In a weeks time, I taste a boatload of wine (seriously). I lot of my friends think I’m lucky. Well, they’re right, and I wouldn’t give this job up for the world. The only thing that makes my job hard, is my feeling of responsibility to taste the samples given to me as quickly as possible and to put my reviews either in my Moleskine, on my Youtube channel (Stan The Wine Man TV), or right here on Stanthewineman.com. Here for your reading pleasure, are five wines that I have reviewed in my Moleskine (good or bad), this past week.
2017 Torbreck Woodcutter’s Shiraz (Barossa Valley, Australia)… $25.
Aromas of earth, bark, Marionberry and currants with a hit of licorice. Almost hedonistic on the palate. The marionberry and currant notes are quite concentrated with underlying earth and bark notes. There is a nice core of acidity that keeps it fresh and gives it structure. Tar and tobacco notes join up on the finish. The alcohol is somewhat high, but is not obvious. Nice balance. (A-/A)
2016 Meadowcraft Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley, CA)… #25.
Light currant, bark and tobacco notes on the nose with a touch of perfume action. Smooth tannins that have a little attitude, back currant and spice notes front to finish, where tobacco and bark notes show up. The tannins have a little grit to them on the back-end with spice, tobacco and currant notes lingering. (A-)
2016 Alaber Branco (Alentejano, Portugal)… $7.
Aromas of melon, grass and fig with a little funk action and hits of dusty rocks. Fig and melon notes on the palate front to a fresh finish. Fig notes linger with wet stone. Light acidity, decent structure and a lengthy finish. 50% Antao Vaz, 40% Roupeiro, 10% Arinto (B-/B)
2014 Pinhel Tinto (Terras Da Beira, Portugal)… $6.
Aromas of crushed red brick, red flowers and hits of caramel and pomegranate. Pomegranate notes on the palate, behind notes of crushed red brick, rust and red flowers. Very rustic with hits of veggies on the back-end. A simple country red table wine. (C)
2015 Brady Vineyards Cabernet Franc (Paso Robles, CA)… $23.
Currants, mocha and vanilla on the nose with hits of licorice and chocolate. Currant and chocolate notes on sturdy, smooth tannins. Spice and tobacco notes sneak in on the back-end with a touch of sweetness. Good balance and a long finish. This wine doesn’t represent what you might expect out of a Cab Franc, but it is a “10” in the delicious category. (B/B)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
