In a week’s 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.
2012 Bussola Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico (Italy)… $50.
Aromas of raisin, coffee, tobacco and red flowers. Ripe currants all day on the palate with a raisin edge underneath. Tobacco notes hit on the mid-palate, joined by notes of red flowers and coffee. This finish is all about over-ripe currants and raisins. This baby has probably seen better days, but if you have a sweet tooth you will love this one. Almost Port-like. (C+/B-)
2017 Portlandia Pinot Noir (Oregon)… $18.
Cherries and Root Beer on the nose, with a splash of wood and red flowers. Bright, balanced acidity supports notes of cherries with a kiss of Root Beer and a spine of red flowers. The acidity is nicely integrated and drives through the finish, lifting the fruit and flower notes where a touch of white pepper joins in the long finish. Great price on a food-friendly Pinot Noir. (B+)
2018 Jules Taylor Gruner Veltliner (Marlborough, New Zealand)… $17.
Banana and filbert on the nose with a pinch of lemon, melon, apple and slight cut grass notes. Banana, melon and a kiss of lemon front to finish on the palate with a spine of fresh acidity. Apple notes sneak in on the mid-palate into the steely finish where filbert and banana notes linger on the back-end. (B+/A-)
2018 Domaine Blain Soeur et Frere Brouilly (Beaujolais, France)… $27.
Aromas of charred marshmallow, red flowers, cherries and a kiss of perfume. Crushed rock and red flowers on the palate, supported by a solid bed of acidity. Tart cherry notes flow in the middle, front to finish where leather and tobacco notes sneak in on the back-end. This baby is true to the region and all about the old world and food is required. (B-/B)
2018 Domaine De Colette Beaujolais-Villages (Beaujolais, France)… $16.
Perfumed red flowers on the nose, joined by notes of cherries and plums with hints of black licorice. Dark fruit notes rest on nicely integrated acidity with a touch of blackberry stem coming through on the palate. Fresh and brooding at the same time with almost crunchy tannins. Leather notes sneak in on the long finish. Seriously tasty Gamay that could be drunk all by itself, but will complement food nicely. (A-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
