A boatload of wine
2013 Rio Madre Graciano (Rioja, Spain)… $10.
Fairly intense on the nose with notes of grape jam, black cherries, red flowers, blackberries and a tiny hit of black tea. Red and black cherry notes up front leading into earth and tobacco notes on the mid-palate. Black tea and mineral notes show up on the finish. This red is smooth and sturdy at the same time with enough acidity to stand up to stew, roast or grilled meats. (B)
2012 Vina Gormaz Tempranillo (Ribera Del Duero, Spain)… $12.
Very interesting aromas of smoked meat, licorice, cherries and crushed red flowers. Dark cherries, tobacco and red flower notes drench the palate front to back. There is a smoked meat component that hits on the mid-palate flowing into the finish of cherries with a rusty component lingering. This is exactly what I look for in a Spanish Tempranillo from this appellation. (B+)
2010 Lorinon Crianza (Rioja, Spain)… $12.
Interesting aromas of coffee bean, currants, tobacco and a light hit of wood and licorice. Red and black currants are layered with notes of tobacco and coffee. Mineral notes join the party on the mid-palate with some tannins showing up and an under-belly of worn leather. This is “old world” juice with just enough fruit to keep a lot of palates interested. 100% Tempranillo (B+)
2012 Xiloca Garnacha Vino De La Tierra (Ribera Del Jiloca)… $10.
Aromas of blackberries, black plums, strawberries and licorice. Strawberries and notes of red currants on the palate front to back with a tiny hit of spice on the back-end, joined by a touch of licorice. This is a fairly light and simple wine that has good flavor. (C+)
2012 Westerly Red (Happy Canyon, CA)… $32.
This is a blend of 75% Merlot and 25% Cabernet Franc. Aromas of red flowers, bittersweet chocolate, dark cherries, blackberries and an interesting whiff of bacon fat. Round and bright on the palate with notes of cherries and currants dominating joined by a hit of blackberry. This is a nicely structured wine with excellent balance across the palate and a long-ass finish of violets, a pinch of chocolate and tobacco with a little earth joining the fruit and bacon-fat notes lingering. This is a big red with enough acidity to keep it in check. (A-)
2010 Bonair Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley, WA)… $10.
This is a ’10, so it has some age on it especially for a ten-dollar cab. My first impression was… Wow! Intense currant and cherry notes with a touch of red flowers and meat marinade on the back-end. Very structured on the palate, showing just a little reduction on the finish. Notes of cherries and currants on the front end with a compliment of rose petal. Tobacco notes show on the mid-palate leading into a charcoal driven finish with hits of currants and cherries. Good balance of acid, fruit and tannins with a dose of reduction. (C+/B-)
2012 Shenandoah Vineyards Zinfandel (Amador County, CA)… $9.
Very light on the nose with notes of ripe cherries, raspberries and a touch of raisin coming through. The palate exhibits a blend of cherries and raisins with a bright edge. Blueberry notes show up on the finish that is very fresh. This was a hard zin to get a bead on…Light and simple with a lot of raisin elements, but in no way off-putting. (C/C+)
2011 Dow Vale Do Bomfim (Douro, Portugal)… $11.
Toasty cherries on the nose joined by notes of red plums, black olive and rose petal with a back-drop of herbs. Black tea, cherries and tar show up on the palate joined by a touch of blueberry on the mid-palate. It gets a little grippy and bright on the finish with white pepper notes lingering. Good intensity, balance and structure, but just a little youthful…Give it three to five years. (B+)
2012 Chateau Costis Bordeaux… $7.99
Aromas of rose petal, lavender. earth, balsamic vinegar and tarragon. Super tight on the palate…Imagine the string on a kite on a windy April day. Notes of under-ripe cherries, green tobacco and white pepper on the front of the palate, into the finish. High in acidity and minerals with underlying rusty metal notes . I’m not sure how this one will flesh out in the next ten years, but it has potential. (C+)
2012 Bonair Chardonnay (Yakima Valley, WA)…$10.
A ten-dollar chardonnay always peaks my interest and the nose on this baby kept the interest alive. Aromas of butter, caramel, pineapple and pears. Nice and fresh on the palate with notes of pineapple and pears coming through, joined by a healthy dose of oak. Good balance and structure with a little lemon coming through on the finish. The oak is a little too much for me, but I know a lot of folks will like this chard. (C+)
2013 Husch Gewurztraminer (Anderson Valley, CA)…$15.
If you want to know how dry a Gew can get, you need to get your hands on this baby. Aromas of apples, grapefruit pith and pineapple. This is bone-dry on the palate with notes of pineapple, lemon, cut grass and green apple. Laser sharp front to back, finishing with notes of grapefruit pith, lemon-lime and green apple. It’s been awhile since I thought shellfish when drinking a Gewurztraminer. This one screams for oysters, clams or mussels. (B+)
2010 Domaine D’Aupilhac “Montperoux” (Coteaux de Languedoc, France)…$25.
Pretty intense old world nose of red and black currants, dark cherries, rust and forest floor with a little perfumed red flowers and black licorice. Solid fruit on the palate, with notes of dark cherries, cherry pit and a little blackberry leaf underneath. Minerals join the party with a little worn leather on the mid-palate finishing with fresh acidity. Very, very old world on the palate with a good core of fruit. 30% Mourvedre, 25% Syrah, 25% Carignan, 16% Grenache, 4% Cinsault. (B+/A-)
2011 Fantino “Cascina Dardi” Barbera D’Alba (Piedmont, Italy)…$25.
A little stinky leather on the nose, joined by notes of red cherries, currants, red bricks, red flowers and a pinch of rusty metal. Cherries, currants and cranberries up front on the palate, balanced by red earth, crushed rock and rust. Good structure and balance across the palate finishing with notes of worn leather, red cherries and cranberries with a touch of orange peel. This is classic old world Barbera. (A-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
