A boatload of wine
2013 Novelty Hill Roussanne Stillwater Creek Vineyard (Columbia Valley, WA)… $20.
Aromas of melon, banana, Meyers Lemons and orange blossoms. Creamy mouth-feel with notes of melon, cut grass and orange blossoms front to back. Very fresh on the palate but somewhat closed, not showing off what it has and certainly making it a little boring on the palate. (C)
2013 Novelty Hill Sauvignon Blanc Stillwater Creek Vineyard (Columbia Valley, WA)… $15. ‘
Steely on the nose with notes of white flowers apples and melon rind. Soft mouth-feel with notes of apples, melon, cut grass and wet stone coming through. Green apple and banana skin notes finish it off. I always like a little more acidity in my Suav. Blancs, but this one shows some interesting complexity. (C+)
2013 Colle Stefano Verdicchio (Verdicchio Di Matelica, Italy)… $15.
Interesting aromas of walnuts and apples with a little slate, white flowers and honeysuckle thrown in. Walnuts and honeysuckle served up on a plate of slate and steel. Crushed rock notes show up on the mid-palate leading into a clean, slate driven finish joined by notes of white flowers and a hit of lemon. (B-)
Rochiolo Sauvignon Blanc (Russian River Valley, CA)… $40.
A little stink action on the nose with notes of grapefruit pith, diesel, white flowers and hits of apples. Solid fruit on the front of the palate with notes of apples, white flowers and diesel coming through (very interesting). Good structure and balance with a very clean and tight finish (age this one, I dare you), showing notes of white flowers, crushed rock, grass and slight hits of grapefruit. I know it’s hard to spend forty bucks on a Sauvignon blanc unless it has Sancerre on the label, but this one may well be worth the price tag. (A-)
2013 Montebruno Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR)… $27.
Very elegant on the nose with notes of rose petal, cherries and wet stone with a little perfumed soap action. Bright raspberry and cherry notes on the palate backed by notes of black tea and Root beer. The fruit notes are sweet as they dance on notes of wet stone. The acidity and fruit are well-integrated, with the Root beer and cherry notes lingering. This Pinot shows really well for under thirty bucks. (B+)
2012 Rojac Refosk (Istra, Slovenia) … $18.
Brooding aromas of perfumed blackberries and dark cherries with underlying crushed rock, wilted rose petal and violet notes. Crushed rock and violets all day on the palate with a backbone of cranberries and cherries. The acidity lifts the fruit notes into a crushed rock, violets and sweet cranberry finish. This baby screams for grilled meats. (B-/B)
Austin Hope Wine Co. Troublemaker Red Blend 8 (Central Coast, CA)… $20.
Very jammy om the nose with notes of raspberries and cherries with hits of marshmallow and licorice. Cherries big-time on the palate backed by notes of licorice and tobacco. The ripe fruit expands on the mid-palate, but then the wine thins out on the finish with an edge of brown sugar coming through. There are some that will love this wine, and some that will hate it. 46% Syrah, 25% Zinfandel, 14% Grenache and 10% Mourvedre (C+)
2013 Pierre Chanier 1749 Sauvignon Blanc (Vin de France) … $10.
Lemon drop candy, wet stone and cut grass on the nose. Notes of Granny Smithy apples, lemongrass, kumquat and kiwi on the palate with a strong backbone of bright acidity. Very steely in the mouth front to back with a clean, dry finish. This would be awesome with oysters or clams. (B/B+)
2013 Chateau De La Roches Sauvignon Blanc Touraine (Loire Valley, France)… $16.
Aromas of sweaty armpits (not stinky), wet stone, grapefruit pith and white flowers. Notes of grapefruit pith, rocks, slate, cut grass, kiwi and kumquat come through on the palate with a solid core of acid. There is good balance in this wine and a mouth-watering finish featuring notes of lemon and slate. Another great wine for shellfish. (B)
2013 Gravel Bar Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, WA)… $16.
Slight butter element on the nose, joined by pineapple and apple notes. Nice buttery apple notes front to back on the palate with a fresh edge to it. The finish is clean, but a little light. (C+/B-)
2012 Robert Hall Cuvee De Robles Red (Paso Robles, CA)… $18.
Aromas of perfumed blackberries and plums with an edge of smoke and red flowers. Smooth and seamless across the palate with notes of charcoal, plums, boysenberries and a touch of smoke. Minerals and a hint of smoke join the party on the mid-palate with a hint of mocha. The finish is plum driven joined by notes of smoked meat and a hit of black olive. A nice complex red that should get better over the next five years. 37% Grenache, 24% Syrah, 17% Petite sirah, 13% Cinsault and 9% Cinsault. (B+)
2012 Big Guy Red (California)… $16.
Violets and red currants on the nose, joined by blueberries and raspberries with a touch of baked earth, vanilla and black tea. Silky tannins support notes of violets, black olives, currants and mocha with a hint of powdered chocolate. Seamless flow across the palate leading into a violets and chocolate finish with a hint of tobacco and minerals. (B/B+)
2013 Gravel Bar Alluvial Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $18.
A little challenged on the nose with hints of candied cherries and rose petal coming through. Sweet tannins support notes of ripe cherries and chocolate notes front to back. Just a touch of tobacco shows up on the finish. Fresh on the palate with good balance, but slightly thin. (B-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
