Wine of August 2018

The heat came back

All right, I'll quit talking about the weather. Can't make up it's darn mind. Hey, how do you make "blush" wine? Tell the white grapes dirty jokes until they blush and then squeeze them! Eh, close enough - Now for the August wines.

2015 Chateau Bauillon, Bordeaux, France

No information available on this – I must have written the name down wrong.

Not a big deal – it was $10 and barely worth that. Not undrinkable, but nothing memorable.

2012 El Coll Pieza, Calatayud,Spain

The nose on this blend of Grenache, Carignan and other grapes burns and smells of iodine, mushroom, olive and rustic berry fruits. High acidity and an obtuse mouthfeel house salty, briny, minerally plum flavors, while the finish runs low on fruit.

A very rustic Spanish wine, I found the finish to be very earthy. Moderate fruits but not very bright in flavor. Found out it is Biodynamical farmed grapes.  Can’t really recommend…even under $15.

2013 Quinta do Vallado Vino Tinto, Douro, Portugal       

Winemaker Notes

This blend is dark red, with crimson highlights and an intense, mature red fruit nose, with hints of violets and “esteva” (a local Portuguese herb that has sweet, warm balsamic aromas with a hint of earthiness). The palate shows great structure and a full-bodied elegance, with mature, round tannins, leading to a long, persistent finish.

Pair with light meat dishes, such as pork, or flavorful, hard cheeses, such as Italian cow and sheep’s milk cheeses.

I was looking for lighter wine to drink in the heat and Matt recommended this gem from Portugal. Moderately priced, it was a very pleasant sipper with nice fruit surrounded by herb flavors. Moderate finish – well worth the $12-15 price.

2017 Marques De Caceras Rosado, Rioja, Spain

Winemaker Notes

Pretty, pale strawberry color. Fresh bouquet of floral notes and strawberries/raspberries that blend together exquisitely. Delicious and refined on tasting with a pleasant fullness and refreshing, luscious flavors that awaken the taste buds.

Critical Acclaim

90           James Suckling

Aromas and flavors of strawberries and lemon-stem in this wine. Medium body, bright acidity and a clean finish. Fruitier style of rosé, but all here.

This is a very good year for this Rosado – very bright fruit with nice body and acidity to make it a good sipper and food wine. Priced around $10 – this is a great pink to share with friends.

2014 Azul y Garanza Garciano, Navarra, Spain

Top 100 AWEsome Wines 2016 (Association of Wine Educators) 'Raspberry and peppery spice on the nose; dry, fine tannins with gutsy red fruits and intense flavours. The name Garciano refers to the blend which is a mix of Garnacha and Graciano. The Garnacha brings soft, fruity flavours, which delivers a rich complexity. The Graciano gives the deep, rich colour, its spicy flavours and aromas, its freshness, acidity and long life.'

A blend of two Spanish grapes, this bottling does a good job of bringing the best of both to the wine. Surprisingly bright, yet good acidity to balance with many foods. Not at all flabby, has a decent finish to top off the flavors. Available for under $20, a nice surprise wine for guests.

2016 Bodegas Ponce “Clos Lojen’ Bobal, Manchuela, Spain

Clos Lojen is a pure joy to drink—and gives those of us always searching for new wines the opportunity to get to know a varietal not found outside of Spain. Made with 100 percent Bobal from organically farmed vines ranging in age from 35 to 50 years old, the wine is aged 7 months in old barrel French oak to help preserve the freshness and lively characteristics of the grape. Bright purple hues excite the senses; aromas of blackberry and sour cherry jump out of the glass. A subtle smokiness with mineral undertones easily coats your palate. Earthy youthfulness and perfect maturity are juxtaposed to create a delightful red. Juan Antonio hits a home run with this humble yet gutsy tinto

A very good bottle of Bobal, the odd, thick skin grape from Spain. Once it was just made in to humble local wines, very rustic with little care taken in producing it. Now, serious winemakes are putting out examples like this. Good fruit, somewhat dusky and a light tannic finish – works well with any beef or pork dish. Priced under $20, a good buy.

2012 Grand ‘Arte Touriga Nacional, Lisboa, Portugal

Rich, vibrant and intensely fruity red with juicy black fruit & spicy flavours. João Paulo Martins; Vinhos de Portugal 2016; "Tasted in 2015. The wine shows up elegant aroma, very fine in the fruit and floral notes but all very pleasant and very well balanced. Elegant in the mouth with very fine tannins with a very attractive fruit that makes the tasting a pleasure."

Not bad, but an earlier vintage was much better. Decent broad flavors but it tended to fade away quickly. Next day was not very good – tannins seemed to just fade away and leave little fruit. OK for the $12-14 price.

2015 Emilio Moro Tempranillo, Ribera Del Duero, Spain

Winemaker Notes                           #59 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2017

The wine has a very intense cherry red color. On the nose, it is opulent and very expressive, with a base of great quality ripe black fruit and balsamic notes in the background. On the palate, it has good acidity -- and is broad and tasty with a long aftertaste.

Critical Acclaim

91           James Suckling

Always a go-to red with cherry and blueberry character and just a hint of lemon. Medium body, fresh acidity and a bright finish.

90           Wine Spectator

Black cherry, red plum and currant flavors are fresh and lively in this firm red, backed by dark chocolate, licorice and toasty notes. Light, firm tannins and citrusy acidity keep this focused. Drink now through 2023.

This is a very nice, focused bottle of wine. Very good fruit, balanced tannins and nice acidity made this wine a great match for dinner. Worth keeping for company but only prices around $25. Really nice.

Well, that's all for now. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!

Wines of July 2018

Where did the heat go?

Last month I complained it was already hot. This month - the end of July is in the 80's. Hope it doesn't snow in August! (No, it will be oven hot, again).

I didn't come up with what I wanted to discuss before getting to the wines, so let's just do that.

2017 Colonia Los Liebres Bonarda Classica, Mendoza, Spain

 James Suckling - Jamessuckling.com

"Bold and super-fresh (slight reduction) this is an extremely expressive red with attractive cherry, blueberry, herbal and savory notes. You need to like tannins and acidity to get excited about this, but their interplay is exciting. A great food wine. Drink or hold."

This wine was about $7-$9 on special. Worth much more than that – good fruit, nice texture and mouthfeel and acidity to be a very good food wine. Tasted better the next day. Buy a case of this stuff…

2016 Broc Love Red, North Coast, Ca

WINEMAKER’S NOTES: The grapes were harvested during the third week of September to help preserve their natural acidity. The Carignan and Valdiguié were 100% destemmed and fermented in 5-ton, open-top wood fermenters. Malolactic fermentation was allowed to happen naturally.

VINEYARD NOTES: This is our fourth bottling of Love Red. As with the last bottling,we used grapes from 50-70 year old vines from Frei Vineyard in Solano County's Green Valley. Green Valley is small pocket of land, about 3 miles long and a mile wide, tucked between the south eastern corner of Napa Valley and southwestern edge of Suisun Valley. It’s unique in that it still contains many of its old-vine Carignan and Valdiguié vineyards on clay-loam soils. Using dry-farmed/head-pruned vines, this is mostly a field blend with a small percentage of Syrah blended in from neighboring Wirth Ranch.

BLEND: 54% Carignan, 31% Syrah, 15% Valdiguié

The wines are made in Chris Brockway’s Berkeley, California warehouse (hooray for urban winemaking!) from grapes that are sustainably, organically, or biodynamically farmed. The goal is to make wines that express their site – and the grapes are often from unexpected places. This unusual blend is light and delicious, packed with red fruit notes and earthy undertones. Yum!

My notes indicated this was really good – a touch of biodynamic funk, but bright and slightly unusual flavors. Nice long finish – tasters good when chilled for summer enjoyment. Price is around $20.

2016 Domaine de la Prebende, Beaujolais, France

Domaine de la Prébende produces a deeply mineral Beaujolais from a predominantly clay and limestone terroir, a rarity in a region dominated by granite soils. “Une prébende” essentially means “a tax,” and the domaine sits on the location where monks used to collect taxes from the villagers. As Ghislaine Dupeuble puts it, “Monks didn't like to own low end vineyards!”

The Prébende Beaujolais cuvée, “Anna Asmaquer,” is named for Ghislaine's great grandmother, who married Jules Dupeuble in 1919. The family wanted to add her name to the label because it was Anna who managed the vineyards and winemaking—she is the true source of inspiration for what has become Domaine de la Prébende today.

The Anna Asmaquer Beaujolais is an old vines blend with profound minerality, a bright wild berry nose, and possesses typique Beaujolais finesse. The grapes are harvested manually and vinified completely without SO2. The wines are not chaptalized, filtered, or degassed and only natural yeasts are used for the fermentation. La Prébende crafts one of the best Beaujolais AOC values available today.
87 POINTS           Wine Enthusiast

This wine is rich, full of black-cherry flavors while also having a crisp texture. With its light tannins and intense acidity, it is juicy, ripe and ready to drink.

 I noted this was a nice wine – flavors were “gentle” with a good finish.  A good wine to sip or have with summer meals, from grilled items to salads. Price it good – a Kermit Lynch import – priced at around $20, probably available for 15-16. Well worth the effort to try…

2016 Invivo Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand

Dusty garnet color. Aromas of spiced kiwis, proscuitto wrapped honeydew, cherry paste, and Indonesian sweet soy sauce with a satiny, dry-yet-fruity medium body and an effortless, interesting, medium-length pomegranate, dates, and marinating spices finish with woody tannins and light oak. A very interesting and bright pinot with a spicy, savory palate.

I noted that this Pinot had a good nose – broad fruit flavors and a long finish. Really bright for a Central Otago wine – and the acid balance made it very good with food. Worth looking for – price will be between $20 – 25.

2017 Vina Maitia 'Weon' Carigane, Maule, Chile

This 100% unoaked Carignan is from the Maule region in Chile. Notes of blackberry and cassis dusted by cinammon and cedar show on the nose. The palate shows hints of mushroom and earth tones underneath the dark fruit. A touch of black pepper spice and a solid dose of structural tannins round out the wine.

Robert Parker Wine 91 Points

The 2016 Weon Carignan ("weon" is a basic slang word that is used for almost everything in Chile, mostly equivalent to "mate") is produced with a field blend in Loncomilla where most of the plants are Cariñena, but there is also some País. It had a soft vinification in lagar aiming at a fruit-driven, fresh and varietal wine with low alcohol (12.5%), aged in concrete à la Pipeño for six months. This is more reticent than the Aupa, with a more serious nose and palate dominated by Carignan with no influence from oak. It has fine, slightly dusty tannins, a lighter style of the grape with shorter macerations.

I rated this as fair – not a bad mouthfeel but it didn’t hold well – then end seemed dusty. The acids seemed too high for the fruit – I can’t really say I would go out and find this wine. OK but not one I’d look for. Price is $13 -16.

2015 Castano Monastrell, Yecla, Spain

There are only a handful of wineries remaining in Yecla since the phyloxera plague, and they are led by the forward-thinking Bodegas Castano, which has helped to reinvigorate the winemaking in the region.

Created by Ramon Castano Santa and his 3 sons, Bodegas Castano is not nearly as old as the vines it owns. Starting quite small, the family has nurtured these old plantings and re-planted other parcels and now owns 350 hectares of some of the prime vineyard land in Yecla. Today, Daniel Castano, one of Ramon's sons, runs the winery with the help of other members of the family.

The extremely talented Mariano Lopez has taken over the winemaker reins at the Bodega, and has turned the focus toward more balanced bottlings of older vine Monastrell. Both traditional and carbonic maceration techniques are used and all wines pass through malolactic fermentation. Daniel believes that the fruit and tannin structure of the Monastrell varietal stands up well to the use of oak, and as such, many of the wines pass (in varying degrees) through a barrel regime.

Winemaker Notes

Deep shiny cherry-red of medium intensity. Expressive aromas of well ripen red fruit. Well structured and balanced, rich and meaty tannins.

This bottle was under $8 – you never expect much, but this is one heck of buy! Surprising full bodied, great fruit and tannic underlayer with a moderate finish. No one will believe you paid that little for this wine.  Buy a bunch…

Troublemaker Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2, Central Coast, Ca

Troublemaker Sauvignon Blanc Blend 2, Central Coast, Ca

Every Troublemaker needs a partner in crime – that’s why we’ve introduced Troublemaker Sauvignon Blanc. A refreshingly zesty Sauvignon Blanc with a splash of Riesling and Grenache Blanc, this wine is the crisp counterpart to the dark and brooding Troublemaker Red Blend.

Troublemaker Sauvignon Blanc is the epitome of porch pounder. Flashy fruit aromas and flavors of lychee, starfruit, papaya and guava, with notes of gardenia and grapefruit pith. On the palate, the flavors are brought to life by vibrant acidity and long, lush finish.

Yup, this is a good porch pounder for hot summer days. Cool it down and drink away. Enough balance to go with light entrees or appetizers, I got it on sale for under $9. Pretty good for that price – from the Austin Hope family of wines. 

Well, that is July - hope you enjoy another month of wines. Until we are together again, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!

Wines for June 2018

Seems Summer has come early

Another month flew by - I didn't even come up with anything interesting to say here. Well, how about an old definition of "Buzz"? It was the an English College saying for the pour out of the bottom of a bottle of Port. Probably with a bunch of stuff in it...Now to the Wines

2015 Castellare di Castellina Chinai Classico, Italy

The 2015 Chianti Classico opens to vivid aromas of cherries, red plums, spices floral and hints of tobacco and earth. On the palate this is medium-bodied, silky and balanced with lovely acidity leading into the finish, which leaves behind red fruits, spices and floral notes lingering. Overall and excellent showing, however allow it another year to flesh out a bit more. (Best 2018-2022)

Varietal composition:     95% Sangioveto and 5% Canaiolo

Fermentation container:  Stainless steel tanks

Length of alcoholic fermentation: 14 days

Length of maceration: 7 days

Malolactic fermentation: Yes

Type of aging container: Barriques and Tonneaux

Age of aging container: One year

Type of oak: French

A classical style Chianti, with red fruits and a good body and acidity to make it a very good food wine. I got it for under $18, good price for a good Italian wine. Notice the pretty label

2015 Palacio del Burgo Tinto, Rioja, Spain

90 points Vinous

  Bright violet. Vibrant red and dark berry scents are complemented by hints of cola and candied flowers. Fresh and energetic on the palate, offering juicy raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that deepen and become sweeter on the back half. Gentle tannins build slowly on the clinging finish but are no match for the plush, primary fruit. This delicious Rioja drinks surprisingly well already. (JR)    (5/2017)

Palacio del Burgo is produced by Burgo Viejo, one of the more serious producers of value oriented Rioja in the entire region. From their base in the Rioja Baja village of Alfaro, this family owned company has a range of vineyard holdings, from clay sites to very stony ones reminiscent of Châteauneuf-du-Pape with the abundance of rounded stones and the strongly Mediterranean climactic influence. We have worked with this winery over the years with various bottlings and have found that the wines always over deliver and are consistently terrific values.

A bargain wine (around $10) from Spain – one of my standby type of wines. This Rioja was well made, not one to age very long, but bright flavors with good acidity to make it very quaffable as well a great food wine. Get several, you won’t regret it.

2014 St. Francis Merlot, Sonoma Valley, California

90 POINTS           Wine Enthusiast

Sanguine in cranberry while offering a velvety smooth, rounded approachability, this well-made, robust wine will appeal to a wide range of palates, expressing a big, leathery backbone of tannin and toasted oak.

This polished Merlot shows off layered aromas and flavors of espresso, red cherry and chocolate that finish with a touch of savory spices. Medium­ to ­full bodied with good structure and a long, lingering finish.

I haven’t had much St. Francis in recent years, but always appreciated the Sonoma County producer’s wines. This wine is available around $15 and lives up to expectations. Nice medium body, the flavors are exhibited in a somewhat nuanced way. Nothing over the top, but good red fruits and spices with good acidity to be a great food wine. Well worth it in my opinion.

2017 Espirit du Mistral Rose, Aix-En-Provence, France

No Picture Available

You will not find anything in the press about the wine, which is a special cuvee bottled exclusively for Roche Mere Wine Selections and only available to those distributors working with us.   The wine is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah cultivated using sustainable farming methods from vineyards in Coteaux d’Aix AOP.  The grapes undergo a light cold pressing and temperature controlled fermentation in steel tanks.   Bottled in February 2018.

2017 Espirit du Mistral Rosé         Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence

50% Grenache – 35% Cinsault – 15% Syrah

This wine, when first tasted seemed a little thin and not really very interesting. A later tasting showed it’s wonderful flavors and adaptability to different foods. Priced around $15, this is a good summer wine.

2016 Milbrandt Vineyards Rose, Columbia Valley, WA

Winemaker Notes

"The 2016 vintage shaped up to be a hot one, but the heat backed off considerably early on giving us grapes that had a chance to mature more slowly to develop flavor. We picked the Rose grapes at the ideal point of flavor development, acidity and tannin level to ensure a wine that was lively, interesting and an elegant pale in color.

Our dry Rose is Syrah dominant and expresses aromas of ruby redgrapefruit, watermelon, cranberry, and a hint of white tea. I likethe fresh herbal and citrus quality that Tempranillo brings to the blend. When blended with Syrah, the two complement one another nicely. Our Rose expresses a bright lively acidity with a round fruit driven mid-palate, finishing crisp and clean." -Emily Haines, Winemaker

Blend: 75% Syrah, 25% Tempranillo

This Rose had a pretty nose, moderate flavors and a good finish. I noted the fruit was light but picked up mid-palate. Real nice hot weather wine – around $13, you can’t go wrong.

2017 Tinto Rey Rose, Dunnigan Hills, CA

2017 Tinto Rey Rose, Dunnigan Hills, CA

Winemaker Notes

The 2017 Tinto Rey Rosé is a blend of Matchbook Estate Grown Tempranillo, Tannat and Verdejo. This wine is unique because it was co-fermented, meaning all three varietals were crushed and fermented together for better flavor integration. Our winemakers’ cold fermented (50˚F) the 2017 Rosé in stainless steel tanks to preserve the just-picked fresh fruit flavors. A wonderfully crisp and refreshing wine, and truth be told a new favorite around here.

The 2017 Tinto Rey Rosé is a beautiful rose petal pink color with alluring aromas of perfume, watermelon and white nectarine that just beg you to take a sip. Fresh stone fruit flavors on the palate are balanced by crisp acidity. Pleasing flavors of white peach and Rainier cherry lead to a delightfully long finish with just a hint of peach pit.

Somewhat unusual blend, this wine was a very good Rose wine. The co-fermenting allowed a good blending of the fruit flavors, giving a full mouthfeel and good acidity to match food. There was a decent aftertaste that made this wine a really good buy. Avaialble for around $15, another great summer choice – serve it to friends, they will appreciate too.

2016 Guillame Gonnet ‘Le Nymphe’ , Tavel, France

This is absolutely classic Tavel. A blend of 70% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 10% Syrah offering a deep cherry-red color, the wine draws you in notes of raspberries, wild strawberries, a hint of orange blossom and minerality. A tangle of briary fruits envelopes your senses as you dive in for a sip – blackberry and raspberry – especially the wild variety, with their brighter acidity and ripe/tart balance! Hints of Provencal herbs on the finish bring it all together – this is a wine of place… of the earth… of terroir! This begs to be drunk outside – 80 degrees and sunny on Saturday! Perfect! Some olives and cheese while you fire up the grill. Then marinated chicken thighs… some little fingerling potatoes… oohh and fresh spring onions! Yum!

Tavel is the only French wine zone (DOC) to allow only Rose` wines.  A beautiful wine, the flavors hold up to the description. Nicely dry, has full flavors throughout the mouth with a nice finish that lingers. A well made wine, a very good food wine able to hold up against the heat and grilled items. Should be available for around $20, this is a pink that can impress your friends.

2015 Domaine Trotereau, Quincy, France

Kermit Lynch, Importer

Pierre Ragon of Domaine Trotereau is as much an icon of the small appellation of Quincy in the Loire Valley as the appellation itself is a historical icon for the whole of France. Quincy was the second recognized appellation in France in 1936, second only to Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Grapes had long been planted here, however, with Sauvignon Blanc having been introduced by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. Southwest of Sancerre, on the banks of a tributary of the Loire River, the Cher, the relatively small appellation of 200 hectares is located between the villages of Vierzon and Bourges. The sandy, silex-ridden topsoil with an undercurrent of pink limestone is truly unique, unlike any other Sauvignon Blanc appellation in the world, and gives a very particular wine. Sauvignon is able to ripen more fully here while retaining a very interesting aromatic profile, and the wines are capable of aging quite gracefully.

The mineral-scented Quincy displays a light-bodied personality filled with fresh minerals, stones, and gravel. Dry, crisp, and highly-detailed, with good concentration as well as balance, it is loaded with flavor.

A Sauvignon Blanc that doesn’t taste like every other one. Good nose of  tropical fruits with flavors of stone and fruit. Mid-palate tails off a little, but the finish comes back to a minerally tang. Priced under $20 (can do better as well), this is a white Sauv blanc to forget the endless sea of flavorless ones.

2015 San Fabiano Conti Borghini Baldovinetti Chianti, Italy

Winemaker Notes

Intense ruby colors. A bouquet of sweet and sour cherries, saddle leather, herbs and spices. On the palate, the wine has a black cherry character and good acidity. It is well balanced and smooth with an easy going finish.

The wine is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel vats; then it ages for 6 months in ceramic vats and 4 months in bottle.

Another Chianti – this one was just OK. The cherry Sangiovese came through although it was not real full in the mid-palate. The finish was a little short, but it had decent acidity to be a decent food wine .A  fine to keep a bottle or two around with a retail of $13 and available around $10. A “school day” wine for pizza and spaghetti.

I hope you enjoyed this little slice of Vino. Until then, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines...

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.