A boatload of wine
2013 Rossi Cairo Gavi (Gavi, Italy)… $12.
Aromas of white flowers and wet stone with a nice hit of tangerine. Nice balanced acidity supports fresh notes of orange and tangerine with a wet stone element sneaking in. Tangerine notes linger on the dry finish. This Gavi is balanced and somewhat complex. Pretty good for the money. (B+)
2013 Echeverria Propuesta Red (Maipo Valley, Chile)… $10.
A little stink action on the nose with notes of cherries, rose petal and licorice. The tannins are a little soft with a chalky edge to them, supporting notes of currants, tobacco and cherries. Notes of asparagus sneak in underneath. There is just enough acidity to pop the fruit notes on the mid-palate into the finish. If this had just a little more muscle it would be awesome. It is an excellent value as it is, and I know a lot of you will like it. (B-/B)
2013 Brandborg Vineyard & Winery “Love Puppets” Pinot Noir (Umpqua Valley, OR)… $25.
Aromas of menthol, cola and Root Beer, with underlying cherry and bark notes. Nice balance of acidity and fruit on the palate. Cranberry and cherry notes come through on the palate with a nice hit of rose petals. Bark and Root Beer notes hit on the mid-palate leading into a finish with a little acid and menthol kick. This baby seems a little young and may need a year or two to show off. (B/B+)
2013 Sobon Estate Old Vine Zinfandel (Amador County, CA)… $12.
Deep rose petal and currant notes with a pinch of tobacco and raisin (yes, I said it!). Ripe currants all day on the palate supported by soft tannins and a touch of white pepper that lingers on the finish. This is Barney basic Zin that is delicious without getting hot on the palate from alcohol. (C+/B-)
2015 Whidbey Island Winery Pinot Gris (Yakima Valley, WA)… $14.
Pears, apples and mandarin jump out on the nose with hits of papaya. Ripe apple notes on the palate with a little papaya and mango thrown in. Citrus notes make a presence on the mid-palate into the finish, joined by notes of white pepper. This is an interesting Pinot Gris because it feels round in the mouth without going into the fat mode, which is hard to do. (B)
2014 Maylandie Corbieres (France)… $10.
Aromas of red flowers, cherries and tobacco with a little sweet vanilla underneath and a touch of wet stone. This baby is crunchy on the palate if you can relate. Under-ripe cherry and cranberry notes with a little blueberry thrown in. Good balance but a bit on the acid side, giving it a mouth-watering finish. A bit on the SweetTart side. This is a love or hate relationship. 50% Cinsault, 50% Carignan (C+/B-)
2012 Robert Ramsey Cellars Cinsault Mckinley Springs (Horse Heaven Hills, WA)… $30.
A little challenged on the nose, which surprised me. Just a touch of stink action with a little currant leather and earth coming through. Good intensity front to back on the palate with a nice underscore of acidity. Notes of currants and a touch of raisin, joined by notes of leather and tobacco. Chocolate notes join the party on the delicious finish. So much for a challenged nose. (B+/A-)
2013 Lone Birch Syrah (Yakima Valley, WA)… $12.
Blueberries smoke and bark on the nose with just a touch of licorice and violets. Currant notes come through on sweet tannins with a fresh element underneath. There is a violet hit on the mid-palate with blueberry notes joining in on the finish. A delicious, easy to drink Syrah. (C+/B-)
2013 Waitsburg Cellars “Three” White Boushey Vineyard (Yakima Valley, WA)… $18.
Apples and honeydew melon on the nose with a little hit of white flower and wet stone thrown in. Very clean on the palate with notes of slate, chalk and wet stone coming through with a touch of apple and pear. Wet stone and slate notes are prominent front to finish. This white is just a touch boring for my palate. (C/C+)
2014 Basel Cellar Sauvignon Blanc-Semillon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $17.
Cut grass and grapefruit on the nose with a splash of lime. Slightly round and polished on the palate with notes of ripe melon and a touch of ripe apple on the mid-palate. Tangerine and mineral notes sneak in on the dry finish. (B/B+)
2012 Waitsburg Cellars “Three” Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $21.
Currants, tobacco and leather on the nose with an interesting nutmeg element thrown in. Excellent structure on this wine. Currant, cherry and tobacco notes front to finish. Loads of red flower notes join the party leading into a slightly grippy, delicious finish. Mineral notes linger on the back-end with just a hint of worn leather. 73% Merlot, 20% Malbec, 7% Mourvedre (B+)
2011 Basel Cellars Claret (Columbia Valley, WA)… $20.
Licorice and currants on the nose with just a touch of rose petal and leather. Solid acidity with brooding dark fruit underneath on the palate. Chocolate notes come through front to finish where it lingers. Good structure and nice balance of acidity, tannins and fruit. (B+)
2015 Elk Cove Vineyards Rose`(Willamette Valley, OR)… $16.
Cherry Bubbleyum on the nose with a touch of pie crust and dried herbs. Strawberries and cherries on the front of the palate evolving into sweet rhubarb notes on the finish. Nice, balanced acidity gives this rose` a dry finish with a little pink rose petal element hitting on the back side. A Rose` lovers Rose` for sure. (A-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
