FRIDAY’S THIRTEEN…

A boatload of wine

A boatload of wine

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.

2013 For A Song Riesling Caliche Lake Vineyard (Ancient Lakes Vineyard, WA)… $10.

Bright pear, apple and lemon notes on the nose. Very mouth-watering on the palate with notes of lemon, apple and Asian pear coming through. There is a slight sugar element on the mid-palate, but it finishes clean and bracing. The acidity “pops” the fruit in the mouth making the wine dance on the palate. Pretty good Riesling for ten bucks. (B+)

2012 For A Song Chardonnay Caliche Lake Vineyard (Ancient Lakes, WA)… $11.

Interesting aromas of pears, smoke, fish (yes I said fish), toast and hints of butterscotch. Round pear notes up front on the palate with apple skin notes sneaking in continuing through to the finish. There is just a slight kiss of butterscotch front to back. (C+/B-)

2012 For A Song Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, Oregon)… $18.

Aromas of black tea, sarsaparilla and cherries with a kiss of earth. Good acid and fruit balance on the palate. Dark cherries notes rest on a bed of acidity, joined by notes of black tea and sarsaparilla. There is a Cola element sneaking in on the mid-palate joined by notes of violets and a hint of licorice on the finish. A very nice effort for this price showing true Pinot noir elements. (B+)

2012 For A Song “The Score” Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $10.

Smoked ham all day on the nose, backed by currants and violets with just a hint of chocolate. Smooth and polished on the palate with just a little attitude. Notes of smoked ham, currants and cherries with an underscore of licorice. There is a big hit of violets on the mid-palate finishing a touch thin with hits of powdered chocolate. 95% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon & 2% Syrah. (C+/B-)

2012 For A Song Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $12.

Just a touch of stink on the nose with aromas of burnt match, currants and hits of violets. Ripe currants, rose petal and violet notes on polished tannins that carry the fruit into a spicy, long finish. Good intensity on the palate, but finishes fresh. (B-/B)

2013 For A Song Syrah (Columbia Valley, WA)… $14.

Aromas of maple bar, currants and a backdrop of boysenberries and a hint of old bark. Smooth tannins support intense notes of boysenberries and currants. There is a slight splash of white pepper on the mid-palate, finishing with notes of violets and blueberries lingering. True Washington State Syrah personality for a great price. (B+)

2012 For A Song Petit Verdot (Washington)… $17.

Aromas of coffee bean, currants and baked earth, with hits of violets and blueberries. Smooth, polished notes of blueberries, currants and coffee beans. Nice balance and flow across the palate with a little tobacco and white pepper action on the mid-palate. The finish is medium to long with violet notes lingering. (B+/A-)

2014 Bergevin Lane “Linen” Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley, WA)… $12.

White flowers and white grapefruit notes on the nose, joined by lemon, honey and a hit of orange blossom. Fruity on the front of the palate with notes of ripe melon, coconut and white flowers. Apple notes hit on the mid-palate joined by pink grapefruit and a touch of grass on the finish. From fruity to fresh with a touch of grip on the finish. (B-)

2013 Raeburn Chardonnay (Russian River Valley, CA)… $20
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Aromas of toasted walnuts, butter and Asian pear. Sweet pears and butter on the front of the palate with a hit of ripe pineapple on the mid-palate, finishing with a kiss of butter. Good balance and nice flow across the palate. Simple, but delicious, and finishes very clean. (C+/B-)

2012 Hermanos Torrontes Valle De Cafayate (Salta, Argentina)… $13.

Aromas of banana peel, orange peel, Meyers lemon and almond skin. Immediately round on the front of the palate, but then goes fresh. Notes of orange peel, lemon peel, melon and white flowers. Excellent balance of acid and fruit. Clean, long ass finish with notes of orange and lemon lingering. (B+)

2013 Novelty Hill Roussanne Still Water Creek (Columbia Valley, WA)… $20.

Melon, banana, lemon and orange blossom on the nose. Creamy mouth-feel, but very closed up on the palate. Notes of melon, grass and orange blossom come through with a clean, fresh finish. I think this has some potential, but it is not showing off in the least. (C)

2013 Novelty Hill Sauvignon Blanc Still Water Creek Vineyard (Columbia Valley, WA)… $15.

Steely on the nose with notes of white flowers, apples and melon rind. Very soft in the mouth with notes of apples, melon, white flowers and a touch of grass and rocks. Green apple skins and banana skin notes come through on the finish. A Sauvignon blanc in search of an identity. (C+)

2013 Colle Stefano Verdicchio (Verdicchio di Matelica, Italy)… $15.
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Aromas of slate, walnuts and apples with hits of white flowers and honeysuckle. Walnuts on the palate, joined by notes of honeysuckle, stainless steel and slate. Crushed rock notes come through into the middle palate finishing clean with notes of slate, white flowers and a slight lemon edge. (B-)

Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man

About Stan The Wine Man

I am a blue collar wine guy who has been in the biz for over twenty years. I work at a store in a tourist destination stop. I work hard at finding the best wine for the money. I love the challenge of learning my customer's palate so I can find the best wine for them, whether it is Petrus or white zinfandel. Cheers!
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