FRIDAY’S THIRTEEN…

Aromas of smoke, bark, cherries and a hit of tobacco. Very polished on the palate with notes of plum and cherries front to finish with an edge of tobacco. A little boysenberry action shows on the mid-palate into the finish. Simple and soft with enough going on to keep it interesting. 1 liter (C+/B-)

2016 Balletto Pinot Gris (Russian River Valley, CA)… $30.

Roasted nuts and melon on the nose with a hint of lemon. The initial hit on the palate feels rich, with a honey element coming through. It changes gears immediately with notes of melon and apple on a bracing, bright core with a little mineral action on the back-end. A trace of fresh-cut grass on the mid-palate into a clean stainless steel finish. Kind of expensive for a Gris that is not from Alsace. (C+/B-)

2015 Vaulted Wines Elevage Red (Oregon)… $29.

Aromas of crushed rock, red flowers, tobacco and cherries with a little blackberry action. Loads of vanilla and mocha up front on the palate with a backbone of cherries. Fresh underneath with a little grip action from the tannins on the tobacco and tar driven finish with a little hit of vanilla in the background. 34% Tempranillo, 33% Grenache, 16% Touriga Nacional, 17% Tinto Cao (C+/B-)

2017 Vaulted Wines Albarino (Washington)… $20.

Fruit Stripe bubblegum on the nose with hits of grass, lime, lemon, orange and peach (very expressive). Nice oily feel on the palate giving it a richness in the mouth. Notes of mango, lime and mandarin orange on a fresh bed of acidity that keeps it clean and fresh. Lime and orange notes linger. (B+/A-)

2014 Ambassador Syrah (Red Mountain, WA)… $20.

Smoke lies under blueberry and red raspberry notes on the nose with a pinch of licorice and Red Mt. earth. Nice weight on the palate with notes of boysenberry and currants on smoked bacon fat and white pepper. Good acidity that is well-integrated. Mocha and vanilla dominate the finish with a kiss of tobacco and white pepper notes that linger. (B/B+)

2014 Airfield Estates Merlot (Yakima Valley, WA)… $15.

Licorice and cherry liquor on the nose with a solid hit of red flower notes. Earth, dark cherries and rose petal on the palate, backed by solid tannins that are approachable but have an attitude. It shines a bit underneath with white pepper notes on an earthy, savory finish. Excellent structure and complexity. (B+/A-)

2015 Twelve Pinot Noir (Yamhill-Carlton, Oregon)… $20.

Aromas of cola, dirt, bark and cherries. Solid acidity backs cola, cranberry and cherry notes on the palate with underlying orange peel. Good balance and structure finishing on the crunchy side. Needs food! (C+/B-)

2015 Michel Lynch Bordeaux (Bordeaux, France)…$12.

Pomegranate, blackberries and tobacco on the nose with a kiss of vanilla, caramel and chocolate. Crunchy acidity on the palate that supports notes of earth, bright blackberry and crushed rock. There is a sweet fruit note hit on the mid-palate but goes tight on the finish with notes of mushroom joining up and lingering. This baby is true old world Bordeaux. 85% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon (B/B+)

2015 Cloudline Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR)… $18.

Fresh red raspberry on the nose with notes of Root Beer, cherries and a hint of earth. Deep cherry notes on the palate balanced by solid, well-integrated acidity and bark notes. Root Beer notes hit on the mid-palate into the finish with a kiss chocolate that takes over on the back-end. (B/B+)

2014 Drouhin “Rose Rock” Pinot Noir (Eola-Amity Hills, OR)… $32.

Strawberry and cherry notes “Pop” on the nose with underlying tea, bark, red flower and Asian spice. Deep, almost lush cherry notes on the palate, wrapped up by balanced acidity and good structure. There is a cranberry component that comes through with hits of earth and black tea. Asian spice notes linger in the background, then comes out in full force on the savory, red flower driven finish that lingers (A-)

2014 Drouhin “Rose Rock” Pinot Noir Zephirin (Eola-Amity Hills, OR)… $58.

Aromas of ripe cherries, Asian spices, eucalyptus and a solid core of Root Beer. Earth, dark cherries and Asian spices flow seamlessly across the palate with root beer notes hiding underneath. The acidity is well-integrated with the fruit. Nice balance and structure. There is a hit of cranberry on the mid-palate into the lingering earthy finish. (A)

2015 Avancia Cuvee De O Godello (Valdeorras, Spain)… $15.

Wet stone and banana skin on the nose with a kiss of melon. Apples, melon and peach on the palate with underlying crushed rock notes front to finish. Pitted fruit notes expand on the mid-palate and then fade on the crushed rock and lemon finish that lingers. (B/B+)

2012 Idilico Tempranillo (Washington)… $20.

Perfumed smokey currants on the nose with a touch of rose petal. Currants, plum and blackberry on the palate with a smokey edge. Tobacco notes sneak into the palate party on the mid-palate into the finish. Good structure and balanced acidity. (B-)

Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man