A boatload of wine
2013 25th Anniversary Conundrum Red (California)…. $29.
The aromas of fairly intense with interesting notes of chocolate, mint chip, eucalyptus, black licorice and currants. Deep, rich chocolate and currant notes on the palate with licorice notes brooding underneath leading into a fresh finish. Chocolate and licorice notes hang on the finish. This baby wants to go into the goopy category but stays in check with good acidity that is well-integrated with the fruit. (B/B+)
2013 Root:1 Pinot Noir (Casablanca Valley, Chile)… $9.
Bark, cherries, Root Beer and tobacco on the nose. Good cherry fruit front to back on the palate with some Root Beer notes coming into the picture on the mid-palate into the finish. This Pinot is mostly about cherries. Somewhat one-dimensional but a “10” in the delicious category. (C+)
2013 Renacer Ena More (Mendoza, Argentina)… $27.
This wine is produced just like an Amarone, with the grapes being dried for months before press. An expensive way to make wine since they don’t get nearly as much juice. The idea is to give it more concentrated flavors. So it’s not surprising to get raisins, dried currants and cherries on the nose with an interesting peanut butter component coming through and hits of Filberts. Jammy on the palate with good structure. Notes of raisins, cherries and ripe plums front to back. A little tight on the finish with the acidity rearing its head. Loads of fruit attack the palate with slight minerality underneath. This wine is a little young and very interesting. A blend of Malbec, Cab, Bonarda & Cab Franc. (B/B+)
2013 Woodinville Wine Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley, WA)… $16.
Aromas of melon, apple, wet stones and a hint of lemon. Loads of honey and melon on the palate, balanced by notes of crushed rock underneath. Cut grass notes join the party on the finish. I’m picky about Sauvignon Blanc, and I thought this one has some interesting things going on. (B-/B)
2013 Airfield Estates “Runway” Cabernet Sauvignon (Yakima Valley, WA)… $15.
Interesting nose of violets, tobacco and currants with a little vegetation lingering underneath joined by hints of cinnamon. Grainy tannins and good structure support notes of currants, violets and tobacco front to back. There is an interesting cinnamon-nutmeg element that lies underneath and on the long finish. For the money, this is a steal. One of the best I’ve tasted in this price range from Washington State. (B+)
Non-vintage Dew Chanceny Cremant de Loire Brut (Loire Valley, France)… $15.
White peaches and apples on the nose with a hint of pears. Bone dry on the palate. Notes of green apple and lemon front to back with just a touch of sweet fruit on the mid-palate. Lemon and almond notes linger on the finish. You have to love these great values in sparkling wine from regions other than the big guns from Champagne. A blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. (B)
Non-Vintage De Chanceny Cremant de Loire Rose` Brut (Loire Valley, France)… $15.
Aromas of strawberries and earth with a touch of mushroom, rose petal and cherries. Nice strawberry and cherry fruit on the palate with a backbone of citrus. Nice balance, on the dry side but just a touch light on the finish. 100% Cabernet Franc (C+/B-)
2014 Elk Cove Pinot Blanc (Willamette Valley, Oregon)… $19.
Smells like stainless steel joined by notes of banana skin, Meyers lemon and hits of cut grass. Flat and uninteresting. This baby has no verve on the palate. Notes of Asian pear, and red apple comes through. Hollow on the mid-palate with trace notes of grass and gravel coming through into a short finish with just a touch of banana skin and fig coming through. This might open up a bit with some decanting, but I wouldn’t count on it. (D+/C-)
2013 Moutard-Diligent Chardonnay (Burgundy, France)… $15.
Aromas of vinyl counter top, white flowers, nuts, mushrooms and melon. Polished stone, chalk, melon and citrus on the front of the palate. Starts off a little flat, then it fires off on the mid-palate leading into a citrus and stone driven finish. Chalk notes lie underneath front to finish. (B-/B)
2013 Moutard-Diligent Pinot Noir (Bourgogne, France)… $15.
Strawberries all day on the nose with a dose of black tea, orange peel and a hit of dirt. Citrus notes dominate the palate joined by notes of cranberries and orange peel. Very earthy front to back and somewhat astringent due to the acidity. This is very mouth-puckering but has enough interesting things going on to keep you interested. Some will love it, others not so much. (C)
2014 Les Pouches Saumur (Loire Valley, France)… $10.
Raspberry and bark on the nose with notes of wilted violets and a touch of licorice thrown in. Very tight and tart on the palate with notes of violets, dusty rocks, under-ripe raspberries and cherry pit leading into a very green finish. This is what you might expect from a Cabernet Franc out of the Loire Valley at this price. Once again this is for a particular palate, some will love it and some won’t. (C/C+)
2011 Grgich Hills Estate Zinfandel (Napa Valley, CA)… $41.
A little restrained on the nose with notes of dusty currants and ripe cherries. Sweet tannins support notes of bark, cherries and currants with a subtle hit of white pepper and wilted rose petal. This is a very tight, tannic, structured wine which is typical Grgich style. tuck this one away for a few years and watch it blossom. (B/B+)
2013 Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio (Collio, Italy)… $28.
Aromas of pear, white flowers and wet stone. Pears with a backdrop of apples and crushed rock on the palate. A melon element comes through on the mineral driven finish. Great balance and nice and clean. It’s serious money for Pinot Grigio, but I think it kicks Santa Margharitas’ ass. (B+/A-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
