January 2018 - Another Year of Wine

Weather can't make up it's mind

2009 Passalacqua Cabernet Sauvignon, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma, Ca

Tasting Notes

The 2009 vintage of Block Two shows an intriguing note of cola on the nose, deepening into dark, luscious black plum flavors on the palate. The fruit is complemented by toasted oak, nice acidity and smooth tannins softened by two years of aging in Demptos French barrels. This is the perfect companion to your Cabernet dishes such as crispy roasted duck with plum glaze.

Gift from my Brother – a very nice bottle of Sonoma Cabernet. Just enough bottle age to have smooth tannins, with a nice fruit flavor throughout the moderate finish. Very nice.

 2013 d’Arneberg GSM Stump Jump, McLaren Vale, Australia                                                    

Winemaker Notes

From raspberry and rhubarb to cedar and soot. Aromas jump unimpeded from the glass. The medium weighted palate is similarly expressive, its impressive array of fruit given lift and vibrancy by an equally scintillating line of acidity. Towards the finish, chalky tannins sweep across the tongue, adding savouriness and crunch. Bright Grenache, earthy Shiraz, and spicy Mourvedre marry harmoniously in this ever popular GSM.

Blend: 48% Grenache, 27% Shiraz, 25% Mourvedre

Critical Acclaim  RP           89           Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2013 The Stump Jump Grenache / Shiraz / Mourvèdre displays a gorgeous kirsch, black raspberry and dried mint-scented nose with hints of anise and roses. Medium-bodied, it packs in the spicy berry coulis flavors with soft, velvety tannins and an herbal lift on the long finish.

As always, a steady fun wine that gives good fruit, nuances of herbs and floral with a nice finish. Used to drink o lot of this over the years, just haven’t done as much Aussie wines as I used to. I want to say it was on sale for$10, well worth the money.

2015 Le Monde Cabernet Franc  Grave, Friuli, Italy

Grapes / Soils    Cabernet Franc                 Planted 1980      Clay and Calcareous        3 ha

The Wine             Vineyard Profile                               Soil Composition:  Argilaceous, Calcareous

Training Method:  Guyot              Elevation (feet):  60

Exposure:  North South Year Vineyard Planted:  1980

Harvest Notes   Harvest Time:  Early October       First vintage of this wine:  2008

Fermentation Container:  Stainless steel                               Length of alcoholic fermentation:  18 days

Aging container:  Stainless steel & Oak barrel. 30-40% of the wine is aged in a combination of first and second passage barrique, 9 HL tonneau and 50 HL French oak barrels for 4-6 months.

Winemaker's Notes

Color: Intense red ruby with garnet tints.

Nose: Rich, persistent bouquet with intense hints of jam, good intensity, balanced.

Flavor: Elegant, aromatic and highly persistent. Light in the mouth, with good expansion and acidity enabling good balance.

Somewhat light bodied wine – flavors were pleasant but not memorable. Priced around $15, a maybe…

2015 Fabre Montmayou Reserve Cabernet Franc, Mendoza, Argentina

About the Wine

Cabernet Franc has traditionally been used in small amounts as a blending grape in Mendoza, adding a savory component to Malbec based bottlings. In recent years winemakers have realized that Mendoza’s terroir is fantastic for the varietal as it is warm enough to fully ripen the grape thus avoiding pyrazine (green) flavors, yet cool enough at night to preserve complexity and balance.

This bottling comes from vines in the high altitude sub-district of Agrelo, and Decanter magazine called Fabre’s Cabernet Franc Reserva the “Best Example of New World Cabernet Franc under $20" at their 2014 World Wine Awards.

Vintage: 2015 | Wine Type: Red Wine 

Varietal: Cabernet Franc

Origin: Argentina | Appellation: Vistalba, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza 

Elaboration: Hand picked grapes harvested from April 15th - April 18th. 60% of the wine was aged in French oak barrels for 12 months 

Winemaker: Hervé J. Fabre 

Tasting Notes

 A brilliant, crunchy wine with aromas of mint and black fruit. There's so much energy here with a flood of sweet black fruit flavours. Very precise with enormous length and silky tannins. A rich expression.

This was a very nice Cab Franc – fairly long flavors of red and black fruit with herbs scattered throughout. Moderate finish – nice wine for about $15.

2015 Steele Cabernet Franc, Lake County, CA

Aromas are of raspberry and cassis with peppery undertones, on the palate you will find blueberry and raspberry fruit, with notes of coffee and cocoa; medium tannins and a lingering finish

The richly tannic texture of this full-bodied, well-balanced wine makes it a pleasure to sip, supporting ripe fruit flavors and a generous dash of oak spice. Concentration, layering and depth all add to the enjoyment.

Broader nose on the wine, the aromas are followed by the flavor of raspberry and blueberry with mocha and some spice undertones. Mild tannins and a moderate finish – very nice bottle at around $20.

2013 Domaine De Pallus, Les Pensees de Pallus, Chinon, Loire Valley, France

2013 Domaine de Pallus Chinon Pensees de Pallus is a dark ruby-colored.  The 2013 Chinon Les Pensées de Pallus Cabernet Franc offers a nicely matured and sweet red fruit aroma intertwined with floral aromas like licorice and violets, but also crystalline or earthy/vegetal flavors. Silky-textured, fresh and vital, with a stunning finesse and charming sweetness, this is a pretty Burgundian Chinon with a long and aromatic, seriously concentrated finish.

This Cab Franc had that hint of violet in it that I find very attractive. It had red fruits with hints of earthiness on a moderate long finish with integrated tannins. Costs around $20, very nice bottle.

2012 Chateau de Saint Cosme Gigondas Saint Cosme, France                                    

Winemaker Notes

Gigondas 2012 is very good. It contains the typical freshness of a good Saint Cosme and it will age well. It is well built. It is complex and it shines like the wine that gets good acidity. On the nose you will get nice red fruits such as strawberry and raspberry with underlying qualities of violets and white pepper.

Critical Acclaim  RP           92           Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Moving to the releases in barrel, the 2012 Gigondas (60% Grenache and the balance mostly Mourvedre, with some Syrah) has plenty of potential, with juicy black raspberry, sweet spice, licorice and toasty notes as well as medium to full-bodied richness and depth on the palate. Nicely balanced, it shows the purity of the vintage, as well as a relatively approachable style that should allow it to drink nicely on release.

I have always loved the wine from Gigondas; more like a poor man’s Chateaunuf-de-Pape. I got this closed out under $20 – it was a great bottle that went so well with beef. Still has a long finish with mild tannins - the fruit is still holding up well and the nuances of flavors are just awesome. You ought to get some

Well, I hope you survive Flu Season. Meanwhile, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines...

December Wines

Getting ready for Winter

2016 La-Mal-Dita Garnacha, Rioja, Spain

When you think of La Rioja, Grenache (known in Spain as Garnacha) probably doesn’t come to mind. After all, this is the land of powerful and oaky Tempranillo. Grenache in these parts is largely relegated to the status of mere role player. When blended in, it rarely exceeds more than 20%, but even in small percentages, Grenache gives the final wine a gentle fruitiness to soften the palate.

But finding a Rioja wine that is 100% Grenache requires some digging. There might be a good reason for that.

Grenache has a thin skin and it produces very low yields. According to the wine label, these attributes have earned the grape an unfortunate nickname in La Rioja: la maldita, or “the little cursed one.”

Somehow, I feel this may have more to do with economics than the fickleness of the plant. Using large tracts of land to grow low-yielding Grenache (instead of the area’s star  grape, Tempranillo), probably makes less sense in La Rioja than other places where the grape is vital. After all, Grenache continues to be one of the most widely planted red wine grapes on earth — they don’t call it names in Priorat or Châteauneuf-du-Pape.

La Maldita was dialed in exactly right. The notes of cooked strawberry and crushed leaves found a nice companion in a mellow but effective amount of acidity.

In simpler terms: it was super drinkable. Glug, glug, glug. For $8, you get a wine you can drink any night of the week, plus — in America at least — a label that accurately reflects your emotions of having to put up with 12 more days of this freaking election.

A great little bottle of wine for under $10 – I’ve found many Garnachas from Spain that I like, one from Rioja is a bit rare. The strawberry was pronounced in the flavor, heck of a buy…

1999 Senhora do Convento Port, Oporto, Portugal

90 Points Wine Enthusiast

Concentrated fruit and spice embrace the tannins in this impressively ripe, full wine. It's not from a major Port vintage, but it shows good structure and mature red fruits. It's ready to drink now and very enjoyable.

Designation Vintage

Variety Port, Port Blend

Appellation Port, Portugal

Winery Senhora do Convento

This is a close out I got for $20 – a vintage port. The cork was a bitch, it crumbled while pulling, but the wine is quality stuff. Reddish tint, the flavor is broad, with a nice finish. Well worth the price…

2013 Hafner Next Red, Alexander Valley, California

In 1997, we planted three acres of Malbec and Petit Verdot to blend with our Cabernet Sauvignon wine. Having enjoyed Malbec wines from the Cahors region of France, we decided to create a Malbec based wine and named it Next Red. This is our tenth vintage.

After many tastings in the Spring of 2015, we blended 13% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Petit Verdot with 84% Malbec. We continued to barrel-age the wine until it was bottled in August 2015.

Young and fruit-forward, the 2013 Next Red opens with notes of cola spice, licorice and forest floor. The liveliness and spice from the Malbec is complemented by the elegant complexity of the Cabernet and the Petit Verdot. Bright and complex on the palate, it has notes of dark chocolate, carpaccio, violets and toasted bread that add richness and length to the wine. Like its predecessors, the 2013 has the balance and complexity to age well for at least an additional fifteen years.

This is a smaller family vineyard in Sonoma that my brother buys from. This was a gift – not a bad little wine but the Malbec was a bit subdued. Moderate finish, decent balance but not great. Good, but…When you’re growing grapes in California, I wouldn’t make a wine like Cahors.

NV Mandard Touraine Brut, France

Tasting : Touraine presents a fine foam and a beautiful cord. Pale yellow color, this wine offers a fruity (quince, honey) and a smooth and harmonious mouth. This wine is to consume within two years after the purchase.

Drinking temperature : 8 ° C.

Food/wine: this wine is ideal for an aperitif at a reasonable price, it can also be served to the why not on a meal for those who love and wine of honor (communions, weddings, municipalities...) fine bubbles.

 This wine is made primarily from the somewhat obscure grape Arbois. A light, crisp and refreshing sparkler that will work well with anything as an aperitif to popping a bottle because the day ends in “Y”!

A very refreshing sparkling wine, imported by Roche-Mere. The obscure grape makes it unique, but the flavors are very familiar and welcome. Nice buy around $20.

2014 Three Wine Company Old Vines Field Blend, Contra Costa, CA

Our  Old Vines Field Blend is sourced from ancient vineyards in Contra Costa County, and include Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Mataro (Mourvèdre), Carignane, and Alicante Bouschet. All the grapes in this blend come from vineyard blocks with extremely sandy soils called Delhi Sandy Loam.

This Old Vines Field Blend is luscious combination of ancient-vine Carignane (44%), Zinfandel (17%) Petite Sirah (14%), Mataro (19%),  Alicante Bouschet (4%), and Black Malvoisie (2%). Each of these varietals contribute to the deep purple/black color and piercing, high-toned aromas of boysenberry violets and dark plum. Massive on the attack, showing off all of its 100+ year-old-vine pedigree. Packed with crushed black fruits and black cherry liquer, the finish remains firm and vibrant. Drink now (hard not to), or lay down for up to a decade. As with all these ancient-vine reds, oxygen is its friends.

Very good fruity aroma with good berry mouthfeel – moderate finish. A great example of “field blends” – wine has good balance to be a sipper or go with nice hardy meals. Under $20 – good buy!

2014 Three Wine Company Mazzoni “Live Oak” Zinfandel, Contra Costa, CA

The Live Oak was planted in 1885 by Italian immigrants; it produces a mere 2.35 tons per acre. The Live Oak vineyard is made up of predominately Zinfandel vines (81%) but is a field blend with Petite Sirah (11%), Carignane (6%), Alicante Bouschet (1%), and Mataro (1%).

The wine is dark black and blue color to the edge, with boysenberry, violets, supple tannins and perfect acidity. The wine shows staggering ancient vine concentration with a briary density and silken chewiness with a velour-like texture which is classic Live Oak.

92 Points Wine Enthusiast

Harvested late but not sweet, this decadently rich and fruity wine pairs well with cheese or an equally opulent dish such as osso bucco or red wine risotto. It has grapey, jammy aromas and late-picked flavors like fig, plum and black raisin that glide along the palate. The alcohol is high, tempered by a velvety texture and moderate tannins.

A very likable Zinfandel from Winemaker Matt Cline; rich with a bit of heat to it (the alcohol) but an overall outstanding effort to blend into a great texture, flavor profile. Tannins are there but muted; drink now or cellar for a few years – this Zin can handle it. Cost is around $30.

2014 Three Winery Company “Bigelow” Zinfandel, Contra Costa, CA

93 Points              Editors’ Choice Wine Enthusiast

Big, powerful and confidently ripe, this full-bodied wine oozes with luscious blackberry, wild sage and blueberry flavors that seemingly melt in the mouth. A great example of the late harvest style without being sweet, it's dry, concentrated and persistent on the finish.

Marcus James Bigelow was a gentleman farmer and hoedown fiddler who enjoyed playing cards with friends more than farming. While he moved and worked slowly, he was reported to have been a very fast driver. Originally planted in the mid 1880's, his vineyard on Neroly Road in Oakley is still producing a minuscule quantity of small berry Mataro, Carignane, and Zinfandel. This 130 year-old vineyard is dry-farmed and grown in Delhi Sand series loam soil, which is similar to beach sand. These vines produce a mere 1.5 to 2.5 tons of fruit per acre and are some of the first grapes to arrive into the winery.

This Bigelow Zinfandel is made up of predominately Zinfandel (77%) and is blend with Petite Sirah (14%), Alicante Bouschet (1%), Carignane (6%), and Mataro (2%). The wine is dark black and blue color to the edge, with boysenberry, violets, supple tannins, and perfect acidity. The wine shows staggering ancient vine concentration with a briary density, and silken chewiness with a velour-like texture which is classic Bigelow.

A really big, broad shouldered Zinfandel, this wine has outstanding fruit and herb flavors that meld into a wonderful experience. This wine needs serious food, no back-yard sipper here. This wine compares well to other high end zinfandels and the cost is around $30-35. Buy one and try it, it is really something!

2014 Three Winery Company Petite Sirah, Contra Costa, CA

92 Points              Cellar Selection                 Wine Enthusiast

This is a classy, dry and firmly structured wine from the warm climate and sandy soils of Contra Costa County. It has an extremely dark color, tight aromas of just-ripe fruit and black pepper, and focused, concentrated flavors of black berry and cherry. Balanced and full yet not overpowering in body, it is a great candidate for further aging. Best after 2022.

Our Petite Sirah vineyard has vine rows running east to west with a high of about 20’ elevation on the east side to about sea level on the west end. Due to the soil type and moderate growing conditions, the vineyard produces low yielding small berry clusters with intense color, structure and fruit flavors. Explosive aromas of blueberry preserves and sweet herbs and packed with blueberry flavors and firm tannins, accentuate this ultra-concentrated Petite Sirah. Drink now for its primary fruit plushness or age 5 to 7 years to help soften the tannins.

I love a well made Petite Sirah and this is one. Intense and deep, brooding color and concentrated flavors that linger on the finish. Balanced, not overpowering but has some tannins to allow for aging. Best part – this retails at $25, can be found for as low as $20. Awesome wine – Matt Cline the winemaker was here and he said he loved being able to use the old vines to make this wine.

So, until we meet again, Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines. Oh, Happy New Year and many more.

Double Shot - I never got November loaded, so here they are

2015 Vina Estampa Reserva  Cabernet Sauvignon/Petite Verdot, Colchagua Valley, Chile

"Powerful, structured and full of rich dark fruit flavors, dominated by plum pudding, blackberry and roasted cherry."  Wine Spectator: 91 Points

Not a lot of press on this wine, but it was a very tasty buy. Nicely balanced with good fruit flavor, a nice blend. Under $15, well worth the money.

2014 Domaine LaFage Cuvee Nicolas Grenache Noir, Catalanes, France

Wine Advocate – 90-92 points -Aged in 25% demi-muids, the 2014 Cotes Catalanes Nicolas comes all from the rolling hills and gravel soils in the Aspres region and is made from 100% Grenache. What should represent an incredible value, it boasts fabulous notes of black raspberry, licorice and crushed violets to go with medium+-bodied richness, fine tannin and a supple, pretty profile on the palate. This is far from an over-the-top fruit bomb and it has real class and elegance. Buy it by the case and drink it over the coming 2-3 years.

This was an awesome wine at around $10. Good balance, acidity to pair with foods and excellent fruit flavors. Worth buying a bunch, it won’t bore you.

2013 Chateau D’Arcole Grand Cru, Saint-Emilion, France

The following wines from France are imported by a Wichita company – Roche-Mere. The wines are very good.

Arcole Castle is deep purple in color. The nose is characterized by intense aromas of red fruits (blackcurrant, blackberry), and warm toasted bread and vanilla notes. The palate is rich and elegant with silky tannins. It can be appreciated for its fruit when young, but its robust structure will allow it to age in the cellar for several years.

The property is certified organic and now is biodynamic certified (since 2012).

A very interesting wine – Bordeaux all the way with a 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon blend. A little young, has nice aging potential. Lots of red and black fruits and moderate tannins. Went well with the meal – a little pricey at around $40, but comparable to much higher priced wines from the same area.

2014 Domaine de L’Arnesque Cotes du Rhone, France

Grape varieties 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah

Average age of vineyard                               20 years

Wine making      21 days traditional vinification with total destemmed grapes and several “delestages” (rack and return)

Ageing  1 year in raw concrete

Decanter Magazine 87 points

Delicate aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants flow across the light, fragrant palate where they are sprinkled with the merest hint of nutmeg. Well-made and very drinkable with a long, dry finish.

This was a very good CDR – nose started a little closed but the flavors were bright fruit with herbs and pepper on a moderate finish. This was excellent with our meal, a stuffed pork chop. Retails for about $20, a real good buy.

2015 Justin Girardin Bourgogne, Burgundy, France

White Wine by Justin Girardin from Burgundy, France. An expansive, complex bouquet evokes fresh pear, white peach and honey, with a hint of iodine in the background. Dry and stony on the palate, offering intense citrus and orchard fruit flavors and a touch of anise. Closes with building smokiness, a touch of bitter pear skin and very good persistence.

This wine sees about 20% in new oak and the remainder in steel. Adds a nice complexity to a very dry white with subtle fruit flavors. Very drinkable and went with an excellent salad. Price is $20-25; a very good price for a white Burgundy of this quality.

2014 Domain Gaget Chateau du Py Morgon, France

90 Points Wine Enthusiast

This ripe and smooth wood-aged cru wine from small parcels on the south slope of 1,174-foot Côte du Py is now very approachable. It has generous tannins that are mature and with fine acidity and black-cherry fruits. The wine, concentrated and rich, is ready to drink.

Very pleasant sipper, great fruit nose – a little lighter than the other wines offered, but a real palate pleaser, Gamay is not given the due it should. Wine is priced around $25 and worth the 90 points awarded by the magazine.

2015 Chateau de Montmirail Cuvee de Duex Freres, Vacqueyras, France

This Vacqueyras is a blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre bottled unfiltered. It's classic southern Rhône. It's leathery and gamy, with voluptuous berry fruit and white pepper. The palate is fresh, with crunchy fruit and ripe, well-integrated tannins.

This was a crowd pleaser – decent nose of red fruits followed by a complex mouthfeel of red fruits, spices and some leather. A nice long finish with integrated tannins. Priced right at $25 – 29, you will really like this wine.

Our Reserve Chardonnay is made following techniques I learned during my internship at Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Meursault, France. We begin in the vineyard by using a Burgundian-bred Chardonnay clone (Dijon 76) for our grapes. At the winery, we inoculated the juice with two Burgundian yeasts (Montrachet and CY 3079), then barrel-fermented the juice in new and one-year-old French oak barrels to give the wine a roasted nuts aroma and a richness on the palate. After primary fermentation, we moved half of this wine and its lees (yeast sediment) to older French oak barrels to allow the wine to develop and mature without becoming too oaky. Like at Lafon, all of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. This traditional Burgundian technique converted the grapes’ natural malic acid to the softer lactic acid, adding richness and complexity to the palate.

The 2014 Reserve Chardonnay is fruit-focused and youthful with aromas of grapefruit blossoms, candied lemon peel and ripe pears. Lively, fresh on the entry, it has a rich mid-palate with notes of sweet cream; the toasty vanilla flavors from barrel-fermentation and extended barrel-aging enhance its bouquet. Lovely now, the 2014 Reserve has the structure and excellent balance to allow it to age for at least three more years.

A Thanksgiving wine gift from by my brother, this wine is more California than the White Burgundy above. That being said, it was a very nice white, with the nice dry edge and bright tropical fruits showing. Moderate aftertaste, a nice wine. Only available from the winery,a small Sonoma family operation that has been there since 1967. Priced at around $30.

Hope you enjoyed the wines, the Holidays are around the corner. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

October Wines

Maybe we can kill the Pumpkin spice crapola ...

2014 Chateau Subilaux, Bordeaux, France

Commune: Pleine Selve.

Owner: Herve Lardiere.

Surface: 8 ha.

Soil: Sandy and clayey.

Grape varieties: 90% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc.

The 2014 Subilaux is a terrific value. Grilled herbs, dark cherries, plums, smoke and tobacco are pushed forward in a fleshy, hearty Bordeaux best enjoyed in its youth. Antonio Galloni, April 2015

A real nice little Bordeaux that is ready to drink. Nothing pretentious, just some good juice to go with a hearty meal. Around $12 – buy a couple bottles to enjoy.

NV Blanc Pescador, Catalunya, Spain

From the Spanish town of Girona, located about an hour east of Barcelona near the coast, the Blanc Pescador is essentially baby Cava. It’s from Catalunya and is made with the key three Cava grapes of Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo. But rather than being made as a fully spumante wine, it remains only lightly sparkling. Still, I would categorize this as a white wine, not bubbly; the fizz just adds a little boost of freshness to make it truly crave-worthy.

This was a $7 bottle I was told to try – it is a fun summer wine that goes well into dishes as well as your gullet. Low in alcohol, simple but very pleasing. Great fun – stock up for the summer.

2012 Falesco Montiano Merlot, Lazio, Italy

A 100% single-vineyard Merlot grown in the Montiano parcel in Montefiascone, Lazio. The volcanic, mineral-rich soil of the Montiano vineyard and a rigorous hand selection of these grapes contribute to Montiano’s solid structure and concentration. One of the most sought-after wines from central Italy, this is a perennial favorite of red wine collectors worldwide!

T A S T I N G N O T E S Montiano is deep ruby-red in color and exhibits a wide range of aromas, from vanilla to red berries along with layers of jam and sweet spice. It is powerful and full-bodied, yet well-rounded on the palate with an elegant and lingering finish.

This is an excellent example of well made Merlot from Italy. There are places where the grape grows well and the winemakers produce very good examples of this variety. Very nice, could use it for a special occasion – runs around $35 a bottle.

2015 Crossfork Creek Merlot, Yakima, Washington

Scott Greer, owner and winemaker at Sheridan Vineyard, created Crossfork Creek as an outlet to play with small lots of Sheridan fruit utilizing alternative winemaking techniques while staying true to his vision of exceptional quality, richness and balance. This merlot shows blue fruit, Rainer cherry and hints of cedar. It's a forward, fruit driven wine with plenty of immediate appeal. A very clean and focused Merlot.

This is a decent Washington State Merlot – price makes it more attractive. Runs about $15-20, drinkable now, not one to keep for a long time.

2014 Saddleback Cellars Merlot, Oakville, California

This is a thick, rich and chocolate-laden wine, soft and generously ladened with tannin. Cigar, cedar and dried sage remind one of its varietal intent, while its medium-bodied size allows for plushness on the palate.           Wine Enthusiast               90 Points

Saddleback Cellars was established in 1981 in the heart of the Napa Valley by Nils Venge. Nils Venge is universally regarded as one of the foremost pioneers of the Napa Valley wine industry.

Born to Danish immigrants, Venge's exposure to wine came at an early age: his parents operated a wine and liquor import and distribution company in Southern California. Venge continued his pursuit of wine at the University of California in Davis where he earned a BS in Viticulture in 1967.

Following a tour of duty in Vietnam as a Navy Reservist, Venge moved to the Napa Valley to pursue his interest in winemaking. In the subsequent years, Venge worked for notable wineries, such as Charles Krug, Sterling, Villa Mount Eden and Groth. During his tenure at Groth, Venge became the first American winemaker to receive a perfect 100 point rating from wine critic Robert Parker Jr. The 1985 Groth Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon catapulted Venge to a venerated position in the California wine industry.

A complete Merlot from California – this is what makes you realize how good Merlot can be.  More finesse than brute force, the wine lingers and finishes with a nice length. Price is around $45.

2013 Franciscan Reserve Merlot, Napa Valley, CA

Rich scarlet with vibrant dark cherry, plum and dried fig, that is layered with tobacco, cedar, toasted oak and vanilla bean. Rich, supple palate with concentrated dark fruit, barrel spice, and velvety tannins. Long and beautifully balanced finish of fig, cherry and dark chocolate. 93% Merlot, 6% Syrah, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vineyard Notes

The 2013 vintage gave us near perfect growing conditions which led to an early harvest. Spring conditions were warm and dry which led to an early bud break and very even set. Aside from one hot spell at the end of June, temperatures remained moderate throughout the spring and summer. With only 8 inches of rain from January through June, the vines had less green growth and an earlier turn to fruit development. Early October saw a major north wind event, bringing dry air off the arid northern CA interior down across the coastal areas. Humidity during October 3-7 was very low, single digits, with strong winds buffeting all parts of Napa. Thirsty vineyards prompted harvest to accelerate even more than usual. In 7 days we brought in ~24% of our fruit. The first Cabernet Sauvignon from Oakville was harvested off a young block on September 13th with the last of the Cabernet Sauvignon hitting the hopper on October 22nd. As harvest progressed, we became more and more aware that the color and intensity of Bordeaux reds in the 2013 vintage would lead to a truly phenomenal vintage.

Another blockbuster from a winery I know and like. This was another Merlot that makes the fruit shine, finesse but with a long finish. A wine to savor and serve with hearty dishes. Very nice – around $40 -45.

2013 Un Uva Nocturna Garnarcha, De la Tierra, Spain

Composition : 100% Garnacha. Mechanical collection Night harvest Situation of the vineyard on the slope of the Aragonese pre-Pyrenees, at an altitude of 450 m. We use the technique of night harvesting to preserve better the aromas and flavors of our grapes.

Method of preparation : Pre-fermentative cold maceration between 6 and 9º that allows to mark the fermentation times. After destemming, a slight pressure of the juice extractor releases only the must of the flower, which ends its fermentation between 25 and 28º. Finally it remains for three months in French oak barrels.

SENSATIONS

Color: Bright red with blue tones.

Aroma : Intense, with red fruits and raspberries with subtle touches of wood.

Palate : Soft attack and powerful on the palate, characteristic of the authentic and elegant Garnacha.

It is a wine with a lot of fruit, with personality, good body, something spicy and very tasty.

A $10 bargain Spanish wine, I was surprised that this Garnacha had some of the body and intensity as similar Mouvredes. One that should be sought out for hearty meals – heck, buy a number of bottles. It really is that good.

I started out November with a cold and the weather has been funky - hot then cold - can't make up its mind. Hope you enjoy - the Holidays are approaching. Until later, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

September is in the Books

Another month and a few more wines

2012 Thorn Clarke Shotfire Quarterage, Barossa Valley, Australia

JAMES HALLIDAY, FEBRUARY, 2015

95 Points: ‘A blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, petit verdot and merlot. Comes from a distinguished line of wines that have over-delivered, and this wine is up with the best of those made to date. While much of its quality comes from the vineyard, it has also been very well made; its blackcurrant, redcurrant, cherry and spice flavours flow in a seamless stream across the palate and aftertaste.’

Shotfire Quartage is based on the five traditional red varieties found in the Bordeaux region of France (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and  Malbec).  Our winemakers use at least four of the varieties to create the blend each year (occasionally, they can get over excited and use all five).  The blend is a reminder to not only look to the future but also to keep an eye on the past and tradition.  

This wine is showing very well right now. The blend is well done, with the Cabernet Sauvignon leading the way, but not overpowering.  Red and blackberry with hints of graphite and lilted floral and spices on the long finish. Good Aussie wine – worth the price of the low $20’s.

La Guita Manzanilla Sherry NV

This wine is a captivating depiction of 100 percent Palomino Fino aged under flor in the traditional system of maturation called Solera aging. After a very careful selection of Palomino grapes, Manzanilla “La Guita” is produced and aged following the traditional system of “Criaderas and Solera”.  Matured in Sanlúcar de Barrameda, the gentle sea breeze helps to give it a very dry and crisp flavour.  It is aged under its “velo de flor” (natural yeast) and all the process is carefully controlled by the wine maker, who zealously cares for the good development of the wines and especially watches its “flor” to obtain the unique fragrance and bouquet of Manzanilla “La Guita”.

A dazzling lemon-gold in color, La Guita Manzanilla is clean and fresh on the nose displaying aromas of glazed fruit, wild herbs and toasted almonds. On the palate, it is light, yet persistent, mimicking the aromatic intensity of the nose onto the remarkable finish.

This is a dry sherry I got on close out - $10. This has a umami flavor to it, not sweet, that is crisp and refreshing. Best with salty cheese, olives and the like. Nice…

2014 Angry Bunch Zinfandel, Lodi, California

"I, Zinfandel Grape, do hereby pledge to uphold the code of the Angry Bunch. I promise to be in tip top shape, before they crush me and take all my juice. I will always strive to give off a color so dark and brooding, some would call it violent violet. I solemnly swear that I will not tap dance on your taste buds, but will make a mosh pit out of them. I shall look down upon weaker and thin-skinned grapes, that can't hang with us in our vineyards, and laugh at weaker wines with higher prices. Above all, I promise to be angry, so that you, the wine drinker, can be happy. If I fail to uphold any of the aforementioned promises, my membership to the Angry Bunch will forever be revoked."

Deep ruby color. Elegant notes of wild violet and rose blend with fresh blueberry, raspberry and concentrated bramble notes. Robust, concentrated fruit with a ripe texture and juicy mouthfeel blends with hints of spice and vanilla to create a powerful yet well-balanced palate. Bright acidity complements hearty tannins and provides for a lasting, complex finish.

Pairs well with barbecue, grilled meats, zesty pasta, braised pork, and hearty cheeses.

A fun bottle of Zinfandel from the Lodi area – nice fruit nose with a deep berry flavor that seemed powerful without being overwhelming.  Fair finish, light tannins – a crowd pleasing wine, all for about $20. Label is great, too.

2012 Mr. Riggs the Truant Shiraz, McLaren Valley, Australia

Black garnet color. Lively aromas of creme brulee, melted toffee, and sour cherry tart with a satiny, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a graceful, compelling, medium-length chocolate graham cracker, vanilla yogurt craisins, blood orange, and sandalwood finish with well-integrated, chewy tannins and light oak. A nice juicy, appetizing shiraz.

A very good shiraz from McLarenVale in Australia. Indeed juicy, with lots of fruit on the nose and on the palate. Light tannins integrate well into the flavors of this wine. Another crowd pleaser for around $20.Pick up some of this one.

2013 John Duval Plexus SGM, Barossa Valley, Australia

“My aim with Plexus is express the wide spectrum of red fruit flavours from Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre and also provide structure with a seamless balance and long finish.

Traditional, low intervention winemaking techniques are employed with Plexus, allowing the wine to be approachable in its youth, but also have medium term cellaring potential for 8-10 years.”

Region:  Barossa Valley

Variety: Shiraz 54%, Grenache 32%, Mourvedre 14%. The Shiraz was sourced from old vineyards in the Tanunda, Krondorf and Ebenezer regions, Grenache from the Tanunda and Ebenezer region and Mourvèdre from the Light Pass region.

Winemaking: Fermentation with submerged cap and small open stainless  steel fermenters.

Oak Maturation:  100% barrel maturated for 14 months, with just 8% new fine  grain French oak hogsheads (300 litre barrels); with the balance 3-6  year old barrels.  Some Shiraz finished fermentation in new French oak.

92 pts “Broad, expressive and open-textured, with a sense of restraint to the black cherry, blackberry, floral and wet earth flavors, finishing with density, harmony and persistence. Shiraz, Grenache and Mourvedre.” Harvey Steinman Wine Spectator

John Duvall was a winemaker at Penfolds for 29 years, making outstanding wines like Grange. He left and used his own vineyards to continue his career. He makes serious wines – nothing like sappy Yellow Tail. This is a deep, intensely flavored wine that goes well with food. The berry flavors linger on a nice finish with limited tannins. Really good wine – Priced between $25 and$ 30, a good wine to spring on friends.

2012 Rubus Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia

"Smooth and succulent, tempering its rich cherry compote flavors with hints of tobacco and pepper. Finishes with a long echo of licorice. Drink now through 2020. 2,000 cases made. –HS"

- Wine Spectator (June 15th 2014), 90 pts

Grape Varietals 98% Shiraz & 2% Viognier

The Viognier was co-fermented (50/50) with Shiraz and then back blended with Shiraz before filling to oak. Fermentation was cool for the Shiraz Viognier parcel (20 deg C) and slightly warmer for the Shiraz parcels (26-28 deg C). We used a yeast called RX60 which was originally isolated from Barossa vineyards but is now commercially produced. Malo-lactic fermentation was carried out at the same time as alcoholic fermentation. By the time the parcels were pressed they were ready to be locked up and put to bed in oak. We used some A grade material to bolster the Rubus blend. These parcels saw very sexy American oak that was coopered in France – they are a toned down version of American oak and require much more time to blossom. The remaining wine saw American oak coopered in America, most of the oak was sourced from the Appalachian mountain range. The coopers say that these barrels add a spicy nose and creamy mid palate (almost like lemon cream). They tend to have less sweet oak character and therefore helps retain the perception of acid line.

This wine is showing very well – a deep brooding style of Shiraz with dark berry flavors and hints of spices and other aromatics. Drinkable alone but a much better match with foods – the acidity holds up well to big dishes. Nice finish – well worth the price – under $20 at most locations.

Well, that's another month of wines! Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

Wines of August

Where has the month gone?

2009 Bodegas Alejandro Fernández El Vínculo La Mancha, Spain

Tasting Notes

In the 2009 El Vínculo (the name means the tie or the bond in Spanish) Alejandro Fernández demonstrates La Mancha’s ability to make world class wine. The recently released 2009 El Vínculo exudes an infectious charm in its beautiful aromatic profile and plush flavors. For starters, deep blackberry and currant scents mingle with hints of sandalwood and Asian spices to delight the nose and prepare the palate for the wine’s soft succulent flavors that roll across the tongue and fill the mouth. Happily, this old vine Tempranillo combines tremendous flavor with subtle complexity, as El Vínculo’s velvety texture is backed by fine grained tannins, which add lift and allow the wine to exit with a graceful flourish.

Rated 90 by Stephen Tanzer

Opaque ruby. Smoky, oak-accented dark berry and cherry aromas are brightened by a peppery nuance and a hint of clove. Sappy, sweet and expansive, offering intense cherry-vanilla and blackberry preserve flavors and a touch of mocha. Supple tannins give shape to the finish, where the spice and cherry notes echo strongly. This wine was raised entirely in American oak; I'll bet on it being even better after the lumber has had time to mesh with the fruit.

Despite its bargain price ($10), this is one hefty wine. The tannins are still evident but the fruit does show up, after a little time in the glass. Best if decanted, great with grilled and BBQ meats. Buy a couple bottles- would be great with roasts and stews.

2015 GENTIL "HUGEL" Alsace, France

The perfect introduction to Alsace wines as it combines the qualities of all our white varietals.

This wine revives an ancient Alsace tradition that wines assembled from noble grape varieties were called "Gentil". Gentil "Hugel" allies the suave, spicy flavour of Gewurztraminer, the body of Pinot Gris, the finesse of Riesling, the grapiness of Muscat and the refreshing character of Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner. This wine has a wonderfully intense and lively colour with a nice crystalline metallic sheen over a young, fresh and alert pale green with hints of pale yellow. When rolled in the glass its legs are structured and oily.

It has a magnificent pure and sophisticated aroma which generously releases a sense of freshness, openness and perfumed, expressive, fruity and floral spontaneity with delicate hints of muscat, white peach, lemon balm, rose, hawthorn, jasmine, freesia, lime-tree and cherry blossom, lychee and pear.

One is immediately impressed by its rare elegance and aromatic charm.

On the palate it reveals all of its harmony and balance.

This is a fresh and refreshing dry wine, with a wonderful heady and rounded generosity that is combined with a remarkable sapidity, it has a full and delicious flavour that is filled with charm and sophistication.

This wine is under $15 and a great summer wine. The flavors are vibrant and well balanced. The wine has acidity and charm to go with many foods – chicken, fish and other lighter fare. I used to drink a lot of Alsatian wines years ago – Trimbach, Pierre Sparr and Hugel. I had forgotten how enjoyable they were. Great way to try them without breaking the bank.

2009 Tenuta Vitanza Volare Toscano Rosso Montalcino, Italy

Appellation: IGT Toscana.

Varietal: 80% Sangiovese Grapes 20% Merlot Cabernet Grapes. Vineyard’s age: 12 Years.

Wine-making: Pre-soaking at a cold temperature for three days; pump-overs following the density and the temperature under computer control.

Aging: 4 Months in still tanks and 4 Months in Slavonia Oak. Bottle refinement:  4 Months.

Production: 10000 Bottles. Organoleptic Characteristics: Color red ruby.

Perfume: Bouquet intense and complete

Taste: Full body, smooth and powerful with fresh fruit taste.

OK, this was a $5 bottle I picked up on close out. Not awful, just not really memorable. Drinkable, not bad with spaghetti or pizza. Bottle for your “not close” friends that put ice cubes in their wine.

2015 Domaine Dupreable Pere & Fils Gamay, Beaujolais, France

Rated 90 by Decanter

Vivid ruby-red. Powerful dark berry, cherry and violet scents are lifted by a smoky mineral nuance and a hint of cracked pepper. Concentrated and juicy on the palate, offering bitter cherry and cassis flavors and a touch of candied licorice. Much more serious and powerful than its appellation would suggest, delivering strong closing thrust and lingering dark berry and mineral notes. There’s no way I’d have guessed that this was a straight Beaujolais. (Vinous)

From Kermit Lynch, the famous West Coast importer/retailer, this was around $10 – an excellent price for a nice bottle of vino. Probably not something to keep in the cellar, but very juicy and vibrant for many types of meals or just for porch sipping. Tastes good with a little chill – the review nailed it.

2013 Mastroberardino “Redi More” Aglianico, Irpinia, Campania, Italy

Rated 91 by Robert Parker

The 2013 Irpinia Aglianico RediMore represents a special selection of Aglianico biotypes from pre-phylloxera vines that are up to 140 years old. Two of these clones were registered as Antonio Mastroberardino VCR 418 and VCR 421 in honor of the late proprietor of this historic Campania winery. The research project to identify these clones started in 2008 and the first edition of RediMore was produced in 2012. The 2013 vintage presented this year is a very special expression of Aglianico with an extremely floral character. The bouquet shows pressed rose, spice, dried violets and moist chewing tobacco. The wine is engineered for near-term consumption (with softer tannins) although this vintage should continue to evolve over the next five years.

This is more of a splurge over the $5 Rosso – although this is the “entry” level wine for this producer. It will cost you around $25, but it is a real stand up wine with good backbone for some aging and very good fruit flavors. Worth the money, serve to your friends, especially those you like.

Well, I gotta fly - so keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines...