More of May 2018 Wines

More wines to consider

I'll start with a trivial note - what is that indention in the bottom of your wine bottle called? It is the "punt" - drop back ten and kick it...

2013 Conn Creek Herrick Red, Napa Valley, Ca

“Bold red and black berries cradle vanilla and floral accents. The berries unfold on the palate into notes of tapenade and espresso powder, finishing with boisterous tannins.” — Mike McGrath, Winemaker

Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah headline the blend with touches of Merlot, Malbec and Primitivo. Herrick Vineyard in the Yountville appellation contributes the overwhelming majority of the fruit with a small selection from the Collins Vineyard in St. Helena.   Cabernet Sauvignon 46%, Syrah 38%, Merlot 6%, Malbec 6%, Primitivo 4%.

This was a great closeout bargain – deep flavors, nice moderate finish and a good blend of flavors that went well with meat. It was great at this price ($15), well worth $20-25.

2013 Atance Bobal Valencia, Spain

The Atance Bobal is a highly aromatic wine that is powerful and inviting. Aromas of dark berry and cherry, with very intriguing loamy aromas and just a hint of oak. All together the Atance Bobal smells similar to a Dr. Pepper jelly belly.

On the palate the Atance Bobal has a medium body mouthfeel with big strawberry, blackberry, and a touch of prune-like characteristics. But it’s the bright acidity and luscious tannins are the highlights of this wine. The essence of terroir and pure, natural fruit give the palate a clean and fresh feeling that can only be found in fine wine–not good wine, but fine wine.

Great structure, balance, and complexity with a lengthy finish, makes the Atance Bobal a true stand out from its peers in this price range. Pair with food or simply enjoy with good company that appreciates the finest in wine. Cheers!

What a good review – I have really been into the Spanish grape Bobal – once simply made into quaffing wine not exported; now a darling of the “cool” set. The fruit is good, along with acidity to go with meals and some tannin on the back end of the taste. The average price is around $10 – a great bargain for everyday drinking.

2013 KJ Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands Chardonnay, Santa Maria, Ca

93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 Other Chardonnays include the more mineral, Meursault-like 2013 Chardonnay Jackson Estate Camelot Highlands from Santa Maria. This shows notes of hazelnuts, caramelized citrus fruit, a hint of match sticks and wet rocks. It is a complex, Burgundian style of Chardonnay that is completely different than the other wines from Kendall-Jackson. In some extremist circles it is fashionable to criticize anything that’s big and successful (Kendall-Jackson is both of those). This winery, in addition to the massive quantities of some of their less expensive wines, which deliver terrific bargains to wine consumers, also produces limited quantities of high-end wines that can take their place against the toughest of competition. All this is attributable to the late visionary Jess Jackson and today is carried on by his widow, Barbara Banke. They’ve never been shy about spending money for top mountain vineyards throughout California, and have always hired talented winemakers. In this case, Kendall-Jackson’s entire hierarchy of wines has been guided impeccably by their longtime employee, Randy Ullom. He doesn’t get much notice from wine geeks, but what he does is remarkable. And when you consider the diversity of wines of which he oversees production, the diverse array of microclimates, terroirs, etc., he probably has as much experience making large and tiny quantities of high-quality wines as any winemaker in the world. (RP)

This is not a typical Cali Chard – much more Burgundian; less oaky bright tropical fruits and more carmelized fruits, nuts and a nice finish that tapers into earthy tones. I got it for $20 – if you like French style Chardonnay, this one is for you.

2006 Joseph Phelps Insignia, Napa Valley, Ca

94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 The 2006 Insignia possesses a deep ruby/purple color as well as copious amounts of cassis, but has not yet developed secondary nuances. It remains a big, full-throttle, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon-based wine with 14.5% natural alcohol, impressive purity, sweet tannin, decent acidity and a monolithic personality. Everything needed for a graceful evolution is present, and the 2006 should keep for another two decades. (RP) 

I can’t give you a price I paid for this because it was a gift (going for $190 online right now).  It was a hedonistic pleasure to pop this cork and let the wine unwind and flow into your mouth.  As above, the secondary nuances of leather, spice, cigar box along with dark red fruits stayed on the palate for a long while. The tannins were tame – not gone. No doubt one of the best wines I’ve opened at my house and I’m glad I kept it in the wine vault long enough to appreciate it.

2009 Chateau Gloria Saint-Julien, France

Wine Spectator 92

"A serious young wine, crammed with plum cake, blackberry preserves, warm fig confiture and blueberry reduction flavors, all laced with briar and sweet, toasty spice notes and backed by a long, tarry finish. Has a rustic edge but lots of stuffing. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Best from 2014 through 2025"

"A relatively young estate, Chateau Gloria was founded and assembled by Monsieur Henri Martin who established the reputation of Gloria within the space of a generation. With the first acquisitions of 6 hectares (15 acres) of vines in 1942, and purchase of the chai of Chateau Saint-Pierre, Martin added to the estate over the years with land bought from the surrounding classed estates."

Another gift – this one from my brother who bought a case when it came out. Current price from $40 – 80 online. A beautiful Bordeaux with good fruit and nuances of spice, briar and tobacco notes. Nice finish – the tannins have mellowed but not gone completely. Still enough backbone to age 5 – 10 years, but very drinkable at this moment. Super nice wine that we had with a meal from our local French bistro.  

Well, that wraps up another month - keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.

May 2018 Wines

Another month has flown by

(And more to come!)

I will start with our Lucky 13 tasting, held while my brother was visiting from Arizona. The wines had been shipped to my home and were all from the 2013 Vintage.

The Lucky Thirteen Tasting

All except the first wine were decanted, to better aerate the wines.

2013 Franciscan Magnificat, Napa Valley, California                        Retail    $58

92 points James Suckling

 A bright and balanced red with currant, plum, chocolate and walnut aromas and flavors. Medium to full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Pretty length and control to this. A blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Merlot, Malbec and Cabernet Franc. Drink or hold. 

Winemaker’s notes: Magnificat is one of the original Meritage blends in California, a wine Franciscan has proudly produced since 1985. Named for J.S. Bach’s masterpiece, it is crafted to be as seamless and harmonious as its musical namesake. Starting with over 200 small lots of red wine,  Magnificat is created to showcase our fi nest Bordeaux blend of the vintage. Carefully assessing each lot as it ages in barrel, we create the blend with repeated trials and blind tastings. Depending on how the varieties express in a given year, the composition will be different, always shaped to provide consistency of style. The wine is founded on Cabernet Sauvignon, but true to Meritage, uses other Bordeaux varietals to give roundness, structure, and rich complexity.

A very nice wine, this wine is available for around $30, not made for long term storage, but would be drinkable in several years. Nice fruit forward flavors, moderate finish, well worth the current price. A wine I have had over many years.

2013 Grgich Hills Miljenko's Selection Estate Grown Cabernet Sauvignon (Rutherford) Retail    $90

Wine Enthusiast               92 Points

Exotic and complex, this medium-bodied, structured wine is awash with aromas, from charcuterie and mixed nut to cedar and pencil. Anchoring it is a dusty tannic profile and a punch of oak.

Indigo color. Aromas and flavors of berry compote, clay pot, toasted nuts, and hint of beeswax with a supple, bright, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a tingling, interesting, medium-long cedar and sandalwood finish with well-integrated, dusty tannins and moderate oak. A well-made dry cabernet that will improve with age.

A well made wine, good nose and pleasant flavors. Some tannins, but drinking very smooth right now. Still enough body and tannin to last at least 5 years. Very pleasing.

2013 Chimney Rock White Pebble Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Ca                              Retail $118

A sinlge vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon showing aromas of blackberry and plum while in the palate it has great density and long, delicate finish. White Pebble Vineyard is situated geographically in the center of our estate. The name alludes to the white golf balls from the golf course which played a part of Chimney Rock history. To this day the golf balls are discovered among the vines, and our winemaking team often collects them as they take their daily walks down the vineyard rows. The spirit of golf parallels the spirit of the vintner in so many ways. It is a game of patience, hard work, long walks and almost Zen-like stillness at times. Vintners also must walk many miles and remain focused, and pay close attention in the stillness of their vineyards. 2013 gifted us the ideal conditions for concentrated, inky beautiful grapes. We hope you enjoy the results of our winemakers’ most beloved endeavor.

This wine needed decanting – it was tight until enough air had passed over it. Nose was a little short and the initial taste was somewhat flat on the palate. The aftertaste was very good. As it opened up, the wine had vibrant fruit and plenty of tannins. Probably needs 4 – 5 years to really open up – nice wine.

2013 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, Ca                      Retail     $90

Appellation         Oakville, Napa Valley

Harvest Dates    September 20 – October 17, 2013

Varietals              97% Cabernet Sauvignon              3% Petit Verdot

Aging     17 months in French oak               77% new              23% once-used

The 2013 Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon presents dusty chocolate and black cherry aromas layered with subtle floral notes and oak. The entry is velvety and intense, revealing dark cherry and boysenberry notes married with toasted oak and light licorice. This is an elegantly structured wine with silkiness through the midpalate and a persistent, juicy finish. Deep, coating Oakville tannins ensure that this wine will age beautifully in the cellar.

95 points Wine Enthusiast

 Sourced largely from the Martin Stelling Vineyard behind the winery in the western shade of Oakville, this wine opens with charred oak and a smoky, meaty character that intrigues. Seamless on the palate in soft, perceptible tannin, it delves into characteristics of cedar and brushy sage as it goes, unveiling a wildness that’s hard to contain. Its bright, fresh finish gives it a roundness that’s ready to enjoy now. 

A very nice wine – the mouthfeel was very full, not closed in at all. Had a nice aftertaste with silky tannins holding together. Very drinkable at present but enough body to hold together a few more years.  Very enjoyable.

2013 Nickel & Nickel Quarry Vineyard, Napa Valley, Ca                                 Retail $118

The 2013 Quarry Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a beautiful bouquet of cherry, green olive and forest floor notes. On the palate, juicy plum and cherry fruit flavors offer ripeness, mingled with olive, herb, earth and tea. Beautifully integrated warm oak enters on the midpalate, as firm and coating tannins carry the flavors into a long, supple finish.

APPELLATION Rutherford, Napa Valley VARIETAL 100% Cabernet Sauvignon AGING French oak barrels (53% new, 47% once-used) SKIN CONTACT 8 - 12 days TIME 17 months

The Quarry Vineyard climbs the slopes above the Silverado Trail on the east side of Rutherford. The name comes from the old quarry that was the source of a white rock used in the ghost winery that still stands beside the vineyard. Three distinct hillside blocks, each experiencing its own unique soil and exposure, are harvested from this vineyard. The white, rocky loam soils are well drained, and the vines are of moderate vigor. Cluster and berry size varies from block to block, but all are small to moderate. This vineyard has full exposure to the afternoon sun.

This wine had a good nose, lots of fruit and tannins. This was a bruiser, needing a number of years in the bottle to mellow and soften to be an approachable wine. Easily spend 5 -10 years and still be a great drinking wine. Really nice!

2013 Hall Exzellenz Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Ca                          Current Retail $350

100 Points           Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

This hails from the foothills of Rutherford and refers to Kathryn Hall’s ambassadorship to Austria between 1997 and 2001. A prodigious wine with beautiful floral notes intermingled with blueberry, blackberry, black raspberry and graphite, the wine hits the palate with a full-bodied force, but nothing seems pushed, cloying or out of sync. Gorgeously pure blue and black fruits cascade over the palate, a full-bodied presentation with remarkable purity and complexity. The finish is a good 45-50 seconds, and while there is significant tannin, the extravagance of the fruit and glycerin generally conceal it. This is a remarkable, one-of-a-kind, world class Cabernet Sauvignon that should prove compelling for at least another 30-40+ years.

From the Sacreshe vineyard, this wine had an outstanding nose. The flavors were big as well as the tannins in the wine. The finish is wonderful and long – this wine is a real stunner! Drinkable, but begging for aging, this wine is one of the best I have had – for sure in the last few years. Originally around $220, the winery is out and with a 100 point Parker rating, the secondary market has driven up the price. Absolutely a remarkable wine.

Then there were several more bottles opened from 2013 but I ran out of space for notes (as well as wine overload). Fun was had by all!

I will post the May wines (my regular stuff) in the next few days. Till then, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

April 2018 Wines

April's Wind brings May Showers?

Just a few wines to think about

I open with the fact that Heitz wine cellars is being sold. Too bad, was one of my favorites. Hope nothing changes too much...

2014 Chat Fou, Cotes-du-Rhone, France

85% Grenache/15% Clairette/Viognier/Chasselas. Most of the Grenache and all of the white come from the granite soils of Texier's St.Julien-en-St.Alban vineyard; some of the Grenache comes from his holdings in Vaison-La-Romaine in the Vaucluse. The whites and red are co-harvested and co-fermented mainly as whole clusters with native yeasts in concrete tanks with a short 5-day maceration and without any punchdowns. The wine is aged for around a year in concrete tank and bottled with a very small dose (15g/liter) of sulfur. The intention is a fresh, light style of Côtes-du-Rhône.

This is a light style of CDR – flavors are a little muted, with earth tones and a raspberry rhubarb taste. Very little aftertaste. Not awful, alright for a $10 bottle, but not any higher.

2013 Blackbird ‘Arise”, Napa Valley, Ca

This is a Merlot-dominant blend, with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc blended in. It offers cooler-climate elements of dried herb, cedar and currant, with the tannins sleek and polished. The finish flirts with a taste of coconut. Drink now through 2021.              91 Pts Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection

"Arise is the most aspiring wine in the Blackbird Vineyards repertoire. Every vintage is hand-tuned to express the luscious flavor profiles and lithe structure that only comes from exceptional fruit." Aaron Pott,Winemaker

Wine Notes:

The 2013 Arise exudes aromas of black currant, iris, and nutmeg. With flavors of licorice, cherry and fig, this wine has a richly layered mid palate with soft texture, good density and a long, lingering finish. Aaron Pott describes the 2013 Arise as the best vintage of Arise yet.

This is a well structured wine, with lush flavors that linger on a long finish. Drinking nicely, would hold for several more years and still be very good.  A splurge, but a very nice one. Price around $48.

2014 Buoncristiani OPC Napa Valley, Ca

Varietal Proprietary Red               - 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah, 20% Malbec, 12% Merlot

Appellation         Napa Valley

Aging     Twenty months in 100% French oak barrels, 60% new oak

Robert Parker    95

The Wine Advocate said “the 2014 Proprietary Red O.P.C. is a blend of 44% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Syrah, 20% Malbec and 12% Merlot. A brilliant nose of blue, red and black fruits, licorice, graphite, background spice and roasted meats jumps from the glass of this complex proprietary red. This is an intriguing blend that Buoncristiani has pulled off flawlessly. The color is a dense ruby/purple, the wine full-bodied and rich with sweet tannin, a burgeoning, broad suppleness and a rich, long, lusty finish. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.”

Another big wine with layers of flavor – the Syrah really makes a difference in this wine. Supple tannins carry a very long finish – this bad boy could age for a decade and not miss a beat. Price is around $50 – so a splurge, but very good.

2014 Robert Mondavi ‘BDX’ Cabernet Blend Napa Valley, Ca

With the 2014 vintage, BDX expresses its special Bordeaux blend through the legendary To Kalon site. Black plum and blackberry fruits weave seamlessly with sweet baking spices, a touch of tobacco and a thread of unsweetened cocoa in this richly textured, supple-tannin wine expressing the depth and complexity of our To Kalon fruit. 79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Cabernet Franc.

Vineyard Notes

The prime benchland on the western side of the Oakville AVA is known for its well-draining soils, optimal sun exposure and relatively low fertility. Grapes grown here yield rich complex flavors and great fruit maturity. The To Kalon Vineyard is located in the heart of this prime area of Oakville and surrounds the Robert Mondavi Winery. It was named Vineyard of the Year in 2011 by the California State Farm Bureau. Appellation: Oakville District AVA Grape Sourcing: 100% Napa Valley - 100% Oakville District - 100% To Kalon Vineyard.

A very nice red blend from the Mondavi winery – nice layers of flavors and a healthy finish. Probably would hold for 5 to 7 years, not as deep as the other wines on this list. Price is around $45 – wouldn’t turn it down, but might be better ones at that price.

2014 Trefethen Merlot, Napa Valley, Ca

Combining Napa Valley intensity with Pomerol-like plushness, the quality of Trefethen's beautifully crafted Oak Knoll District Merlot remains one of Napa Valley's best-kept secrets. Made from 95% Merlot, 4% Malbec, and 1% Cabernet Sauvignon from Trefethen's Oak Knoll estate, the wine spent 18 months in a combination of new and used oak barrels, 50% French, 36% American, and 14% Hungarian. It surges with ripe, vibrant cherry, currant, herb, and spice flavors, which lead to a smooth, long and elegant finish. Class all the way. Drink now and over the next 7–8 years.

A very elegant Merlot – one that Cabernet Sauvignon drinkers can enjoy. Lush flavorswith silky tannins on a nice long finish. This is what Merlot should taste like! Price is under $35 – well worth that price.

2010 D’Arenberg “D’arry’s Original” Shiraz Grenache McLaren Vale, Australia

Opaque black dark red colour with dark red crimson hue. The nose shows good intensity with liquorice and blackberry top notes intermingling with some meatiness, spice and earth. Rich generous flavours of ripe blackberry and liquorice fill the palate followed by some earth, spice and pepper. Soft beautifully integrated tannin structure. Long spicy blackberry, liquorice and earth aftertaste. A classic example of this iconic McLaren Vale blend.

Drink over the next 4-5 years.

91           POINTS                 Wine Enthusiast

A terrific value, this 50-50 blend displays gentle oaking and a hint of warm asphalt, just enough to highlight the wine's plum and black cherry fruit. It's full bodied and features a long finish, outlined by wonderfully fine, dusty tannins. Drink now–2018.

PRICE $20,  Buy Now

DESIGNATION d'Arry's Original

VARIETY Shiraz-Grenache, Rhône-style Red Blend

APPELLATION McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia

A very nice wine – getting a little long in the tooth, but still drinking nicely. Great sipping wine, still has some acidity to matchup with many foods. I got mine at $10 – buy what they have left or move up a few vintage years.

Well, it's been fun - hope you are getting ready for Spring and then Summer. Remember, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

March 2018 Wines

Another Windy Month!

And time for just a few wines....

2016 Dry Creek Chenin Blanc , Clarksburg, Ca

I opened last month with a story of a long ago Chenin Blanc - I open this month with a current favorite...

HISTORY Our family winery is proud to have produced Dry Chenin Blanc each and every year of our 45-year history. For nearly 30 years our Chenin Blanc has come from the Clarksburg appellation in the Sacramento Delta. This vineyard has provided us with delicious fruit that expresses our Loire Valley-inspired roots. It is the perfect apéritif wine, extremely versatile and food friendly, making it one of our most beloved wines.      

WINEMAKER COMMENTS This beautiful wine is wonderfully consistent vintage after vintage. At first swirl, aromatics of white pear, pineapple and banana spring forward from the glass. On the palate, the wine is refreshing with flavors of mandarin, melon and white pear. The mouthfeel is lively and refreshing, and has a subtle creaminess. 100% stainless steel fermentation guarantees the fresh fruit character that fans of this wine have come to appreciate over the years. This classic, Loire Valley-style wine is excellent when paired with fresh oysters, seafood, or just about anything!

91 Points Wine Enthusiast

Orange-marmalade aromas set the stage for a rather full-bodied, dry and flavorful wine. Floral and fruity elements are counter-balanced by a tangy texture and subtle mineral accents. A classic of the type, it has a lot of personality, a great presence on the palate and a lingering finish.

A classic dry Chenin - great with food thanks to the acidity, yet charming to sip by itself.  Price is around $10 - can't go wrong with it...

I added this book that was from an Estate sale. A little outdated, but it was very good at listing the wine regions, their topography, history and the leading wineries at the time (around 2000). Then there were beautiful watercolor paintings of the area. This is why I read wine books - wish it would be updated for 2018!

2013 Tintoralba Garnacha Tintorera, Almansa, Spain

 Red Juice

No matter what color their skins, the great majority of wine grapes have clear juice. Although they may appear red on the outside, their insides remain clear and pure. Garnacha Tintorera, or Alicante Bouschet, is one of the few grapes with a brilliant, red-pigmented, free-run juice. It’s also a highly-productive blending grape, sometimes used – discreetly of course – with other grapes to add color, depth and roundness. In Spanish, we call these types of grapes, Tintoreras, literally “dyers”. All of our wines owe their greatness to this very special red-juice grape, not only because of its red pulp, but also because of its productivity, able to yield 12 tons per acre.

You can also find Garnacha Tintorera planted in France, Portugal, Corsica, Tuscany, Calabria in southern Italy, former Yugoslavia, Israel, North Africa and California.

Characteristics

Grape -Dark, inky purple-skinned grape with thick, durable skin and a vibrant red interior

Wine – Dark ruby in color with notes of black pepper, rich black olive, dark chocolate with an undercurrent of red fruit. Spicy in the mouth with herbal notes, bright acidity and nice chocolate/charcoal flavors. It’s an overall fruit-driven wine showing layers upon layers of varying red fruit.

This wine had a couple of bad bottles - they were like dull port; the good bottles were a nice spicy wine with nice appeal with good fruit and numerous undertones. Decent acidity made it go well with our meal at the wine dinner. Price is around $15 - not bad, but it ain't Garnarcha!

2014 Melee Grenache, California

The 2014 vintage Melée Grenache showcases how great Grenache can come from California. Sourced from two unique steep hillside vineyards, one in the central coast and one in Mendocino, this wine offers a kaleidoscope of aromas emerging from the glass. Hints of baked summer fruits, white pepper, lavender, underbrush and dry aged meats lead to an incredibly focused, yet elegant, balanced and graceful mid-palate. The finish is a blockbuster that exudes both power and finesse. This is truly a wine for the ages.

Technical Notes:

Winemaker: Tuck Beckstoffer / Shawn Johnson

Appellation: California

Blend: 100% Grenache

This is a big boy Grenache - lots of fruit, nuances of herbs and a lot of power in the finish. Not tannic, but carrying itself to a long finish. Overpowers most Grenache and maybe food you would normally serve. Very nice except for one thing. The price is $35 - I'd rather have 2 bottles of old vine Spanish then just one of these.

2014 Domaine LaFage Nicholas Cuvee, Grenache Noir, Languedoc Roussillon, France

Rated 92 by Robert Parker

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.

I have commented on this before - no doubt one of my favorite French Grenache. Flavorful, without overpowering, this is refined and tasty. Matches many foods with nice acidity, a wine around $10- 12 that tastes like it costs $25. Agree with Parker -buy it by the case.

2014 Fernandez Gomez Crianza, Rioja, Spain

Tasting Notes

By nature a thinner skinned grape, this Tempranillo is characterized by a crimson red color and masculine, savory aromas and flavors. Light sage and cigar smoke balanced by ripe red fruits and medium plus tannins.

This is a crianza that has a lot of the temperment of longer aged Rioja's, but checks in at around $11. Nice fruit with herbs and a hint of leather ending with modest tannins. Real nice wine, especially at the price. Rioja on the bargain!

2009 Carmine Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

Critical Acclaim          RP        90

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2009 Carmine Monastrell (100%) spent 6 months in new oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it sports a nose of smoke, mocha, brier, underbrush, blueberry, and blackberry. Sweetly-fruited, ripe, and well-balanced, this lengthy effort will offer optimum drinking through 2019.

Monastrell, also known as Mouvedre, is a dark grape that usually adds complexity and dark fruit to blends. This little bottle packs the punch of the berry with a nice acid balance and a modest finish. Very nice with meats - and the price is around $11. Buy several and pull them out anytime, especially when you are going to grill something.


Well, another month has blown by. Hope all is well - remember to keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grape vines!

February Wines 2018

February Wines 2018

A short month to enjoy wines

Just a short note about my wine journey through life - I didn't have that many wines this last month.

                The wine memoirs I’ve read always have the person having an incredible wine and that makes them crazy for wine. I guess I’m similar, but it was stretched out over a number of wines. The first wine I had was Mogen David, from the jug with 7-Up. Why we had kosher wine, I have no idea but my parents always had a jug of it. Then the homemade blackberry wine (semi-syrup) my dad made. Didn’t really make me a wine-snob.

                Next were the teen wine years – Boone’s Farm strawberry hill – sweet with alcohol. I remember trying Annie Green Springs Apple, but it was too sweet. Maybe my palate was developing! I learned to drink beer after that, since 3.2% was available at age 18 in my state (at that time).
                I remember getting into German wines – Blue Nun and then Black Tower – in the mid to late 1970’s. Slightly sweet, German wines, probably mostly Müller-Thurgau, no Riesling.  I actually drank a fair amount of German wine for a while. I learned about the classification of German wines, how sweet and dry they were and other facts.  I stopped mostly because I didn’t have the money to support that habit.

                In the early 1980’s, I picked up wine – this time it was Charles Krug Chenin Blanc – an off-dry Napa Valley wine that was a giant seller in that era. Now Chenin is few and far between, since so many of the vineyards were replanted to Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. I still have a fondness for a good Chenin – preferring dry to sweet in my older age. Next came the Pink craze – White zinfandel, which begat White Merlot, White Cabernet, Eye of the swan Pinot Blanc – the name Rose became passé.  Now I enjoy bone-dry pink wines, any time of the year.

                The first red to turn me on has to be a simple Washington State Merlot in the later 1980’s, well before the Merlot craze started. It was when my brother lived in Seattle and I was visiting. There weren’t a lot of Merlot bottling to pick from, but that was probably the one that set me on the trail of Red wines. I guess my brother has been my guide and lodestone, so to speak (Don’t tell him, he’ll take it the wrong way – the way I meant it!).

                From there I ventured out, becoming a Zin Freak and overall Red wine lover. One of the most fantastic wines I’ve had was an older red from Napa Valley that two of my brothers and I shared while in Napa. My brother had gotten a gift of a 1969 Heitz Cellars Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon – this was in the early 2000’s. We had it at dinner at the Culinary Institute (Greystone) – the Somm thought we would be disappointed. He was wrong – still able to hold its own, with the wonderful nose that makes Martha distinct. See tasting note below:

95 points Wine Spectator

"Elegant, with great intensity and depth and the characteristic Martha's mintiness that complements the rich currant and cherry flavors. Great length on the finish." (The Wine Spectator's California Wine Book by James Laube, 1999)

                 So, now I keep trying wines I can afford, occasionally trying those I can barely afford. I still get a thrill finding an old wine for a bargain price that is just so good. Makes me very happy!

Now to the latest wines...

2013 Cabirol Montsant, Spain

Ripe, lush fruit-forward red from Montsant in Spain. Garnatxa (Grenache) is a soft, jammy grape that is complemented by the spicy and black-fruited Syrah. You'll also find touches of rosemary here too. An excellent red with a plate of lamb. Montsant is a stunning region, a Spanish cross between the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley.

90 Points - Tom Cannavan's Wine-Pages.com, 'Montsant in the northeast of Spain, neighbouring the much more expensive Priorat, makes broadly similar wines at generally lower prices. This has a lot of forward charms, buxom and open, but I loved its meaty, dark and bloody tones set against the huge sweetess of ripe fruit on the mid-palate. Deliciously tangy and vibrant too, edged with a charcoal and chocolate bittersweetness. It's fab wine and great value for drinking with casseroles and stews, indeed any red meat or dark game.' July 2016 (2013 vintage)

I really wanted to like this wine, but it just didn’t really strike me as I expected. It was OK for the price, but the blend wasn’t really seamless for my palate.  Around $10

2013 Almirez Toro (Tinto de Toro) Zamora, Spain

Wine Advocate: 92 Points

Even more powerful and rich is the 2013 Almirez, an opaque purple wine made from 100% Tinta de Toro from vineyards planted at 2,300 feet (the highest in all of Toro). The wine has a fabulous opaque purple color, notes of blackberry, blueberry and cassis, licorice, graphite and truffle. Deep, rich, full-bodied and powerful with moderate tannin, this wine was aged 12 months in about 30% new French oak. Drink it over the next decade.

This was a close out and what a great buy! This wine had enough body and tannins to be a keeper. As it is, it drinks large with deep black fruits and spice. Really a good bottle – get some! $15

2012 Marques de Toro Mencia, Finca La Moura, Single Vineyard, Castilla y Leon, Spain $10

90 Points  Wine Enthusiast

Ripe, raisiny aromas of earthy berry fruits, chocolate and vanilla introduce a choppy palate with oaky flavors of dried cheese and cream. This also shows dried plum and berry flavors on a full, scratchy palate. End notes of foresty berry fruits, earth, licorice and hard spices are impressively solid. Drink through 2020.

Mencia is an under-appreciated grape because for a long time it was made into rough, local only wines, meant to be drunk early and priced cheap. Well, the price remains, but winemakers and growers started treating it like other wine grapes and now we have bottles like this. Maybe not enough body to last more than a few years, but very good fruit flavors with a nice deep mi-palate.  At $10 a bottle, buy several and keep it handy.

2015 Schnaitmann Steinwiege Trollinger Franken, Wurttemberg, Germany

Trollinger is a specialty of the Württemberg region in the southwest of Germany. The wine produced tends to be lighter in body, with berry and subtle smokey notes. From importer Rudi Wiest: "Rainer Schnaitmann was chosen newcomer of the year in 2007 by Gault-Millau/German Wine Guide just 10 years after he founded the estate. We discovered the estate when it won the European Pinot Cup two years running; no one since has duplicated this achievement.

“Fermented as whole clusters, aged in used barriques and bottled without filtration. This is a beautifully fruity, fresh and spicy red with sour cherry aromas and nice phenolics.”

Part of a German wine tasting, this is the closest to Beaujolais Nouveau I’ve tasted. Not much body, would be best cool on a hot summer day – priced around $15-19. Not recommended.

2015 Schnaitmann Steinwiege Lemberger, Wurttemberg, Germany

“The wine is a medium to dark ruby red color.  The enticing nose has blackberries, minerals, plums, black pepper, roasted herbs, baking spices, licorice and candied violets.  This has medium body, moderate tannins and good acidity.  On the palate the berries and plums provide nice up front sweetness with roasted herbs, pepper and minerals coming through on the mid-palate.  The finish has very nice length with a bit of chocolate and licorice coming into the picture adding good depth.  This is very tasty.”

“To me, the Lemberger is almost a softer version of a zinfandel with the dark fruit and spice”

I have to agree, this wine was kind of like Zinfandel Lite, but in a good sense. The flavors were upfront, with nice mid-palate support and some tannin on the back end. I’ve had Lemberger from Washington state – this was my first from Germany. I likedit, although I can find cheaper zinfandel to drink. Priced $20-24.

I hope you enjoy - remember to keep those corks popping and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

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...