The Wines of June 2024

    It is starting to get hot - Summertime waits for nothing! How about some wines to look at?

2015 Gramercy Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, Washington

This wine offers red and black fruit, notes of gravel. It is deep, elegant and complex -- almost like old skool CA Cabernet. Mineral, with medium+ acid and firm tannin. Chocolate, pencil shavings, red flowers, forest floor, mushroom, cedar.

Blend: 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot

Wine Enthusiast  91

Phinny Hill (60%) and Bacchus (20%) fruit make up the backbone of this wine. Aromas of plum, black licorice, baking spice and black fruit are followed by a full-bodied, well-balanced, layered palate that shows depth and intensity but with a fine sense of balance. There’s no question about the warmth of the year, but it delivers and will have a very long life in front of it.

This wine is just hitting its peak –tannins are minor but the fruit still shines through. Nice acidity left to make a food match – really nice wine. Closed-out at around $55, well worth the money.

 

2015 Senorio de Irati Crianza Grenache, Navarra, Spain

Senorio De Irati Garnacha has the spicy berry aromas come with welcome side notes of desert brush, while this feels juicy and bright throughout. Spiced black cherry aromas are pure and fruity, with a bold and tasty finish providing back up.

Garnacha from Spain is a favorite of mine. This one is a touch long on the tooth, but still shows nice fruit with a touch of herbs on the palate. Tasty with food, more that a sipper, but a steal at the retail of $8.99.

2023 Tapi Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

93 Decanter

Quince and melon with restrained citrus notes and flinty tones. Lovely intensity with lifting oak and a sprinkle of stone fruit. Lovely intensity on the palate. The fruit shows a nice concentration with a supple texture. Very classic in style with great typicity. Juicy acidity with a long finish.

Sustainable and organic with passionfruit, gooseberry, and green capsicum on the nose and passionfruit, lemon, grapefruit, and zingy acid on the palate.

I will admit, Sauvignon Blanc kind of bores me. This is a big exception – the red grapefruit, hints of lime and quince make it a great sipper and it will do well with lighter fare. Priced at about $16, this is the wine to have this summer, if you don’t have a Rose handy.

2020 Chateau Haut Prieur La Croix, Blayes, Cote de Bordeaux, France

With dense raspberry, red currant and plum fruit, this is well-packed with firm yet ripe tannins and just the right hints of earth and spice throughout the palate. This is a solid young Bordeaux red at a fantastic price!

Soft, ripe and fruity, this is an immediately attractive wine. Its tannins, nicely ensconced in the wine's black fruits, are supportive. The wine will be ready from 2024.    WE 91 Points

I describe this as a touch of a fruit bomb. Not sure about aging potential, but it goes with red meat very  well. Priced at $15, this is a great buy.

2020 Domaine de L’Arnesque Cotes, du Rhone, France

A blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah. A deep ruby colour in the glass. An expressive nose of red fruits leads to a fleshy midpalate with spice and sweet tannins complimenting the red fruit notes.

Deep red color with purple flecks. The nose is lively with notes of red fruits, sage and dried herbs. In the mouth it is fleshy, with red fruit flavors, hints of spice and gentle tannins.

FOOD PAIRING Pair with charcuterie, roast duck and pizza topped with sausage.

Another great buy – priced at around $15, the body on this wine is good, with red fruits and a enough acid to make food pairing easy. Could hold a couple of years, so buy a couple and enjoy.

2022 Uggiano Governo All’uso Toscano, Firenze, Italy

A supple and mellow Tuscan red with fresh red berry fruit and a full, spicy flavour. The ‘Governo’ method, a traditional Tuscan technique involving a slow refermentation of the freshly produced wine with the addition of semi-dried grapes, gives vivacity, concentration and roundness to the wine.

This was a gift, but it is priced under $20. The ‘Governo’ method is like Ripasso on valapocello wines. Great body and texture with dark red berry fruit. Uggiano is a producer that I can highly recommend. Their inexpensive Chianti is a delight as well.

2023 Domaine Chantepierre Tavel, Southern Rhone, France

This Tavel rosé from France is made with a blend of 5 grapes and is sure to be your new favorite.  Complex but fun - wines from this region are made more similarly to red wines than a typical rosé, giving them more body, intensity, and often higher alcohol levels (14% in this one!).

With notes of candied red fruits, spices, and minerality on the palate, Tavel wines are known for their ability to pair well with food - from seafood such as salmon or swordfish, to pasta, to gamier or other meat dishes, this bold wine will hold its own!

60% Grenache noir  20% Cinsault  10% Grenache blanc  5% Syrah  5% Clairette

Basically, a red wine in rosé form - absolutely perfect for the spring and summer months. If you're looking to up your rosé game, give this bold wine a shot!

A good pink wine – darker than most, it has good fruit and a great minerality. Match with light fare or an evening on the porch watching the sunset. Generally, about $20, can be found for $15. Get several for the summer.

2022 Slouch Hat Parade Rest GSM, Central Coast, CA

Here is a GSM that is really an “SMG" because the final blend is 40% Syrah, 37% Mourvedre and 23% Grenache.  Sourcing grapes from three local vineyards,  winemaker Matt Fowler fermented each variety separately and then aged each in neutral 225 liter barrels for 10 months.  He is an ex-Marine to explain the “Parade Rest” subtitle.  Though surprisingly not as dark in color as I expected, it does initially offer a ripe Mourvedre-driven aroma with some baking spice and berry background notes.  At the outset it shows a medium-bodied profile with generous ripe dark plum and leathery flavors, but with time, it softens and shows delicious juicy red fruit flavors.  It became more harmonious and smoother 24 hours after being open and decanted.  120 cases made.         91 Norm Roby Jun 4, 2024

This was a substitute in our WWWC wine dinner. Somewhat soft in nature but still had nice red berry flavors with fine tannins. Moderate finish, this is a good wine for things of the grill. Priced around $30, if you can find it – small production from this vintner  at this time.

2021 Pierre Amadieu Gigondas, Southern Rhone, France

91 pts Wine Spectator

“Elegant and high-toned, with expressive blackberry, blueberry and smoked plum flavors laced with violet and white pepper. Delivers dusty earth, sweet tobacco and charred mesquite, which add savory dimension to the pretty profile. The persistent finish is lined with snappy acidity and fine-grained tannins. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2030. 7,800 cases made, 1,400 cases imported.”

I like Gigondas, but this one seemed a little out of kilter. Maybe it needs some tie in the bottle to settle down. Big flavors of dark fruits and a tannic base – either wait a while or serve it with a bloody steak.  Priced around $25, still cheaper than most CDP.

 

2021 Ridge Three Valleys, Sonoma, California

65% Zinfandel, 26% Petite Sirah, 5% Syrah, 4% Alicante Bouschet

92 Wine Spectator

A broad-shouldered red, with a potent structure but expressive blackberry, savory dill and white pepper flavors that speed toward medium-grained tannins. Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Alicante Bouschet. Drink now through 2033.

Terrific balance in this Zinfandel-dominant blend from the benchmark producer. Fresh herbs, ripe blackberry, plum, and a touch of earth on the nose. Supple raspberry and cherry fruit with elegant tannins on the palate. Great restraint and balance. Aged for 11 months in American oak (5% new). Crafted with minimal intervention. Minimal added sulfur and vegan friendly.

A Ridge field blend, what can be finer for a Bar-b-Que?  Nice red fruits with a nice balance on the acidity. I wouldn’t keep it longer than 5 – 6 years, but a really nice wine. Priced around $21, you can’t go wrong.

2016 Wm Grassie Syrah Reserve, Columbia Valley, Washington

Rich blackberry and espresso aromas are matched by scents of dried maple leaves and lemon-scented French laundry powder. With a soft, round mouthfeel, restrained alcohol and silky tannins, this wine's black cherry, vanilla, dark chocolate and almond flavors go down easy. It spent 46 months in 100% neutral French oak.

Aromas of stewed plums,maraschino cherries, licorice andmocha. Rich and flavorful with a full body and broad, integrated tannins. Excellent balance and freshness. Drink now or hold.

A shame that we used all we had of this Washington Syrah. It is right at its peak – full mouthfeel of red and black fruits, a moderate finish and an overall good effect. Good with food but pretty good as a sipper.  Originally about $60, we closed it out at $30 and it was worth every penny.

Another month has ticked by and we're not getting any younger. Stay well and keep popping those corks. I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.

 Wines of May 2024

    Another month, more wine. Just as an aside, I do not actually drink that much wine - I have a winetasting group that meets monthly, and I get samples from work, leftover from in-store tastings. Just in case you wondered...So here we go

2015 Brutocao Torrent Red Blend, Mendocino, CA

Torrent = A rushing or abundant and unceasing stream; a deluge. This best describes our new proprietary red wine blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah, a “ Torrent” of aroma and flavor. It starts with cascading aromas of black licorice, blackberry, and espresso. A silky mouth feel, a deluge of chocolate and coffee lead to an outpouring of plum and tobacco for a long, smooth finish. This is a serious, dry, well-structured wine with lots of dark-fruit flavors and firm tannins. It has tempting black cherry aromas and black currant flavors, a full body, and a mouth-filling lightly astringent texture that will pair well with rich food.

Aging:   18 months in a blend of French Oak, American Oak, and our Winemaker's proprietary blended barrel mix.

Accolades:          2015 vintage: Mendocino County Fair Wine Competition: Gold

I was afraid this might be past its prime, but it was very flavorful. Still had a nice fruity nose with dark fruit flavors and a good backbone for food matching.  We had it on sale for under $15 – great buy.

2017 Ceremonia Reserva Utiel-Requena, Spain

This dark-ruby-colored wine has a nose of raspberry, cocoa and geranium leaf. Bright cherry and raspberry notes take the lead, backed by notes of dark chocolate, thyme and lavender. Tenacious tannins give way to a bright fruit-filled finish. —  WE 91 Pts

Bought on a close out – this wine retailed for only $15. It is very fruit forward with sufficient backbone to last a few more years. Very enjoyable – mostly red fruits with some herbal overtones.  Great buy

 

2015 Langman Grace’s Grenache, Sierra Foothills,Ca

Winemaker’s Notes:

2016 was another excellent growing season for the Langman Estate Winery area of the Sierra Foothills in California. It was a very long, dry summer with excellent diurnal temperature changes that allowed the fruit to mature very evenly over the 7+ month growing season that extended harvest into October. This is a vintage of special wines. The Wine! Fruit from our high-elevation vineyard yields grapes with thicker and darker skins and juice that is bolder and richer than most lower-elevation examples of the same varietals. A Grenache that pairs wonderfully with a wide range of foods. This is a full-bodied, big structure Grenache that has a bouquet of strawberry and white pepper and a long-finishing palate of dark strawberry and a refined, classic example of Grenache soft pepper. Delightful!

TASTING NOTES:

The Wine! Fruit from our high-elevation vineyard yields grapes with thicker and darker skins and juice that is bolder and richer than most lower-elevation examples of the same varietals. A Grenache that pairs wonderfully with a wide range of foods. This is a full-bodied, big structure Grenache that has a bouquet of strawberry and white pepper and a long-finishing palate of dark strawberry and a refined, classic example of Grenache soft pepper. Delightful!

I first had this two years or so ago and I was very impressed by it. It has begun to trend downward – as with most Grenache, there is not a lot of tannins or acidic backbone to last too long. Still tasty, with red fruits dominating but the finish is getting shorter and less soft pepper. Only about $13 – we are closing this out at $5. Worth that price…

2021 Milbrandt Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, Washington

93 Points! Great Northwest Platinum Competition

Bright aromas of orchard fruit with underlying citrus notes and honeysuckle on the nose. Crisp, bright mouth feel reminiscent of Washington state's apples. The palate is driven by crisp red apple with a good acidity and a touch of peach on the finish. A very well balanced Chardonnay with crisp and refreshing flavors

Bright aromas of orchard fruit with underlying citrus notes and honeysuckle on the nose. Crisp, bright mouth feel reminiscent of Washington state's apples. The palate is driven by crisp red apple with a good acidity and a touch of peach on the finish. Accented by hints of vanilla and crème brûlée, it is medium-bodied, full of flavor, and offers a lingering finish of vanilla custard and apple crisp (oh, and outstanding value...!)                13.5% ABV

First taste of this was not very impressive. I had some after a while and it really seemed to be better. Nice apple essence with some spices. Really very nice – not a butter bomb, but good with food. Priced under $15, nice price.

 

2010 Agricola Cuvelier Cuvée del Maule, Cauquenes, Chile

This is one delicious Chilean wine, perhaps the most delicious Chilean red made in a fresh, drink-it-now style that we have yet to taste. A blend of Cabernet, Carmenere, Merlot, Cinsault, Carignane, and Pais (Mission), the wine shows beautiful aromatics: spicy, red fruited, dried cranberry/dried cherry mixed with a hint of cured meat. On the palate the wine is fresh and distinctive, reminiscent of a southern French vin naturel. The vines here are very old and dry farmed (the Maule Valley is perhaps the only place in Chile where irrigation is not necessary). Winemaking is simple: native yeast, whole cluster fermentations with carbonic maceration, and aging in used French oak barrels. A minimal amount of sulphur is used. Not only is this terrific stuff, but it is quite possibly the most interesting project to come out of Chile.

I first had this wine several years ago. Took a chance on it – being an orphan bottle at the store. Main problem was the cork – it just fell apart as I was trying to open it. I had to do some straining to get the cork residue out of the wine. Probably on its last legs, but still had good red fruits and enough acidity to go with a meal. I think it was around $15, surprising how nice it still drank.

2018 Chateau Arnauld Haut-Medoc, France

Very nice deep ruby color, dazzling. Nose of black cherry, salted caramel, gingerbread. Full and indulgent on the palate with notes of brioche. Very nice impression of sweetness. Harmonious and generous overall, ending with an elegant and smooth finish. Two great experts of the terroir, Franck Bijon and Hubert de Boüard, were the driving force behind the renaissance Château Arnauld, purchased in 2007. Franck Bijon identified the potential of 5 hectares along the river’s edge, then selected other exceptional parcels one by one to create an estate of 17.2 hectares of great homogeneity which is now classified Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel.

Blend: 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Petite Verdot

96           Decanter

Opulent and inviting, with a nose of plush black cherry and damson fruit, then the palate is dressed with fine cassis, red pepper, leather and sleek oak.

Wine Enthusiast               WE 92

This ripe, juicy wine comes from a vineyard planted around a medieval priory. The wine has spice, ripe tannins and attractive black-currant and red-berry fruits. The winning combination should age well, so drink from 2023.

We had this open at the store for a tasting and I scored the rest of the bottle. Nice red fruits on the palate with some herbal notes through the finish. Moderate tannins, but enough acidity to make food matching easy. Enough tannins to last for several years in the cellar.  It is priced around $50 at the store, though I saw it for $40 online. Nice, but for the price – see the next wine.

2018 Chateau La Rose Du Pin, Bordeaux, France

This wood-aged wine is rich in tannins as well as dense black-plum flavors and juicy acidity. The wine's spiciness and generous structure are fine foils to the fruitiness that sings through. Drink from 2021.     WE 90 pts

As passionate botanist, Henri Ducourt knew how to scout out the finest terroir in Entre-Deux-Mers. In 1965, he therefore began to buy plots of vines near to the village of Romagne on a remarkable loamy-clay plateau. Over the years he built up a great estate between “A La Rose” and “le Pin de Cornet”, which has now become Château La Rose du Pin.

Under $20, this wine really performs – red fruits, bracing acidity and enough structure to last several more years in the cellar. I’m impressed with this wine and say it is a best buy – get 2 of these for one Arnauld.

2021 Visitini Sauvignon Blanc, Fruili, Italy

It’s easy to think of Sauvignon Blanc as a one trick pony, since so many are made in a sharp, citrusy style. But this biodynamic bottling from Italy’s Slovenian border shows its ability to offer uncommon complexity. While many Sauvignon Blancs are pressed, fermented and bottled within a few months of harvest, Visintini ages theirs on the lees to develop texture, cellaring it for another year or two until it sings with ripe, layered, succulent flavors.

Serving Suggestion: Chèvre, honey, & black pepper crostinis (à la Toast). Roasted Cornish game hen, well-crusted w/ lemon, rosemary, & thyme. Seafood pizza.

This Sauvignon Blanc comes in at a whopping 14% alcohol. Whites usually are lower in alcohol – this was a different SB than California or New Zealand. For me, it was better with food, rather than sipping alone. It had a lot of minerality instead of apple and grapefruit. Can’t say it was my favorite, with a price of just over $20…

2021 Pala ‘Oltreluna’ Monica, Sardinia, Italy

Vibrant notes of licorice and red fruit on the nose. Dry and smooth on the palate with perfect balance and length.

Delicious with lamb and pork dishes and medium-aged cheeses.

Tasting – Intense ruby red colour with violet hints, very clear. Very intense, with vegetable and spicy hints, light liquorice nuance. Dry and smooth to the palate, enjoyably fresh, well balanced and harmonious, good nose-palate persistence.

Matching and service – Lean starters, dry and liquid soups even with savoury sauces, grilled and pan cooked meat, goat and sheep medium seasoned cheeses.

There has been no DNA testing on Monica, but it seems to have come from the mainland Italy in the 1200’s.  Red fruits with vegetable nuances and touches of herbs. Wasn’t a great match with a steak, better with pork or grilled fowl. Priced at around $20, it is OK, more of a porch sipper to me.

2021 G.D. Vajra Pinot Nero, Langhe, Piedmont, Italy

Bright ruby in color with good depth at the core, this Pinot Noir is aromatic and delicate, with perfumes of rose petals and ripe strawberries given a touch of spice by the oak ageing.

On the palate, it is structured and elegant, with a savory-spiced red fruit character and a long, perfumed finish.

The Pinot Noir grapes for this wine are grown on Bricco di Vergne, the highest vineyard on the hill which rises through the village of Barolo therefore unsuitable for Nebbiolo. Vajra has created this Piemontese tribute to one of his favourite grape varieties, Pinot Noir, which he feels is a point of reference for many producers and lovers of Nebbiolo.

This wine had red fruits but seemed a little subdued. Sort of a sad nebbiolo instead of Pinot Noir. Did not pair well with a steak, probably better with some cheese and vegetable dishes. Not terrible, but not a favorite of mine – priced just over $20.

2021 Bela Red, Ribera del Doura, Spain

#79 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2023

Bela Crianza is produced from selected grapes manually harvested from their own vineyards. Vinification is in stainless steel tanks, followed by 6 months in American and French new and one-year old oak barrels. Purple color in color with a nose that shows complex aromas which are perfectly assembled black fruit. As it crosses the palate is very fleshy and creamy, with a nice tannin, which gives us an idea of the longevity of the wine.

James Suckling  90pts

Lots of dark cherries, black olives, coffee and cumin spices to the nose. Rich and medium- to full-bodied on the palate with tight, chewy tannins and a juicy, spicy finish.

This was a nice Spanish red – dark fruits and some baking spices backed by some tannins and acidity for food. Nice finish, my style of Spanish wine. Priced at $20, it is a hit. Worth buying and keeping a year or three.

Another month - hope all is well. Getting ready for those hot summer months. Keep popping those corks and I'll see you out behind the grapevines.

 Wines of April 2024

    We are going to have a brief discussion about Pinot Noir. 

This popular red grape originated in Burgundy but has spread across the New World. Like its white Burgundian counterpart Chardonnay, Pinot Noir is early-budding, early-ripening and thin-skinned. The sites where it tends to thrive can experience tough growing conditions, which lead to more rigorous fruit selection and lower yields. This is one of the reasons that high-quality Pinot Noir often carries a higher price tag than other wines.

The variety enjoys cool climates and grows best in calcareous soils, marl and loam. Pinot Noir is known for its bright red fruit flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, as well as floral notes. Its structure is friendly to many wine lovers: light in body, low in tannins, with good acidity. Pronounced earthiness can be found in Old World versions, like those of red Burgundy, whereas riper fruit-forward flavors are typical of New World styles, which are found in cool pockets of California and Oregon. The wines are juicy and approachable in their youth, but the best versions can develop elegant complexity as they age.

Sometimes called the Heartbreak Grape due to problems growing the grape to get the full flavor from it.

Often the juice is kept on the skins for a longer time to get more color and flavor. Or some of the lightly colored juice is pulled off to become a Rose.

Inexpensive Pinot Noir spoiled the grape for me.  They are light, lack body and depth and generally are a little disappointing.  It seems, you have to start at around $35 to get real Pinot that gives you the version of the wine. Yes, I am reviewing a wine at $20 – but it was over $60 to start with.

So, I have several Pinot Noirs in the list for April. Hope you enjoy!

2013 Siduri Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands, CA

Winemaker Adam Lee goes big on this bottling from the vineyard planted by the two Garys (Pisoni and Franscioni), showing bacon fat, blackberries and graphite on the nose. Once sipped, it veers more tart, with cranberry and just-ripe raspberry picking up some complexity from thyme herbs. 93 Pts WE

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

I was blown away by the 2013 Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard. It's a gorgeously complete, balanced and still structured 2013 that offers rocking notes of cassis, black cherry, crushed rock and forest floor to go with a medium to full-bodied, textured and concentrated feel on the palate. Easily one of the riper, larger framed and powerful wines in the lineup, it nevertheless has the fruit to drink nicely today. It should be at its best from 2017-2023.

I got this wine under cost. I took the chance it hadn’t gone bad. It had not gone bad – it was an incredible wine – felt much heavier than a Pinot Noir, but had classic red fruits, hints of earth and rocks and a full mouthfeel. So good and I got it for $20 on close-out. (Orig cost over $40).

2019 Contrade Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy

 The 2019 Contrade Negroamaro is a red wine from Puglia, Southern Italy. It’s made primarily from the Negroamaro grape variety. Here are some details about this wine.

Tasting Notes: The wine has intense aromas of cherry and blueberry jam, cocoa, licorice, and floral fumes. On the palate, it is round with a warm structure and silky smooth tannins.

Flavor Profile: Expect black fruit notes such as blackberry, plum, and dark fruit.

Got this around $10 on close out- a nice every day drinking wine. Nice acidity to go with foods, very little tannins, but a good mouthfeel. Well worth the price I paid for it.

 

2018 Kaiken Terrior series, Mendoza, Argentina

Condensed berry and plum aromas are slightly green, with notable oak giving off a maple-like scent. On the palate, this blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Petit Verdot is full and saturated but blocky. Jammy blackberry and prune flavors are a bit lazy and heavy, while this remains jammy and lightly desiccated on the finish.

Not as bright tasting as the older brother to this wine. Felt a bit dull on the palate – nice red and black fruits but  a hint of flabbiness. Got it at around $13, so not bad but not a favorite of mine.

 

2020 Stoke’s Ghost Petite Sirah,  Monterrey, CA

Without Petite Sirah the California wine industry would look vastly different. Since its arrival from France in the late 1800s, Petite Sirah has provided the color, flavor, and backbone to many of the state's most popular reds. Stokes’ Ghost explores the more complex aspects of this wonderfully powerful grape. Inky black in color, it delivers haunting aromatics, commanding flavors, and red velvet tannins.

Fresh if somewhat tart aromas of violet, lavender and cracked pepper show on the nose of this bottling. The palate carries that floral line forward with more lavender as well as blueberry-candy flavors, as tannins rise into the finish. 90 WE

These bottles were closed out and I grabbed one before they went at $15. This is a powerful wine, with black and red fruits and hints of floral tones. Enough body and acidity to go with grilled items, gotta love this wine.

2022 Daou Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robbles, CA

This is a complete package of a Sauvignon Blanc. Aromas of snappy lime, apple flesh and rainy cement click the variety's main boxes, while the palate is firmly structured, presenting flavors of lime, ash and tropical grasses. 90 Pts WE

Lovely and bright—a quintessential rendition of Paso Robles Sauvignon Blanc. Tantalizing aromas of grapefruit, pineapple, gooseberry and quince reveal floral impressions of lemongrass and acacia, all balanced by notes of lychee and wet stone. The palate is classily structured and elegantly styled, displaying crisp, juicy fruit flavors that burst across the palate, including lemon chiffon, key lime pie and kiwi accented with green apple, white nectarine and pineapple. Decisively refreshing, this wine finishes clean with lingering notes of dragon fruit, passionfruit and citrus.

A nice Sauvignon Blanc – I just cannot get over excited about these wines. Priced around $16, worth the price with a crisp palate of green apple, exotic fruits and pineapple. I just can’t see spending more than $25 on this type of wine…

2020 Poggio Landi Rosso di Montalcino, Italy

Notes of red berries, flowers and spice with an elegance that envelops the palate. A young and lively wine that asserts its identity with its terroir. 

91           James Suckling

Notes of red plums and cherries with dried orange peel, spices and wet stones. Firm and chewy on the palate with a nice grip of polished tannins and a toned fruit character. From organically grown grapes. Drink or hold.

Very much a food wine, dominated with red fruits and a hint of baking spices. Not bad, though it runs about $24, you might do better.

2017 Milbrandt Merlot, Wahluke Slope, WA

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. 87 Pts WE

A tasty wine, although I think it only has a few years left on it. Dark black and red fruits dominate the palette , while a little oak shows in the aftertaste. Tannins are mostly gone – currently $20 at the store.

 

2021 Bouchard Aine & Fils Pinot Noir Rose, France

100 % Pinot Noir.              Colour: Elegant light raspberry pink.

Nose: Fresh red fruits flavours (raspberry, strawberry), with citrus notes (grapefruit, tangerine) and English candy.

Palate: A frank and supple attack. The mouth is fulfilled by a sense of tension, an unctuous character and a light sweetness. A refreshing, harmonious and fruity wine, ending on persistent and acidulous notes.

Enjoy as an aperitif, with thinly sliced Serrano ham, a mix of garden vegetables and all summer dishes such as a grilled white meat, a filet of pork in curry sauce, grilled prawns, tapas, and mixed salads.

Bright millennial pink in the glass, this wine has a nose offering calamansi, Valencia orange and watermelon rind. Juicy, crisp flavors combine watermelon, strawberry and Meyer lemon acidity, with a line of crushed chalk on the finish. FIONA ADAMS                88 Pts WE Best Buy

This rosé is incredibly light in aromas, with hints of white cranberry and underripe strawberry on the nose and mouth. There's pleasant acidic lift to the palate, and it's otherwise a short and breezy quaff.

The ultimate porch pounder – a pleasant tasty wine that can go with light meals or just great on the back porch watching sunsets. Priced at $10, a wine that you need by the case.

2022 Blicks Lane Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand

This has a vibrant bouquet of ripe red fruits with underlying earthy tones and subtle spicy oak. The palate displays layers of delicate fruit and savory characters, balanced with gentle acidity and fine tannins. A very stylish and appealing Pinot Noir.

Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand; light bodied and dry, smokey and leathery with notes of bright ripe strawberry and raspberry, hints of purple flowers, vanilla, and stone, with sublte oaky undertones, balanced acidity, soft tannins, and a long pleasant finish. Certified Organic and Vegan

A pleasant, light bodied Pinot Noir – red fruits with a touch of earth dominate the palate. Finish was only mpderate – nice but not really memorable – priced around $20

2021 Domaine de Suremain Mercurey, Burgundy, France

The nose of this wine offers freshness and concentrated blackberry, Amarena cherry, rose complemented with a perfect amount of oak spice for depth. The palate offers similar concentration with mouthwatering acidity that provides energetic lift. Hard not to enjoy now. 92 Pts WE

"Pure and elegant, offering cherry, currant, strawberry and mineral flavors allied with a sleek, vibrant structure. Reveals refined tannins, with a long, complex finish. Drink now through 2030. 1,000 cases made, 450 cases imported. "

92 pts Wine Spectator

This is a great example of French Burgundian Pinot Noir. Black and red fruits including dark cherries fill your mouth and then minerality to make a complete mouthfeel. Light tannins but a long finish. What Pinot should be like – priced about $40.

2022 Brooks Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon

A dazzling and complex red fruit-driven Pinot Noir. Elegant notes of candied violets on the nose, with bright and vibrant notes of cranberry, wild strawberry, and red currant on the palate with a saline umeboshi plum finish.

Comprised of pinot noir grapes from the following vineyards: Muska-Bement, Crannell, Muska, Yamhill, York Hill, Eola Springs, Sunset Ridge, Hyland, Sunny Mountain, Temperance Hill, and Fayetta.

3,500 cases were produced!

A stunning example of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied with notes of cherry cola and blueberry on the nose and a delicious salted caramel and cherry compote finish.

Heavier than the earlier New Zealand Pinot, this was moderate bodied, with red fruits with a nice acidity.  Good for an Oregon Pinot, priced around $35. 

2021 MacRostie Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California

Smooth, complete and nicely fruity, this full-bodied wine shows fresh red and black cherries, dark plums and subtle oak spices such as cinnamon, vanilla and cedar, while moderate tannins aid the appetizing texture. 91 Pts WE

90           Wine Spectator

Fresh and crunchy in feel, with vibrant pomegranate and damson plum notes laced with rose petal and savory accents, all allied to a light, wiry frame. Should sleek out a bit with age, while staying on the light-bodied edge of the spectrum.

Finally, a California Pinot Noir – flavors were more toward dark red fruit flavors with some baking spices. Drank very well with food, it showed nicely with the Oregon and French wines. Priced around $40, not bad for this well built of wine.

Hope this finds everyone well. Until next month, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 

Wines of  March 2024

    Another month has flown by, along with Easter. Hope the bunny stopped at your house and left something good. Just going to jump into the wines...

2017 Parker Station Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

This was a wine I couldn’t drink. Slightly oxidized and so green tasting – pyrazine to the max (think green bell peppers with green beans and asparagus – in a wine).  Won’t even share a pic or web info…

2010 Nickel & Nickel State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, Yountville, CA

The long hang time this year offered nice flavor development in the 2010 State Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, and this wine delivers a wonderful expression of bright berry fruits. The velvety texture carries flavors of raspberry and black cherry, while the toasty oak adds spice. The soft, thick palate is warm and inviting, and the rich, defined tannins create a solid backbone, carrying the flavors to an extremely long finish.

94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon State Ranch from Yountville boasts an impressive bouquet of chocolate and creme de cassis, and powerful, full-bodied flavors. It may be the most concentrated, dense and powerful effort in this portfolio. This blockbuster, full throttle (14.8% natural alcohol) wine should age effortlessly for two decades. I wonder if this designation has any kinship to the State Lane Vineyard owned by the Kapcsandy family?

A wine almost fourteen years old and still a powerhouse. Not many tannins left, but still a good body with life and dark fruit flavors with spices. Mouthfilling , this wine just stands out – made for a hearty fare. Priced around $125, very, very nice.

2015 Trapiche Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Arg

Rich wine perfumed with aromas of cassis and raspberry jam. Elegant touch of smoke and roasted pepper with balsamic and spicy notes. Soft, complex, and very long aftertaste.

Ideal to serve with pasta, grilled red meats, and stews.

A wine just about past its prime – still drinkable but feeling a little tired. Aftertaste was not long, the red fruits were there but fading, touch of spice notes.  Close out at under $10, ok as a weekday wine.

2020 The Butcher Zweigelt, Burgenland, Austria

Violet-reddish in color. Aromas of cherry, dark berries, herbs and spices. On the palate it is balanced with firm tannins and flavors of cherry and oak.

FOOD PAIRINGS                               Anything your local butcher sells.

VINIFICATION   12 months aging in used barrique oak barrels

zz-why-galt. Austria's most planted red wine grape and is a cross between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent (tastes like Pinot Noir). Resulting wines are bright, tart, and fruity.

The winemaker used to be a butcher, hence the name. I’ve enjoyed this grape (wine) before – it is a lighter red but has decent body to go with the fruits. Label is a bit scary, but whatever. Normal price around $20 – we closed it out for under $10. Worth that price for spaghetti or pizza.

2016 Zorzal Eggo Franco, Mendoza, Arg

“The Eggo Franco is produced, like many of their wines, with grapes from Tupungato Winelands in Gualtallary. It fermented in cement eggs with some stems and with 50% of the wine kept in contact with skins for some three to four months, then pressed and put back in the eggs to complete its elevage, which lasted some nine months. It typically shows a mixture of herbal and candied berry aromas, hints of beef blood and iron. The absence of oak shows the naked tannins and provides an earthy side, which to me is very much the wild character of Gualtallary.” –Luis Gutierrez, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

91           James Suckling

Aromas of currants, flowers and stones follow through to a medium body, firm and silky tannins and a delicious finish.

A Cabernet Franc from Argentina – kept in concrete eggs – thus “Eggo”. Still a fairly tasty wine – there is an initial funk on this wine that needs an hour to blow off. (Funk meaning barnyard components). Moderate body with some dried red fruits. Another wine to consider for weekday, non-guest meals. Saw it online for $30, I think we had it for around $20. Bought it for under ten dollars, just to try again.

2021 Quilt Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

Dark Plum in color with exuberant aromas of dark cherry strudel, ripe blackberry and cocoa nibs.  Bold and opulent flavors dance on the palate.  Boysenberry jam, dark chocolate, and Malabar plum swirl with a hint of clove.  Elegant with strong acidity and velvety tannins lead to a long smooth finish.  Pairs wonderfully with creamy tomato pasta with Italian sausage or a juicy portobello mushroom burger with pesto.

94           Tasting Panel

Ripe boysenberry preserves are amplified by a wash of milk chocolate and almond brittle. Sumptuously textured, with sleek tannins enveloped in sandalwood.

91           Wine Enthusiast

Powerful and rich-tasting, this wine from Joseph Wagner is velvety in texture and spicy in aroma. It drips with jammy, Port-like flavors that are backed by fine-grained tannins that tighten a bit on the finish for a good grip. Best from 2025.

From the Joseph Wagner family – makers of Caymus. Heavy duty Cabernet with interwoven tannins and a long finish. Lots of dark red fruits, hints of cocoa and some spice notes.  Could take a year or two of bottle aging to bring out more of the nose. Nice wine – priced from $40 – 55, worth popping for your wino friends.

2021 Protocolo Rouge, Castilla, Spain

One of Spain's greatest bargain reds! Tempranillo- mostly from 35 year-old vines in Manchuela- is blended with 10-15 year old Tempranillo from Eguren's holdings in Toro and Rioja to create a wine that tastes literally three times the price. Take a look in the wine press: top critics everywhere annually bestow 90+ ratings on this still-overlooked gem.

Ruby red with violet hues. Fruity, raspberry, red fruits. Light notes of vanilla and spice. Good balance of tannins and acidity. Finishing with notes of raspberry, vanilla, and light notes of wood.

90           James Suckling

Earth, dark berries, dried herbs and forest floor on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm tannins. It has an earthy edge in the mouth with a dusty, flavorful finish. Drink or hold.

I have had many vintages of this little gem of a wine. Not a long term keeper, but a bottle to open and enjoy any day of the week. A traditional type of Spanish wine – not a fruit bomb, but nice red fruits, hints of spice and a moderate backbone.  Typically about $11, we sold out at $8.99. Always a consistent and pleasing wine.

NV Tapiz Malbec Rose Extra Brut, Mendoza, Arg

Bright pink colour. Delicate and intense aromas of red fruits, cherry and strawberry stand out. Persistent and small bubbles. In mouth is fresh and fruity. Excellent balance acidity‐sugar.

Bright pink in hue, delicate, persistent small bubbles provide crisp freshness on the palate with the aromas carrying through. Fresh and fruity ripe cherry, pomegranate molasses; crisp with minerality and sliced strawberry.

 

A very nice bubbly – a fresh palate of light red fruits with a good balance. Suitable for lighter fare or just sipping on the porch. Priced at around $20, a great bottle to buy.

 

2021 Domaine Bousquet ‘Alavida’ Malbec, Mendoza, Arg

With its mix of black fruits and floral notes, Alavida is an expressive example of Malbec from the increasingly sought-after high-altitude vineyards of the Uco Valley. Deep purple in color, this is a vibrant dry red, rich in fresh, newly picked fruit. Pleasingly round on the palate, it concludes in a long finish.

This wine is Kosher for Passover.             

89           Wine Enthusiast

This is one of the few Argentine Kosher Malbec wines on the market. The grapes were sourced from organic vines in Uco Valley. It’s fruit-forward, with notes of ripe plum and cherry on the nose and the palate. Soft tannins and lively acidity lead to a flavorful, medium finish.

Wine opened with a touch of funk on the nose but that blew off quickly. Fruit forward with red fruits with decent acidity to go with foods. Not a long finish, but a pretty good bottle. Priced under $20, great for a Kosher wine.

2021 Chateau Haut-Monplaisir, Cahor, France

92 pts James Suckling - "This has a bright and fruity nose of red plums, raspberries and orange slices. It’s juicy and fresh with a medium body and crunchy acidity. From organically grown grapes."

89           Wine Enthusiast

Tannins and structure support the black fruits in this fruity, balanced wine. The wine is still young, but shows ripeness and a fine juicy character. Drink from 2025. Organic.

The French Malbec always  stands out in a tasting, compared to the Argentine bottles. Fruit is more refrained, nicely acidic for food and just a moderate wine. Not bad, just not my favorite style. Priced just over $20…

 

2020 Kaiken ‘Ultra’ Malbec, Mendoza, Arg

A Malbec of an intense bright red color with purple hues. On the nose, enticing aromas of dark fruits and spices come out, laced with the most enthralling mineral nuances. It is solid and robust on the palate, revealing plenty of concentration, a defined character and smoothness. Its soft tannins create a pleasant texture, while its crisp acidity, personality and balance all lead seamlessly to a long and complex finish.

Blend: 100% Malbec

92           James Suckling A generous and fruity malbec with lots of ripe black cherries, strawberries, blackberries and spices. Hints of graphite and violet, too. Round and juicy on the medium- to full-bodied palate with firm and lightly chewy tannins.

 Another nice South American wine – this has nice dark fruits and some spice nuances. Moderate finish, enough acidity for food matching – overall a very nice wine. Priced around $25, good buy.

 

2021 Catena ‘La Consulta’ Malbec, Mendoza, Arg

92           Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The range of appellation wines from 2021 is very fresh and balanced, clean and precise, as can be seen in the juicy but serious 2021 Appellation La Consulta Malbec, which was produced with grapes from vines planted in 1996 on alluvial soils. This is still young and a little marked by the élevage in barrel, with spices and some creaminess, and it has the mineral sensation and fine tannins that this wine always has. It has black fruit and an earthy twist.

Catena Appellation La Consulta Malbec hails from Argentina's renowned Malbec-producing regions. This Malbec showcases dark berry and plum flavors, often with hints of spices and a velvety texture. Argentina's high-altitude vineyards contribute to the wine's intensity and balanced acidity, making it an ideal choice for grilled meats and spicy dishes.

 

This wine had a nice nose and good mouthfeel. Nice fruit flavors without too much of a fruit bomb. Nice hints of spice and soft texture – nice acidity for food and a decent aftertaste. Priced just around $26, another good bottle.

Another month, more wines. Hope all is well and keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.