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.
As I knew would happen, eventually this version of Friday’s Thirteen falls on Friday the 13th. If you are a superstitious person, I would suggest that you refrain from trying any of these wines today….Just wait, to be safe.
2011 Signorello Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California)… $95.
Intense aromas of blackberries, black currants, violets and tomato stem. Oak notes sneak along with cinnamon, bittersweet chocolate and some alcohol heat. Black currants, chocolate and spice hit on the front of the palate with good intensity. The wine expands on the mid-palate into the finish of currants, spice and chocolate notes with a kiss of oak. This cab is nicely integrated with smooth tannins. This cab needs time to open up and will improve over the next 8-10 years. It’s a little pricey for what you get, but good nonetheless (B+)
2011 Edge Wines Cabernet Sauvignon (North Coast, California)… $16.
Red and black currants on the nose joined by notes of tar, black licorice, tomato stem and baking spices. A little “flat” on the palate, lacking acidity. Notes of black and red currants come through with a hit of tar on the mid-palate. Finishes with notes of white pepper and black licorice joining the notes of black currants and just a touch of tomato leaf. This was a challenging vintage in California, and I believe it is reflected somewhat in this effort.
This is part of the Signorello family of wines at a much more reasonable price. (C+)
2008 Chateau de Pez Bordeaux (Saint-Estephe Bordeaux, France)… $47.
Old world aromas of stewed meat, currants, cedar, earth, wet stone, soy sauce, tobacco and rose petal (that is a serious bouquet my friends). The palate does not lie, this is a Bordeaux! Minerals, leather, currants, tobacco and cedar notes hit up front and on the mid-palate. Minerals show up in spades on the finish with crushed rock and grippy tannins backing up the earth notes that linger. This wine has excellent structure and good acidity, which tells me it will age nicely over the next 10-15 years or more. (B+)
2012 Owen Roe Abbots Table Red (Columbia Valley, Washington)… $25.
David O’Reilly is perhaps one of my favorite wine makers in the Pacific Northwest. His talent is evidenced in most of the wines that he puts out there, and he has quite a following when it comes to this kitchen-sink red blend called Abbots Table.
Aromas of red cherries, rose petal, violets and licorice. Plush cherry notes on the front of the palate joined by notes of red licorice. The fruit expands on the mid-palate into the long finish. This wine has excellent balance, soft tannins, medium acidity, and most importantly (for the consumer) it is a “10” in the delicious category. The 2012 vintage in Washington state was outstanding, and this wine reflects the vintage and the talent of wine maker David O’Reilly. (B+)
2011 Carpe Diem Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, California)… $25.
This cab is very vegetal on the nose. Notes of tomato stem are prominent, joined by cherries, rose petal, tobacco and red currants. Sturdy tannins on the palate, backing notes of black cherries, currants and underlying tomato stem and blackberry leaf. There is a little herbal, earth action on the grippy finish. (B)
2011 Casale Del Giglio Petit Verdot (Lazio, Italy)… $19.
A Petit Verdot from Italy? That perked my interest, so I was excited to give this puppy a try.
Chalk notes came through on the nose along with notes of black raspberries, currants, black cherries, soy sauce, tobacco and violets. Crushed rock notes all over the front of the palate, joined by tobacco and cherries. Bright acidity pops the fruit notes finishing with hits of violets, currants and black raspberry notes. For the first ever Petit Verdot I have tried from Italy, I was impressed. (B+)
2012 Carpe Diem Chardonnay (Anderson Valley, California)… $27.
Pineapple, pears, vanilla and toast come through on the nose. Mostly pineapple on the palate with notes of pears joining the party along with some apple notes. Lemon and a kiss of oak come through on the finish. This Chard has nice balance between being creamy and having a nice spine of acidity. (B)
2012 Casale Del Giglio Petit Manseng (Lazio, Italy)… $19.
Another interesting varietal from Italy that peaked my interest…
Aromas of green apples, orange blossoms and crushed rock. There is a saline element on the palate joined by notes of crushed rock and orange blossoms. A little saline component on the palate with notes of orange blossoms and crushed rock up front. Lemon and lime notes show up on the mid-palate into the finish with some chalky elements coming through. This white is fresh and lively on the palate with balanced acidity. (B)
2009 Chateau de L’oiselniere Muscadet Seve & Maine (Loire, France)… $14.
Melon, lemon, saline, slate and crushed rock on the nose. Crushed rock all day on the palate with notes of melon, saline and lemon. Steely lemon notes on the mid-palate into the finish with the saline element dominating. This Muscadet is not as acidic and dry as some, but it will lend itself nicely to shellfish nonetheless, and I love the saline component of this white. (B)
2011 Foris Fly Over Red (Rogue Valley, Oregon)… $12.
Aromas of raspberries and cherries with a hint of bittersweet chocolate. Fairly bright on the palate with cherry notes all day, accented by raspberry and tomato stem notes. The tomato stem element sticks on the finish with chalky tannins. This wine needs some time to soften up and is not very complex. However, it has some interesting elements and is bright enough to make it a nice match with grilled meats and a little BBQ sauce. (C+/B-)
Non-Vintage Abacela Vintners Blend #14 Red (Southern Oregon)… $15.
Aromas of plums, boysenberries, licorice, and a touch of chalk and chocolate. Currant and blackberry notes meet up front on the palate with some cocoa notes and chalky tannins that flow into a cocoa powder lingering finish, joined by leather and grip. (B-)
2011 Brandborg “Benchlands” Pinot Noir (Umpqua Valley, Oregon)… $19.
Root beer, violets, cherries, beauty bark and cinnamon notes come through on the nose. Very youthful on the palate with tight cherry, root beer, bark and leather notes. This Pinot needs some time in the bottle and tips the scale on the acidic side. ’11 wasn’t the best vintage in Oregon, but most of the Umpqua stuff I’ve tasted from this vintage has been a little better. (C+/B-)
2013 Domaine Le Clos des Lumieres Cotes du Rhone Rose (Rhone Valley, France)… $9.
A little challenged on the nose with notes of wet stone and strawberries. Cherry dominant on the palate, blended with notes of ripe strawberries and watermelon. Watermelon notes hang on the finish along with the wet stone element. Nice balance of acidity and fruit. This is a ridiculous value for only nine bucks. (B)
Happy Friday The Thirteenth…Be safe.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
