A boatload of wine
2011 Steele Wines Out Kaste Red (Lake County, CA)… $22.
Aromas of black raspberries, blackberries, currants, a hit of oak, beets, tobacco and black olives. This is 53% Zinfandel and it shows on the palate. Big, delicious notes of black raspberries and ripe cherries. This is not a fruit bomb at all, it has good structure and balanced acidity. The fruit notes expand on the mid-palate flowing into a long, clean finish of black raspberry, currants and cherries with a good hit of white pepper and tobacco. If you’re looking for a good turkey wine, I would highly recommend this delicious red. There are some good deals going on this wine now, I have it at the store for $17. making it a steal for the quality. (B+/A-)
Non-Vintage Anna Codorniu Cava (Penede`s, Spain)… $10.
Aromas of toasty apples and pears. This Cava has excellent acidity, making it nice and dry on the palate. Notes of ripe lemons and limes cut across the palate with a hit of apple and honey notes on the back-end. This is a great deal on some quality sparkling wine (all done in the traditional methode). I don’t know how they do it. 70% Chardonnay and 30% Parellada (B+)
2013 The White Doe White (California)… $14.
There is a pretty cool story behind this wine, and without wearing you out with words, look up the wine on the internet and see what it has to say, I think you will be intrigued. A blend of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier.
Peaches, apricots and melon on the nose, with just a hint of perfumed soap and wet wool. Apples and apricots all day on the palate, this white is crisp with a slightly sweet edge (think Thanksgiving baby!). There is an under-currant of lemon and peach pit on the fresh, lingering finish. (B)
2009 Domaine Diochon Moulin-A-Vent (Beaujolais, France)… $25.
Earth, cherries, red flowers and leather on the nose. Deep cherry, earth and leather notes wrapped in tobacco leaf and minerals on the palate. Wet stone and red flowers rear their head on the mid-palate as it tightens up on the finish featuring leather and mineral notes. This Gamay needs some time in the bottle, and then it will show its true colors. (A-)
2010 Chateau Thivin Cote de Brouilly (Beaujolais, France)… $25.
Aromas of red flowers, wet stone, beets and perfumed ripe cranberries. Very herbal on the palate with notes of cherries and minerals. Tobacco notes show up on the back of the mid-palate leading into a toffee and coffee bean finish. This is a layered, balanced red that is just a little high on the acid side. Back off the Hendricks guys and we have a wine to drink now. (C+/B-)
2013 Marce Lapierre Morgon (Beaujolais, France)… $30.
Raspberries on the nose joined by under-ripe cherries, wet stone, blackberry stems and slate. Cinnamon notes come through in spades on the palate backed by raspberries and cherries with a bright acidity. Loads of skin tannins and minerality with a leafy component on the back-end. This wine has good structure and complexity with a touch of green tobacco leaf and cinnamon that lingers for some time on the finish. This wine is young and will definitely improve over the next 3-5 years. (B+/A-)
2012 Paul Henri Thillardon Chenas (Beaujolais, France)… $25.
Slightly perfumed on the nose with notes of red flowers, cherries and hints of tobacco. Very tight and acidic on the palate (no doubt due to its youth) with notes of under-ripe cherries, cherry pits and under-ripe blackberries. A touch of cranberry shows up on the thin, tight finish. I’m not positive how this will age, but I wouldn’t take a chance. (D+/C-)
2011 Domaine Des Nugues Fleurie (Beaujolais, France)… $22.
French toast on the nose (very nice), joined by notes of wet stone, tobacco, plum, cherries and a touch of licorice. Skin tannins hit right up front on the palate, with cherries and a bright acidity joining the party. This Gamay has good intensity and balance with a little ripe cranberry element coming through on the back-end joined by a healthy dose of minerals. I have a feeling this will only get better with another three years under its belt. (A-)
2013 Acta Alella Garnacha (Catalunya, Spain)… $13.
Notes of cherries, blackberries tobacco and wet stone come through on the nose. Blackberries and cherries with a little acidic punch underneath on the palate. Bright red flower notes hit on the mid-palate, followed by gravel, bright cherry and tobacco notes on the finish. (C+)
2013 Ontanon Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain)… $12.
Aromas of licorice, violets, cherries, red raspberries and a touch of wet stone. Minerals all over the palate, blended with red flowers, red plums, cherries, raspberries and hints of tobacco. This is a light bodied red with smooth tannins and reasonably intense flavors that linger. I had mixed feelings about this wine and finally decided on average. (C)
2011 Bodegas Riojanas Crianza (La Rioja Alta, Spain)… $14.
Classic Rioja nose of currants, cherries, red flowers, crushed rock, wet leather and tobacco. Deep and resonant on the palate with notes of leather, currants, black olives and green olives. Red flowers come through on the mid-palate, joined by crushed rock that follows through to the finish. Forest floor notes come through underneath front to back. Good balance and structure. 80% Tempranillo, 15% Vazuelo, 5% Graciano… (B+)
2008 Bodegas Riojanas Reserva Rioja Vina Albina (Rioja, Spain)… $25.
Stinky and perfumed on the palate with notes of cherry soap, earth, tobacco, oregano and rosemary. A little tight on the palate
with notes of olives, cherries, wood and leather. Soft yet structured with leather and crushed rock notes showing up on the mid-palate into the finish. Earth notes come through on the under-belly of this wine with Olive, currants, leather and sage lingering on the finish. (B+/A-)
2006 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Rioja 100% Tempranillo (Rioja, Spain)… $25.
This has a pretty incredible nose of cigar, orange peel, crushed rock, stewed meats and currants. Ripe currants, violets, wet stone and cigar on the palate. This baby has smooth tannins with notes of black olive and worn leather showing up. Sage, oregano and rosemary hit the palate in the middle with a little orange peel joining up on the finish. Excellent balance and firm structure, this baby will age nicely twenty-plus years. (A)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
