The wines of August 2022

    It was a hot month - and dry. I still managed to drink some wine - and I upgraded my old (10 year) home computer. Any typos are due to the new keyboard, not my fat fingers (hah).

2019 Sterling Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley, Ca

throughout the valley—from the cool southern Carneros region to the warm and rugged northernmost reaches of the valley near Calistoga. These incredible vineyards give winemaker Harry Hansen some of the best Napa Valley fruit to select from and craft these unique, intensely flavored and expressive wines.

Lush, mouthfilling grapefruit and kiwi flavors ride a nicely tangy texture in this rather full-bodied, fruity and generous wine. It's unoaked and made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes.   RATING90

Never been a big fan of Sauv Blanc, but when it’s hot, and the wine sees no oak, it is pretty refreshing.  I was pleased with this Napa bottle that I got for around $11. Well worth that price.

2019 Chateau De Mattes Saban Corbieres Viala France

Region Languedoc-Roussillon

Sub-Region Corbières

Soil Gravel & Limestone

Farming Sustainable

BlendGrenache 60%, Syrah 20%, Mourvèdre 20%

Alcohol 14.3%

Do you like Châteuneuf-du-Pape? How about Cornas? If yes, what would you say to a

Mediterranean French red that tasted like a magical combination of the two for just $20? Bring it on! Château de Mattes-Sabran rocked our world in a way few southern French reds have lately; a lot of the reds from this part of the world are playing checkers, but this one is a chess Grandmaster. Grown in scrubby, sun-soaked hillside vineyards strewn with the same kind of galets roulés (large granite stones) found in Châteauneuf, the old-vine Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre in “Le Viala” work together in perfect harmony, taking you straight to France’s south coast without any excess baggage. Like our favorite wines from the southern (and northern) Rhône, this tastes not just of fruit but of the dusty, rocky slopes that fruit is grown in, with the freshness that comes from a site with a little bit of altitude. With Winter approaching and a whole new set of wines about to take their place on center stage, We’re pushing this one out front for a star turn.

This wine was a little surprising. Nice fruit on the nose and on first taste. Then a little scub brush, and then a final taste of anise melting into a mint flavor. Unusual, but actually a nice flavor. Good acidity to go with foods, shined with grilled meat – priced around $16.  Nice buy.

2017 Familia Furlotti Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Heavy Malbec tendencies shine through in this wine, but they are restrained, refined and concise.   Blueberry, blackberry, boysenberry and cream of tartar are vibrant and sultry. Long family traditions help guide the grapes into the bottle.  The wine shows French oak aging, but it does not overpower the wine, nor does it contribute any density.  A truly pure expression of clean, high-altitude, old-vine Malbec.

Not a bad Malbec, but this wine was a little hollow in the mid palate.  Not a fruit bomb, nice restraint and went with beef very well. Still, bothered me a little with that mid-palate and short after-taste. Priced around $15, OK for a school night wine.

NV Marietta Old Vine Red Lot 73, California

OVR Lot Number 73 is bright and juicy, with strawberry and black raspberry supported by savory notes of briar and slate. The fruity and fresh Zinfandel from 2020 is given added complexity and length by barrel aged Syrah and Petite Sirah from 2019 and 2018. A touch of Grenache and Barbera add a more complex red fruit character and hint of red licorice and white pepper.

Pair the Old Vine Red with a wide range of foods: pizza, pasta, burgers, roasted vegetables, mushrooms, and tacos.

RP95Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The NV OVR Lot 73 is composed mainly of Zinfandel with smaller portions of Syrah, Petite Sirah, Carignan and Barbera. Medium ruby, it offers intense red cherry, blood orange and apricot perfume with accents of rooibos tea leaves, red licorice, saline, lilac and loads of spicy nuances. The medium-bodied palate is light on its feet with soft tannins, bursts of refreshing acidity and detailed amaro accents on the long finish. This is so easy to drink!

Not sure about dome of Parker’s flavors, but this was a real god sipping wine that had the heft to match grilled meats. Moderate finish, almost no tannins but good acidity for the food.  I think this is around $16 – it has wine from 2018, 2019 and zinfandel from 2020. Priced around $15, this is a buy several bottles to have around.

2015 No Curfew Red Blend, California

"As the blend of 92% Zinfandel and 8% Petite Sirah opens up, its delightful array of floral aromas proves quite appealing. Dark fruit laced with lavender splashes the palate alongside round tannins; the ripe character shows both a sweet side and a savory component..."

 

When you get a wine for $6, you think – plonk. However, it is more expensive on-line. Reality –it is a very nice sipping wine with decent acidity and body to match uncomplicated meals.  If you find it under $10, buy and try it – you will not be disappointed.

2021 Argiolas ‘Costamolino’ Vermintino, Sardinia, Italy

Sardinian Vermentino is one of the great undersung white wines in the world, and Argiolas’ 2021 Costamolino is one of the island’s standard-bearing bottles. Crisp, mouthwatering, and succulent, packed with stone fruit and orange zest, it’s the perfect summertime white—and the kind of infinitely versatile wine to pair with everything from grilled halibut to hamachi crudo with salsa verde.

 

The island’s climate results in a gloriously crisp take on the grape. Transposed between continents, Sardinia is a place where beauty arises from a meeting of extremes. Picture ocean-sprayed, rocky coasts and long, flat plains, plus hot southern winds from Africa that collide with cool gusts funneling down from France.

This is a wine that defines minerality – great nose and body. Makes you want some seafood to have right then. Fine as a sipper, with that bit of orange with the other tastes of pine and stone fruit. Decent aftertaste, this is a great white wine. Priced around $20, buy this if you are serving any thing from the water (except catfish, cause you know… catfish).

2020 Devil’s Corner Pinot Noir, Tasmania, Australia

A Pinot Noir that’s uniquely Tasmanian, from a place unlike anywhere else.

Vineyard Region:             Tasmania             Wine Analysis:   Alc/Vol: 12.5%

Colour: This Pinot Noir is brightly coloured with youthful purple tones.

Aroma: A strongly perfumed style redolent of spicy black cherry, dark fruits and hints of raspberries.

Palate:  The wine displays a juicy, sweet-fruit middle palate with soft, ripe tannins and fresh acidity.

Peak Drinking:   Until 2024

Fruit-driven, elegant, and made to drink now, this Pinot Noir is brightly colored with a palate to match, boasting generous flavors of ripe cherry, raspberries and spice.

A versatile food wine that can be enjoyed with light or heavy dishes. Try this with pan fried duck breast and roasted Mediterranean vegetables. Or serve it with venison that is drizzled in a red wine and black pepper jus.

This is better as a si[pper – it would hold it’s own against lighter fare – not a slab of beef.  Seem bright in the flavor, little acidity and a very modest aftertaste.  Not French, no California – this guy sets up as pure Tasmanian – little devil!  Priced from $20 – 24, not bad, although I am not a Pinot enthusiast. 

2020 Corvo ‘Irmana’ Frappato, Sicily, Italy

Made from hand-picked Frappato grapes, Irmàna is an authentic expression of this grape variety. Velvety on the palate, with mild tannins, it is very smooth and has an aromatic persistence on the palate, while the nose is filled with subtle hints of rose and violet. The new design of the Line inspired by naturalness takes us simply into a world of sky and soil, sun and wind.

Drinking Frappato is like jumping into a giant pool of brightly-colored plastic balls.

Typical Tasting Notes: Pomegranate, Sweet Strawberry, White Pepper, Tobacco, Clove

Why Frappato is Awesome: Frappato is one of the few red wines out there that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Still, its sweet-smelling fruit flavors and pale red color aren’t something to poo poo. Frappato might actually be genetically related to Sangiovese (Italy’s top red wine, mind you). Plus, it’s perfectly at home growing on a live volcano (Mount Etna in Sicily)!

 

This wine is not to be taken seriously.  A touch sweet, a little tannins, kinda funky, yet enjoyable.  What I call a fun wine, much more of a sipper by a fire or on a beach. Priced under $20, worth it for the fun of having Frappato!

2019 Domaine Petroni Red, Corsica, France

Wonderful raspberry and ripe strawberry fruits as well as spice, flowers, and a beautiful chalky minerality all emerge from the 2019 Corse, a medium-bodied, fresh, seamless, impeccably balanced red from Corsica. It has plenty of classic Mediterranean spice and garrigue nuances, yet it holds onto a wonderful sense of freshness, focus, and elegance, and is just a joy to drink.

The rouge is a blend of 50% Niellucciu, 35% Syrah, and 15% Grenache. Grapes are fermented in concrete tanks and aged 12 months in stainless steel to preserve the fresh fruit-driven aspects of the wine.

This Corsican wine is very solid, with tannins, moderate acidity and that drying mouthfeel. Might use a year or so of aging, to bring some harmony. Not a sipping wine, but one that cries out for that slab of beef and garlic potatoes. Unique and worth trying – priced from $20 – 24, so you can say you’ve had Niellucciu.

Hope you are ready for fall – I know I am. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 

 The Wines of July 2022

We are in Summer - Heat waves, then rain and then more heat. Makes the weatherpeoples

lives easy - same forcast for a week!.

How about some vino I enjoyed this month.

2015 Numanthia Tinta de Toro, Toro, Spain

Bright cherry red with ruby highlights. Numanthia 2015 is a fresh, yet expressive wine. It first reveals a fruity nose with cranberries, blackcurrant and violet notes, then hints of cinnamon, cloves and black pepper followed by delicate and balsamic aromas with mint, eucalyptus and sandalwood. Firm on the palate with a harmonious, wide and balanced evolution. The wine's freshness offers length and vivacity, while it coats the palate with supple tannins. It first develops ripe red fruit, cocoa, cinnamon, mineral and spicy notes such as graphite, nutmeg or cloves, giving complexity and elegance. This finish is gentle and long, with minty, minerals and red berry notes.

JS96James Suckling

Astonishing fragrance for a Toro red, married to a huge body and a massive tannin structure in a way that’s without comparison in Spain and the world. Very long, plush finish that gets more and more delicate as it extends in the direction of the horizon. Drink or hold. This should have decades ahead of it.

WS94Wine Spectator

This powerful red is reserved, but has depth and intensity. Anise, mineral and tar notes give this an austere character, but there's a core of ripe fruit detail, supported by well-integrated tannins and enough acidity to keep this balanced.

    A gift to me, this wine is an outstanding Spanish wine. Good body, fragrant nose and a tannic backbone. The flavors give some tar and spice with the fruit but it is balanced and very nice. Great with a chunk of meat.

2019 Trentadue La Storia Cuvee 32, Alexander Valley, California

The 2019 Cuvee 32 is the 22nd vintage of this blend for Trentadue Winery. Every vintage has uniquely different blend determined by the best expression of its components and how they work together. The young Montepulciano has become an important player in the blend as well as their Brunello Clone Sangiovese. The 2019 had a moderate yields therefore produced wines with dark red color, bright fruit and firm acidity and well-structured tannins destined to age well. The 2019 Cuvee 32 has intense cherry/cassis aromas contributed by the Sangiovese followed by deeper red fruit aromas of plums, blueberry, and a hint of pomegranate. Typical for the blend is an enticing mixture of herbs and spices making the wine particularly enjoyable with Italian style food. With more air the wine shows more complex yet still in developing stage aromas and flavors of cocoa, cinnamon, leather, and black licorice. The mouth feel is medium to full with relatively high, food friendly acidity and a long and fresh finish. Drink now through 2029. Cheers!

41% Sangiovese                                32% Merlot         18% Montepulciano        9% Malbec

    Known as “Cal-Ital” because of the Italian varietals grown in California and mixed with grapes expected in Cali. A real food wine, pleasant acidity with the black fruits and a nice moderate finish.  Just sings with pasta or Italian style foods (yes, even pizza!). Got this on a close out for $20, well worth every cent.

2016 Sterling Merlot, Napa Valley, Ca

Wine Spectator

"Plush and well-spiced, with sinewy power to the dried red currant, plum and raspberry flavors. Notes of slate and hot stone show on the chiseled finish. Drink now through 2022."

The Sterling Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot is a vivid ruby-red color in the glass with aromas of blackberry fruit, plum and ripe black cherry. The appealing bouquet leads to a mouthcoating, rich palate where additional red and black fruit flavors mingle with notes of graphite and dried spice. The viscous mouthfeel of the wine is plush and the ripe tannins are refined and polished. The Napa Valley Merlot is well-balanced and elegant, offering true varietal characteristics and a sleek, flavorful finish.

    A very nice drinking Merlot, with red and black fruits dominating the palate with some earthiness and herbs. Moderate finish, enough backbone to go with food. Got this on close-out at 16, great price for this wine.

2019 Felciaio Badia di Morrona Vermantino, Pisa, Italy

Vermentino is one of the few local white grape varieties which is typically Tuscan. Regularly the major grape of the better blends produced on the region’s coast, perhaps for this reason it goes particularly well with fìsh.

A straw yellow with greenish highlights of good intensity, the wine is fresh and elegant in aroma with floral and citric notes. The flavors are soft and attractively crisp, perceptibly savory.

An excellent aperitif and with fìsh.

This wine has some floral and citrus notes with a strong minerality. Nice sipping, would be great with fish and shellfish, nothing too heavy. Appealing on hot summer days, for sure. Priced around $15, a good buy.

2017 Borsao Zarihs Shiraz, Campo de Borja, Spain

The color is opaque red-black. Crimson-purple rim. Powerful impression of blackberries, with a hint of wood smoke and sweet vanilla. The nose begins to open up and develops notes of dark chocolate. The initial impact is very full bodied, with a plush, soft structure. Flavors of dark berries dominate; wild blackberries and dried plums, with notes of espresso coffee.

Pair with rice based dishes like paella, beef, pork, pasta, or grilled vegetables.

WS92Wine Spectator

An elegant, medium- to full-bodied red, with an underpinning of smoky mineral and flavors of baked blackberry, herbed olive and toast. Well-spiced, with creamy tannins and a lasting, fresh finish.

JS91James Suckling

Berries on the nose with some cloves and peppercorns that follow through to a medium body with ripe fruit and creamy tannins. Flavorful finish. Just the right amount of wood to make it interesting. Drink now.

V91Vinous

Saturated violet. Dark berries, candied licorice, vanilla and a spicy black pepper accent on the oak-spiced nose. Supple and appealingly sweet, offering ripe blackberry and cherry liqueur flavors complicated by suggestions of vanilla and floral pastilles. Broad, fleshy and appealingly jammy, finishing very long and smooth, with a repeating vanilla note and slow-building tannins.

    Bodega Borsao makes some really good Spanish wines. Couldn’t pass this up when I saw it – Shiraz spelled backwards. Nice bright fruits but not overboard in an Australian fashion. Nice body with hints of flavors in the red fruits. Moderate aftertaste, enough backbone for grilled meats.  Priced under $15, well worth having in your cellar. Pop it open for the weekend.

2019 Gerard Bertrand ‘An 825’ Brut, Limoux, France

WW90Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: The 2019 Gérard Bertrand Héritage Crémant de Limoux Brut is pleasing and true-to-type. TASTING NOTES: This wine deftly combines aromas and flavors of dried earth, sandalwood, and ripe fruit. Enjoy it with grilled chicken thighs.

    This wine was made before Dom Perignon made his Champagne. He actually came to study where this is made. Very nice bubbly, with the addition of Chenin Blanc adds a bit extra to the body and enhances the baked bread dough and floral components. Priced around $25, hard to beat on a hot day.

2019 Massimo Rivetti Barbera D’Alba Froi, Piedmonte, Italy

The Massimo Rivetti Barbera d 'Alba Superiore Froi impresses with its elegantly dry taste. It was bottled with exceptionally little residual sugar. This is a real quality wine that stands out clearly from simpler qualities and so this Italian naturally enchants with the finest balance in all dryness. Taste does not necessarily require sugar. On the tongue, this powerful red wine is characterized by an incredibly velvety and melty texture. Thanks to its succinct fruit acidity, the Barbera d 'Alba Superiore Froi is wonderfully fresh and lively on the palate. In the finish, this red wine from the Piedmont wine-growing region finally inspires with considerable length. There are again hints of black cherry and mulberry

This wine is made in the traditional style, which requires aging in cement and stainless steel casks. A good wine that is fresh, fragrant and easy to drink. 89 Suckling

I have not been a fan of Barbera – never really found any that did it for me. This one comes really close. This wine is fresh, with bright berry flavors and a decent backbone that encourages food.  Worth a try for Italian wine fans, priced around $20.

 

2017 Dharma Reserva Red, Mendoza, Argentina

“The 2017 Dharma is a 50/50 blend of Malbec and Cabernet Franc from a single vineyard in La Consulta that is organic and biodynamically farmed. – I think the two varieties work very well together (it used to have Petit Verdot instead of Cabernet Franc), and it feels compact, integrated and serious. It has good ripeness without excess and fine-grained, elegant tannins. Serious, with potential to improve in bottle. Very good value too. 12,000 bottles produced.” – Wine Advocate

Often Malbec from Argentina comes out so fruit forward that it misses the flavor boat. While the fruits are expressive here, the Cab Franc keeps it from being excessive and adds a component that adds tannins and earthiness to the flavor. “Restrained”  is a good word to use on this one – and at about $20, a really good buy. Worth keeping a few on hand.

Another month and we’ve muddled through. Heat waves keep coming and going, stay cool.

Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 Wines of June 2022

We're into the Summer - hot time in the old town tonight! Drank a wine from a country I've never had and an old favorite from Spain. Here are the wines.

2015 Chateau Marjosse, Bordeaux, France

Chateau Marjosse is typically a beautiful bright purple color and intense violet reflections. The nose expresses candied fruits, cherry and blackberry with elegant toasted oak notes. The mouth is supple and round and reveals pretty fruity with good round and tasty tannins and a pleasantly persistent finish.

JS91James Suckling

Aromas of spices, currants and milk chocolate with fresh-basil undertones. Full-bodied, layered and rich with lots of fruit and character on the finish. Tannins are velvety and dusty in texture. Excellent for this chateau. Needs two or three years to soften. Try in 2020.

This juicy, wood-aged Pierre Lurton wine has very ripe fruit. That gives it richness with black-plum fruits and a dense texture. A bitter coffee flavor shows through the fruit. It needs time, so drink from 2018. WE 86 points

This is a well made inexpensive red from Bordeaux. Priced at under $20, the wine had a nice layered fruit and light tannins with a decent finish. The 2018 is drinking great also, the 2015 had more depth of flavor. Pick either up, you won’t regret it.

2019 Ramon Bilbao Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain

Bright yellow with pale lemon and greenish hues . Elegant mineral and delicate white pear aroma. Nice acidity on the palate with eucalyptus and ripe granny smith apples. It is very fresh and juicy with a nice and subtle complexity of white flowers aromas and some tea flavors linger out to a pretty pleasant aftertaste. Great with lobster salads and cheese appetizers.

Briny aromas of citrus fruits include a pop of green pyrazines, while this is lean and lemony on a slightly dilute palate. White pineapple and chive flavors finish tangy and lemony. RATING 87 WE

Albarino can be just OK or like this example. Wonderful fruit flavors with a good acid balance that lingers on the tongue. A bit tangy – good by itself but good backbone to go with lighter fare. Priced around $15, this is a great summer wine.

NV Chateau Moncontour Vouvray sparkling Wine, Tourane, France

Nut and toast aromas lead to a smooth palate, with creamed apple and delicate orange zest flavors. Behind the crisp acidity, there is a mature feel, giving roundness to the delicious aftertaste.  RATING 90 WE – Chenin Blanc

A very old estate, this was purchased by the Feray Family in the 1990s and it has never looked back. Again 100% Chenin Blanc, this is a Cuvée (blend) made from the best fruit and aged for around 18 months on the yeast – although it tastes like it was aged longer.

Yeast autolysis dominates this wine, it even smells of toast – yeast / lees can give a good impression of oak sometimes. Rich pear, cooked lemon, quince, honey, apple compote are all here as well as some frangipane / bakewell pudding sort of character making it feel pretty rich and flavourful, although the brisk acidity certainly cleanses the palate making it balanced. An intriguing wine that I enjoyed very much – 90/100 points.

I enjoy sparklers from Tourane – this one did not disappoint. Smooth palate with apple and citrus fruit in a good acid level for sipping. Hints of baking spice on the finish, this is a really nice sparkling wine that is affordable. Priced around $20, this is a good wine.

2017 Milbrandt Merlot, Wahluke Slope, Washington

Plush red fruit, herb and eucalyptus aromas lead to scrumptious fruit flavors. It possesses a compelling sense of balance—a superb value that brings a sense of purity not always seen at this price.

Aromas of vanilla, shaved coconut and baking spice are at the fore, with the oak taking over. Dark fruit and barrel intermingle on the palate. The oak completely steals the show.  RATING 87 WE

Merlot from the Pacific Northwest was one of the early red wines I drank and enjoyed. This is a great example of the style – great red fruits with herb and spices in the mouth. Great balance with light integrated tannins. Moderate aftertaste, this is good alone or even better with a meal. Priced around $30 – I was able to get it under $20. This is a wine to buy several – holding it for a few years will enhance it.

2021 Excelsior Chardonnay, Robertson, South Africa

Elegant and approachable, this Chardonnay has zesty lemon and lime flavors, while this rich palate is balanced by a crisp acidity. This wine is perfect with grilled seafood or lightly spiced Thai chicken.

W&S 88 Wine & Spirits

This chardonnay bursts with floral aromas, which cede ground to bright white fruit girded by a matchsticky leesiness. It’s precise and persistent, and a steal at $10. Best Buy

The De Wet family have farmed the Excelsior Estate in the Robertson wine valley since 1859 when Koos de Wet first settled there. The family’s history in winemaking actually goes back even further. Koos was a direct descendant of Jacobus de Wet, an official in the Dutch East India Company, who landed in Cape Town in 1697! Jacobus became one of the first winemakers in Cape Town and the entire Southern Hemisphere when he bought a farm and began planted vines back in the late 17th century. Sorry for the history lesson, but I think that’s pretty cool!

Usually cheap Chards are like water – one dimensional and lacking flavors. This little $10 Chard is one of the better I’ve had. You won’t mistake it for a big oak bomb, but it is bright with white fruits and some citrus. Wonderful for a summertime sipper or with light fare. Really – ten bucks, try it.

2021 Garzon Albarino Reserva, Maldonado-Garzon, Uruguay

"Minerally, with a crisp structure to the dried apple and gooseberry flavors. Floral accents midpalate, with a lightly spiced finish, offering green herbal accents. Drink now through 2024. 6,000 cases imported."

First wine I’ve had from Uruguay – you would find the red from there would probably be Tannat. The best whites are from Albarino, the Spanish grape from Green Spain – the part above Portugal.  Tasty little wine, white grapes and apple dominating the mouth with hints of floral tones. Pretty good, though it looks to be about $20. Worth a try.

2020 Petalos Mencia, Bierzo, Spain

The wine is aged in large oak vats for 10 months to give it immediate appeal, while still retaining the estate's signature finesse and restraint.

RP93Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The regional red 2020 Pétalos comes from 90 hectares of vineyards, mainly from Corullón and Villafranca del Bierzo and the districts of Viariz, Hornija, Valtuille de Abajo and Otero. It mixes expositions, altitudes and soils and wants to paint a picture of Bierzo in the warm 2020 vintage. They reckon it's 92% Mencía with 5% other red grapes (Alicante Bouschet, Gran Negro, Pan y Carne and Negreda) and 3% whites (Valenciana, Jerez and Godello) with an average yield of 26 hectoliters per hectare. The fruit is darker than in the 2019. This is still young, and, as it happens with even the most approachable wines from the region, it should be even better in a couple of years. I tasted it again in mid-December, and the wine is showing better and better; time in bottle has done it some good, and the wine has settled and is getting more balanced. I don't feel the sun now; it's harmonious and more serious, juicy and tasty. A little better than anticipated.

Just saying” Mencia from Bierzo” is fun. Mencia was a local grape that wasn’t exported for years because it was made into plonk to be drank in the area. When treated correctly, the grape can produce very nice wines – this is an example from one the pioneers in this area.  Juicy red fruits with hints of spices; short aftertaste but pleasant to sip or match with grilled food. Priced around $20, buy some and tell people your having Mencia from Bierzo!

2018 Artadi Vinas de Gain Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain

JS94James Suckling

Very pure fruit to this with blackberries and blueberries and some dried flowers. Medium-bodied with very fine tannins and a linear, refined finish. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

RP93Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The young red 2018 Viñas de Gaín follows the same philosophy as the white, grapes from a variety of vineyards in Laguardia and Elvillar ferment in oak and stainless steel vats followed by malolactic in barrel and an élevage in oak of nine months. It showcases the serious and fresh style of the best wines from the year. It has cold fruit and a very fine thread in the palate, fine tannins, long and balanced, very fresh. It has depth and complexity. A very good wine, it transcends its price point, like an upgraded version of the 2016.

This was a good Rioja wine – good upfront red fruits with stone and herbs and fine tannins embracing the palate. Worked well with food, overall a very nice wine. Priced around $25, worth the price.

Another month and were heading into the hot summer months. Stay cool. Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of May 2022

May is pretty much a memory now, some hot and some cool days. Mother Nature still trying to make up her mind what season it really is. Memorial Day - the "unofficial" start of summer.

How about some wines?

2018 Ancient Peaks Renegade Paso Robles, Ca

Renegade comes from Ancient Peaks' estate Margarita Vineyard on the historic Santa Margarita Ranch. From missionaries to gunslingers, rough riders to outlaws, a colorful cast of characters has traversed the ranch’s rugged terrain since the 18th century. In that spirit, Ancient Peaks has made an intensely flavored blend that pushes the envelope and resists conformity, adding an adventurous twist to the family of wines. Defiantly bold and daringly elegant—this is Renegade.

Blend: 38% Syrah, 36% Petit Verdot, 26% Malbec

WE91Wine Enthusiast

Earthy aromas of dewy thyme, oregano, juniper and pine needle are sprinkled with cracked pepper and laid across dark berry on the nose of this blend of 38% Syrah, 36% Petit Verdot and 26% Malbec. A eucalyptus spice hits the palate alongside the pepper, with dark fruit lingering long.

WW90Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: The 2018 Ancient Peaks Renegade is a fully-built yet smooth red blend. TASTING NOTES: This wine brings aromas and flavors of black fruits, violets, and licorice front and center. Pair it with a mild curry lamb stew. (Tasted: October 9, 2021, San Francisco, CA)

This is an easy-going blend with nice upfront aromas and nice black fruit mouthfeel. Nice acidity for meals, this is a good wine to have on hand. Priced just under $20, well worth the money

2018 Matchbook The Arsonist Red blend, Zamora, CA

The 2018 Arsonist Red Blend is our left of center take on the classic Bordeaux blend. Anchored by Petit Verdot the grace of the wine shows in an elegant bouquet of plum, raspberry and mocha. The blend of three powerhouse reds delivers full flavors of blackberry, cherry, chocolate and pepper spice; barrel aging adds a nice dose of vanilla oak. The finish lingers with dark fruit flavors, herbs and old-fashioned saddle leather.

The 2018 Arsonist Red Blend is Matchbook's left of center take on the classic Bordeaux blend. Anchored by Petit Verdot the grace of the wine shows in an elegant bouquet of plum, raspberry and mocha. The blend of three powerhouse reds delivers full flavors of blackberry, cherry, chocolate and pepper spice; barrel aging adds a nice dose of vanilla oak. The finish lingers with dark fruit flavors, herbs and old-fashioned saddle leather.

This is a big-flavored wine that pairs well with the richness of grilled lamb chops or a well-marbled rib-eye steak.

Blend: 52% Petit Verdot, 26% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon

TP93Tasting Panel

Opaque garnet color and rich aromas of plum. Chewy, velvety, and intense, with notes of chocolate, mocha, and spice; dense and balanced. Mostly Petit Verdot with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon.

This wine is a tasty treat – a blend I wasn’t expecting. Nice nose with dark fruits dominating the flavor profile. A bit a sharpness from the Petite Verdot made a good acidity balance for food. Very nice wine and priced under $20 – a keeper.

2018 Tabali Pedregoso Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo, Chile

Tasting Notes: 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Intense ruby in color, this Cabernet Sauvignon is notable for its good body and structure. It has upfront aromas of cherries, violets, cassis, and smoke, complemented by hints of toast. Well-rounded on the palate, with balanced, silky tannins and great structure, it achieves a good balance between fresh acidity and abundant fruit.

I got this for under $10 – it was a pretty good wine. Decent body and fruit, but not something I would rave about. Worth the money, maybe just as a “School-nite” wine.

2019 Escudo Rojo Carmenere Reserva, Colchagua, Chile

Purplish-red with violet highlights. Very intense and fruity, with notes of forest fruit, combined with spicy notes such as pink peppercorn, bay leaf, rosemary, black truffle, and subtle aromas of roasted coffee bean imparted by ageing in French oak. Starts off very delicate, refreshing and juicy with well-balanced acidity. The tannins are refined and velvety. Wild fruit aromas follow through to the aftertaste, culminating in a long finish.

Pair this wine alongside spicy beef and vegetable stir-fry, paprika chicken, partridge with mushrooms, vegetable curry.

JS93James Suckling

Extremely aromatic with dried flowers, as well as black-fruit and wet-earth character. Full-bodied and chewy, yet finely textured. Extremely characterful with cloves and other spices. Dry finish. Reserva this year.

WW92Wilfred Wong of Wine.com

COMMENTARY: The 2019 Escudo Rojo Reserva Carmenère highlights the richness and elegance of this stylish grape variety. TASTING NOTES: This wine offers attractive aromas and flavors of ripe plum, spices, black fruit, licorice, and a hint of wood. Enjoy it with BBQ baby back ribs.

Very nice Carmenere – drinks bigger than expected. A pleasant nose is followed by some dark fruit, some wood and some baking spices. Follows through with a moderate finish. Priced just under $20, this is a wine well worth the price.

2020 Chateau Fage Blanc, Graves de Vayres, Bordeaux, France

This delicious white wine has a beautiful bouquet, nuanced between the citrus fruit touches coming from the Sauvignon Blanc and with an expressive style brought by the Semillon. Very well balanced on the palate, this crisp wine offers freshness and fruitiness. Perfect to drink in its youth and very food friendly.

The white wines of the Bordeaux region are often overlooked when considering a richer, more textured white wine from around the world. The wine is driven by flavors of ripe and dried citrus fruits, baked apples, spiced peaches, honey, and field flowers. This classic Bordeaux blend is ideal for more savory flavors and richer menu items including pork, veal, and roasted vegetables.

SOIL: Gravelly soil. Graves carry along by the Dordogne

HARVEST AND VINIFICATION: Vineyard: Double Guyot cut / De-budding /

Wine Making: Cold pre fermentative maceration. Controlled fermentation

AGEING: 3 months in new French oak barrels

This Bordeaux white tends to be 60% Semillon and only 40% Sauvignon Blanc – being slighty more “perky” to the tongue. The nose is nice, followed by the citrus fruit, honey and crisp floral flavors.  Well built body – works for lighter fair as well as sipping. Priced around $15, a great wine for summer or opening courses.

2018 Chateau De Cranne, Cotes de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France

A deep purplish red color with flashes of plum, revealing an impressive density and depth. The nose is finely textured with aromas of jammy wild fruit, blackcurrant, whortleberry and blackberry, with a Mediterranean density. The amplitude of the tannins are simply astonishing. Their softness offset by a slight tang, giving the wine an impression of freshness. The finish is seemingly endless with the hints of laural, black pepper and camphor. After a few minutes, the tasting gains in warmth highlighting the notes of moorland and smokey Provence herbs.

60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot, Organic Farming

This wine was a bit earthy, reminding me of hummus. Mostly dark fruit with some tannins, the wine was better with a meal, but not my favorite. Priced around $20, worth a try at that cost.

2019 Les Tetes Bordeaux Superieur AOC, Bordeaux, France

100% Merlot from a 35 year old biodynamic single vineyard, wild fermented and aged all in concrete, then bottled unfiltered with almost no sulfur added. Still medium bodied with darker red and blue fruit and an earthy note of black olive and wild herbs.

Grapes: Merlot

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: organic grapes and yeast, hand-picked, spontaneous fermentation in concrete tanks, no fining, lightly filtered (vegan), minimal So2 at bottling only; 12.5% ABV

All Merlot from France. Biodynamic, wild fermented and aged in concrete. Not a bad little wine, very light tannins, decent red and black fruits with an earthy follow-through. Costs between $20 and $25, better at the bottom end for me, though it might be better in a year or so.

2019 Trefethen ‘Eschol’ Red, Oak knoll, Napa, California

Sourced entirely from their Main Ranch vineyard, winemaker Bryan Kays crafts a unique blend each year. This 2019 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 44% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine was aged in a combination of French and American oak barrels 13% new.

The wine opens with bold fruit-forward aromas of blackberry and dried cherry. On the palate, bright red fruit flavors give way to modest tannins and balanced acidity, making it very food-friendly and ready to pair with casual dinners at home.

This is a very nice blend with a pleasing nose of red fruits. The red fruit flavors are matched with baking spices, cocoa and cherry cola. Moderate tannins and a good acidic backbone, the wine was good with food and on its own. Family owned Napa Valley winery, this bottle is only $25 – well worth that price. Could hold this for a couple years and it would be better.

2017 Chateau Teyssier Saint Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France

Blend: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Franc

JS92James Suckling

A balanced and pretty red with walnut and berry aromas and flavors. Medium to full body.

WS91Wine Spectator

This has a very friendly, juicy, rounded core of plum, blackberry and raspberry fruit, backed by silky tannins and carrying through the generous finish.

90 Wine Enthusiast

"Firmly tannic, this wine shows dark-coffee flavors as well as solid black fruits. It has the richness of the vintage, although that is muted for the moment by the solid structure. Wait for this powerful wine to develop & drink from 2021".

The nose was very berry, while the wine had a big body of red and dark fruits with hints of herbs and tannins weaving through it.  Long finish, good now but could be better with 2-3 years of cellaring. Available around $40 nice wine to cellar and pop out with some lamb or beef.

Another month gone by – hope you are all hale and healthy. Until next time, keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of April 2022

So we try to begin Springtime - although the weather doesn't always agree. Had a major tornado in are area, so it is Spring for sure. BTW, it wasn't near my side of town. Let's talk some wines!

2014 Prunotto Fiulot Barbera d’Asti, Alba, Italy

The wine is a vivid and intense ruby red in color with a grapey and fruity (plum and cherry) aroma. Grapes grown on light and loose-textured soils and modern oenological techniques which enable producers to obtain and conserve fruit and freshness combine to make this a wine which is very pleasurable in its youth. For this reason it goes well with simple dishes such as hors d’oeuvres, soups, risotto, and pasta.

I just have never had a great experience with Barbera – I’ve had a number of them and they just don’t do it for me. This had nice balace and decent aroma, but the flavor just was an average quaff. Got it for about $12, nice if you like this type of wine.

2019 Irmana Frappato Terre Sicilianne IGT, Sicily, Italy

Tasting Note: A lively Frappato with attractive aromatics that will lull your nose deep into your glass.

Deep-intensity ruby in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of raspberry, blueberry, raisin, rhubarb, dried cranberry, strawberry, blackberry and blossom.

On the palate the dry, medium-bodied Frappato has medium-plus-intensity, red-and-black-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium-plus acidity and medium tannin ultimately completing with a floral, medium-plus finish.

The midpalate is filled with ripe-and-just-ripened red fruit.

The sort of red wine that wine lovers and wine novices would both enjoy.

Bottle Note: Produced from hand-picked grapes, Irmana Frappato is a red wine with a refreshing fruit palate and soft finish. The rich aromas of red fruits and floral notes are balanced by a pleasant finish, making it the perfect wine to sip with charcuterie, sauces with seafood, or meat dishes. From our native grapes, a wine that is an authentic expression of the island. Hand harvested and cultivated with deep respect for nature.

This was a little different, but in a good way. Never had this grape but it made a nice food wine. It didn’t seem to be very tannic, but had some nice red and blue fruits on the palate. Modest finish, but pleasant and well structured with food. Ran about $14, well worth trying.

2018 Punta Final Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Punto Final shows deep violet colors with red hues. Strong floral tones of violet and rose combined with red fruits such as blackcurrant and raspberry. In the palate , the wine is smooth and silky with round tannins and a long and persistent finish. Pair with all types of meats and light pasta.

"Aromas of ripe blueberries and plums flow freely to the mouth, where the tannins are smoothly arranged and really balanced at the finish.  Pure and upbeat."

I remember earlier vintages of this wine. It still is an enjoyable bottle, with nice red fruits and a moderate finish. Nice body to be a food wine – found this under $10 most places, well worth getting a few as school nite wines.

2018 Coster Dels Olivers Red Wine, Priorat, Spain

A new custom cuvée for Eric Solomon. Coster dels Olivers is a blend of 60% Carinyena, 30% Garnatxa, and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon grown on slate soils by the Sangenis family of Porrera. A combination of younger vine fruit, a relatively cooler northwestern exposure of the vineyards, a high percentage of Carinyena, and 12 months of aging in well-seasoned French and Hungarian oak barrels, ensures a brighter and juicier style of Priorat made for immediate enjoyment.

JD92       Jeb Dunnuck

Based largely on Carignan, with 30% Garnacha and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2018 Priorat has a big, smoky nose of mulled red and black fruits, graphite, flowers, and new leather. This carries to a medium to full-bodied wine with terrific tannins (especially for Carignan), a balanced, elegant texture, no hard edges, and a great finish.

This is a great find – the blend, although a little unusual, drinks superbly. There are red and black fruits with hints of smoke in the flavors and a nice finish with hints of tannins. Really did not expect this to be as good as it is! I got it around $20, this is an affordable Priorat that you can share with friends.

NV Montinore Estate Vivace Sparkling wine, Willamette Valley, OR

Vivacé is Italian for “in a brisk, spirited manner,” which is the perfect descriptor for this aromatic sparkling white wine blend. Estate-grown Gewürztraminer, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Gris and Riesling are artfully blended to highlight the best qualities of each varietal. The beautiful plants adorning the label depict biodynamic preparations we lovingly apply to our vineyard. The result is a fragrant nose of orange blossom, lemon, lime, honey and a hint of ginger while the exuberant palate features juicy green apple, ripe melon, lime zest and citrus confectionary. A wine that still has nice structure and a lasting finish. Vivacé is bubbly and easy drinking. It’s a delightful and refreshing sipper for any occasion.

An unusual blend for a sparkling wine but they really pull it off. Vibrant with citrus aromas and green apple – really well done sparkler. Priced under $20 – a great wine for openers or light food.

2021 Kokomo Grenache Rose, North Coast, California

Rosé is not a second thought for us. We dedicate blocks of fruit for our rosé program and pick when the acid is high and the sugar is low. The delicate hue of this rosé is a direct result of harvesting the fruit at 20 brix and our gentle whole berry press. Delightful flavors of pink grapefruit, orange peel, and wild strawberry fill the palate.

This Rose had some fruit flavors but they didn’t really stand out – seemed like a pleasant quaff or salad wine but nothing really notable. Priced around $20 – I’ve had better for that price and less.

2021 Stolpman ‘Love you Bunches’ Sangiovese, Santa Barbara, California

Serve cold! 2021 strikes a wonderful balance between the fleshier, warmer 2020 vintage and the more angular, high-toned 2018 and 2019 versions.  Riper red berry fruit sings over the tart finish resulting in a pleasurable, quenching crunch.  A perfected adult version of Sour Patch Kids candy.  A floaty fleshiness develops by the second glass – which, btw, arrives quickly – with some mellowing watermelon notes on the mid-palate.

A bit different – you wouldn’t know for sure it is Sangiovese – but a quaffable drink to enjoy with lighter fare. The fruit is there but there are some other flavors that mix in the palate. Not bad, but at $25, a little pricey for an experiment.

Another month has flown by and I salute you for surviving the last few years. Stay healthy, try to be happy and keep popping those corks – I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 

 The Wines of March 2022

We have made it to Spring time - even though I had snow here in the Midwest on the 31st. It melted quickly - hope you are not melting. How about some wines!

2017 Ercavio Tempranillo Vina de Meseta, Castilla, Spain

Gobs of blackberry and currant flavors balanced with wild herb undertones and lively acidity.

RP91 Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

"I’m glad to see the old Ercavio Roble renamed as the 2017 Ercavio Tempranillo Viñas de Meseta, as the wine is more about the grapes and place than the short aging in oak. I also found it unusually subtle and elegant, floral and spicy, with complex aromas and a velvety palate with some spiciness, very fine tannins and great balance. It’s super drinkable, and I think in 2017 it overdelivers big time. Amazing bargain! 130,000 bottles." (91 pts.)

Got this for only $10 – and it does way overdeliver at that price. Nice fruits with a supple body that held up well to grilled and meaty foods.  Watch for this name – and snap up their wine!.

2016 Gouguenheim Bonarda Syrah, Tupungato, Argentina

Our vineyards are cultivated at an altitude of more than 3,600 feet above sea level, one of the highest estates in Mendoza. In a desert climate region, we use melt water from the Andes Mountains carried by irrigation channels, through alluvial soils.

All these elements alongside a vast temperature difference between day and night, allow the fruit ripening and concentration, which come together with the expertise and knowledge of our people to define our wines, and consistently produce top quality wines year after year.

OK – there is literally nothing on the internet, except they produce this in a young style. I got it closed out at $8 – and really, it was not a bad wine. A touch light, but sufficient fruits and some acidity to make it a decent meal-time drink (Pizza night wine). 

2020 Ruminat Primitivo, Terre di Chieti, Italy

California Zinfandel’s equally bold and brash Italian sister.

This Primitivo is a bright ruby red in colour. The bouquet shows aromas of black cherry and violets. The palate is soft and smooth with notes of sweet black cherries and blackcurrant fruits combined with notes of cinnamon and cloves supported by lovely soft tannins. Well balanced with a fresh acidity and a long, fruity finish.

Cantina Orsogna

Cantina Orsogna is an award-winning Abruzzo cooperative specialising in native grapes of the region such as Montepluciano d`Abruzzo, Cococciola and Pecorino. Orsogna are committed to the biodynamic principles by which they make their wine and have many certified Demeter biodynamic wines.

Tasting Note : Ripe cherry fruit on the nose leads on to a warm, fruity palate. Lively red cherry and plum flavours are wrapped in fine-grained tannins and the finish is long and fruit-filled.

 

This is one sturdy red wine, from Bio-dynamic grapes. Good dark fruit flavors, some tannins and good acidity to hold up to heavy meals.  Wine runs about $15 – this is a good buy.

2019 E. Guigal Cotes Du Rhone Blanc, Southern Rhone, France

A predominance of Viognier lends a plump, peachy flair and silken mouthfeel to this full-bodied, fleshy white blend. Matured entirely in stainless steel, its grapefruit, apricot and white-peach flavors are pure but edged by a smoky, mineral backdrop that adds drama and complexity. At peak now–2024.

RATING91

The wine is a blend of 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8% Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc and 2% Grenache Blanc.

This is an outstanding white wine from the Southern Rhone. Easy to find, moderately priced and wonderful to drink. The Viognier really makes this wine sing. Has sufficient acidity to match a meal, great as a summer sipper. Priced around $20, well worth it.

2019 Birchino ‘Scylla’, Lodi, California

This earthy, slightly funky blend of 78% Carignan, 15% Grenache and 7% Mourvèdre opens with aromas of cranberry, turned earth and dusty herbs. The palate's crunchy, tarry tension is loaded with blistered raspberry flavors and an underlying earthy funk.                                RATING91

This has a hint of “funk”, but it comes out of that quickly. Decent body, soft fruit flavors – drinks in layers – a little different each sip. Moderate acidity – a New World wine made in an Old world style. Priced around $21.

2017 Brotte Cairanne Domaine Grosset Rouge, South Rhone, France

“Generous and Harmonious”

Colour – Intense ruby colour with garnet glints.

Nose – Very elegant with complex aromas of red berries, warm spices and dry forest floor                                         

Palate – Mouth warming and unctuous, its palate follows through from the nose with hints of cinnamon and red peppercorns married with ripe wild berries and prunes. The tannins are elegant giving way to a long toasted finish.

A whisper of cedar lends spice and nuance to ripe, concentrated black currant and plum in this forward, piercing red. A rich, full-bodied blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah matured in French oak (just 1/3 new), it's an explosively fruity, approachable wine that maintains freshness and vitality throughout. Delicious now, it should hold well through 2026.

This is a splendid south Rhone wine – beautiful nose of red fruits. The flavor goes through those with some hints of stone and a broad mouthfeel. Moderate finish that hints of that part of the world. Priced around $40, if available. Really good wine for the price.

2019 Tenshen Red, Santa Barbara, California

Variety Rhone Style Red Blend- Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Petite Sirah & Merlot

This is quite a gamy and powerful wine, starting with aromas of dried beef, iodine, soy, smoked mulberry and cracked pepper. The leathery palate surrounds smoked black plum and grilled blackberry, with persistent game notes lingering on the finish.            RATING91

Dark cherry, white pepper and spring floral aromas blend with dense blackberry flavors, sweet tannins and a juicy finish.

This great Rhône-style blend from the Central Coast has an avid following. The presence of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Petite Sirah, and Merlot is amplified by white-peppered black cherry, balsamic, and bittersweet dark chocolate.

A good example of a Rhone style wine from Cali – bright fruit nose and nice color. The fruits fill your mouth with some different hints of flavor – beef, soy sauce and hints of smoke. Aftertaste is not too long, but the wine has good acidity and really goes with a meal, better than a sipper. Priced around $22 – one worth trying for the experience.

Hope you had a good month! Keep popping those corks and I’ll meet you out behind the grapevines