The Wines of September 2024

We made it Fall - the best season of the year. The heat falls off but it's not quite bitter cold. The leaves change color, football is back and I can ignore the pumpkin spice crap. Enough - here are the wines:

2022 Honoro Vera Garnacha, Calatayud, Spain

Color of intense dark cherry with a violet edge. Intense nose, dominated by ripe red fruits (raspberry, currant) together with spicy and mineral notes. A very fresh and fruity wine, full-bodied, pleasantly tannic with a light spice on the finish.

A tasty school night wine – good red fruits and a moderate body to go with dinner. Awesome label, as well  $10

2022 Famille Fabre Grand Courtade Pinot Noir, France

Winemaking: Cold pre-fermentation maceration. Gentle extraction by punching down. Maceration for 8 to 10 days with temperature control to offer maximum fruit. 20% of the juice is aged for 3 months in oak barrels.

Tasting :

Eye | Pale ruby colour. Nose | Peat, cherry and stone fruit. Palate | Black cherries and pepper.

Final | Light, delicate, with appetence!

I bought this for a wine class – it was an adequate little Pinot with some cherry and moderate acidity. Very little tannins, and a short finish – just OK. $12

 

2021 Liberty School Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

Charred blackberry, violet and white peppercorn aromas make for a familiar and pleasing nose. The palate is ripe with berry flavors that are cut by pinches of herb and more elegant spices – WE 91 Pts

This tried-and-true Cabernet has been a dinner table staple for more than 40 years. A rich ruby hue fills the glass along with aromas of fresh vanilla, lush red fruit and herbaceous nuances. On the palate, bright cherry notes mingle with warm cocoa and sweet oak. The finish is unbelievably smooth with soft, gorgeous tannins.

Second wine for the class – a decent cabernet with nice body.  Red and black fruits with herbs and some green pepper and a modest finish. Not bad for the price. $16

 

2020 Gemtree Dragons Blood Shiraz, McClaren Vale, Australia

With the Southern Ocean coastline just minutes from Gemtree's vineyards, the maritime influence runs deep at this winery. Couple this with the certified organic vineyards that are tended by hand and you have a perfect recipe for a bold and full-bodied Shiraz; the Dragon's Blood McLaren Vale Shiraz. Choosing sites that offer the greatest varietal expression, concentration and finesse, the wine then saw maturation in French oak of sizes ranging from barriques (225L) to puncheons (500L) for 12 months. The result is a foreboding Shiraz that displays notes of blueberry, blackcurrant, aniseed and balancing earthen touch. Ideal served on its own to fully appreciate the rich and complex flavours but also at home when paired with French cutlets and slow cooked duck.

For an inexpensive Shiraz, this wine is a tasty quaff. Fruit forward with red berry fruit, but not cloying like some Australian wines. Nice acid balance for food and a modest finish. Great at the price.  $12

 

2020 Silk & Spice Spice Road red blend, Gaia, Portugal

Spice Road is an intense red wine that highlights the most important spices traded during the Portuguese voyages of exploration, and which are now found around the world.  This red wine blend, dark ruby in colour, offers  intense aromas of ripe black fruit balanced  with notes of dark chocolate and spices.

GRAPE VARIETY   Touriga Nacional(20%);Alicante Bouschet(50%);Shiraz(30%)

Left over from a store tasting, this is a decent school night wine that offers dark fruit and decent acidity. Best with food, the finish is short. Decent wine but I’ve had better.  $11

 

2022 Silk & Spice White Blend, Gaia, Portugal

TASTING NOTE

 Attractive citrus yellow and slightly golden in colour. Aromatically intense with notes of ripe peach, melon and white flowers, balanced with a touch of vanilla. The palate is well-rounded, with an excellent integration of American oak and a very long, balanced and agreeable finish.

 GRAPE VARIETY  Arinto(35%);Alvarinho(15%);Bical(50%)

See previous note – the white is slightly better with more flavor and body. Quaffable, as well as doing nicely with light food (chicken). $11

 

2021 Garnach de Fuego, Calatayud, Spain

90 Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: The Breca Garnacha de Fuego has always provided a fresh look in its presentation of this grape variety. While powerful on the palate, it finishes bright and lively. The 2021 vintage is a lovely, flavorful, and well-balanced wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of raspberries and blueberries. Enjoy its beautiful fruitiness with BBQ baby back ribs.

I’ve had many vintages of this over the years. I think that this one is not as bright on the fruit as I remember. Tasty with the red berries and spice hints, but the finish is short. Decent acidity for food. $10

2019 Royal Tokaji Dry Furmint, Hungary

A fresh, crisp wine showing all the fine qualities of the unique Furmint grape. Aromas of grape flowers, apple and pear combine with flavours of ripe apricot and peach to produce a sleek, intense dry wine with a long, refreshing finish.

A unique white wine that almost seems waxy on the nose. The mouthfeel is unusual – a cross of cantaloupe, peach and something else like minerals. The finish lingers but it is also a bit odd. I think I like this grape to be made into sweet wine. $19

 

2020 Thymiopoulos ‘Naoussa’ Xinomavro, Trilofos, Greece

All wines are fermented with wild yeast, and raised without any contact with oak. The result is a fragrant and fresh expression of Xinomavro, with notes of red fruit and herbs, with underlying acidity and a lingering finish.

Tasting Characteristics: Elegant aromatic character of fresh black fruits and herbs. Complex and balanced. Vibrant acidity and round tannicstructure. The aftertaste is long.

Bright red berry and cherry in a nice acidic frame with a medium finish. Nice food wine, with red meat. One of the better Greek red wines I have had from Xinomavro. $25

 

2023 Lubanzi Cinsault, Swartland, South Africa

Characteristically light in colour & low in tannin, there is a certain gentleness to this wine. A crunchy character with dark cherries, raisins, strawberries & minty tannins.

A light wine, in both color and body, with red fruits and low acidity. More of a sipper than a food wine, not bad for the back porch. Needs to be a lower price… $19

 

2020 Michelini Muffatto ‘Balsa de Piedra’, Tupangato, Argentina

Michelini i Mufatto Balsa de Piedra Tinto 2021 captivates with its bouquet of violets and ripe red fruits, such as cherries and raspberries. On the palate, it is succulent and harmonious, striking an impeccable balance between ripeness and vivacity. The tannins are smooth and well-rounded, providing a delightful texture that leads to a prolonged and lively finish. This red wine is an exemplar of sophistication and intensity, perfect for those in pursuit of robust yet polished flavors.

Intense black fruit notes mixed with hints of aromatic herbs and violet flowers. On the palate it is light, fresh and mineral. A medium-bodied wine with excellent acidity and very fine tannins.

The wine has a cassis nose, with dark red fruit flavors and some herb notes. The tannins are apparent but not overly heavy. A blend of Malbec and other red grapes, this is a little beauty that is well worth the price. $14, but $12 many places

 

2023 Hayotzer ‘Vinter’s Select’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Galileee, Israel

A dry red wine with aromas of cherries and raspberries with a medium to full body. Perfect for stewed and braised meats as well as grilled vegetables.

This wine Cabernet Sauvignon was produced from specially selected grapes, grown in the sunny Judean Hills. The cool climate and rocky soil combined with generations of winemaking bring you a quality wine with aromas of cherries and raspberries with a medium to full body and beautiful purple color.

A berry nose followed by red fruit on the palate. Somewhat light, but tastes like a young Cabernet. Finish is modest, but a decent wine. Kosher, of course. $19

Hope all is well with you. Until next month, Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.

 The wines of August 2024

A month with hot, hot weather and a few fall-like days has finally ended. Looking forward to real fall weather, being able to use the oven and other Autumn foods. Here are the Wines of last month.

2019 Artesa Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

This wine delightfully overdelivers on its price point, offering dark chocolate and cherry richness around a lush texture of approachable elegance. Hints of clove, nutmeg and oak provide a balanced nuance of savory contrast. 92 Pts WE

Artesa’s Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of carefully selected vineyards across Napa Valley. The wine opens with aromas of blackberry, blueberry, dried fig and a hint of white pepper. On the palate we get layered notes of black cherry, mocha, and plum, framed by a touch of vanilla toast. The supple tannins and natural acidity lead to a vibrant and complex wine, with a lengthy and elegant finish.

I was not impressed by this bottle. It wasn’t bad, just not really that good. There was black fruits, but they were muted and just a touch of spices. Not much length on the finish. Priced to move at $25, I really can’t recommend it.

2013 Finca Collado Crianza, Alicante, Spain

65% Cabernet Sauvignon 35% Merlot

TASTE PROFILE

The color lends itself to long bottle aging. The nose is dominated by tertiary aromas, as well as ripe fruits, resulting in elegant aromatics. The palate is balanced, medium bodied, and shows ripe tannins, as well as black fruit, coffee, and a touch of leather. The finish is fresh, long, and well balanced.

STYLE OF VINTAGE

2013 had a long drought during the growing cycle of the vine, with a particularly hot August. In September, temperatures softened and began to cool overnight. This made us hold harvest for a few extra days to achieve the optimal level of ripeness.

VINEYARD

Grown on Finca Collado original vineyards, the vines of Cabernet are 30 years old and on sandy and chakly soil terraces. The Merlot wines are 30 years old and on clay and loamy soils. Trellised with low planting density.

This is a ready to drink bottle at a bargain price. Selling at $9, this school-night wine is full of red fruits, with touches of earth and tobacco. Damn good bottle for this price.

 

2023 Penley Francis Cabernet Franc, Coonwarra, Australia

The wine opens aromatically with blue fruits, purple florals, and star anise spice. The palate is beautiful and juicy, with a pink peppercorn spice lift. There's a real energy and plushness to the fruit in the mid palate, framed by lovely velvety tannin to round out the finish.

Vibrant dark red colour with black shaded edges and a light red purple tinged hue. Fragrant violet, freshly crushed red currant, red cherry and raspberry aromas are followed by fresh herb and subtle spicy earth notes. Fresh, juicy and light across the palate, red currant and red cherry fruits overlay delicate spicy herb and dusty earth nuances. Very fine grained tannins with crunchy like acidity leading into a bright, playful finish.

Drink over the next 2-3 years.    Alc. 12.5%

This is a really light version of Cabernet Franc. Lighter in color and in flavor – the red fruits and with floral overtones. Good wine but could be over powered by a heavy meal. Priced on special at $15, fun bottle to have.

2020 Maison du Midi Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France

"This youthful red, a blend of 84% Grenache, 11% Syrah, and 5% Mourvedre, is plump, round, and ripe. Its noteworthy elegance employs indulgently fresh, delicious blue and red berries, spicy and fragrant. White pepper and cranberry perform a mid-palate performance, igniting a silky texture, while washing the tongue with chalky tannins. Red cherry adds a sweetness to the toasty finish."

Jeb Dunnuck - "The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape is downright classy, with impressive darker berry fruits as well as peppery garrigue and spice-driven aromas and flavors. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it has wonderful purity, ripe, polished tannins, and a great finish."

This is a really good CdP and it was priced around $30. I’ve kept it in my cellar for a couple years and finally popped it. The red berry fruit is full, with a nice undertone of earth and herbs. Still has a few tannins so the finish is fairly long.  Wish I had several more bottles – buy this if you see it.

 

2015 Graziano Carignane, Mendocino County, Ca

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. 91 Pts WE

Closed out at $10, this bottle is still drinking at its peak. Red and black fruits dominate with some undertones of herbs. Tannins mostly gone but nice acidity and a moderate finish. Awesome for the price.

2020 Matchbook Chardonnay, Dunnigan hills, Ca

The 2020 vintage of Matchbook Chardonnay is notable for the rich fruit flavors that developed over the long growing season. The color is classic California golden straw. The flavors are full of the tropical notes that have become a signature of our Dunnigan Hills Chardonnay: pineapple, mango, melon, and papaya. 60% malolactic fermentation adds a creamy texture; oak aging adds a touch of vanilla and crème brûlée. This delicious Chardonnay has a satisfyingly plump mouthfeel that is balanced by the crisp, fresh fruit that lingers in the finish. Pair this easy drinking Chardonnay with buttery scallops, grilled chicken, or pasta with a cream sauce.

90 Wine Enthusiast

This rich and oaky wine offers plenty of butterscotch, ginger and nutmeg flavors on a full body. It’s very concentrated in flavor and balanced to the soft side.       Best Buy $12

This is a decent Chardonnay, with some tropical fruits and an overlay of vanilla and oak. Moderate body and a short finish, worth the$12 price tag.

2021 Planeta Rose, Sicily, Italy

50% Nero d’Avola, 50% Syrah

Our Rosé, fresh and fruity, encompasses all the emotions of the Sicilian summer. Its colour is that of a summer sunset. Its fresh aromas make it a marvellously friendly wine and easy to drink. It comes from a viticulture according to the criteria of sustainability and organic. Enjoy Planeta’s Rosé in good company, from aperitif to fruit.

Despite its light color, this had good body and a moderate finish. Enough acidity for lighter fare and great as a sipper. Priced under $20, nice for the summer.

2022 Di Giovanna ‘Vurria’ Grillo, Sicily, Italy

Vurria Grillo is an expressive and flavorful white wine, hand crafted from estate vineyards in Contessa  Entellina, vinified only in steel. Expressive aromas of citrus, herb and yellow flowers. On the palate it is  medium in body, with notes of citrus, white stone  fruits and a savory finish

Good flavors and a solid acidic backbone made this wine really special. The stone fruits and herb notes allow this wine to shine as a sipper or with fare like chicken, salads and other light fare. Usually priced around $25, really nice.

2022 Pianogrillo Frappato, Sicily, Italy

Red with a remarkable taste olfactory impact, it expresses a  strong and fragrant personality,  typical of this Sicilian unique varietal and expressive of the soil  composition. Bright ruby red, with intense aromas, ranging from fruity-flowery hues to spicy hints. The taste is light-bodied, fresco and juicy, with fruity tones particularly pleasant on the palate and a tasty trail that characterizes the finish

The red for summer – Frappato – light body with cherry and berries. Sufficent acidity for body to go with grilled foods or just summer sipping. Fun bottle with a price around $25.

2021 Pianogrillo Curva Minore, Sicily, Italy

Characterized by rich fruity aromas, good structure, velvety and appealing palate. The frappato is a very particular red grape variety, which gives wines of great finesse and elegance, with subtle flowery and fruity aromas, medium-bodied, faint tannins and good acidity. The blend is a perfect combination, both harmonious and complex. The wine is a bright ruby red. The suite of aromas is pronounced with fragrant aromas of cherry, wild berries and pomegranate. The palate is mid structured, with a dynamic mouthfeel, fresh and supple. The finish is pleasantly savory.

A blend of two grapes, this is a heavier, fuller bodied wine. The only DOCG in Sicily, this wine shows really well and goes with multiple foods. Red berries and pomegranate with a little herb undertone.  Priced in that range $25.

2021 Di Giovanna ‘Vurria’ Nero D’Avola

Vurria is an elegant and harmonious expression of Nero d’Avola, thanks to high elevation vineyards. A dark bouquet with sweet spices, where berries and plum standout. The palate is silky, with waves of currant and black cherry. Aging in tonneaux lends roundness and a velvety texture.

One of the most known grapes from Sicily, this is a heavier weight wine. Flavors of black cherry and plums and hints of spices in the mouth and a moderate finish.  Priced in that range $25.

Hope all is well. Until next time, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.

 The Wines of July 2024

It is summer and the heat is on. Going to jump into the wines:

2018 Izadi Reserve (Red), Rioja, Spain

Located in Rioja Alavesa, where Tempranillo thrives in a microclimate strongly influenced both by the elevation and the proximity of the Atlantic ocean, Bodegas Izadi specializes in red wines make almost exclusively from Rioja’s signature grape variety. Izadi Reserva is made from 100% Tempranillo grown in limestone rich soils and aged in American and French oak.

91 Wine Spectator

A polished red, layering supple tannins with an aromatic overtone of star anise, mocha and graphite. Fresh and medium-bodied, revealing black cherry coulis and fig cake notes, with a spiced finish. Drink now

An enjoyable old school style Rioja wine. Would drink within a few years, but still has a nice backbone and great fruit. Priced under $20, a real buy.

2020 Annick Bachelet Morgon Les Charmes, France

This rich, structured wine comes from one of the top sectors in Morgon. The density, with full-bodied black fruits sustained by acidity, mean this wine needs to age. Drink from 2023. 92 Points— Roger Voss

A very nice Beaujolais wine that is very serious. Neec backbone for food and generous fruit flavors, mostly dark berry. Priced under $20, this is a knock-out wine.

 

2022 L’Ecole no 41 Chenin Blanc Old Vine, Yakima Valley, Washington

This is a true Washington wine classic that is also a spectacular value. Gravenstein apple and lemon verbena aromas swirl about your head as notes of river stones and white pepper try to sneak up on you. There's some body here, with a rich texture and flavors like grilled lemons, Bosc pears and a lemon granita. — Michael Alberty 92 Points

A beautiful example of Chenin Blanc – the apple and pear stick to your palate but the minerality shows through also. Good body to match light food. I love this – priced around $21, this is a big winner.

 

2021 Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir Rose, France

Crimson red color, the bouquet on this Pinot is pronounced with juicy raspberries and plum. The palate is supple with round tannin and flavors of ripe strawberries and cherries.

This is a porch pounder – sit on the deck with this chilled and just enjoy. Enough fruit and body to go with light fare, but mostly a great sipper. Priced at $10, should have bought a case!

 

2019 Casa Castillo El Molar, Jumilla, Spain

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The Garnacha bottling from 2019, the 2019 El Molar, was produced with the grapes from three plots of vines planted on gravel and sandy soils covered with tosca stones planted in 2004, 2006 and 2010. 2019 was marked by torrential rains on September 13th that changed everything, but the Garnacha (and the Syrah) were harvested before the rain, so this wine is from a "normal" Mediterranean vintage. Fifty percent full clusters were used for the native fermentation in underground stone pools with a short maceration. It matured in 500-liter oak barrels and 5,000-liter oak vats for 12 months. It's a little lower in alcohol but shows ripeness (without excess), but the core is floral, perfumed and elegant. The tannins are very fine-grained with the essence of the limestone soils, that chalky quality of the texture. Very impressive for a 2019. 26,000 bottles produced. It was bottled in December 2020. Best after 2022.

This is a good wine – deeper and richer than expected for Garnacha. The red fruits are ripe and expressive with a nice backbone of acidity and fine tannins. Priced at about $24, this is a good bottle to enjoy with a nice meal.

2012 Prunetto Mompertone Monferrato, Alba, Italy

Deep ruby red in color with purple highlights, this wine has rich fruity aromas of plums and cherries with hints of violets, coffee and spices. The palate is ample, dense and full with soft tannins that are elegant and long on the finish.

It is an excellent match with roasted meat dishes, pot-au-feu and fresh cheeses.

92 James Suckling

A red with dense and silky tannins plus ripe strawberry, spice and almonds. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. I like this solid blend of barbera and syrah. Drink now.

I’ll admit that Barbera is far from my favorite grape. This was still drinking nicely when I opened it this month. No tannins left but deep red fruits with a moderate aftertaste.  We closed it out at $20, pretty good for an average price.

2019 Casa Castillo Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

91 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The entry-level red, the old Monastrell, has been reverted to the varietal name, even if in 2019 it has some 15% Garnacha because it was a very good year for the variety (because it was harvested before the rain). As with the other wines, I had the chance to compare the 2019 Monastrell with the 2020. This 2019 fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and matured in 500-liter barrels and 5,000-liter oak foudres for 10 months. It has an expressive nose of Mediterranean herbs and a combination of ripeness and lightness, a little in the style of 2016, a little more fruit-driven. They had to sort and discard and produced less wine. It's medium-bodied and has very good balance and fine tannins. 160,000 bottles produced. I tasted the September 2020 bottling, but all the bottlings are from the same master blend. Best after 2022.

This is the “little brother” of the El Molar, but it drinks nearly as well. Expressive red fruits with good backbone to match grilled foods. Priced at $20, this is another bottle to get several and drink over the next few years.

2022 Arilie Gewurtztraminer, Willamette Valley, Oregon

Tasting Notes: Dry in style with notes of rose, citrus and apple. This Gewürztraminer is a full-bodied wine with a soft lingering finish, bold enough to pair with spicy foods.

I haven’t had a Gewurtz in several decades. The over the top fruit makes it seem almost sweet, though it is not. Would recommend with spicy dishes to cut through the apple and citrus. Priced under $20, I would use it only in certain occasions.

Lots going on, so I'll end here. Stay well and keep popping thoise corks. I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of June 2024

    It is starting to get hot - Summertime waits for nothing! How about some wines to look at?

2015 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington

This wine offers red and black fruit, notes of gravel. It is deep, elegant and complex -- almost like old skool CA Cabernet. Mineral, with medium+ acid and firm tannin. Chocolate, pencil shavings, red flowers, forest floor, mushroom, cedar.

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Wine Enthusiast  91

Phinny Hill (60%) and Bacchus (20%) fruit make up the backbone of this wine. Aromas of plum, black licorice, baking spice and black fruit are followed by a full-bodied, well-balanced, layered palate that shows depth and intensity but with a fine sense of balance. There’s no question about the warmth of the year, but it delivers and will have a very long life in front of it.

This wine is just hitting its peak –tannins are minor but the fruit still shines through. Nice acidity left to make a food match – really nice wine. Closed-out at around $55, well worth the money.

 

2015 Senorio de Irati Crianza Grenache, Navarra, Spain

Senorio De Irati Garnacha has the spicy berry aromas come with welcome side notes of desert brush, while this feels juicy and bright throughout. Spiced black cherry aromas are pure and fruity, with a bold and tasty finish providing back up.

Garnacha from Spain is a favorite of mine. This one is a touch long on the tooth, but still shows nice fruit with a touch of herbs on the palate. Tasty with food, more that a sipper, but a steal at the retail of $8.99.

2023 Tapi Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

93 Decanter

Quince and melon with restrained citrus notes and flinty tones. Lovely intensity with lifting oak and a sprinkle of stone fruit. Lovely intensity on the palate. The fruit shows a nice concentration with a supple texture. Very classic in style with great typicity. Juicy acidity with a long finish.

Sustainable and organic with passionfruit, gooseberry, and green capsicum on the nose and passionfruit, lemon, grapefruit, and zingy acid on the palate.

I will admit, Sauvignon Blanc kind of bores me. This is a big exception – the red grapefruit, hints of lime and quince make it a great sipper and it will do well with lighter fare. Priced at about $16, this is the wine to have this summer, if you don’t have a Rose handy.

2020 Chateau Haut Prieur La Croix, Blayes, Cote de Bordeaux, France

With dense raspberry, red currant and plum fruit, this is well-packed with firm yet ripe tannins and just the right hints of earth and spice throughout the palate. This is a solid young Bordeaux red at a fantastic price!

Soft, ripe and fruity, this is an immediately attractive wine. Its tannins, nicely ensconced in the wine's black fruits, are supportive. The wine will be ready from 2024.    WE 91 Points

I describe this as a touch of a fruit bomb. Not sure about aging potential, but it goes with red meat very  well. Priced at $15, this is a great buy.

2020 Domaine de L’Arnesque Cotes, du Rhone, France

A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. A deep ruby colour in the glass. An expressive nose of red fruits leads to a fleshy midpalate with spice and sweet tannins complimenting the red fruit notes.

Deep red color with purple flecks. The nose is lively with notes of red fruits, sage and dried herbs. In the mouth it is fleshy, with red fruit flavors, hints of spice and gentle tannins.

FOOD PAIRING Pair with charcuterie, roast duck and pizza topped with sausage.

Another great buy – priced at around $15, the body on this wine is good, with red fruits and a enough acid to make food pairing easy. Could hold a couple of years, so buy a couple and enjoy.

2022 Uggiano Governo All’uso Toscano, Firenze, Italy

A supple and mellow Tuscan red with fresh red berry fruit and a full, spicy flavour. The ‘Governo’ method, a traditional Tuscan technique involving a slow refermentation of the freshly produced wine with the addition of semi-dried grapes, gives vivacity, concentration and roundness to the wine.

This was a gift, but it is priced under $20. The ‘Governo’ method is like Ripasso on valapocello wines. Great body and texture with dark red berry fruit. Uggiano is a producer that I can highly recommend. Their inexpensive Chianti is a delight as well.

2023 Domaine Chantepierre Tavel, Southern Rhone, France

This Tavel rosé from France is made with a blend of 5 grapes and is sure to be your new favorite.  Complex but fun - wines from this region are made more similarly to red wines than a typical rosé, giving them more body, intensity, and often higher alcohol levels (14% in this one!).

With notes of candied red fruits, spices, and minerality on the palate, Tavel wines are known for their ability to pair well with food - from seafood such as salmon or swordfish, to pasta, to gamier or other meat dishes, this bold wine will hold its own!

60% Grenache noir  20% Cinsault  10% Grenache blanc  5% Syrah  5% Clairette

Basically, a red wine in rosé form - absolutely perfect for the spring and summer months. If you're looking to up your rosé game, give this bold wine a shot!

A good pink wine – darker than most, it has good fruit and a great minerality. Match with light fare or an evening on the porch watching the sunset. Generally, about $20, can be found for $15. Get several for the summer.

2022 Slouch Hat Parade Rest GSM, Central Coast, CA

Here is a GSM that is really an “SMG" because the final blend is 40% Syrah, 37% Mourvedre and 23% Grenache.  Sourcing grapes from three local vineyards,  winemaker Matt Fowler fermented each variety separately and then aged each in neutral 225 liter barrels for 10 months.  He is an ex-Marine to explain the “Parade Rest” subtitle.  Though surprisingly not as dark in color as I expected, it does initially offer a ripe Mourvedre-driven aroma with some baking spice and berry background notes.  At the outset it shows a medium-bodied profile with generous ripe dark plum and leathery flavors, but with time, it softens and shows delicious juicy red fruit flavors.  It became more harmonious and smoother 24 hours after being open and decanted.  120 cases made.         91 Norm Roby Jun 4, 2024

This was a substitute in our WWWC wine dinner. Somewhat soft in nature but still had nice red berry flavors with fine tannins. Moderate finish, this is a good wine for things of the grill. Priced around $30, if you can find it – small production from this vintner  at this time.

2021 Pierre Amadieu Gigondas, Southern Rhone, France

91 pts Wine Spectator

“Elegant and high-toned, with expressive blackberry, blueberry and smoked plum flavors laced with violet and white pepper. Delivers dusty earth, sweet tobacco and charred mesquite, which add savory dimension to the pretty profile. The persistent finish is lined with snappy acidity and fine-grained tannins. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. 7,800 cases made, 1,400 cases imported.”

I like Gigondas, but this one seemed a little out of kilter. Maybe it needs some tie in the bottle to settle down. Big flavors of dark fruits and a tannic base – either wait a while or serve it with a bloody steak.  Priced around $25, still cheaper than most CDP.

 

2021 Ridge Three Valleys, Sonoma, California

65% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Alicante Bouschet

92 Wine Spectator

A broad-shouldered red, with a potent structure but expressive blackberry, savory dill and white pepper flavors that speed toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2033.

Terrific balance in this Zinfandel-dominant blend from the benchmark producer. Fresh herbs, ripe blackberry, plum, and a touch of earth on the nose. Supple raspberry and cherry fruit with elegant tannins on the palate. Great restraint and balance. Aged for 11 months in American oak (5% new). Crafted with minimal intervention. Minimal added sulfur and vegan friendly.

A Ridge field blend, what can be finer for a Bar-b-Que?  Nice red fruits with a nice balance on the acidity. I wouldn’t keep it longer than 5 – 6 years, but a really nice wine. Priced around $21, you can’t go wrong.

2016 Wm Grassie Syrah Reserve, Columbia Valley, Washington

Rich blackberry and espresso aromas are matched by scents of dried maple leaves and lemon-scented French laundry powder. With a soft, round mouthfeel, restrained alcohol and silky tannins, this wine's black cherry, vanilla, dark chocolate and almond flavors go down easy. It spent 46 months in 100% neutral French oak.

Aromas of stewed plums,maraschino cherries, licorice andmocha. Rich and flavorful with a full body and broad, integrated tannins. Excellent balance and freshness. Drink now or hold.

A shame that we used all we had of this Washington Syrah. It is right at its peak – full mouthfeel of red and black fruits, a moderate finish and an overall good effect. Good with food but pretty good as a sipper.  Originally about $60, we closed it out at $30 and it was worth every penny.

Another month has ticked by and we're not getting any younger. Stay well and keep popping those corks. I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.

 Wines of May 2024

    Another month, more wine. Just as an aside, I do not actually drink that much wine - I have a winetasting group that meets monthly, and I get samples from work, leftover from in-store tastings. Just in case you wondered...So here we go

2015 Brutocao Torrent Red Blend, Mendocino, CA

Torrent = A rushing or abundant and unceasing stream; a deluge. This best describes our new proprietary red wine blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, a “ Torrent” of aroma and flavor. It starts with cascading aromas of black licorice, blackberry, and espresso. A silky mouth feel, a deluge of chocolate and coffee lead to an outpouring of plum and tobacco for a long, smooth finish. This is a serious, dry, well-structured wine with lots of dark-fruit flavors and firm tannins. It has tempting black cherry aromas and black currant flavors, a full body, and a mouth-filling lightly astringent texture that will pair well with rich food.

Aging:   18 months in a blend of French Oak, American Oak, and our Winemaker's proprietary blended barrel mix.

Accolades:          2015 vintage: Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition: Gold

I was afraid this might be past its prime, but it was very flavorful. Still had a nice fruity nose with dark fruit flavors and a good backbone for food matching.  We had it on sale for under $15 – great buy.

2017 Ceremonia Reserva Utiel-Requena, Spain

This dark-ruby-colored wine has a nose of raspberry, cocoa and geranium leaf. Bright cherry and raspberry notes take the lead, backed by notes of dark chocolate, thyme and lavender. Tenacious tannins give way to a bright fruit-filled finish. —  WE 91 Pts

Bought on a close out – this wine retailed for only $15. It is very fruit forward with sufficient backbone to last a few more years. Very enjoyable – mostly red fruits with some herbal overtones.  Great buy

 

2015 Langman Grace’s Grenache, Sierra Foothills,Ca

Winemaker’s Notes:

2016 was another excellent growing season for the Langman Estate Winery area of the Sierra Foothills in California. It was a very long, dry summer with excellent diurnal temperature changes that allowed the fruit to mature very evenly over the 7+ month growing season that extended harvest into October. This is a vintage of special wines. The Wine! Fruit from our high-elevation vineyard yields grapes with thicker and darker skins and juice that is bolder and richer than most lower-elevation examples of the same varietals. A Grenache that pairs wonderfully with a wide range of foods. This is a full-bodied, big structure Grenache that has a bouquet of strawberry and white pepper and a long-finishing palate of dark strawberry and a refined, classic example of Grenache soft pepper. Delightful!

TASTING NOTES:

The Wine! Fruit from our high-elevation vineyard yields grapes with thicker and darker skins and juice that is bolder and richer than most lower-elevation examples of the same varietals. A Grenache that pairs wonderfully with a wide range of foods. This is a full-bodied, big structure Grenache that has a bouquet of strawberry and white pepper and a long-finishing palate of dark strawberry and a refined, classic example of Grenache soft pepper. Delightful!

I first had this two years or so ago and I was very impressed by it. It has begun to trend downward – as with most Grenache, there is not a lot of tannins or acidic backbone to last too long. Still tasty, with red fruits dominating but the finish is getting shorter and less soft pepper. Only about $13 – we are closing this out at $5. Worth that price…

2021 Milbrandt Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Washington

93 Points! Great Northwest Platinum Competition

Bright aromas of orchard fruit with underlying citrus notes and honeysuckle on the nose. Crisp, bright mouth feel reminiscent of Washington state's apples. The palate is driven by crisp red apple with a good acidity and a touch of peach on the finish. A very well balanced Chardonnay with crisp and refreshing flavors

Bright aromas of orchard fruit with underlying citrus notes and honeysuckle on the nose. Crisp, bright mouth feel reminiscent of Washington state's apples. The palate is driven by crisp red apple with a good acidity and a touch of peach on the finish. Accented by hints of vanilla and crème brûlée, it is medium-bodied, full of flavor, and offers a lingering finish of vanilla custard and apple crisp (oh, and outstanding value...!)                13.5% ABV

First taste of this was not very impressive. I had some after a while and it really seemed to be better. Nice apple essence with some spices. Really very nice – not a butter bomb, but good with food. Priced under $15, nice price.

 

2010 Agricola Cuvelier Cuvée del Maule, Cauquenes, Chile

This is one delicious Chilean wine, perhaps the most delicious Chilean red made in a fresh, drink-it-now style that we have yet to taste. A blend of Cabernet, Carmenere, Merlot, Cinsault, Carignane, and Pais (Mission), the wine shows beautiful aromatics: spicy, red fruited, dried cranberry/dried cherry mixed with a hint of cured meat. On the palate the wine is fresh and distinctive, reminiscent of a southern French vin naturel. The vines here are very old and dry farmed (the Maule Valley is perhaps the only place in Chile where irrigation is not necessary). Winemaking is simple: native yeast, whole cluster fermentations with carbonic maceration, and aging in used French oak barrels. A minimal amount of sulphur is used. Not only is this terrific stuff, but it is quite possibly the most interesting project to come out of Chile.

I first had this wine several years ago. Took a chance on it – being an orphan bottle at the store. Main problem was the cork – it just fell apart as I was trying to open it. I had to do some straining to get the cork residue out of the wine. Probably on its last legs, but still had good red fruits and enough acidity to go with a meal. I think it was around $15, surprising how nice it still drank.

2018 Chateau Arnauld Haut-Medoc, France

Very nice deep ruby color, dazzling. Nose of black cherry, salted caramel, gingerbread. Full and indulgent on the palate with notes of brioche. Very nice impression of sweetness. Harmonious and generous overall, ending with an elegant and smooth finish. Two great experts of the terroir, Franck Bijon and Hubert de Boüard, were the driving force behind the renaissance Château Arnauld, purchased in 2007. Franck Bijon identified the potential of 5 hectares along the river’s edge, then selected other exceptional parcels one by one to create an estate of 17.2 hectares of great homogeneity which is now classified Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

Blend: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Petite Verdot

96           Decanter

Opulent and inviting, with a nose of plush black cherry and damson fruit, then the palate is dressed with fine cassis, red pepper, leather and sleek oak.

Wine Enthusiast               WE 92

This ripe, juicy wine comes from a vineyard planted around a medieval priory. The wine has spice, ripe tannins and attractive black-currant and red-berry fruits. The winning combination should age well, so drink from 2023.

We had this open at the store for a tasting and I scored the rest of the bottle. Nice red fruits on the palate with some herbal notes through the finish. Moderate tannins, but enough acidity to make food matching easy. Enough tannins to last for several years in the cellar.  It is priced around $50 at the store, though I saw it for $40 online. Nice, but for the price – see the next wine.

2018 Chateau La Rose Du Pin, Bordeaux, France

This wood-aged wine is rich in tannins as well as dense black-plum flavors and juicy acidity. The wine's spiciness and generous structure are fine foils to the fruitiness that sings through. Drink from 2021.     WE 90 pts

As passionate botanist, Henri Ducourt knew how to scout out the finest terroir in Entre-Deux-Mers. In 1965, he therefore began to buy plots of vines near to the village of Romagne on a remarkable loamy-clay plateau. Over the years he built up a great estate between “A La Rose” and “le Pin de Cornet”, which has now become Château La Rose du Pin.

Under $20, this wine really performs – red fruits, bracing acidity and enough structure to last several more years in the cellar. I’m impressed with this wine and say it is a best buy – get 2 of these for one Arnauld.

2021 Visitini Sauvignon Blanc, Fruili, Italy

It’s easy to think of Sauvignon Blanc as a one trick pony, since so many are made in a sharp, citrusy style. But this biodynamic bottling from Italy’s Slovenian border shows its ability to offer uncommon complexity. While many Sauvignon Blancs are pressed, fermented and bottled within a few months of harvest, Visintini ages theirs on the lees to develop texture, cellaring it for another year or two until it sings with ripe, layered, succulent flavors.

Serving Suggestion: Chèvre, honey, & black pepper crostinis (à la Toast). Roasted Cornish game hen, well-crusted w/ lemon, rosemary, & thyme. Seafood pizza.

This Sauvignon Blanc comes in at a whopping 14% alcohol. Whites usually are lower in alcohol – this was a different SB than California or New Zealand. For me, it was better with food, rather than sipping alone. It had a lot of minerality instead of apple and grapefruit. Can’t say it was my favorite, with a price of just over $20…

2021 Pala ‘Oltreluna’ Monica, Sardinia, Italy

Vibrant notes of licorice and red fruit on the nose. Dry and smooth on the palate with perfect balance and length.

Delicious with lamb and pork dishes and medium-aged cheeses.

Tasting – Intense ruby red colour with violet hints, very clear. Very intense, with vegetable and spicy hints, light liquorice nuance. Dry and smooth to the palate, enjoyably fresh, well balanced and harmonious, good nose-palate persistence.

Matching and service – Lean starters, dry and liquid soups even with savoury sauces, grilled and pan cooked meat, goat and sheep medium seasoned cheeses.

There has been no DNA testing on Monica, but it seems to have come from the mainland Italy in the 1200’s.  Red fruits with vegetable nuances and touches of herbs. Wasn’t a great match with a steak, better with pork or grilled fowl. Priced at around $20, it is OK, more of a porch sipper to me.

2021 G.D. Vajra Pinot Nero, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy

Bright ruby in color with good depth at the core, this Pinot Noir is aromatic and delicate, with perfumes of rose petals and ripe strawberries given a touch of spice by the oak ageing.

On the palate, it is structured and elegant, with a savory-spiced red fruit character and a long, perfumed finish.

The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine are grown on Bricco di Vergne, the highest vineyard on the hill which rises through the village of Barolo therefore unsuitable for Nebbiolo. Vajra has created this Piemontese tribute to one of his favourite grape varieties, Pinot Noir, which he feels is a point of reference for many producers and lovers of Nebbiolo.

This wine had red fruits but seemed a little subdued. Sort of a sad nebbiolo instead of Pinot Noir. Did not pair well with a steak, probably better with some cheese and vegetable dishes. Not terrible, but not a favorite of mine – priced just over $20.

2021 Bela Red, Ribera del Doura, Spain

#79 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023

Bela Crianza is produced from selected grapes manually harvested from their own vineyards. Vinification is in stainless steel tanks, followed by 6 months in American and French new and one-year old oak barrels. Purple color in color with a nose that shows complex aromas which are perfectly assembled black fruit. As it crosses the palate is very fleshy and creamy, with a nice tannin, which gives us an idea of the longevity of the wine.

James Suckling  90pts

Lots of dark cherries, black olives, coffee and cumin spices to the nose. Rich and medium- to full-bodied on the palate with tight, chewy tannins and a juicy, spicy finish.

This was a nice Spanish red – dark fruits and some baking spices backed by some tannins and acidity for food. Nice finish, my style of Spanish wine. Priced at $20, it is a hit. Worth buying and keeping a year or three.

Another month - hope all is well. Getting ready for those hot summer months. Keep popping those corks and I'll see you out behind the grapevines.