The Wines of February 2025

Well, we survived the bitter cold that came through in February, and now we "March" on. 

Enough puns, here are the wines.

2018 Trombetta Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California   

This is a lifted, floral and funky wine in all the best ways, full of black tea and forest floor. Cranberry, orange peel and a hint of strawberry fill out the crisp fruit profile, with balanced acidity keeping things bright.   93 Pts WE

This was an impressive Pinot Noir – red fruit nose followed by red and dark berry and a wave of earthiness and bramble. Sounds bad, but it was so well put together it just took over your palate. Fairly long finish. Bought for about $30, a dynamite bottle for a special meal.

 

2016 Matthiasson Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

The fruit was fermented at low temperatures and pumped over twice per day; we don’t strive for a high rate of extraction, instead choosing to preserve the freshness and high-toned aromatics. Since the fermentation temperatures were cool, the fermentation was long and slow, lasting for three weeks. The wine was pressed at dryness, blended immediately, and aged for 20 months in a combination of mostly used and a few new barrels (<20% new French oak). The nose shows abundant red fruits, lots of bright cherry along with bramble-berries, such as blackberry, cranberry, mulberry, and framed with hints of mineral/herbal characters such as graphite, cedar, and pencil shavings. The palate is vibrant and fresh, with light tannin and beautiful acidity. Decanting is highly recommended. 

The blend is 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Alcohol is 13.3, TA is 5.3 g/l, pH is 3.65. 1603 cases produced.

This Cabernet is in a perfect spot, right now. A palate of red and dark berries, with pencil shavings and dust under pinning the flavors. Broad mouthfeel and a nice aftertaste. Just fabulous – priced in the store at $40, well worth the monry.

 

2016 Backsberg Family Reserve Red wine, Paarl, South Africa   

This blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot and 17% Malbec is warm, bold and spicy right off the bat, with aromas of spiced plum, black cherry, cassis and blackberry all hit by a solid dusting of allspice and fennel pollen. The palate is medium-plus in weight, with concentrated black fruit flavors that are supported by moderately firm tannins and ample acidity to lend some freshness through the close.             90 Pts WE

Very tasty import from South Africa. Lots of red and black fruit notes with some spice notes. Moderate finish, limited tannins, but good acidity for food. Priced at $36, this is a great bottle to open with a nice meal.

 

2019 Chapillon Siendra, Calatayud, Spain            

Medium-density ruby in appearance, with a pronounced concentration near the center. Aromas of eucalyptus, freshly cut orange peel, hibiscus flower, rosehips, lemongrass, ripe strawberries, tobacco leaf, and rhubarb. Smooth and medium-bodied on the palate, with very well-integrated, fine tannins and a refreshing acidity. A delicate and lengthy finish of candied strawberry, fresh leather, cocoa, tobacco leaf, sour cherry blossom, and rose petals. Drink now–2026.

From Bodegas Langa Hnos in the Calatayud wine region, Chapillon Siendra 2019 is a dry, medium-bodied 80% Old Vines Grenache, 7% Syrah, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon and 6% Merlot red wine blend, savoury and plushy on the palate with ripe dark fruits, dark berry, cherry, blue florals, cedar brush spice and chocolate flavours. Tannins are velvety.

Food pairings: grilled pork chops, roast lamb, bison burgers.

This wine threw me for a little while. Upon opening, it had an unusual flavor on the aftertaste. Made it seem unbalanced – the fruit showed nicely on the palate, but that note of something made me wonder. I came back to the wine later and the note had disappeared. The palate has dark fruits and essence of earth and leather. Buy it but let it stay open a while – priced at $20, worth trying.

 

2019 Blackbird Arise, Napa Valley, CA   

This classic Napa blend is primarily comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. It’s elegance and purity of flavor come from exceptional vineyards, minimal winemaking intervention, a deep understanding of the nuanced interplay of wine and oak, and countless hours of tasting.

"Plum, cherry, pomegranate, tobacco, forest floor, nutmeg, black pepper, blood orange zest in a very integrated yet complex nose. Good mid palate richness with blackberry jam, plum and cherry, tobacco and earthy notes, tannins are plush and rich. The wine ends with good length, finishing with crushed strawberries, plum jam and milk chocolate."

A wine that is just a great experience. Mostly dark fruits that fill your palate with some tobacco notes – finely tuned tannins and good acidity. Long finish – a wine that just sings. Priced at $40 (on sale), this is an awesome wine to drink.

 

2020 Tempo d’Angelus, Bordeaux, France

Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2020 Tempo d’Angélus charges out of the gate with bold notions of plum preserves, fresh blackberries and Morello cherries, plus hints of tilled soil, black olives and truffles. The medium to full-bodied palate has a beautifully velvety texture and a racy backbone supporting the generous black and red berry layers, finishing earthy. Very impressive for this price point! 90-92 RP

A tight, linear red with lots of currants, salt and cloves on the nose and palate. Really spicy. Medium-bodied with firm, polished tannins and a flavorful finish. A new wine from the owners of Chateau Angélus, from the area of Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux.

The third wine of Chateau Angelus, it is mode from property further from the main estate and from newer vines. The blend is typical Bordeaux – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. This is the first vintage of the wine. I found it very nice – a little more fruit forward than some from this area, but with similar nuances in the flavor. Not very tannic, probably not something to hold for over 10 years, but a good wine for the price. In store for around $35.

 

2017 Pocas Reserva Tinto, Douro,Portugal          

Dark ruby, purple reflections, subtle brightening on the rim. Delicate notes of sour cherries and black forest berries, a hint of fresh orange zest, floral notes. Slender, a touch of coconut, fresh structure, red berry aftertaste, an uncomplicated food wine. Grape Variety: Touriga Franca, Tinta Barocca, Tempranillo, Touriga Nacional

This perfumed, wood-aged wine comes from a field blend of grapes from old vines. Its density and concentration are proof of its origins, enhanced by the 12 months in wood. This is a powerful wine, balancing rich black fruits and acidity. Drink from 2022. 93 Pts WE

I hate when we get a close-out this good. Pocas is known for their port, but this wine is excellent. Deep color and flavors of black fruit and floral notes. Moderate aftertaste – tannins seem light – the overall affect is an excellent sipping and food wine. We had it for $20 and it flew out the door. Well worth drinking , if you can get it.

2016 Vina Gormaz Crianza, Ribero del douro, Spain

A compact nose with blackberry and integrated oak aromas leads to a flush, round palate that's balanced and whole. Blackberry, black plum and cassis flavors are ripe and pleasing, with a touch of raw oak in support. An edgy finish with grating tannins suggests giving this as much air as possible before serving. Drink through 2027.   92 Pts WE

A ripe, juicy and [quite] assertively fruited wine that has a wealth of red cherries on the nose with crushed flowers and a sappy edge. The medium-bodied palate has a juicy, firm and focused feel with plenty of red cherries and plums. Drink or hold.      — 92 Points James Suckling

A hearty wine, the flavors are more nuanced in this Ribero Crianza. Red fruits with tones of darker berries and some undertones of oak and herbs. Not in your face like newer style Spanish wines, but a good old-style example of Spain. Priecd at around $15- $19, well worth having a few bottles to have over the next few years.

 

2021 Easkoot Foggy Bottom Pinot Noir, Sonoma, California        

Easkoot Cellars Foggy Bottom Pinot Noir is farmed sustainably and fermented with native yeasts and a small portion of whole clusters. Beautiful aromas of ripe berry fruits, flowers, and black tea waft from the glass. On the palate, notes of dark-skinned berries and forest floor show in restraint, with hints of fine spice and cranberry.

Here in the Petaluma Gap of Marin County, fog rolls in at night and cools down vines and grapes to produce an old-worldly style of Pinot Noir with a tangy and animating yet complex and expressive character.

Natural berry yeasts, preserved through sustainable farming practices by Marin legend Mark Pasternak, ferment the Easkoot juice spontaneously. Some full clusters make it into the fermentation tank and underline the earthy flavors of the Easkoot Pinot character.

This wine is in its perfect spot – wouldn’t be better in a year. The red berries dominate a good mouthfeel with herbs and hints of sagebrush.  Good acidity to have with a meal – a great Pinot! Close-out priced at $20, worth buying a few and drinking up.

 

2018 Chateau Des Demoiselles, Bordeaux, France

This rich, fruity and wood-aged wine promises balance from the blackberry fruits and generous tannins. At the moment, a dry core shows strongly, but this will soften. Drink from 2021.     88 Pts WE

Fleshy and ripe but so juicy and alive, the acidity and strawberry character of the fruit creates a lively, bright expression. Fruit on the palate is concentrated on the dark, riper spectrum; plum, date and blackcurrant with soft liquorice undertones, but it all really works together. A deep, seductive style that is balanced, smooth and determined. A classic easy-drinking claret with lovely mentholated finish.

92 Pts Decanter

A nice little Bordeaux, blend of Merlot and Cabernet,  goes down easy with light tannins.  Probably not a keeper, maybe a year or two, but good drinking with acidity to go with a meal. Priced around $15, good bottle to have on hand.

 

2021 Paso D’Oro Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

This new Terlato venture into Paso Robles fruit is bearing solid, immediate results. Aromas of cassis and toasted oak are rich on the nose. The palate is layered in dark fruit, elegant baking spices and a bold acidity that slides into the finish.      92 Pts WE Editors Choice

Dark ruby red with aromas of ripe blackcurrants and hibiscus with subtle notes of vanilla, cinnamon and clove. Full-bodied on the palate, this wine burst with red bright juicy fruit flavors elegantly balanced with vanilla, coffee and baking spices.

Blend: 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Petit Syrah

You know Terlato – they brought Santa Margerita Pinot Gris to the States. This is a bright upfront Cabernet with that ususal Paso Robles hints, touch of green pepper, but showing very well. Good with red meat – runs about $30. Not a bad wine to have around.

 

2021 Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

The Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a blend of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 1% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. It has a complex nose with ripe plum, boysenberry, and cassis, along with hints of cedar and vanilla. The wine is drinkable now but can age gracefully for the next 15-20 years. The vines are 20-42 years old, and the flavors include raspberry, plum, cassis, and layers of ripe cherries and red currants. The wine is well-integrated and elegant, with aromas of blackberry, clove, and dried herb.

Juicy, flavorful and approachable, this wine is delicious and good value. Dripping with ripe plum, freshly picked berries and just enough cocoa for additional depth, this wine is a smart choice to please everyone at a meal, including the wine aficionado.          92 pts WE

I have had a number of Truchard wines and they are always very good. This is an excellent wine from the family owned winery. The winery is located near Carneros, but they source fruit from other areas of Napa Valley. This was a deep, almost brooding wine that opened up to dark fruits and hints of herbs. Really nice, went great with red meat. Priced around $42, it still is a good bottle to have. Kudos to Truchard!

 Hope all is well with you. Another month to enjoy some wine. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines!

 The wines of January 2025

Another month - a long one at that, is finally over.  Cold and snow made it longer. Here are some wines I tasted and enjoyed over the month.

2020 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Verona, Italy

Wine Advocate                 WA90

A blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Sangiovese, the 2020 Palazzo della Torre is luscious, dark and exceedingly contemporary in style and execution. This is a soft and well-textured expression with layers of ripe fruit, black cherry, spice, bitter chocolate and tangy Spanish cedar from oak aging. The oak is quite dominate, so be ready for this particular stylistic approach. This is an ample production of 600,000 bottles.

This wine is elegant and well balanced, with a good structure and aroma. Ruby red in colour with purple hues, it offers light hints of raisins, sophisticated notes of vanilla, black pepper, cloves and cinnamon. It has a long, velvety finish and soft tannins. Palazzo della Torre easily pairs with various Italian dishes, above all risottos, especially those flavoured with saffron, porcini mushrooms and pork; classic dishes such as pasta with Amatriciana and Carbonara sauces, baked lasagna, gnocchi with gorgonzola cheese and walnuts; grilled meats and roasts.                 

Decent little Italian, much better with food. Tannins are very slight and the fruit does not jump out, but is nuanced with herbs and spices on the palate. Moderate aftertaste, not bad for this price and style of wine - $20

 

2019 Phantom Red Wine, California

Intriguing, beguiling…this mysterious apparition of ripe berry and relentless spice returns to haunt wine lovers. Enveloped in shadow, this wine's intensity and concentration will entice you with every sip. Full-bodied and jammy, Phantom's origins of Petite Sirah and Zinfandel emerge from the glass. Spicy pepper and juniper tantalize your senses, while black plums and blueberries emerge on the palate. Notes of pipe tobacco and clove settle around the finish, long and lingering, like the Delta fog.           

Varietal Blend    60% Petite Sirah               40% Zinfandel

Not as vibrant as it once was, the 2019 is showing some age. Moderate fruit on the nose and palate, mostly dark fruit flavors and a hint of spices. The 2019 is available most places at around $15, I would say drink now.

 

2018 Chateau La Rose du Pin, Bordeaux, France

Damson plum, cedar and herb notes mingle in this light-bodied, direct offering. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now. 17,000 cases made, 1,000 cases imported. 86 Pts WS

A ripe and juicy blend with almost equal proportions of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is fruity. Laced with tannins, the wine has a firm, dry core that will soften over the next few months into attractive, fruity richness. Drink from 2021. — Roger Voss 89 Points WE

This is a very tasty 2018 Bordeaux , a Grand Cru, and it is holding up very well. Moderate nose but a nice palate of red and darker fruits with some herbs and moderate tannins.  Priced at about $16, a good bottle to enjoy, then  store one away for next year.

 

2013 Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon, Greve, Italy

Cedary and woodsy notes lead off as this red settles into plum, leather and tobacco flavors, though it is still firmly structured and dry on the finish, with a lightly astringent feel. Sweet fruit returns in the end. Best from 2019 through 2032. 2,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.                              93 Pts WS

Basilica del Cortaccio, an elite vineyard in Cafaggio, comprises 4.2 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, with sensorial attributes that reflect a fine ‘terroir’, evoking the variety of origin. Produced for the first time in 1989, the Basilica del Cortaccio variety is grown according to the principles of organic farming.

Villa Cafaggio covers approximately 60 hectares, of which 30 are cultivated as specialised vineyards and about 10 as olive groves. The remaining area is woodland. Situated in the hamlet of Greve in Chianti, in Panzano, the estate is nestled in the ‘Conca d’Oro’ (Golden basin), an area recognised as the finest zone for producing Chianti Classico.                                         

I had this wine in my cellar for a couple years. My opinion is to drink soon, it still has Cabernet Sauvignon notes, but it has lost a lot of the fruit flavors, while retaining herbaceous notes.  The aftertaste was short, it would have been better a year ago. Priced at $30, buy a newer vintage.

 

2013 Malleolus Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero, Spain

Of a deep mature cherry color, this wine stands out for the intensity and quality of the sensations it offers. From black fruit aromas to strong and mature tannins that fill our mouth. The integration of fruit and wood offers an exquisite balance.

92           James Suckling

Elegant and deep nose of candied red fruit and petal character. Full body, soft tannins and a caressing, long and flavorful finish. Drink now.

As compared to the previous 2013 bottle of wine, this bad boy is still in its prime. Still has a good red fruit nose, the palate gets reated to dark and red fruits, with oak influences and a little touch of tannins. Cork broke, of course, so I had to filter the wine, but this is an exciting wine. Priced around $30, Emilio Moro (the producer) is a name worth seeking out.

 

2017 Uggiano Brunello di Montalcino, Italy

With a color somewhere between pale and dark ruby, this wine has cherry, clove, and sandalwood on the nose (maybe also chocolate?). A fleshy mouth-feel with sour cherry. The finish is all over the tongue, even if it’s short-lived. After decanting, the wood gets subtler and the sweetness of the cherry comes through more.

Intense ruby red color. Ethereal bouquet with a complex array of aromas displaying violets, cloves, wild berries and vanilla. Very warm mouthfeel, dry, full-bodied and slightly tannic.

Food Pairing       Grilled meats, game and seasoned cheeses.

Winemaking Notes         After crushing, the grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks by selected yeasts. Fermentation’s temperature is contained within 26-28°C and the must is pumped over its skins twice a day to draw color and soft tannins. After 18- 22 days the wine is separated from the skins and the fermentation is completed in big oak casks. This wine is preserved for maturation in big oak casks from Slavonia for 36 months.                        

Tasty little Brunello, maybe not as concentrated as I expected but it is a bargain at only $45. Some tannins, though not overpowering, with berries and spices on the mouthfeel. Moderate finish, nice little bottle that could age another couple of years.

 

2015 Haut-Pezat Saint Emilion Grand Cru, France

Wine Enthusiast Magazine scored this 90 points saying "Richly endowed with spice and wood-aging flavors, this is a firm and toasty wine. In many years, the wood would have been too much, but not in this vintage. The black fruit weight will balance with the wood as it ages to give an elegant, juicy wine ready to drink from 2022."

Vinous also scored it 90 saying "The 2015 Haut-Pezat, matured in one-third new oak, has a wonderful fresh and lively bouquet with black cherries, raspberry and vanilla scents, rose petals and violet following after. The palate is very well balanced with succulent tannin, crisp acidity, very caressing in the mouth with a hint of dark chocolate towards the finish. Superb."

James Suckling scored it 91 and said "Perfumed aromas of fresh flowers and dark fruits. Some citrus peel. Full-bodied, tight and focused with pretty fruits and a crisp, clean finish. Needs two or three years to soften but already very pretty."                      

Ready to drink now, this $25 Bordeaux is a nice little find. Needed a few moments to open up but it did in a short time. Tannins are interwoven with the flavors, dark berries and some floral notes. Moderate finish, but it had nice acidity to go with a meal. Good buy at that price.

 

2020 Tree Fort Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

Wine Tasting Notes         This juicy Tree Fort Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon holds a deep purple hue in the glass. Floral aromas of violets fill the nose along with notes of bay leaf and cigar box. The palate is bold with flavors of juicy blackberry, black currant, and a welcomed density. This full-bodied wine has a long, slightly dry finish.

Food Parings      With a rich palate, this wine will stand up to various meat dishes such as char gilled ribeye steak or a Portobello mushroom burger with melted blue cheese. This cabernet sauvignon is sure to please at your next grill out.

95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Malbec                     Alcohol 14.5%                   

A school night wine priced around $10, this provided some decent fruit, more red than black but some nice nuances of herb and spice. Worth keeping around at the price for every night type consumption.

 

2018 Ramirez de La Piscina, Rioja, Spain

This wine has aromas of dark plums, clove and cocoa powder. Flavors of black currant, blackberry, milk chocolate, clove and orange zest are set into polished tannins that gently fade into an orange-zest finish. 90 Pts WE

100% Tempranillo picked by hand aged for 15 months in American and French oak barrels after alcoholic and malolactic fermentation. Thereafter the wine is transferred back to the tanks for 5 months of natural fining and settling before filtering and bottling.

90           Wine Spectator

Wafts of dried flowers and cigar box spices offer a subtle, fragrant thread that winds through plump cherry, plum sauce and vanilla flavors in this well-meshed red. Fresh and focused, with dense, fine-grained tannins emerging to trim the finish. Drink now through 2029. 3,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.

A typical Rioja, with dark berries and nuances of spices. Tannins are very mellow and the oak complements the wine. Short finish, but nice acidity for food. Available around $13, nice wine to have on hand.

 

2020 Domaine de L'Arnesque Cote du Rhone, France

Dark, smoky and meaty, with dark plum and cherry coulis laced with tar, tobacco and charred alder. Offers warm spices and incense that add lushness to the round palate, with salty minerals dominating the finish. Grenache and Syrah. Drink now through 2025. 1,600 cases made, 300 cases imported. 90 pts WS

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.

Very nice CDR, with lots of red fruits and a touch of brambles on the palate. Really nice with food, a stand-out at only $20.

 

2021 Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendocino, California

This lovely, well-balanced Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% organic grapes. Bright, ripe fruit tones of blackberry, black cherry and black currant are balanced by well-integrated oak notes of toasted cinnamon stick, star anise and pepper. WE 91 Pts

Brilliant ruby in color, the Paul Dolan Cabernet Sauvignon has enticing aromas of ripe cherry with hints of cedar and a warm earthy undertone. An elegant wine with a round mouthfeel and firm youthful tannins, complimented by brambly blackberry and dark huckleberry flavors. Subtle notes of nutmeg and cinnamon spice from the oak round the rich fruit in a full-palate that carries from start to finish.

This is a wine from organically grown grapes.  Nicely balanced with red and dark berries, with notes of  oak.  Nuanced by spices, very well made wine, with just little tannins. Decent acidity for food, well worth the $20 price tag.

2021 Greg Norman Cab Sauvignon, Knights Valley, California

 

This layered and well-structured wine wraps powerful fruit flavors in assertive oak spices and firm tannins. The wine is enjoyable now if decanted and poured with a grilled lamb chop, but will gain more complexity with time. Best from 2026–2032.     92 Pts WE

A ripe, polished and easygoing style, with plum and blackberry notes backed by light-handed toast. Reveals a late hint of worn cedar. Drink now through 2025. 5,000 cases made. 88 Pts WS

Ripened berries, currants and notes of espresso. This is a well-structured wine, defined by grace and balance, with a firm backbone yet is elegant and approachable.

This wine still has a broad tannic back bone, indicating another couple of years in the cellar. Hints of cedar and cigar box go with the dark fruits on the palate. Moderate acidity, making It work with meats. Nice wine at a price of only $20.

Hope all is well - I'll be back next month. Until then, keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grape vines.

 The wines of December 2024

Just a note - I don't always have an entire bottle of what I am reporting. I am the speaker at a monthly wine dinner with a gathering wine and four wines at the table. Since I started part-time at Auburn Spirits in West Wichita, I also get partial bottles from tastings that I add to this list. So, my liver is just fine... Now for those December wines

2022 Tolentino Single Vineyard Malbec, Mendoza Argentina

The Tolentino single vineyard Malbec has a dark violet color with dense black fruit aromatics and some mocha character in the nose. It also has very soft and silky tannins, a natural balance, nice concentration and a distinctive smooth lengthy finish.

91 Pts James Suckling

Wild herbs and stems to the nose with a hint of white pepper to the black cherries. Juicy, dry and pretty silky on the palate with a fluid, fruity finish.

An amazing bottle of Malbec – good nose with fruit and spices, followed by full red and black fruits with hints of spices. Runs under $20, a real bargain of a Malbec.

2017 Marques de Casa Concho Carmenere, Puemo, Chile

Marques de Casa Concha's 2017 Carmenere is 90% Carmenere and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The fruit is from Peumo Vineyard in Cachapoal Valley, Chile, and the vines were planted from 1994 through 1996 on alluvial silty-clay soil. The wine spent 14 months in French oak barrels and has an ABV of 14.3%.

The color of the wine is a deep cherry red and on the nose there's aromas of plums, red cherries, black pepper, and mint chocolate. It's medium bodied with a rich mouthfeel, grainy tannin, and mellow acidity. For flavors the red cherries on the nose turn to black cherries, and the plums, black pepper, and mint chocolate return with a new friend of belly-warming Ancho chile. Then it finishes with black cherries and caramel.

Getting a bit on in age, this Carmenere still held up with red fruits and some herbs and spices in the mouth. Can’t say there was much Ancho pepper, but did still have a nice medium finish. Only $20, bought on close-out under $10. A real steal.

2021 Bela Red wine, Ribera del Douro, Spain

"Ripe without excess, with very integrated oak and a velvety palate with silky tannins. It reminds me of the historical wines from the early 1990s. With time in the glass, it develops a precise note of licorice intermixed with berry fruit and some spices and herbs. They feel this is the wine they wanted to produce from the beginning; they consider it their best vintage to date." The Wine Advocate, 92 Points

No 79 on the Wine spectator 2023 Top 100 wines, this Tempranillo based wine is a very good example of modern style wines from Ribera del Douro. Good red fruits with some baking spices, very nice wine. Priced around $20, well worth it.

 

2018 Bodkin The Victors Spoils Sauvginon Blanc, Sonoma County, CA

This is a delightfully bright, light and refreshing wine, grassy and herbal within a context of textured grapefruit and lime. It's lovely and complex with a persistence of acidity. 90 Pts Wine Enthusiast

This bottle was a touch past its prime, but was decent. Used it mostly for cooking – the newer vintages are better. Runs about $18. Really enjoy this brands Sparkling Sauv Blanc.

 

2015 Saint Cosme Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France

SAINT COSME Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2015 – 94 points

 “A focused, slightly taut style, with a good dose of singed cedar and alder framing the core of red currant,  plum and bitter cherry paste flavors. Lots of bay leaf, rosemary and sanguine accents fill in on the finish, which keeps a cedary edge. For fans of the old-school style.

A special treat, an aged CDP from a good producer. Lovely red fruits with herbs on the enge of the palate. Just right to enjoy now – priced at $30, super buy.

2020 Paul Dolan Zinfandel, Mendocino, CA

Deep and concentrated fruit flavors give this full-bodied wine plenty to savor, while light vanilla and cinnamon notes from oak aging dress it up nicely. Moderate tannins maintain good balance despite the wine's richness. 91 Pts WE

Fairly nice zinfandel with red fruits and some underlying spices. Tannins blend into the background but leave a moderate finish. Pretty good for an organic Zin priced around $20.

 

2016 Robert Biale Founding Fathers Zinfandel, Napa Valley, CA

Earthy and brimming in crisp red fruit, this is a floral, somewhat ethereal wine that's powerfully built in ripe plum and licorice that finishes in grippy tannin. 88 Pts WE

The old argument – does zinfandel age and how old is too old. This is about near the end of its life, yet the fruit was still grippy and there was a little spice in the aftertaste. A wine that should be consumed if you have it (2016), but a nice display of good Napa Zin. Priced around $30 – 24 on close-out.

2022 The Prisoner Red Bland, California

The Prisoner Red Blend was inspired by the wines first made by the Italian immigrants who originally settled in Napa Valley. The Prisoner is now the most recognized red blend, leading the resurgence of interesting blends by incorporating Zinfandel with the unlikely mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah, and Charbono. Bright aromas of ripe raspberry, vanilla, and coconut give way to flavors of fresh and dried blackberry, pomegranate, and vanilla, which linger harmoniously for a smooth and luscious finish.

The 2022 is bursting at the seams – a brooding, powerful Red Blend with raspberry, blackberry, vanilla and cranberry flavors on the attack that mesh with a hint of vanilla, and some well integrated sweet oak notes. It’s so silky smooth and inviting with pristine fruit – a mass appeal wine that is sure to be the talk of any table.

The darling of the wine world – The Prisoner – and I got about half a bottle. It does have goos red and black fruits, with a hint of oak and some herbs on a moderate finish.  Can’t really complain about it – tasty and would appeal to any red wine drinker’s palate. Priced right around $50.

2013 Bella Union Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, CA

The 2013 Bella Union presents a luscious nose of ripe black cherry, plum, strawberry, opulent berry compote and cassis. The entry is rich and inviting with succulent flavors reminiscent of cherry pie. The palate builds to trademark Rutherford dust mingled with chewy tannins, offering a mouth-filling, integrated texture, as hints of baking spices linger on a beautiful finish. 

A product from the folks at Far Niente – from a vineyard near Bella Oaks. This aged red is at its prime right now – tannins are not showing much, but the black and red fruits are very rich and alluring. Lengthy finish and hints of baking spices do come through.  Great bottle – current vintages run about $55 – 60. Great for a special occasion.

 

2016 Hafner Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, CA

At our Annual Vertical Tasting in January 2024, we tasted the 2016 and here are our notes: Blackberries, raspberries, Mirabelle plums, boysenberries, coppa and fresh mint aromas. Rich, complex, velvety. Niçoise olives, anise, toasted bread and dark chocolate notes.

A small family owned winery in Sonoma, they make some very tasty wines. The 2016 is in a perfect drinking mode – full of fruit – mostly dark fruit flavor with some baking spices undertones.  Nice moderate finish, very good bottle of wine. Estimated price is around $55.

 

NV Segura Viudas Brut Cava, Spain

"This sparkling shows aromas of white fruits, citrus, tropical fruits, and light floral notes. The palate is exquisite, complex and full of flavor, with good acidity and notes of lime and pineapple. It is dry and long on the finish.

Segura Viudas Brut Cava, created from a blend of reserve and non-vintage wines, is clean and delicate, yet rich in flavor. Brut is a cuvée of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes grown in the renowned Penedès region of Spain. The wine is vinified according to méthode champenoise technique and is aged in the bottle for up to 2 years."

I usually drink the Reserve from this company, but this is what I got. It is a dry cava, high acidity and some notes of tropical fruits. Nice, but nothing to get too excited about. Priced at $12- 14, you get what you pay for.

2019 Roger Goulart Gran Reserva Cava, Spain

Pale yellow with golden highlights. Aroma with good intensity, ripe white fruit such us apple and peach. Aniseed, fennel notes. Reminiscences of patisserie, yeast and dry flowers notes. Dried nuts. One experiences the work of more than five years of aging on the lees. On the palate, wide on entry, full and creamy on the palate. Thick and velvet. The dry white flowers and fruit aromas come back on the palate. Its good acidity provides a refreshing and lasting finish.

There is a difference in Reserve cava over regular. This wine had a fuller mouthfeel, with acidity, but not overwhelming. Creamy feeling, with hints of green apple and peach – very good bottle to enjoy with friends. Priced around the mid-$20’s – very nice.

 

2021 Hearst Ranch Bunkhouse Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles, CA

Dried cherry, cola and baking-spice aromas make for a clean and well-integrated nose on this bottling. Ample tannins frame the ripe fruit, dried meat and graphite flavors, as acidity lingers into the finish.

 93 Pts WE

Violets, lavender and rum-soaked black cherries form an inviting bouquet as the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Bunkhouse opens in the glass. Round and creamy in feel, yet lifted throughout, this impresses further with its sleek red and black fruits, as fine tannins build toward the close. This leaves a peppery flourish to linger through the structured finale, as hints of tart raspberry linger.

A well made Cabernet from Paso Robles – with mostly red fruits and some graphite in a well integrated wine with little tannins. Probably not one to age too long, but it is drinking so well right now, don’t wait. Priced around $21, it is a good bottle to pick up and drink.

 

2019 Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, Southeastern Australia

93 Wine Spectator

Polished from top to bottom, this red boasts fine-grained tannins, offering a generous core of blackberry and cassis flavors that show accents of cured black olive, sandalwood and vanilla-laced cedar, with a whiff of peppermint and dried sage, all harmonious on the long finish. Drink now through 2035.

93           James Suckling

An amalgam of redcurrant and blackcurrant aromas with cedary and leafy tones, dark berries and pepper and plenty of oak strut. The palate has a deep vein of black-fruit flavors, as well as plum and chocolate. Bold extract. A blend of Padthaway, Coonawarra, Wrattonbully, McLaren Vale and Barossa Valley. Drink now.

This is a classic Cabernet that comes from Australia. More dark fruits but nuances of spice and herbs with a nice finish. Original price is $80, you can find this vintage for about $50. It has the body to age for a number of years, despite Suckling’s comment above. Very good for a special occasion.

 

2022 Vino Cabos Felino Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina

Red ruby color with dark tones. Aromas of red pepper, fresh red fruit, incense, white pepper hints. It's medium body, with chewy tannins, textured and balanced, nice finish.

93  James Suckling

Well-concentrated with velvety tannins, this full-bodied wine boasts pure blackberry and black cherry flavors and a hearty drinkability. Black pepper and tobacco accents show up first on the nose and interlace on the palate with rather full tannins.

A nice Cabernet from Argentina – this doesn’t have the “funk” that you get from some Chilean Cabernets. Full mouthfeel, black fruits with undertones of spice and oak with some tannic flavors. Moderate finish, would age well for several years. Priced at around $20, nice bottle to have whenever.

Another month and now a New Year.  Hope all is well and keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.

 The Wines of November 2024

Turkey day is done and we head into the Holidays. Cold weather, snow and all the fun with the season. Enough Hum-bug, lets look at some wines.

2022 Ciconia Red Blend, Alentejano, Portugal

The wine is all about ripe, soft fruits. Berry flavors are tempered by the wine's generous texture, juicy acidity and attractive fruitiness. The wine is ready to drink.

Deep ruby hue with violet hints colour. Very ripe red and black fruits (mulberry, raspberry and plum), integrated with spicy and balmy notes, such as pepper, mint and coconut. Well-balanced, round, rich taste of fruits and spices, nice structure of smooth tannins.

An inexpensive little red from Portugal – bright and fruity, just made for pizza or pasta on a weeknight. Priced around $10, nice little school night red.

 

2021 Turley Old Vines Zinfandel, California

Old Vines is composed of a variety of venerable sites from California that are either too small to be made into a vineyard designate wine or are “new” to the Turley family (and way of farming). Vines are anywhere from 50 to 130 years old, and a true representation of California old vine Zinfandel, hailing from vineyards in Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Lodi, Contra Costa, Amador and Paso Robles. There is no better way to gauge the classic character of old vine Zinfandel in California than through this wine.

Hailing from over 20 ancient vineyards across California, this wine has inherent depth, complexity, and grace thanks to the old vine sources. The ’21 is extremely well composed; dark fruits like plum and blueberry alongside black tea and savory herbs. A serious and brooding wine that is satisfyingly nimble on the palate. Ready to drink now at 55°-60°F.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2021 Zinfandel Old Vines has a medium ruby color and plush red and black cherries on the nose with accents of mushrooms, forest floor, savory spices and mint. The full-bodied palate is grainy and refreshing with generous berry fruit and a long, spicy finish. It's similar to the Juvenile with a bit more oomph, and it's just as easy to drink. 

A serious zinfandel with nice fruit and nuances of earth and spices.  Drinks very well and has acidity to match with a meal. Would keep for a few years but is great now. Priced around $38, worth the splurge.

2021 Barton & Guestier Vouvray, Val de Loire, France

Brilliant clear yellow. Seductive nose with lovely fruit aromas (pear, pineapple) and delicate floral notes. Smooth on the palate with a nice refreshing finish.

A simple little Chenin Blanc – fresh and lightly floral. Not great but good for the price of $13.

 

2021 Juggernaut Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA

Cedar, pine and wood char aromas lead to juicy black cherry, maple and clove accents in this full-bodied, oaky-tasting wine. It's a sturdy, stylized pour for casual occasions. 87 pts – WE

Cool breezes and damp fog build character in our Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. French oak complements bold red fruit, intriguing perfume of Stargazer lilies with hints of vanilla, waffle cone and toasty oak. Both graceful and vigorous, this wine opens with a perfume of white flowers followed by persistent flavors of red cherry and berries.

A pleasant little Pinot, decent body and acidity keep it balanced on the red fruits. A little baking spice but not too much – pretty nice for a $20 bottle. From the Bogle Family of wines.

 

2021 Simi Cabernet Sauvignon, California

A simple and straight-forward Cab Sauv offering notes of black cherry, black plum, black currant, black pepper, cedar wood and a very strong dose of jalepeño pepper.  86 pts WE

SIMI California Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine offers balanced flavors of the best growing regions in the coastal state. This red California wine opens with inviting aromas of blackberry and plum. Each sip of this delicious red wine features dark fruit flavors of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, complemented by notes of toasted oak and brown spice with a supple, velvety finish. Aged for nine months in French and American oak barrels, this aromatic red grape wine's lingering taste brings out the best in savory dishes. Pair this SIMI wine with grilled portobello mushrooms, steak, short ribs, beef or veggie burgers, and aged cheeses, or enjoy a glass of wine on its own. $25

I don’t get the jalepeño pepper, but I get a bit of bell pepper. It is not overpowering, but noticeable. There are nice red and black fruits with a nice body and adequate tannins and acidity.  This is their basic Cabernet and it is pretty good – priced around $25.

 

2022 Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Ynez, California

Our Santa Ynez Cabernet Sauvignon is full of wild blackberries and blackcurrants, layered with nuances of cassis, tobacco and allspice adding complexity to the fruit. The palate is deliciously long, carrying the core of dark fruit on the palate through to the finish with fine supple tannins.

This limited release captivates with wild blackberries and black currants layered with delicate notes of cassis, tobacco, and a hint of allspice. These vibrant aromatics lead to a richly structured palate, where dark fruit flavors linger with a finish of fine, supple tannins that give the wine both depth and elegance.

Crafted from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah grapes, the wine showcases the unique terroir of Santa Ynez. Fermented on skins in stainless steel tanks and then aged for 14 months in oak barrels, it achieves a full-bodied profile marked by balanced acidity and a smooth, long-lasting finish.

This wine a very nice, with good structure and black fruits that are enhanced by spice and graphite flavors. Long finish, it drinks nicely, and went with heavier meal fare. Really a good bottle, priced under $30, one to keep on your list.

 

2022 Pessimist by Daou Red Blend, Paso Robles, California

This bottling delivers the ripe power that so many want, in a package that's balanced by savory elements. Dense aroma of tar, char, asphalt, cassis and cocoa show on the nose. The palate is rich and creamy, loaded with coffee bean, coconut husk and baked fruit flavors.  92 pts WE

Blend: 60% Petite Sirah, 22% Zinfandel, 16% Syrah, 2% Lagrein

Barrel Aging: 10 months in 50% new French oak                 Alcohol: 14.9%

A great blend that is a brooding deep wine, full of fruit and earth type notes. Full mouthfell, soft tannins and dark fruits all the way through the finish. Good bottle to get around $25 at ost stores.

 

2022 Tooth & Nail Tempranillo, Paso Robles, California

Noted by Wine Enthusiast as "One of the Best Tempranillos to Drink Right Now" the 2022 Tempranillo presents vibrant aromas of black cherry, strawberry preserve and fig with distinct savory notes. The palate is chewy, generous and supple, delivering flavors of blueberry, cherry cola, vanilla, cedarwood, mocha and mushroom, all buttressed by buoyant acidity. Notes of toasted oak emerge on a rich, rustic finish.

Clean and dark aromas of black plum, elderberry, wild thyme and fennel give a rustic angle to the nose of this bottling. The structure is sticky and yet the body remains medium, carrying peppercorn, fennel and dark purple fruit flavors.

A lost grape for California – Tempranillo is the grape of Rioja, Spain. Has a touch of dust, along with dark fruit flavors and a moderate body. Good acidity to match food, a pleasant bottle for around $20.

 

2015 Altamente Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain

Opaque ruby. A sexy, expansive bouquet evokes ripe, spice-accented black/blue fruits, incense and smoky minerals. Sweet and energetic on the palate, offering juicy blackcurrant, boysenberry, spicecake and cola flavors that show very good delineation and spicy lift. Rich, yet lively and precise, finishing with solid thrust, resonating spiciness, and silky, slow-building tannins. (fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for six months in used French oak barrels)                             

This was lingering on the shelf at the store, but I had it several years ago. Took a shot and was rewarded with an elegant wine with red and black fruits; moderate body and acidity to make it very enjoyable. Retailed for about $12, a very nice bottle for everyday drinking.

 

2018 Fromm Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand

This is a bright and bouncy springtime Pinot from the well regarded organic producer Fromm. The cinnamon and clove spice get along graciously with the slinky red and blueberry fruit and floral characters. Tingly acidity on the palate makes the fruit pop. It's backed by savory, sappy notes and a talc-like cinch of tannins that hits just at the right spot. Light-bodied and chillable, this is a playful yet seriously well made wine. Drink now–2027.                93 Pts WE

I had this with my Thanksgiving meal (Ham, not turkey) and it was splendid. Despite being a 2018, the wine was a light bright color with an engaging fruity nose. The body was driven with red fruits and  blueberries, and had hints of baking spices. Just a great wine – it is  priced in te mid-30’s, I think (mine was a gift).

Hope all is well and you get everything you want from Santa Claus. Keep popping those corks and I'll meet you out behind the grapevines.