In a weeks time, I taste a boatload of wine (seriously). I lot of my friends think that I’m lucky. Well, they’re right, and I wouldn’t give this job up for the world. The only thing that makes my job hard, is my feeling of responsibility to taste the samples given to me as quickly as possible and to put my reviews either in my Moleskine, on my Youtube channel (Stan The Wine Man TV), or right here on Stanthewineman.com. Here for your reading pleasure, are thirteen wines that I have reviewed in my Moleskine (good or bad), this past week.
2011 Tortoise Creek Wines “The Chelonian” Zinfandel (Lodi, California)… $11.
A little stink action on the nose with notes of ripe currants, bark, dark cherries and rose petals coming through (just a reminder that the stink is not a bad thing). Black raspberries, currants, dark cherries all come out on the front and mid-palate, leading into a very interesting crushed rock and leather finish with a little white pepper hit on the back-end. This zin is lighter in style, but has some interesting elements. Definitely a zinfandel, but showing some old world attitude on the finish. This is a great BBQ red and will go nicely with hamburgers or hotdogs, and is a great price. (B)
2012 Carol Shelton Monga Old Vine Monga Zinfandel Lopez Vineyard (Cucamonga Valley, California)… $20.
This AVA (American Viticultural Area) was established in 1995, and it is a very hot one, many times reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a perfect spot to grow zinfandel, especially if you are a fan of the bigger style varieties.
Aromas of raspberries, cranberries, licorice and violets. Raspberry jam all over the front of the palate. A hit of Cinnamon Imperials on the mid-palate joined by spice and white pepper. Finishes with a little grip action with notes of violets, raspberries, cinnamon and a hint of currants lingering. This zin is big in alcohol (14.9%), but has excellent balance and integration of fruit, oak and alcohol. Although my friend that I was tasting this wine with seemed to thing it was an alcohol bomb, I have a different opinion. I got some effect from it, but over-all this zin is well made. A zin lovers zin. (B+/A-)
2009 Gamache Vintners Malbec (Columbia Valley, Washington)… $28.
Notes of eucalyptus, rose petals, red currants, brown sugar, baking spices and alfalfa come through on the nose. Currants dominate the palate with a backdrop of alfalfa and tomato stem. Dark cherry notes show up on the mid-palate leading into a mineral and violet finish with a touch of white pepper that lingers.
This is a very interesting Malbec, but unfortunately it suffers from being three times as expensive as many Malbec from Argentina. Malbec from Washington really deserve our attention, so if you are getting tired of the Argentinian versions, I encourage you to look to this state for some awesome examples. (B)
2011 Gamache Vintners Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley, Washington)… $14.
Cabernet Franc is a varietal I am very fond of, and I love many that come out of Washington State. They have a veggie quality to them, but they do not get as tossed salad as Chinon out of the Loire Valley, France (I like those also).
Very aromatic (perfumed) notes of sweet currants, rose petals, a hit of beauty bark and an edge of blackberries. Notes of currants and mocha on the palate backed by bark notes. There is a veggie hit on the mid-palate finishing with a little cranberry action, loads of mocha and a hit of leather and minerals. This is a very interesting cab franc that tetters between new and old world in style. (B-)
2013 Gilbert Cellars Rose of Mourvedre (Wahluke Slope, Washington)… $14.
My two favorite styles of rose` come from the Mourvedre and Cinsault grapes, so I was really looking forward to giving this a try.
Notes of rose petals, watermelon and white peaches on the nose. Watermelon Bubbleyum on the palate with notes of white peach skin on the dry finish. Very low in acidity, so it doesn’t “pop” on the palate leaving you feeling a bit cheated. This is a simple rose` with very little to offer in the form of complexity and liveliness, like going on a blind date, and the person doesn’t converse with you…Boring! (C-)
Non-vintage Monmarte Rose Sec (France)… $9.
Aromas of watermelon, strawberries, peach skin and herbs. Notes of peach, watermelon, strawberries fill the mouth with a sweet edge on the mid-palate. It finishes dry with a hit of watermelon rind coming through. For nine bucks this is a pretty good deal for some delicious pink bubbles on a warm day. (C+)
Non-Vintage Monmarte Brut (France)… $9.
Apples and citrus on the nose with a touch of sweetness. Sweet apples on the palate with big bubbles that fill the mouth. There is a tiny hit of orange blossom on the mid=palate into the sweet finish. I know there are a few of you out there looking for some sweet stuff and this will do the trick. However, this is really too sweet for a brut sparkling wine. Just saying. (D+)
2013 Andrea Faccio Moscato D’ Asti (Piedmont, Italy)… $18.
A citrus medley on the nose with notes of soap, white flowers and orange blossoms. Tangerines and orange sorbet dance around the mouth leading into a delicious finish and a touch of honey. (A-)
2011 Schoenheitz Gewurztraminer “Holder” (Vin D’ Alsace, France)… $22.
Very perfumy on the nose with notes of Lemon Pledge, white flowers, tangerine, pine needles and wet stone. Spicy on the palate with notes of mango and figs. It has a creamy mouth feel with hits of hazelnuts and walnuts. Finishes clean and spicy. This is a sweet wine, but it has a nice fresh side that keeps everything in balance. (B+/A-)
2013 RoxyAnn Pinot Gris (Rogue Valley, Oregon)… $16.
Steely on the nose with notes of lemon, mandarin orange and white flowers. Honeysuckle, fig and mango notes on the palate with a touch of orange. Round on the palate front to back with a nice peppery finish and a little wet stone action. (B)
2012 Dr. Loosen “Red Slate” Dry Riesling (Mosel, Germany)… $17.
Clean on the nose (I hope you understand that), with notes of lemon, melon, fig and walnuts and a backdrop of wet stone. Zesty citrus notes on the palate. Lemon and tangerine, blended with minerals that dance across the palate into a tropical fruit, citrus finish. Very fresh, clean and delicious. (B+)
2012 Lemelson Vineyards Riesling (Willamette Valley, Oregon)… $22.
Wet stone, peaches, petrol and white flowers on the nose. Steely on the palate, with notes of peaches and apricots. mouth-watering and juicy with an acidic, razor-sharp, bone-dry finish and a touch of minerality. This is for the Riesling geek for sure. (B+)
2012 Boedecker Cellars “Pappas Wine Co.” Pinot Blanc (Oregon)… $17.
Aromas of white flowers, honeysuckle, wet stone and lemons. Honeysuckle, orange peel and orange blossoms in the mouth with a steely backbone. Lemon notes bleed in on the mid-palate with minerals and orange notes on the clean finish. (B)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
