A boatload of wine
2017 Matua Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)… $12.
Grapefruit, pine needles and melon on the nose. Light on the palate with notes of grapefruit, gooseberry and a kiss of lime. Acidity is medium. The fruit notes liven up on the mid-palate, finishing with white grapefruit, and a kiss of lime with a stainless steel element lingering. (C+/B-)
2016 Saint Damien Vin De France Red (France)… $13.
Aromas of violets and boysenberries with a little burnt wood and marshmallow action. Plush notes of boysenberries and cherries on the front of the palate, joined by notes of white pepper and trace minerals. Coffee notes join up on the mid-palate leading into a grippy, mineral driven finish where leather and red flower notes show up and hang around. 80% Grenache, 20% Marsalan (B-/B)
2016 Dievole “Ledue Arbie” Rosado (Toscana, Italy)… $18.
Strawberries on the nose with underlying raspberry and minerals. Crushed rock and strawberries all day on the palate with strawberry notes penetrating on the finish. A backbone of solid acidity keeps it fresh front to finish. (B+)
2017 Longship Cellars Wild Harvest Rose’ (Wahluke Slope, WA)… $17.
Cherries and red flowers on the nose. Ripe cherries on the palate with underlying strawberry notes on a fresh bed of acidity. Good depth of fruit without going sweet. Cherry notes linger. Made from Syrah (B/B+)
2015 Cote Bonneville Cabernet Franc Rose` Dubrul Vineyard (Yakima Valley, WA)… $32.
Very challenged on the nose with faint dried herb notes. Deep cherry notes on the palate backed by a solid hit of white pepper. Creamy mouthfeel and somewhat soft on the finish. Very subtle and over-priced. (C-)
Non-Vintage Cattier Champagne Rose` (Champagne, France)… $61.
Strawberries, cherries and bread dough on the nose. Cutting, laser-sharp acidity drives notes of minerals, strawberries, and cherries with bread dough notes coming through on the back-end. There is a sweet edge to the finish that is held in check by the laser-sharp acidity. (B+/A-)
2013 Freja Cellars Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR)… $18.
Aromas of Asian spices, Root Beer and cherries with hits of dried bark. Fresh and bright on the front of the palate merging into notes of cherries and Asian spice. This baby wants to go tart, but doesn’t quite get there. Good balance of acidity and fruit. Dances lightly on the palate front to finish. (C+/B-)
2013 Villa Borghetti Valpolicella Ripasso (Veneto, Italy)… $23.
Strawberries and wet stone on the nose with hits of bark and rust. Solid fruit on the palate with notes of ripe currants, strawberries, licorice and traces of bark. Fresh acidity gives a lift in the mouth. The fruit notes expand on the mid-palate with a fresh, clean finish. Nice complexity and balance. (A-)
2013 Brady Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Paso Robles, CA)… $23.
Currants and wilted rose petal on the nose with a kiss of chocolate. Currant and chocolate notes front to finish on the palate with a slight underscore of tobacco. The tannins are edgy with a little grip action on the finish and a little crushed rock coming through. Good structure, but a little hot from the alcohol going warm down the throat on the finish. 15% abv shows on this one. (C+/B-)
2016 Claar Cellars Sauvignon Blanc (Columbia Valley, WA)… $13.
A touch stinky on the nose with notes of apples and melon with hits of baking spices. Apple notes on the palate with a spine of burnt match. Almost like someone dumped apple juice on a pile of burnt matches sprinkled with white pepper. (D-)
2016 Brady Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc (Paso Robles, CA)… $19.
Melon and apple notes on the nose with a kiss of sweaty arm pit and white flowers. Apple and apple skin notes on the palate with white pepper notes hiding underneath. Acidity is a little soft causing it to thin out on the finish where a touch of bitterness comes out from the apple skin notes. (C-/C)
2015 Terreta Red (Spain)… $10.
Aromas of licorice and crushed red brick with a little red flower thrown in. Notes of ripe and under ripe cherries on the palate joined by notes of currants, leather and tobacco. A nice beam of acidity is well-integrated joined by edgy, approachable tannins. There is a sweet edge on the front of the palate, but finishes dry and savory with a kiss of crushed rock on the back-end. A little old world gem with a solid kiss of fruit. Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo (B+)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
