July 2019 Wines

Wines of July 2019

2017 La Croisade Reserve Cabernet/Syrah, Vin de Pays, France

This is an Old World wine with a new world taste from France. Full bodied, with plums and wild raspberries on the nose. Toffee, strawberries, a touch of oak, black tea and tart cherries make this so drinkable! Serve this with baked chicken cutlets in a marinara sauce, pork schnitzel or back on wrapped figs

This wine is always very tasty. Nothing to cellar, but a tasty school night wine that ever one can enjoy.  Good fruit, decent acidity for food, a nice buy under $10.

2011 Chilcas Syrah Reserve, Maule, Chile

Cherry notes are less juicy and succulent than Carignan, but still make for a simple and pleasant afternoon sipper.

This was a decent syrah – a little long in the tooth, but not quite over the hill. Pleasant red fruits, tannin gone but a little acidity to make it pleasurable as a school night wine. Buy a newer vintage (under $10).

2015 Natale Verga Governo Rosso Toscano, Tuscany, Italy

Super Tuscan wines always have a degree of complexity to them. This wine manages to balance the rustic and robust nature of Italian wines with the friendly welcoming flavours of the new world. Initially we taste tart cherries, raspberries and some red currants. There is a tea influence here, reflective of the herbal and leafy flavours. The tannins are present but gentle. This wine is young, so decanting always helps to coax out the flavours.

"A blend of Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. "Governo all'uso Toscano" dates back to the most ancient traditions of Tuscan farmers. Part of the grapes planted before harvest are added to wine during fermentation, so as to give it more softness and to enhance its bouquet. Intense red color, fruity notes and round aromas are the distinctive characteristics of this wine. It is fresh, harmonic and savory on the palate." Winemaker's Notes

A less expensive “Super-Tuscan” this wine started with a little green olive in the middle palate, but smoothed out with being open for a while. Not bad for the price (around$11), can’t say it would age more than a year or two. Another School night wine.

2015-17 Ruggeri Guistino B. Prosecco, Valdobbiane, Italy

The Prosecco Giustino B is a Prosecco just perfect, from all points of view. If you do not like Giustino B, you do not like the Prosecco. A thought shared by us and that is reflected in the maximum guide national and international wines. They are, in fact, the greatest guide of Italy and has not decant the praises of this Prosecco perfect and refined: the Gambero Rosso guide defines it as the "Prosecco reference"; in the Slow Wine guide you recognize able to "express the characteristics of the type at the highest levels of quality and intensity"; the leadership of the Touring Club Good Wines of Italy, where Justin B. won the Crown, the highest recognition of the guide, calls it "a masterpiece, which represents the pure pleasure of drinking in keeping with the typical"; Finally, the magazine Wine Enthusiast defines it as the "Prosecco qualitative reference in the panorama of Italian sparkling wine." In short, only judgments more than positive for this Prosecco, which owes its name to Giustino Bisol, founder of the winery in 1950.

Colour   Bright golden yellow

Scent     Notes of white flowers and lavender, with fruity hints of peach, apple and pear

Taste     Fresh and lively, clean and very pleasant

Although this is a blend of years and made in the Charmat method – this is one of the best Proseccos I have had. Wonderful flavors – peach and exotic fruits. Soft in the mouth but finishing with a nice acidic balance. Really good prosecco – priced around $30.

NV Chapillon Secret Reserva Brut Nature, Cava, Spain

Dusty, briny citrus and apple aromas lead to a palate that's calm and only mildly bubbly and active. Lightly pickled lime and tangerine flavors finish dry, slightly bitter and briny, with a coarse but crisp feel of seltzer. 88 Points Wine Enthusiast

A blend of 75 percent chardonnay and 25 percent macabeo aged 16 months in the bottle, this is classic Cava, from the nutty scent to the almond flavor. It feels broad and rich yet clean, defined by its crisp acidity.

A very nice cava that is as dry as a bone. No added sugar (Brut Nature) assures you this is a tingling, dry bubbly that has broad flavor but very crisp acidity. Would be great with seafood – only around $20. Worth a try…

2016 El Jamon Garnacha Carinena, Spain

Medium-bodied. Fine, soft tannins. Well-balanced acidity. Violets in the opening aromas with concentration of ripe cherries. Fruit flavors of blackberries and candied cherries are abundant. Lovely spice nuance leads to the velvety and lingering finish.

Always a nice, pleasant fruity wine with little tannins but dark fruit flavors and a decent acidity to match various foods. A wine around $9, worth the price…

Another month and so little time for wine. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

The wines of June 2019

Another month of "wine-ing"

Let's so what I poured this last month:

2015 Natale Verga Love Rosso Veneto, Italy

Natale Verga Love Rosso hails from the Veneto Region of Italy. On the nose you’ll get aromas of cherry, currants, and notes of sage. On the palate, the cherry and currants continue as flavors of anise and licorice develop into a dry, full-bodied finish. Pair Natale Verga Love Rosso with your favorite classic Italian dish. Corvina Blend

Moderate color, fruity nose with a touch of earthiness on the backend. I found it OK, not something I would recommend. Under $10, an average week-night wine.

2018 Ocaso Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Black violet color. Aromas of huckleberry tart, sweet tomato, elderflower, blueberry, sandalwood, and suede with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium-to-full body and a polished, amusing, medium-length toasted pine nuts, cocoa nib, and pomegranate relish finish with well-integrated tannins and moderate oak flavor. A delicious, nuanced Malbec that will be a hit.

While Malbec is historically known as a red Bordeaux variety, it is Argentina that has given this grape its new found popularity. Bright purple in color with ripe plum and black cherry fruit with moderate acidity, Malbec from Argentina has become the people’s choice among moderately priced red wines ($12-$16 a bottle in domestic markets).

Decent color, mild nose – some fruit although the finish is short. A young Malbec that is just OK, not an aging wine. For under $10, pretty average.

2012 Torres Coronas Tempranillo, Catalunya, Spain

Natalie's Score: 87/100 (Natalie McClean)

Incredible texture and mouth-feel on this luscious Spanish red wine. That's what the Tempranillo grape delivers consistently. Aromas of dark red fruit and some dark spice. Perfect for grilled or blackened chicken.

Tempranillo food pairings: red meats, creamy cheeses, traditional paellas.

Since I  drink a lot of Spanish wines, this one was pretty nice for the price. Under $10, it had good fruit, hints of leather on the palate and a modest finish. At about the end of its life, wouldn’t hold much longer. Worth a try, find a newer vintage.

2017 Viejo Feo Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Maule, Chile

The Cabernet Sauvignon vines are 25 years old that yield only five tons per hectare.

After crushing, the juice undertakes a cold maceration at 5 C for one week. After fermentation, the wine is further macerated for 15 days before pressing. 50% of the wine is then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. The rest is kept in stainless steel tanks before the final blending. Alcohol by Volume 15.0%

TASTING NOTES: This is Tinajas del Maule’s flagship wine. The crimson wine is concentrated and built to last. Its complex aromas of blackcurrant and black cherries are complemented by generous aromas of vanilla and black pepper. The wine has a firm structure and gritty tannins. A bright acidic backbone pulls it together while it opens beautifully in the glass. Decant this wine and enjoy at 18°C.

PAIRING: This wine will pair well with rich cuts of beef. Braised meat and charcoal grilled asados. The flavorful wine will taste its best with fatty duck magret and beef wellington.

I don’t know that this is “Reserve” but the label said it was. Usually, you have to let the Chilean funk blow off the nose of the wine. This was an exception – the nose was pretty nice from the get-go. Nice red and black fruit with some tannin to provide a little backbone. Pretty nice for a $10 bottle – I’d drink it again.

2011 Chilcas Carmenere Reserva, Valla Del Maule, Chile

TASTING NOTES:

The 2011 Reserva Merlot displays a bright, intense cherry-red color. Aromas of blackberry,

and cherry are accompanied by spicy notes of black pepper and bay leaf. Barrel aging lends

notes of vanilla and subtle toasty oak. The big-bodied palate shows good concentration of

fruit with velvety, well-rounded tannins and a persistent finish

Carmenere, a very underestimated varietal. Originally planted in Medoc region of Bordeaux, France where it was mostly used for blending and considered one of the original 6 grapes of Bordeaux. Now rarely found in France, the largest production and producing region is Chile!

CHILCAS Carmenere Reserva is a full bodied, complex yet pretty wine that is rich, silky, smooth, very approachable and easy to drink... It shows ripe dark fruit (blackberry and plum) with vanilla, cinammon and notes of black pepper, intertwined with roasted coffee and tobacco.

Tannins, supple and silky and the palate presents good volume, with silky elegant tannins. Yummie!

I love the easy-ness of this wine. It makes me smile :) (Natalie McClean)

This wine is getting a little old, but it still holds up very well. Fruit on the nose, a broad palate of black and dark red fruit. Still has a backbone, not much tannin. Drink soon, but worth the $10 price.

2015 Pali Wine Co Summit Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills, Ca

92 POINTS           Editors’ Choice  Wine Enthusiast

One of the better wines on the market in the $30 range, this bottling from winemaker Aaron Walker shows beet, rhubarb, raspberry and dried mint aromas. The flavorful red fruit on the palate is lively and boisterous, its acidity and peppery spice combining for a very memorable sipping experience.

A very nice bottling of Pinot from the southern end of California.  Using 35% new oak, the flavors are not overwhelmed, showing bright red fruits and a nice acidity to match foods. A good sipper and dinner wine – available for around $25 right now, well worth the splurge.

2016 Cuvee Paul and Remy Tempranillo, Calatayud, Spain

1OO% Tempranillo          OAK. 6 Month   Region: Aragon (Calatayud)

TASTING NOTE

Fun, fresh and fruity . Christophe Chapillon produces this wine 100 % Tempranillo to take and enjoy at any time without complicate your life.

Intense / fruity aromas / black fruit / spicy / toasty notes

FOOD PAIRING

Perfect with red meats, white meat cheeses, pasta, ham, salads

In 2006, Christophe Chapillon decides to follow the family adventure (his uncle was oenologue in the Loire) of wine making but not in the Loire Valley but in Spain and specifically in Aragon where he lives since 1986 with the help of Cesar Langa. Through this collaboration with the oldest Calatayud (More than 150 years of history) familiar Bodega, launches its brand CHAPILLON that becomes the backbone of their new business project.

Christophe creates a line of wine with their familial name: CHAPILLON. A line of modern and wines, very different wines from the area.

A special buy of a newer producer/importer to our area brought this little gem of a Spanish Tempranillo. My notes indicate good, fruit and structure, and a nice moderate aftertaste. Very enjoyable, priced from $16 to $20, well worth trying.

2016 Qupe Syrah, Central Coast, Ca

FLAVOR PROFILE

In the glass, the wine pours a deep purple with aromas of black currant, blackberry, coffee and a bit of vanilla dust. The palate is fresh and effortless. It's an incredibly easy-drinking wine that will go well with or without food. Perfect with grilled meats. Great value.

WINEMAKING

This wine is 90% Syrah, with the remaining a composite of Grenache, Mourvedre and Tempranillo from a number of vineyards in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. All of the lots were fermented separately in a combination of small open top fermentesrs using manual punch-down, and larger closed top tanks using pump over. Againg was in a small French oak barrels (mostly neutral) for about 16 months. This is a pretty rich and forward version of this wine, but still balance and under 14% alcohol. It is bottled under Stelvin screw caps, so I recommend drinking it and not putting it in the cellar. If you do decide to age it, keep the bottle standing up, give it 10 years and let me know how it's doing!

This wine packs a punch for a syrah – not an over the head fruit bomb, but a wonderfully nuanced berry with a trace of dust. Nice body with a moderate aftertaste, this wine is great. Available for about $20, this is a heck of a bottle – go try some. This is their basic bottling, the others cost more but would probably be good, too.

Time for goodbyes – remember to keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

Wine of May 2019

Spring Rains bring Summer Droughts?

Another month has slipped by - although it was a rainy one! Hope you enjoy these wines...

2017 Turley Zinfandel Juvenile, California

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 This is a blend of young-vine fruit from 13 different counties in California. Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Zinfandel Juvenile is scented of cinnamon toast and licorice with warm red currants, cranberries, warm black berries and cherries with blue fruits and spicy hints. Light to medium-bodied, it has a good core of fruit in the mouth with loads of warm spices coming through, framed by softly textured tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long and spicy. (EB) 91+    (3/2019)

"Vibrant and zesty, with lively cherry and raspberry flavors, accented by smoky sage and peppery licorice notes. Drink now through 2026. 15,000 cases made." Wine Spectator 92 Points

A nice zinfandel with good fruits. Not much spice or zip, but stood up to food nicely and was good as a sipping wine. Prices seem to vary, but I got mine at $22 – good bottle for that price range. Not a bottle that would age for very long, but worth drinking.

2017 Storm Point Chenin Blanc, Swartland, South Africa

The grapes for this are 100% from the Swartland region. Grown on predominately granitic and shale soils that are common in the region. The vines are predominately between 20-30 years old and are a mix of bush vines and vertically trained vines. 2017 was a later vintage than 2016 and grapes were left on the vine a bit longer. A cool, controlled fermentation occurred in stainless steel and was left on it's lees for 5 months. Malolactic fermentation was blocked to maintain the freshness and acidity. Chenin Blanc has proven to be very happy in the Swartland region with vast plantings that are showing great varietal character and provenance.

This wine is freshly packed with nuance, playfulness and discovery. Savory and herbal aromas lead to subtle stone fruit and citrus blossom notes. This is accentuated by vibrant lemon zest sprinkled with sea water. This is textbook Chenin Blanc featuring a mineral drive with ample weight balanced by poignant acid on the finish. This varietal expression opens your eyes to the beauty and sophistication of South Africa’s beloved and most widely planted variety. Watch out Loire Valley!

"Juicy peach and lemon curd notes flow through, laced with light almond and honeysuckle notes. Plump finish. Drink now." Wine Spectator 89

I make it known that I like Chenin Blanc. One of the first wines I drank a lot was a Charles Krug Chenin Blanc – where until 1996 they used to make 100,000 of an off-dry Chenin Blanc. The grape fell out of favor – more chardonnay and then more sauvignon blanc like New Zealand.  There has been a small resurgence in California, but there are just not many vineyards left with the grape.

South Africa has made the wine from an abundance of the fruit. Often, it is somewhat flat and not interesting. This producer makes several Chenin Blanc’s (Also known as Steen in South Africa) and works at making them unique and tasty. While this is an entry level, it has a lot of the fruit and herbal aromas from the variety. Great bottle of wine for about $11.

2016 Conundrum Blanc de Blanc Healdsburg, Ca

This wine offers invigorating scents of citrus zest, with a nose that evokes the creamy lightness of lemon meringue. It is round on the palate, with bright flavors of key lime, peach and melon, layered with a warm hint of vanilla. A lingering freshness fills the mouth, with a finish that is vibrant and exhilarating, befitting a wine that is just the right balance of serious and light-hearted. Serve well-chilled.

Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: What does one do when a wine doesn't fit any of the traditional categories? The 2016 Conundrum Sparkling Blanc de Blanc is a wine unique unto itself. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers pleasing and pretty aromas and flavors. Its apple and hints of tropical fruits make it delicious choice with mango-glazed grilled chicken thighs.  89 points

In my attempt to locate a “house style” affordable sparkling wine that my wife and I enjoy, I tried a bottle from the Wagner family.  The wine starts off fine, but the flavors are slighty fuzzy – almost inconsistent on each sip. Not bad, but not comparable to several of the other California houses (Mumm, Gloria Ferrer). Price was about $17, a couple bucks under the others, but will not become my house bubbly.

2016 Cedar & Salmon Pinot Gris, Willamette, Oregon

This Willamette Valley Pinot Gris entices with zesty aromas of white peach, nectarine, and a hint of lime. Vibrant lemon and lime flavors lead to subtle lychee and ginger notes in the crisp finish.

Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: Pinot Gris is one of those white wines that often fall into a nowhere land—often not as distinctive as Sauvignon Blancs and seldom richer than Chardonnays, the wines sometimes goes overlooked. The 2016 Cedar + Salmon Pinot Gris stands out with plenty of personality. 

TASTING NOTES: This wine shows up with bright minerality in its aromas and flavors. Its rich palate and crisp finish should pair it well with panko-breaded fried flounder. 90 Points

This Pinot Gris (Grey Pinot) was well made and allowed the wine to have nice flavor with a good clean finish. I tend to ignore this grape because of the sea of insipid bottles, but this one made a good impression on me. Priced around $15 - $19, a well made example of the varietal.

2015 Mer Soleil Chardonnay Reserve, Santa Barbara, Ca

A light golden color, this wine opens with warm, lush scents of apricot cobbler and brown spice, layered with notes of honeysuckle and a whiff of toasted bread. Entry on the palate is mouth-coating and creamy. Ripe fruit flavors of apricot and peach are perfectly balanced by a vibrant acidity, making this wine both luxurious and bright. The finish is unusually long, filling the mouth with a soft fruitiness and lingering natural acidity.

Wine Spectator  90 Points

This offers a nice balance between rich buttery notes and concentrated white fruit flavors that are lavishly spiced. Nutmeg and dried sage details show on the finish. Drink now through 2021.

I tend not to drink a bunch of Chardonnay, but this one could change my mind. Well balanced, fruity nose with a hint of flowers, the flavors open into apple, peach, pear – an orchard of flavors. The end hangs on with a nice floral persistence. Another product from the Wagner family – retails about $30 but available for under $25. Very nice bottle of wine.

2018 Henri Schoenheitz Pinot Noir, Alsace, France

The vines of "Pinot" succeed particularly well in the Valley of Munster. This cuvée of Pinot Noir comes from young vines and has been vinified with greatest care in order to bring out the inherent character of the grapes.

Production : Ageing during 6 months only in old oak barrels to favor the expression of the inherent character of the grapes with as less woody taste as possible.

Wine Enthusiast

The lift of ripe but tart red cherry defines the nose and carries straight onto the palate where this fruit meets freshness and poise. The red-fruit core is surrounded by a crunchy but fine web of tannins scented with conifer. It's an elegant and fresh-faced wine.            Score: 90, Anne Krebiehl, April 2019

The Pinot in the Alsace region was not a great product – they had to add sugar to the must to bring up the alcohol. Ah, climate change has had an effect on the vineyards and they no longer need the sugar, as the grapes no ripen sufficiently on the vine. This is a very light style of Pinot, but one that really goes well with lighter summer fare. Priced around $20, well worth trying- not a wine to age, very little tannins, but decent acidity.

2014 Patton Valley Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette, Oregon

Wine Enthusiast

Ripe strawberry, raspberry, cranberry and red plum flavors, all bright and balanced, impress in this snappy, vibrant wine. The impact of minerally acids outweighs the 25% new oak, at least for now. 92 Points

WINEMAKER'S NOTES:

The 2014 Estate Pinot Noir has deep red fruit with subtle, intricate spice that develops over the front and mid palate. The layered, unassuming new oak allows for a tidy, fresh, and bright expression late that’s true Oregon Pinot Noir. This wine has energy, grace, depth, and balanced complexity without affect. It is the Patton Valley way.

This Pinot is what you expect from an Oregon Pinot. Red fruits dominate with a moderate body and some tannins. The oak adds some roundness to the flavor profile but doesn’t over-power at all. Good food wine with zippy acidity. Retails for around $30, a nice wine to impress your “Pinot Envy” friends.

Well, another month, another few bottles of wine. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines!

Wines of April 2019

Another month has gone

Another month and just a few wines to talk about

2017 Storm Point Red Blend, Western cape, South Africa

The majority of the grapes for this blend are from the Swartland region where the varieties (Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan) thrive in the warmer climes. Ranging from 15-25 years in age, the vines are now hitting their straps and providing great flavors and full maturity. Mainly grown on granitic soils as well as some shale soils. Grapes were hand harvested towards the end of February and destemmed to tank. Gentle extraction through light pumpovers occurred for a little more than a week with ML occurring naturally in the Spring. The wine was matured in both tank and neutral barrels. The result is a lively, zippy, red wine sprinkled with some very serious notes.

Region: Western Cape   Varietal: 57% Cinsault - 28% Syrah - 15% Carignan

Vintage: 2017     Vine Age: 15-25 years old

Oak: 10 months: 70% Neutral Barrique - 30% Stainless Steel

Got this for $13 – relatively soft, yet nice balance for a less expensive wine. There is no oak, but that leaves the fruit to build the flavors. Excellent every night wine at a nice price. 

2017 Schmitt Söhne Relax Riesling (Mosel), Germany

Whiffs of saffron and pollen lend a savory tone to this medium-sweet wine. It's easy-drinking yet vibrant, with notes of orange peel, lemon and dusty minerality. Racy acidity offers levity on the finish.

87 points, Wine Enthusiast.

My daughter brought this home – overly sweet for my tastes, yet the body of the wine was pleasing and it went with food better than I thought it would. For $10 or less, and you like it sweet, here is your go-to. 

2016 Sisters Run Epiphany Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia

Full flavored, mouth filling and generous with sweet blackberry pie-like flavours and sweet milk chocolate mid palate. The finish is soft and long but there is some fresh tannin touches softened by smooth mouth-filling fruit before a really extended finish.

Region: McLaren Vale    Varietal: 100% Shiraz      Vintage: 2016     Vineyard: Epiphany Vineyard

This charges out of the gate with strawberry and blackberry jam aromas. All that fruit is backed by touches of florals, cracked pepper, dried herbs and mocha. The palate starts with the same juicy fruitiness but then the leathery tannins take hold, morphing it into an all together more serious wine. It closes with a tangy berry lift. 90 Points, Wine Enthusiast

A very nice wine from down under. Silky flavors wrap around a dark berry core. All in a wine under $20, this is a good example of serious shiraz, good fruit but not over the top, with nice backbones, acidity and tannins. 

2016 Sisters Run Old Testament Cabernet, Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia

The colour is bright red with brick overtones. The nose is leafy and dusty with a hint of true ripe cassis. The entry is open and textural and the middle palate continues dry and savoury, before being incoiled by assured manly tannins. The after palate has a final note of bright berries and the finish is long and drying. In summary this dry moreish wine suits charcuterie or salumi, or our finest homemade wurst.

Region: Coonawarra       Varietal: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon         Vintage: 2016

Vineyard: Old Testament Vineyard

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Rich and inviting with savoury, juicy aromas and flavours of fleshy blackberry and plums. Some cassis and dark spices on the finish. Love the balance. A cool minty hallway of aromas interwoven with fleshy blackberry notes. From the Terra Rossa soils of Coonawarra, this 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon is very approachable. Sister's Run, Old Testament is a soft-tannin, juicy and savoury Cabernet Sauvignon -- a real crowd pleaser with rich blackberry and plums on the palate, spicy on the finish. Also approachable price wise. Pair with grilled steak. (Natalie McLean)

Another good wine from down under – Vine Street imports – this time being a Cabernet from Coonawarra. Not a wine built to be aged for many years, there is still a mild tannic backbone with bright typical cabernet sauvignon fruit.  Priced under $20, drink now and over the next couple years.

NV Domaine Chandon Brut, Napa Valley, California

Brut Classic consistently expresses our signature flavor profile of apple, pear and citrus flavors and aromas with a hint of spice that leads to a soft, dry finish.

Wine Enthusiast: 87 Points

This blend of 57% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Noir and 2% Pinot Meunier is drier than the winery s Extra Dry Riche. It is softly textured, layered in green apple and pear, and offers a medium finish. A versatile wine for pairing, it makes a good go-to for larger gatherings.

Still looking to replace my Chateau Ste Michelle Brut that is hard to find here, the Domaine Chandon is a very good bubbly. Price point is just under $20, meaning it is $7 to $10 more, but it does a good job of having that similar flavor profile.  A very nice sparkler at a fair price.

Another month has gone by – until next month; keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grape vines.

Wines of March, 2019

Another Month has flown by!

Is it just me, or did March seem as short as February? Here's a few wines to pass the time

2017 Les Combes de St Sauveur, Plan de dieu, Cotes-du-Rhone, France

Red intense ruby. Complex with spicy notes, dominant aromas of cocoa, kirsch cherries and ripe black fruits. Sharp and concentrated, the mouth is round and smooth with delicate flavours of black fruits and a spicy finish that brings freshness.

Grape Variety    Grenache, Mourvèdre , Shiraz

A really nice little CDR – good fruit flavors and a decent finish. Very good food wine, priced around $10-12, a very good buy.

2015 Cuvee Constance, Cote du Roussillon villages, France

"The entry-level red from this estate is the 2015 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Cuvee Constance, and it’s a beauty to buy by the case. Black raspberry, cassis, pepper and wood smoke all emerge from this total charmer that has ample fruit and texture, and a great finish. The blend is 50% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 20% Carignan aged all in concrete tanks." —JebDunnuck.com

Another well -made, inexpensive red from France. Very nice fruit with a moderate finish; sufficient acidity to be a good food wine.  Priced under $12, worth buying several bottles.

2014 Fatum Bobal-Tempranillo LaMancha, Spain

Grapes: 50% Tempranillo 50% Bobal

“Bright violet color. Lively redcurrant and cherry on the nose and palate, with a mineral nuance emerging as the wine opens in the glass. Conveys good depth and focus without any excess fat; a spicy note contributes back-end cut. Notes of fresh red berries and spices carry through a zesty, gently tannic finish that’s sharpened by juicy acidity.” 89 points Vinous

Back to Spain – a $10 bottle I’ve enjoyed several times. The blending of the Tempranillo and Bobal makes this a very satisfying wine; good flavors and balance and made to be a good food wine. Probably need to be drunk over the next few years, but very good right now.

2014 Vega Moragona La Duna Tempranillo, Ribera del Jucar, Spain

This is a fruit driven and complex Tempranillo from the Ribera del Jucar appellation. The best quality grapes from a single vineyard go into this wine. After fermentation the wine rests for three months in new oak barrels. It is ruby red in the glass with aromas of red fruit, toast and spice. The palate is broad with flavours of ripe fruit and sweet baking spice. Enjoy this with grilled meat and cool weather dishes.

A single vineyard bottle for around $12 – this is drinking very well, with good fruit and hints of spice. Goes well with red meats, heavy sauces. Really nice for the price.

NV Cavicchioli 1928 Prosecco, Campegine, Italy

Cavicchioli 1928 Prosecco DOC Spumante Extra Dry is made from 100% Glera grapes. In the province of Treviso, the vines are grown mostly on a flat fertile terrain of medium texture.

In the winery, under-ripe” grapes (in order to preserve well the acidity), hand picked, are vinified in white with the skins at a temperature of 8-10°C (cryomaceration) for about 12 hours; the alcoholic fermentation at controlled temperature of 16-18°C is followed by the second fermentation using the Charmat method at a temperature of 12-14 °C for about 15-24 days.

Cavicchioli 1928 Prosecco DOC Spumante Extra Dry features, when poured and tasted, white foam; lively, fine and persistent perlage; pale straw yellow color; an intense aroma of candied fruits and sweet flowers; and a fresh and delicate taste with an aromatic finish; its alcohol is 11%.

"Bright and balanced, this is a textbook Prosecco, with a lively bead carrying the flavors of white peach, sliced almond and candied lemon zest. Floral. Drink now." Wine Spectator

Not a big hit at my house, seemed a little thin on the flavors with hints of wet paper in the mouth. Even at $13, I’ll try something else…

Hope you enjoyed these wines – until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grape vines.

February 2019 Wines

Another Month of Winter

Seems like we were a couple days short for this month. Oh wait, that's right it is only 28 days.

Read that the average wine bottle is about 2.7 pounds. But - there are bottle that weigh a pound more. Trying to make them seem "better" - but all it does is increase shipping costs and make your arm tired if you are pouring 80+ two-ounce pours. Hurts your foot more if you drop it. 

All right, let's talk about some wines...

2017 Shannon Ridge Zinfandel, Lake County, CA

92 Points Editors’ Choice               Wine Enthusiast

Extraordinarily deep and resonant in a black fruit flavor, this is a full-bodied wine that has great focus and a moderate layer of tannins to offer grip. Black berry, plum and cherry flavors all contribute to the palate and keep reverberating on the finish.

Winemaker Notes

The High Elevation Collection is a careful blend of three appellations within Lake County. The clusters from High Valley bring structure and backbone, the Red Hills Appellation contributes lush fruit and ripe characteristics, and Big Valley grapes add tannin and fruit tones to these lively wines.

This Zinfandel has ripe fruit characters of blackberry and plum. The midpalate is an explosion of spices and fruit, balanced with soft oak notes and a structured finish.

Very nicely balanced zinfandel, with good fruit and spice throughout the wine. Moderate aftertaste, but a great bottle for less than $15. Worth revisiting at that price point.

2015 Chateau Larroque, Bordeaux, France

95WA 

 Château Larroque Bordeaux Supérieur 2015 is deep garnet. Dark red fruits, cocoa, vanilla, and almond on the nose. While full-bodied and supple, with fresh berries and earthy, dried fruit. Yet, finishes with fine and silky tannins. Drink now or should shine for five years or more.

89 Points              Wine Enthusiast

While this Ducourt wine does have wood-aging flavors, it also has plenty of black-currant fruitiness to bring out the crisp character. The ripe Merlot of the vintage is very evident in this potentially delicious wine. Drink from 2018.

When first opened, this seemed a little lacking. After being open a while and the next day, the fruit came alive and it was a nice bottle of juice. Nuanced like Bordeaux, light tannins, made a good match with red meats (and pork). Finish is light but enough to make you drink more – priced under $15 – a very good buy.

2013 Arrowhead Red & Gold Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, County, CA

For the oenophile, Arrowhead Red & Gold Reserve is serious stuff. This single vineyard, estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Knights Valley in Sonoma, an area that earns top scores from the wine industry's top critics.

Despite the obvious marketing ploy and that I would have preferred to drink this when the Chiefs were in the Super Bowl, this is a well made nice wine. Good tannins, bright fruit held together with an acidic base to make food pairing easy. On sale at $20, well worth that price.

2015 Trione  River Road Ranch Pinot Noir, Sonoma, CA

Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir River Road Ranch opens with notes of crushed black cherries, mulberries and raspberry tart with a wonderfully spicy undercurrent of cinnamon toast and allspice notions. Medium to full-bodied, it gives a lovely savory character in the mouth with soft tannins and background acid, finishing with all those spices coming through. 1,269 cases produced. – Wine Advocate 90 Points

River Road Ranch encompasses 125 acres in the heart of the Russian River Valley appellation. Located on the western bench of the Santa Rosa Plain, the vineyard thrives in well-drained soils. The region’s fog-cooled nights are ideal for this varietal. We hand-harvested the Pinot Noir from distinct blocks, clones #115, #777, Pomard and UCD#37, a classic California selection. Each clone contributed distinctive flavors and textural characteristics.

This is a very good Pinot Noir – long finish, silky fruits like cherry with a little earthiness. Wonderful balance to be very food friendly. Very good – little out of my normal wheel house at $33 for a Pinot but a nice splurge.

2015 Trione “Henry’s Blend” Home Ranch, Alexander valley, CA

Winemaker Notes:

This wine is complex and ever changing, it’s rich and inviting on the nose. The first impression is subtle notes of black currants, Bing cherries and blackberries overlain with hints of cedar, sandal wood and a smoky rainforest. The finish is mouthwatering and leaves the palate wanting more. One bottle is not enough. This wine is drinking fantastic now but has the tannins and complexity to age another 6-7 years.

This Bordeaux-Style blend is 35% Cabernet Sauvignon from our Cloverdale and Home Ranch, 34% Merlot from our Geyserville Ranch, 13% each Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc and 5% Malbec all coming from blocks near the winery at our Home Ranch property. 1,516 six-packs were produced.

This is a Bordeaux style blend is a stunning wine. Big nose of red and black fruits with a broad mouthfeel – heavy dark fruits with a tannic backbone for a long finish. I found it compelling, gaining complexity with evry sip – matched a meal of steak very well.  Priced around $45 – it was on sale for $35. Well worth the price.

2015 Trione block 21 Cabernet Sauvignon , Alexander  Valley, CA

This wine is a classic Bordeaux blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot and 2% each of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec. The 2013 growing season was moderate, thus promoting slow ripening and full flavor development. We hand-harvested and fermented each variety separately, then moved the wines to barrel, where they aged twelve months. Once we determined our blend, we returned the wine to barrel for an additional twelve months, to ‘marry’ the varietals. We used tight grained French oak barrels (45% new) from coopers Quintessence, Vicard and Bossuet.

Aromatic entry filled with hints of clove, allspice and nutmeg. The impression on the palate is soft, with silky tannins and lingering hints of mocha and cedar cigar box. Also present are the fruit profiles of plum, currant, blueberries and boysenberry. The finish is long and persistent which shows the beautiful balance of tannin/acidity/oak in the structure. This wine is showing the benefit of barrel and bottle age and is drinking perfectly now and will age gracefully for the next 5-10 years.

This bad boy is a candidate for aging a number of years. The tannins were mouth drying, yet dark fruit and cigar box flavors came out. Very long finish- a wonderful showing of Alexander Valley fruit. Priced around $70, was on special for $60. Very impressive wine from the folks at Trione.

Well, another month has flown by. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

Wine of January, 2019

Another month has flown by - here are some more wines to review

2017 Finca Bacara Time waits for No One Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

Aged 6 months in American oak barrels. Garnet red color with violet hues; clean and bright. Powerful and intense nose where a ripe fruit aroma dominates, with hints of new wood. In the mouth it is balanced, round, and savory, with a pure finish. Pairs well with all kinds of rice, red meat, cod, red tuna, blue cheeses, and cured cheeses.              Decanter: 95 Points

A very nice bottle of Monastrell – the oak aging adds a complexity to the dark richness of the wine. Very nice for a $12 price point and a very fun label – when else would you serve something with a skull and cross-bones!

NV Gloria Ferrer Sonoma, Brut, Sonoma, Ca

The Sonoma Brut has been carefully crafted entirely from hand-harvested Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. This brut is dominated by Pinot Noir, a stylistic decision enabling the complex aromatic and palate profile that this red-skinned grape contributes to brut cuvées.

On the nose, delicate pear and floral notes are backed by toasty almond. On the palate, one finds lively citrus, toast and apple flavors overlaid with persistent effervescence, a creamy mid-palate and a toasty finish.

Made from mostly Pinot Noir grapes, with an addition of 8.8% Chardonnay, this Méthode Champenoise wine is sultry in raspberry cream and crème brûlée, with enough acidity to keep it fresh in the glass. The finish offers a taste of toast with ginger jam.         Wine Enthusiast               92 Points

I usually don’t include sparkling wines, but…Our usual buy has been hard to find. The Chateau Ste Michelle Brut – priced from $10 to $15 seems to be hard to get anymore. My wife has not been very impressed with the Cava from Spain, so I went California to see if it would suffice. This runs around $20 and has a nice mouthfeel and a good flavor of brioche with decent acidity. May become the new “House Bubbly” but I am trying a few others, as well. 

2016 Besadien Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR

AGING: 12 months in 40% new French oak

TASTING NOTES: Aromas of dark cherry and red raspberry with vanilla, cedar and notes of black tea. The palate is bright, rich and highly textured with assertive black cherry, cola, cocoa and raspberry flavors that continue on the finish.

A pleasing bouquet of violets, cherries and cola introduces this wine. The fruit shines on the palate, with flavors of mixed red and blue berries. The balance is spot on and the wine is ready for near-term enjoyment.      Wine Enthusiast               90 Points

This is a very good pinot – light yet filled with berry fruit and hints of earthiness. Moderate finish with enough acidity to be a good food match. Priced around $20 and with a great label – the Beso is Spanish for kiss and the trees form what look like lips on the label. I recommend this wine.

2016 Joseph Drouhin HdB Morgon, Burgundy, France

In 2014 Maison Joseph Drouhin signed an exclusive partnership with the Hospices de Belleville, historical owner of 34 acres in the 3 crus of Fleurie, Brouilly and Morgon.

This partnership confirms the interest this Burgundy House has always shown towards her close neighbor, the Beaujolais, which is considered as a natural extension of the "Greater Burgundy" region. Convinced as we are of the great potential of these vineyards, we are committed to the renaissance and the development of the renown of the Beaujolais crus.

Frédéric Drouhin, president of the executive board of Maison Joseph Drouhin is convinced: "We have always been attracted to the exceptional terroirs of the crus du Beaujolais. This partnership will allow us access to prestigious vineyards of high quality.

A single plot : "Château Gaillard" of 12 acres.

CHARACTERISTICS:  "Château Gaillard" is situated in the north of the village of Villié-Morgon facing south-east. Its soil is comprised of very flaky cristalline rocks, iron oxide and manganese.

GRAPE VARIETY: Gamay

VINIFICATION: Depending on the plot and the quality of the grapes, part of the harvest is de-stemmed for a ‘Burgundy style’ vinification with punch downs and pump overs, whilst the rest is vinified as whole cluster with carbonic maceration. Slow fermentation lasts between 10 to 15 days.

AGEING: The wines which are vinified Burgundy style are aged in large ‘pieces’ (500 liters), stainless steel tanks are reserved for the wines issued from carbonic maceration. The wines are then assembled into one unique ‘cuvée’.

TASTING NOTES: The color is purple violet, this Morgon already unveils its temperament by aromas of very ripe red fruits, spices and liquorice. The palate confirms a tannic structure, a little firm as yet, covered by balanced and fruity flesh.

The Gamay grape is underestimated – when done in this style, with care taken to vinify the best – you end up with a very tasty wine with good balance of fruit with structure and decent acidity. This is a great food wine – probably not a long term ager, but very good with variety of food. Available under $25, maybe as low as $20, a good buy.

2012 Carmelo Patti Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina

Wine Advocate 94

“As traditional as it gets, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon was kept in the winery until Patti thought the wine was ready to drink. He's in search of an elegant, classical and polished wine that still keeps the varietal character but does not show the effect of the wood. The color, aromas and flavors are quite developed, nuanced and polished, with complexity and detail. It does have the herbal and spicy character of the grape (all the textbook descriptors are there: tobacco, forest floor, something herbal) and the warmth of the vintage and the place. It's harmonious, with moderate alcohol and good freshness. It's just delicious, like a trip to the past.“ ~ LG

This is a big Cabernet – lots of fruit, some complexity on the palate. A wine with some aging potential, it drinks wonderful now – went great with a slab of meat. Priced around $30, you could fool your friends with bottle – they would assume it was more expensive. Very nice…

2012 Gillmore “Vigno” Carignan, Maule, Chile

Gillmore is one of the Maule Valley's top producers of Carignan. This warm-vintage offering smells of cedar, balsamic notes, spice and dark fruits. In the mouth, it's a touch choppy, while salty plum, fresh tomato, herb and spice flavors end long, spicy and oaky. Drink through 2021.       91 Points WE

Two thoughts about this wine. First, every Chilean wine tends to have a small amount of briny earthiness ( I call it Funk)- it is not a defect, just the nature of the beast. This one has some. Second, Carignan has long been known as a filler grape, used with others to make a blend. As a stand- alone variatal, it can be good – not real age worthy, but pleasant. This is a pretty good red, does fairly well with different foods.  But, priced around $35, I can’t say I would search this out.

Well, it has been real – until next month – Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.