drink reasonably soon.  Priced around $10 – 12.

2016 La Nerthe “Les Cassagnes” Cotes-du-Rhone Villages, Vaucluse, France

Archives affirm Chateau La Nerthe’s existence as early as 1560, while suggesting an even more distant past dating to the dawn of the region’s wine culture in the 12th century making it one of Chateauneuf’s oldest estates. Located in the heart of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC region of southern France not far from Avignon, the 225 acres of Chateau La Nerthe vineyards are located in a single block around the Chateau and have been certified Organic since 1998. The terroir is very typical for the region: vineyards runs along a slope, at the top of which the vines dig their roots into soils of sandy-clay, on the surface there is a layer of the famous galettes, large, round, well-worn stones that originated in the Alps, having been carried down to the Rhône by the glaciers of previous ice ages. The further down the slope of the vineyard you travel, the more these stones dominate. All 14 of the permitted primary varietals are planted-Grenache dominates 62% of vineyards and the vines average over 40 years old. Chateau La Nerthe is the prime expression of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.

GRAPES: 60% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre

Winemaker Notes

Deep red color with a purple border. On the nose, intense red fruits with some black cherry notes. A beautiful freshness on the palate, with roundness. The finish is long, with notes of candied red fruit highlighted by sweet spices. Fresh, silky texture on the finish.

Enjoy with grilled, roasted or stewed pork, beef, duck, veal and lamb. This wine is perfect with pizza or your favorite Asian dishes. Also a great pairing with both soft and hard cheeses.

This is a very good CDR, good fruits, sort of almond cherry flavor with some stones thrown in. Moderate finish, a good wine to sip or to match a meal. Just a wonderful wine – priced around $20, well worth every penny.

2016 Fattoria le Pupille Morellino di Scansano Riserva, Grosseto, Italy

 

93+ Points! The 2016 Morellino di Scansano Riserva has made a great leap forward in recent vintages. The blend is 90% Sangiovese and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the wine is aged in old Saffredi barrique along with larger botte. The wine shows a stunning crispness and a sharp focus in this vintage. It opens to black cherry notes and generous red fruit, with very lightly toasted almond and spice at the back. The mouthfeel is full, and while the bouquet starts off a bit closed, the finish grows steadily in volume and girth. It would be a nice accompaniment to grilled portobello mushrooms... This wine offers excellent value from coastal Tuscany. - Monica Larner, robertparker.com

An excellent Italian blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet – a nice nose followed by a big mouth filling flavors of sharp red fruits. Some tannins, followed by a long finish – hints of spice and nuts on the back end. Very good with food – would stand up to big grilled meats, as well as pasta dishes. Well priced around $22 – 25; a good value at this price.

2016 Casa Santos Lima ‘Colossal’ Reserva, Lisboa, Portugal

 

With an intense ruby color, this wine presents itself with a great concentration in the nose. Extremely rich aroma with predominance of red ripe frutis and some floral notes, well integrated with notes of spices coming from the ageing in French and American aok barrels. In the mouth it shows great complexity with notes of plums and blackberries. The finish is rich and elegant.

Critical Acclaim  WS90Wine Spectator

Plum and boysenberry notes weave together with dried herb and smoky mineral accents in this sleek red. Savory spice details chime in on the finish. Offers moderate, grippy tannins. Drink now through 2020.

Grapes:  30% Syrah, 30% Touriga Nacional, 30% Tinta Roriz, 10% Alicante Bouschet

This wine has balanced red fruits – think strawberry and raspberry, with a touch of stone and some herbs (mint?). Good mouthfeel, tannins are subdued and the finish is moderate. Drink in the next year – price is great, find it for under $15 and drink it up.

2019 Alvaro Palacios ‘Camins’ del Priorat, Priorat, Spain

Blend: 40% Garnacha, 30% Cinsault, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah

JS94James Suckling

Gorgeous, bright fruit with raspberries, black cherries and lavender with some schist. It’s medium-bodied with very polished and integrated tannins that go on and on. Drink or hold.

RP91Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The regional blend 2019 Camins del Priorat is a blend of 35% Garnacha, 24% Syrah, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Cariñena, 10% Merlot and 3% other varieties. The grapes were destemmed, lightly crushed and then fermented with the natural yeasts in a combination of stainless steel, oak and concrete vats. After fermentation, it matured in barrel and oak vats for four months.

I found this to be an intriguing wine. The red fruits seemed a little closed in at the beginning, but opened as the wine sat longer. Dark fruits dominate with hints of anise and balsamic overtones.  Give it another few monts and it should drink well – wine is powerful with integrated tannins and a moderate finish. Classic example of a modern wine made from rustic grapes and area. Priced around $22 – 25, a good wine to hang onto for a bit then enjoy.

Another month – it seemed short, except for the freezing weather. Hope you are well and staying safe. Get the vaccination when you can. Until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of January 2021

Another month of Wines ! Hope everyone stayed warm and out of snow drifts.

2015 Easton Zinfandel , Amador County, CA

A velvety texture and extremely concentrated black-fruit flavors make this full-bodied wine delicious to savor. It has beautiful big tannins that are well integrated, luxurious blackberry, sage and cedar flavors, plus great length on the finish.                91 Pts Wine Enthuisiast

92 Points & #42 100 Wines of 2018 - Wine Spectator Magazine:

"Epitomizes fine Sierra Foothills Zinfandel, offering vibrant, briary raspberry, smoked pepper and wild sweet anise flavors that stretch out on the zesty finish. Drink now through 2023. 6,200 cases made."

This isn’t a fruit bomb zinfandel – its flavors are fresh but balanced with the tannins and acidity. Drinking very well right now, this wine goes with red meat well. Really nicely made and priced around $20. A real value for this wine.

2012 Casa Castillo Las Gravas,  Jumilla, Spain

94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 A cuvée that has been changing over the years (and getting more focused and Mediterranean, I'd say) the 2012 Las Gravas is a blend of Monastrell with 15% Syrah and 15% Garnacha; the Garnacha vineyards in the state come into production so the winery has more grapes to use. This wine saw a big change with the 2008 vintage, when Cabernet Sauvignon disappeared from the blend and got more focused and true to its birthplace. 2012 could be the finest vintage to date, as there was no 2012 Pie Franco, as quantities were really short and those grapes are in this blend. It starts off with some notes of smoke, toffee, fresh fruit and orange peel in harmony with well-integrated oak and a stony profile that develops more and more notes of esparto grass with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, with some polished, very fine tannins and a good mid-palate that is very balanced and fresh (I saw a note of pomegranate, is it the Garnacha?). It is a serious, very young wine with ripe flavors that make it very tasty. This is clearly riper than the 2013s and shows the character of the vintage quite transparently. The price is a dream come true.

A yummy, dark wine that has serious flavors. Drinking great right now, tannins are mostly gone, but the fruit comes through on the palate with flavors that are hard to pin down. Pleasant finish, this wine is another great value, priced around $25. Grab some and drink it!

Bouvet Brut Rose Excellence NV, Loire, France

Winemaker Notes

Bouvet Rosé Brut exhibits a brilliant, delicate salmon-pink color punctuated by fine, pinpoint bubbles which suggest the wines fresh, raspberry and cassis fragrance. On the palate it is very dry and crisp, with plump, succulent red fruit flavors offset by subtle earthy notes and a lovely generosity on the clean, persistent finish.

TP92Tasting Panel

Cherry skins and figs scent this 100% Cabernet Franc rosé. An energetic effervescence releases sweet cherry and tart cranberry. Minerality plays a key role on the long finish.

A very good Rose sparkling wine that never misses. Great bubbles, wonderful fruit on the palate and a crisp finish – acidity to complement different foods. Keep some on hand, chilled for friends. Price in the $15 range, and they won’t know it isn’t “Champagne”.

2018 Montesco Cabernet Franc, Tupungato, Argentina

Early reduction results in gaseous aromas of olive and rubber, but once this breathes and expands you get meaty, earthy berry scents. A solid palate offers spicy dark plum and berry flavors, while on the finish this Cab Franc is firm and balanced.

You need to let this wine rest in your glass with some swirling before you smell it. The funky nose blows off and it becomes nice; red berry fruits. Good palate, plum and red berry with a moderate finish.  Tasty little Cab Franc for under $20.

2015 Domaine de Pallus Chinon, Loire, France

Since the debut 2004 vintage, Les Pensées has grown in stature with each passing vinage. It is assembled from parcels on several different soil types, with the aim to define “Chinon” in a glass. It reveals classic Loire Valley Cabernet Franc aromas and flavors, but with remarkable precision and the kind of textural depth that is rarely seen in Chinon.

Pallus    Made only in exceptional years and in tiny quantities, Pallus aims to test the upper limits of what Chinon can be.

90pts (2016 Vintage) Vinous 7/16/2020

"Lovely big herbal aromas with notes of sage and oregano, plus some rose and olive. On the palate, attractively austere, displaying lively acidity, flavors of cranberry and black tea and graphite notes throughout. Very refreshing finish. Classic Chinon and good value."

A good nose, followed by a hint of green herb and red fruits. Follows on the finish, which is moderate. Good alone but much better with food – a real dinner wine. Priced in the mid-$20’s.

2018 Somos Cabernet Franc, McLaren Vale, Australia

Dark berry meets light mocha red of easy drinking. The gist of the wine is casual drinking with some spicy personality amongst slurpiness and sweetish fruit. Shows some of the green herb and pepper detail expected, indeed, the finish is relatively green and leafy but in a lip-smacking, freshening kind of way. Saline licks, licorice and smudged tannins complete this picture. Cool and frisky but with enough meat on its bones to satisfy. Fresher than a sea breeze. Herbs and grasses but bitumen and licorice-strap too. Floral elements. The more you look the more you find. Huge yes for drinkability and interest.

Not too much Cab Franc down under, but these young winemakers make the best of these grapes. The wine is balanced, with red berry fruit and green herb overlays. Nice finish, with limited tannins. I was surprised how good it was. Little bit more in price – around $35, but a good wine to see Cab Franc from another locale.

2016 Canard Vineyard ‘Adam’s Blend’, Napa Valley, CA

Varietals:             91% Cabernet Franc, 5% Merlot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon

This Cabernet Franc dominate blend “bridges” the two main varietals from Bordeaux, the Left Bank which favors Cabernet Sauvignon and the Right Bank which favors Merlot and completes the series of proprietary blends from Canard. This wine is rich and medium bodied with long soft tannins. Perfumed nose with hints of strawberry jam, red plums and violets. A smooth delicate entry yields to great structure and a long finish of ground rose buds, cocoa, rhubarb, sweet cranberries and cherries. Aged in French oak to create a long-term, ageworthy blend, this will easily cellar well for 10+ years.

 

This is a big wine, seemingly more like Cab Sauv than Cab Franc. The nose is pleasant but still a little closed. The palate is similar, still a little tight but very broad. Good framework and balance – the wine initially seemed “hot”, but it mellowed in the glass in a short time. Long finish – this wine could use a few years cellaring to make it shine. Priced at around $70, not a bargain Cab Franc like the others.

Another month has flown by – hope everyone is staying safe and 6 feet apart. Until next time, Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The wines of November & December 2020

The end of November and early December was a hard time for me, for physical reasons. As a result, I decided to just double up the months. Here are some wines I enjoyed through the end of 2020. Hope every one is looking forward to a great 2021.

2016 Amicone Rosso Veneto, Ora Italy

Amicone is made from predominantly Corvina grapes (same grapes that go into Amarone) but are dried for a shorter period and on the vine not on mats like Amarone. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in French oak tonneaux for 8 months. The result is an easy drinking full-bodied red that has lots of rich soft, smooth texture.

The healthiest and most developed grapes are chosen during harvest to undergo a further drying process in controlled temperatures which guarantees the superb quality of this wine. These laborious steps produce a full-bodied yet soft wine with aromas of fresh raspberry and black cherry.

Slow maturation in oak barrels gives notes of sweet spices and chocolate. An ideal accompaniment to grilled or barbecued meats with friends or simply on its own during the winter evenings around the chimney, this wine evokes unexpected emotions.

This was a decent little Italian wine – nose was slight, but the flavors were expressive of red fruits and berries. Pretty good for an under $15 bottle. Worth getting as a school-night wine.

2019 Chateau Fontaubert Bordeaux France

Category              Red Wine

Varietals              Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc

Region  France, Bordeaux

Not a lot written about this cheap Bordeaux bottle, cost is in the $10 range. Modest nose, decent fruit, some black and red berry notes. Not an age-worthy bottle, OK for every day drinking.

2018 Fog Mountain Red Blend, California

The Field Blend brings together seven distinct varietals, delivering exquisite aromas of raspberry and bing cherry. Soft and supple on the mouth, strawberry notes intermingle with hints of cedar and culminate in a subtle tobacco finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Sirah, Syrah, Zinfandel

Sourced from a patchwork of sustainably farmed, California old vine vineyards and pioneering mountainsides, Fog Mountain strikes perfect harmony with seven distinct varieties. Pre-dating the famous Meritage of Napa Valley, the field blend relies on the old grape varieties which gave birth to the California wine industry. Fog Mountain seeks to be a steward to the land, to pass it on, with its traditions intact, to the next generation.

A combination of subtle strawberry, brambly blackberry, boysenberry, and bing cherry. Cedar and tobacco are found on the soft and supple finish.

A decent every night wine, decent body and fruit. Not much aftertaste, but goes with week night meals. Priced under $10.

2007 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Willamette Valley, OR

Cellar Selection

A very elegant and refined Evenstad Reserve, with grace notes of sandalwood and a lovely cherry core. The fruit is immaculate, the concentration focused and lengthy, and the flavors are so artfully blended that the wine is seamless and perfectly balanced. Although it is drinking like a mature wine, there is every reason to cellar wines such as this—it can develop like a fine Burgundy, over decades.

VINTAGE NOTES

At Domaine Serene, we've always maintained that great wines begin with great vineyards. This was particularly true of the 2007 vintage, where a myriad of weather conditions and temperature changes made for a very challenging harvest. Yes, it rained, but as fastidious as Pinot Noir may be, a little rain is not a bad thing, especially in dry-farmed vineyards. Most importantly is to have strong, proactive vineyard practices and a sound, diligent winemaking team that maintains a level head and does not panic and pick early. 2007 was a cool, wet vintage and will answer all requests for lower alcohols. The wines are beautifully integrated and drinking much softer at an earlier age – that is to say these are balanced and nuanced wines that are enjoyable now but will reward proper cellaring.

An excellent Oregon Pinot, with a good nose of red fruits. The mouthfeel was very balanced, with ripe berry and cherry notes with herbaceous notes. Long finish, moderate tannins but good acid balance. Not sure of the price, but you can’t go wrong with a bottle of this. (Price estimate around $60).

2018 Annick Bachelet Morgon, Beaujolais, France

This smells pretty great, hinting at the layers of flavor that develop with each taste. There’s a mineral essence underneath notes of green and black olives, all of it highlighted by bright red cherry and boysenberry fruit. Succulent and grand, it’s a ripe Morgon that lives up to the charm of its name. The fruit of 50-year-old vines at a south-facing vineyard, this is a wine to cellar to get the full benefits of its beauty.  — 92 Points Wine & Spirits, Apr 2020

Forget that Nouveau stuff, this is a legit wine from the same region. Modest nose, but red berry and fruit on the mouth – limited tannins but good acid balance.  An excellent food wine available around $20.

 2018 Giant Steps Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia

#42 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2019

All the 2018 Giant Steps Pinots have lovely perfume, color and very generous mouthfeels. This wine expresses an intricate blend of delicious parcels from Giant Steps’ Tarraford, Applejack, Lusatia Park, Primavera and Sexton vineyards. Powerful, lifted aromas of cherries, blue and red fruits are complemented by underlying savory, gamey characters.

WS94Wine Spectator

Elegant and distinctive, offering fresh raspberry, sage and white pepper notes that are precise, supple and juicy, with a thread of fresh loam and forest floor, supported by polished tannins. A touch of matcha green tea lingers on the finish. Drink now through 2033.

This wine offered a nose of red fruits and followed with smooth flavors of cherry and raspberry. Well structured Pinot, with notes of earth and tea. Tannins are well integrated and the acid balance is very good. Very good Pinot from Down Under – priced from $30-35.

2014 Terre Rouge Syrah, Côtes de l'Ouest  Amador County, CA

Our popular Syrah for every day pleasure is also a big hit in wine bars and restaurants across the US, Canada and England.  This syrah, from the "western slopes of the Sierra" is a wine that everyone can afford to drink and enjoy. We blend about 60% of grapes from our lowest elevations with 40% from our highest vineyards to create a lovely, balanced syrah.

This 2014 vintage has beautiful color with rich, silky, wild raspberry fruit flavors laced with pepper, sage, tar, and olive/herb tones. Aromas are raspberry, smoky, wild gamey, peppery, and cinnamon. The wine has a clean purity of Syrah fruit that is reminiscent of many St. Joseph’s and other Northern Rhone's. It has forward fruit flavors and great acid balance. It is very smooth and savory in the mouth.

In Northern Rhône style, the Syrah was co-ferment the Syrah with a bit of Viognier in each fermentor to finesse the wine. The grapes were lightly crushed and fermented in our larger tanks and irrigated to minimize tannin extraction and aged 17 months in 20% new and 80% used French oak barrels. The finished wine is 96% Syrah and 4% Viognier.

This is not an Aussie style Syrah – this is very much a Rhone style wine.  The wine tastes large in the mouth, red fruits with tannins and hints of spiciness. Not overpowering however, delicate enough to compliment many meals. A real winner – available from $20-25.

2018 Decoy Limited Red Blend, Napa Valley, CA

Wine Review: This red blend from Decoy opens with a black cherry and black currant bouquet. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and balanced. The flavor profile was initially quite tight, but it opened up with some aeration. The flavor profile is a mild mineral influenced red plum with notes of gentle oak and hints of black currant and black licorice. The finish is dry and its flavors and fine tannins fade away nicely. While this wine is not overly complex, it is quite friendly and versatile once it develops. I would pair it with your favorite juicy burger off the grill.

Grape blend: 43% Merlot, 25% Zinfandel, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon & 8% Tempranillo

This is a big red blend – nose was modest but the fruits hit your mouth – blackberry and cassis, with baking spices and lingering tannins. Long finish, a wine deserving cellar time and a chunk of red meat to go with it. Priced from $25 – 32.

2009 Hafner Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA

This red wine was produced by fermenting the juice with the skins to extract their color and flavor. CO2  gas (a by-product of fermentation) bubbled up through the skins causing them to float to the top and form the "cap". To ensure thorough color and flavor extraction, we pumped juice from the bottom of the tank and sprinkled it over the cap throughout the fermentation.

Following the Bordeaux tradition of extended maceration, the wine stayed on the skins for another two weeks to soften the young tannins. We then moved the Cabernet into our caves where it was aged in French (80%) and American (20%) oak barrels. During its first Winter, the wine underwent malolactic fermentation which lowered its acidity and added richness. In its second year, this Cabernet was aged in both oak barrels and oak tanks. After many blending trials, we added 2% Petit Verdot and 4% Malbec to this Cabernet to increase the wine's depth and richness. We bottled it in August 2011.

At our Annual Vertical Tasting in May 2020, we tasted the 2009 and here are our notes: Cassis, briars, bersaola, cinnamon, fresh mint, Niçoise olives, dark chocolate, vanilla bean, earthy, burnt toast. Round, chewy, rich. Long finish.

This wine is inky in the glass. Flavors of cassis, black raspberry linger with earth tones and herb overtones. Tannins are integrated and the wine is nicely balanced. Still retains a medium length finish. Very nice bottle from a small Sonoma family producer. (Price estimate $40)

2017 Domaine Thevenot-le Brun Bourgogne, Haut Cotes de Nuits, FR

The nose is complex with a mix of fruity, spicy and floral notes. In mouth the first feeling is on the roundness and then the tanins appear to end on a very nice length.

Red: its middle-of-the-road temperament, neither too stiff with tannins nor too fleshy, means that it goes well with such meats as rabbit, lamb or duck. It can stand salted or mildly spiced dishes (duck à l’orange, tajines…). An adaptable wine which, thanks to its attractive balance, commends itself to a wide range of dishes. Cheeses: mature Soumaintrain, Nuits d’Or, Reblochon fermier, Morbier. Serving temperature: 14 to 16°C.

A very French Pinot Noir – moderate color but nice balance on red fruit flavors. Could be overpowered, but good with a holiday meal that isn’t big red meat.  Priced around $20-25.

2013 Terre Rouge Garrigue, Sierra Foothills, CA

Reserved fruit and spice flavors, and a soothing, gripping texture will make this medium-bodied blend of Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon a great dinner guest. Plenty of tannins give a fine sandpaper feel on the tongue, and the wine will counterbalance the richness of meat, fowl and game dishes.

Domaine de la Terre Rouge specializes in wines made from Rhône Valley varietals. For this wine we were inspired the wines that originate a bit further South along the coastal Mediterranean were vineyards grown along side the garrigue or the local chaparral in places like Baux de Provence with the unique producer Domaine Trévallon. Our vines grow in a similar environment, surrounded by manzanita, pine, toyon, yerba santa, and chamise. This is a blend of twothird’s Syrah and one-third Cabernet Sauvignon that is complex and savory, while still being accessible now. It is modestly-priced and eminently quaffable.

Another wine from Amador County from Bill Easton. Bill doesn’t like to release his wines too early – he wants them drinkable on release. This blend is a great mix of Syrah and Cabernet – unusual but done very well. Not an overpowering wine, but on that will meld into a meal seamlessly – the red fruits come together and the wine goes down like silk. A really good wine that retails for about $20, way to good to pass up at that price.

Another couple months have flown by. Stay safe and keep popping those corks - I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.