A boatload of wine
2009 Two Angels High Valley Petite Sirah (Lake County, CA)… $26.
Blueberries all day on the nose with notes of black raspberries and red flowers underneath. Nice intensity on the palate showing blueberries, black raspberries and currants. A solid core of acidity gives the fruit notes a “punch” on the palate. Tobacco and red flower notes join the party on the mid-palate with licorice notes hitting on the long finish. A classic example of what Petite sirah can achieve. (B+/A-)
2014 Chateau De Costis “Blanc De Costis” Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux, France)… $8.
Aromas of white flowers, melon rind, wet stone and hits of lemon. Lemon-lime zest on the palate with crazy acidity that makes it dance in the mouth. A little grass and herbs sneak into the picture mid to finish. This little white has a load of attitude for the money. 60% Sauvignon blanc, 30% Semillon and 10% Muscadelle (A-)
2013 Domaine Notre Dame Des Pallieres Rose De Gigondas (Rhone, France)… $13.
A touch of rose petal on the nose joined by notes of strawberries and cherries. Ripe cherries all day on the palate with a kiss of strawberries and huckleberries. Some herbal notes sneak in leading to a bone dry finish. Even though its last year’s vintage, it is still fresh and vibrant. (B-)
2012 Mascerelli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo (Abruzzo, Italy)… $9.
Aromas of bark, cherries, crushed rock, rose petals and coffee bean. Rose petals soaked in cherry juice on the palate with a splash of gravel. Finishes slightly thin. Good balance of acidity and delicious fruit notes. (C+/B-)
2013 Chateau La Vernede Tradition Red (Coteaux Du Languedoc)… $10.
Very perfumed on the nose with notes of cherries, blackberries and a pinch of lavender. Round blackberry and cherry notes on solid, approachable tannins. A trace of tobacco comes through, with a spicy black pepper finish. Red flower notes underneath front to back with a minerality that lingers. (B)
2013 Gaudou & Co. Cahors “Cuvee Tradition” (Cahors, France)… $9.
Rose petal, tobacco, cassis and cherries on the nose with a soapy edge to it. A touch thin up front with notes of currants, violets and rose petal well-integrated with the acidity. The fruit expands on the mid-palate and then a big dose of gravel hits on the finish as it thins out a bit again with hits of licorice coming through. It definitely gets better, as the air gets to it. Would love to decant this and see how it holds up. 80% Malbec, 15% Merlot, 5% Tannat (C+/B-)
2013 Vino De Euzaguirre Cabernet Sauvignon (Colchagua Valley, Chile)… $10.
Very challenged on the nose, but that changes immediately on the palate. Massive notes of ripe currants and tobacco with a touch of cassis. Good acidity backs the fruit with mocha, cassis and mineral notes showing on the finish. This Cab isn’t for everyone, but I know there are a lot of folks who will love it. (B)
Non-Vintage Pithon-Paille Brut De Chenin Cremant De Loire (France)… $29.
Aromas of almonds, walnuts, lemon, pears and wet stone. Bone dry on the palate…It almost tastes like a fine apple cider with a hit of lemon and wet stone. Almond skin comes through on the mid-palate joined by notes of kumquat and lichee notes on the finish. A very interesting bottle of bubbles from the Loire Valley. (B/B+)
2013 Andorfer Vorgeschmack White (Niederosterreich, Austria)… $17.
Aromas of buttery figs, peach pit, wet stone and lemon oil. Bright acidity on the palate, yet there is good balance. Notes of wet stone, lemon and cut grass start to finish. Almost steely on the palate, showing a little creamy element on the front of the palate and a nice long finish. 80% Gruner Veltliner, 20% Riesling (B)
2012 Vino di Anna “Palmento” Vino Rosso (Mount Edna, Italy)… $25.
Toasty violets, apples and cherry Jolly Ranchers, with a touch of watermelon. Round cherry and red plum notes up front on soft tannins. Crushed rock notes show up on the mid-palate, leading into a thin, acidic finish. This baby is a tale of two wines. Open up front, and tightly wound on the finish. 100% Nerello Mascalese (C-)
2012 Monte Bruno “Kathken Vineyard” Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills, Oregon)… $40.
A little stink on the nose with notes of cherries and black tea and hits of cranberries and violets. Cranberries and tart cherries all day on the palate, blended with notes of baked earth. High acid, with a Sweet-Tart element coming through. This is a baby, and needs time in the bottle. If you drink it now, make sure you decant it. (B)
2007 San Fereolo Red (Dogliani, Italy)… $31.
Aromas of raspberries and dark cherries with a little wilted rose petal, rocks and violets coming through…Very s interesting. Deep and layered on the palate with notes of currants and cherries. Structured, approachable tannins support the fruit notes and it gets a little spicy on the mid-palate. This is a very mineral driven red which you expect from the old world. Notes of wet stone and dusty rocks underneath joined by notes of black olives front to back. With the fruit comes the old world attitude. This winery is certified organic and Bio-dynamic. 100% Dolcetto (B=/A-)
2013 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley, CA)… $24.
Aromas of grass, melon, grapefruit and orange blossoms. Good acidity and balance with notes of sweet orange blossoms with grapefruit pith as the backbone. A touch of grass sneaks in on the medium to long finish. Not bad for a Cali Sauvignon blanc. (B)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
