FRIDAY’S FIVE

In a weeks time, I taste a boatload of wine (seriously). A 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.

2016 A to Z Pinot Noir by A to Z Wine Works (Oregon)… $21.

Bright cherries and cranberries on the nose with a hit of black raspberry. Very earthy and savory aromas. Cherries and Asian spices up front on the palate and into the finish. There is a nice beam of acidity underneath that is well integrated. A hit of black raspberry joins up on the mid-palate. Light in body, but solid flavors. A touch of tobacco hits on the back of the finish. Good balance of acidity and fruit. (B-)

2015 Reininger Cabernet Sauvignon (Walla Walla Valley, WA)… $30.

Very challenged on the nose with slight cinnamon, currant and earth notes. Currant and citrus notes collide with each other on the palate. Clean and fresh with acidity dominating the fruit . Currant notes come in stronger on the mid-palate with a kiss of earth, leading into an earthy, savory finish with a hit of tobacco on the back-end. Good structure. This will benefit from decanting. (B/B+)

2017 Aia Vecchia Toscana “Lagone” (Tuscany, Italy)… $15.

Aromas of candied blackberries and cherries with a touch of mint and sawdust. Loads of acidity surround citrus and candied blackberry notes front to finish. A little thin front to mid, than it gains strength into the finish. This is true to old world in style with good balance. This red screams for food. A Blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc (C/C+)

2016 Januik Petit Verdot Ciel du Cheval Vineyard (Red Mountain, WA)…. $34.

Dirty boysenberry on the nose with a kiss of licorice. Intense on the palate yet restrained at the same time. Blueberries and tar on an underbelly of acidity. Earth and tobacco notes in the background with a kiss of citrus on the back of the finish. (B/B+)

2016 Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Franc (Columbia Valley, WA)… $25.

Expressive on the nose with notes of red flowers, cherries and plums, joined by a slight hit of twigs and earth. Plums, mocha and dark cherry notes up front on the palate on soft well integrated tannins. There is a slight hit of blueberry and raspberry on the mid-palate, joined by white and black pepper leading into a long, savory finish. (B/B+)

Cheers!

Stan The Wine Man