A boatload of wine
2012 Oak Ridge Winery “Old Soul” Zinfandel (Lodi, CA)… $12.
Aromas of ripe cherries, and black currants with hits of black licorice and raspberries with a touch of caramel. Smooth and polished front to back with notes of ripe black currants and a pinch of brown sugar and dark red cherry notes underneath. There is just enough acidity in this wine to keep it lively on the palate and not flabby or jammy. There is a hint of white pepper on the long finish. This is a great price on a Zinfandel lovers zin. (B-)
2012 McCay Cellars Zinfandel (Lodi, CA)… $16.
Black tea and red cherry notes on the nose with a backdrop of red cherries and coffee bean. Currants and black raspberries on the palate with a touch of black olive and dark cherries. Solid acidity backs the fruit notes with structured tannins. Nice Zinfandel like intensity front to back with a little chocolate and white pepper sneaking in on the long finish. (B+)
2011 Le Dix De Los Vascos (Colchagua Valley, Chile)… $60.
Fragrant aromas of violets and cherries with hits of blackberries, plums and raspberries. This is a flower garden in the mouth with a bed of cedar and firm, chalky tannins with balanced acidity. Raspberries and cherries join the party on the mid-palate with chestnut and chocolate notes sneaking in on the back-end and a touch of veggie. Fresh, clean and long on the finish. This baby has some muscle and should be decanted, to show all it has to offer. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon with a splash of Syrah and Carmenere from 70-year-old vines. (A-)
2010 Louis Latour “Ardeche” Chardonnay (Vin De Pays Coteaux De L’Ardeche, France)… $10.
Burnt match on the nose joined by notes of pineapple, apple and a touch of copper penny. Butter, pineapple and apple notes penetrate the palate with good acidity and a dose of minerals. Grass notes join up on the mid-palate and finish. For ten bucks, this little chard shows some interesting complexity and is really delicious. The nose has some funk on it for sure, but the palate makes up for any flaws. (B-)
2012 Cougar Crest Viognier (Walla Walla Valley, WA)… $15.
Aromas of lemon, tangerine, walnuts and banana bread on the nose. Very fresh and clean on the palate and a touch astringent. Notes of citrus (lemon & tangerine) mingled with notes of banana nut bread and lemon pith. Grass notes hit on the finish with a little wintergreen thrown in the mix. Not the best example of a Washington State Viognier, but it has a lot of good qualities. (C+/B-)
2012 Hahn Estate S.L.H. Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA)… $20.
Very fresh on the nose with notes of pineapple, pear and apples with a hint of butter. Round butterscotch and pear notes on the palate with a little liquid butter sneaking in. Apple notes come through on the mid-palate with butterscotch notes lingering on the finish. Good flavors that don’t get heavy with a freshness front to back. I know a lot of folks who will love this Chardonnay (Rombauer like at a much better price). (B)
2012 Hahn Estate S.L.H. Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands, CA)… $20.
Cherry and tea notes on the nose with hits of root beer, crushed red flowers and cranberries. Nice balance of fruit and acidity on the palate supporting notes of dark cherries and Earl Grey tea with a little white pepper thrown in the mix. Root beer notes join a peppery finish that lingers. This is a good example of what Pinot can do in California without tasting like it has a heavy dose of Syrah. (B+)
2012 Cape Roca Fisherman Red (Tejo, Portugal)… $14.
Black licorice all day on the nose with a backdrop of currants, black raspberries and a hit of rose petal. Notes of black licorice and black raspberries rest on structured tannins with a good dose of crushed rocks. Notes of violets show up on the mid-palate into the finish that shows a touch of sweetness and a little grip-action. Lingering notes of crushed rock and spices. This is a rock solid red (no pun intended), from Portugal for the money. 75% Aragonez (Tempranillo) & 25% Touriga Nacional (B/B+)
2012 Christopher Michael Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $12.
Aromas of red flowers, red brick, red cherries and slight hits of licorice and blackberries. A touch rustic on the palate (a little old world action). Notes of toasty cherries and blackberries on chalky, structured tannins. Notes of worn leather on the mid-palate leading into notes of tobacco and white pepper lingering on the finish. Very intriguing red with a lot of character, keeping it interesting. A perfect red for grilled meats, hot dogs, hamburgers or pizza. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Merlot and 2% each of Petit Verdot and Malbec (B)
2011 Chateau Reynon Bordeaux (Cadillac, Bordeaux)… $21.
Violets, rose petals, tobacco, blackberries and currants come through on the nose with a toasty edge. Iron, rust and minerals on the palate, joined by a bright edge of currants and cherries. Nice balance and a seamless flow across the palate. Sturdy, approachable tannins lead the way with tomato leaf, a slight edge of cinnamon and mineral notes on the finish. This wine drinks well now, but will improve over the next 5-8 years. (A-)
2011 Chateau Aquitaine Saint-Andre Corbin Saint-Georges-Saint- Emilion (Bordeaux, France)… $20.
Aromas of rose petals, licorice, earth, leather, meat tenderizer and currants (classic right bank, baby!). A little closed up and tight on the palate. Earth notes come through, joined by currants, wood, red flowers and an under-tow of acidity. A little hard to tell where it will go, but showing promise. 75% Merlot & 25% Cabernet Franc (B+)
2013 Sichel Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux, France)… $14.
There is a steely element to this on the nose with big hits of grapefruit and grass with a touch of tangerine. Lots of minerals and cut grass on the palate, joined by notes of grapefruit and lemon front to back. Crushed rock and citrus notes linger on the finish. A blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. (B+)
2013 Welmoed Chenin Blanc (Stellenbosch, South Africa)… $10.
Bright, light aromas of cut grass and lemon with a touch of wool. There is a fig and lemon oil component on the palate with a little wool sneaking in. Cut grass notes show up on the mid-palate leading into a clean finish of lemon oil and wool. This Chenin has good balance and structure, holding true to the varietal. If you are a Chenin Blanc fan like myself, you will like this little gem from South Africa. (B)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
