A boatload of wine
2016 Twin Islands Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)… $12.
Gooseberry and grapefruit with a touch of pine needles on the nose. A big dose of grapefruit on the palate (surprise!) with a hint of lime and orange underneath. Solid, balanced acidity with grapefruit and orange notes lingering. (B-/B)
2017 Terranoble Sauvignon Blanc (Central Valley, Chile)… $10.
Slight aromas of wet stone, banana and cut grass. Round on the palate, especially the mid-palate. Notes of apples and pears with pears taking over on the fresh finish with a little cut grass sneaking in on the back-end. (B-/B)
2017 Yalumba “Y” Series Viognier (South Australia)… $11.
Just a bit of stink action on the nose with hits of butterscotch and apricots. Lightweight in the mouth but not shy with flavors. Notes of butterscotch, apricots and pears shine through. Fresh, clean and delicious with the acidity in good balance, keeping if from getting too fruity. Butterscotch notes are the backbone but not candied, just the flavor that lingers with the fruit. (B)
2017 Domaine Preignes Le Vieux Paradis Grenache Rose` (Pays d’Oc, France)… $13.
Watermelon Jolly Rancher on the nose. Very light on the palate with notes of watermelon rind and a pinch of white pepper. White peach notes sneak in underneath and on the finish. Dry, but not bone dry. (B/B+)
2015 Turasan “Selda” White (Cappadocian, Turkey)… $8.
Aromas of tangerine, apricot and wet stone, with a touch of banana, walnuts and filberts. Viognier like on the palate with a load of wet stone and a solid core of fresh acidity. Hits of grass, lemon and tangerine join the palate experience. 35% Emir, 30% Narince, 30% Misket, 5% Chardonnay (B+)
2015 Domaine La Croix Belle Caringole Rouge (Cotes De Thongue, France)… $10.
Aromas of black olive, red flowers, toast and plums with a touch of red licorice. Grippy on the palate with notes of plums, crushed rock and black pepper front to finish. Red flower notes lie underneath with a kiss of worn leather. (C/C+)
2016 Andrew Rich “Rich Table” Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $20.
Currants and blackberries on the nose with a touch of candied violets. Some veggie action under notes of currants and tobacco on the palate with a kiss of violets. Tightly wound up with a solid hit of leather on the mid-palate into the finish. Fresh acidity gives it a lift on the palate. Very old school in style. You might want to let this sit in your cellar for five years…I think you will be rewarded. (B+)
2017 Vian Haras De Pirque Chardonnay (Casablanca Valley, Chile)… $11.
Fresh cut grass on the nose joined by apple and hits of pears. Smooth and balanced on the palate with a nice freshness. Apple and pear notes come through, with a little white pepper action. A little awkward at first on the finish with oak notes hitting hard. It comes around nicely with a chalky minerality on the back-end. (C+/B-)
2017 Miguel Torres Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc (Central Valley, Chile)… $11.
A touch stinky on the nose with notes of grapefruit and lemon. Grapefruit and mineral notes front to finish on the palate with a kiss of lemon. Grass notes sneak in on the back-end. Good balance of acidity, minerals and fruit. (B-)
2015 Merf Chardonnay (Columbia Valley, WA)… $12.
A touch candied on the nose with toasty butter and pear notes. Light on its feet with notes of butter, pears and baking spices. Good balance with the oak coming through but stays in check with a nice, spicy finish. Some make-up comes in but not obvious. (B-/B)
2017 14 Hands Rose` (Washington State)… $12.
Aromas of rhubarb, strawberries, cherries and apples. Strawberry and cherry fruit on the palate with a little watermelon sneaking in. Solid fruit front to mid-palate finishing dry with hits of dried herbs, minerals and a kiss of citrus. A blend of Syrah, Merlot, Cinsault and Grenache (B+)
2014 Seven Falls Cellars Rapids Red (Wahluke Slope, WA)… $17.
Aromas of licorice, currants, chocolate and cinnamon Graham Crackers. This baby is spicy on the palate! Currant notes all day with a kiss of chocolate and licorice. There is a nice freshness underneath, supporting the spice action. Chocolate notes linger with the spice on the finish. Sixteen months in barrel…30% French oak and 70% American oak. (B/B+)
2013 Paxis Red (Lisboa, Portugal)… $8.
Licorice, tobacco, cherries and black raspberry on the nose with a pinch of mint and dirt. Smooth, sturdy tannins support notes of cherries and black raspberries. It intensifies and lifts a bit on the mid-palate leading into the finish where mint and tobacco notes join the party. Nice balance and a “10” in the delicious category. (B/B+)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
