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.
2015 Kanonkop Estate Pinotage Simonsberg (Stellenbosch, South Africa)… $44.
Aromas of black currants and Root Beer with a little tobacco and bark thrown in. Ripe black currants on the palate mingled with violets and bark front to finish. A little hit of Root Beer sneaks in on the mid-palate into the finish. Smooth tannins that have just a touch of grip on the fresh finish. (B)/A-)
2017 Achaval Ferrer Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)… $37.
Tobacco, meat and blackberries on the nose joined by a hit of black plums and hard candy with a touch of stink. Smooth and polished in the mouth with notes of blackberry candy and plums on sweet tannins. The acidity is nicely integrated with the tannins and fruit. There is a pinch of white pepper on the back of the finish where the tannins get a little attitude. (B)
2014 Achaval Ferrer “Quimera” Red (Mendoza, Argentina)… $52.
Deep Plum and currant notes on the nose with just a pinch of green and black tea. Solid currant and plum notes on sturdy, approachable tannins. The fruit notes expand on the mid-palate into a fresh finish. Nicely integrated acidity keeps the big fruit notes in check. Black tea notes linger on the back-end with a touch of veggie underneath. Nice balance and complexity. A blend of Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. (A/A+)
207 Quinta Sardonia “Sardon” Red (Castilla Y Leon, Spain)… $21.
Aromas of blackberries and currants with cinnamon lurking in the background. Currant and blackberry notes rest on edgy tannins that get a little grip-action on the back-end. Red flower notes join up on the mid-palate into the finish where crushed rock and black pepper notes join the palate party. Good balance of acidity, fruit and minerals. Old world wine with a new world kiss. Tempranillo, Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon (B/B+)
2016 Salentein “Killka” Red Blend (Mendoza, Argentina)… $11.
Aromas of raspberries and dark cherries mingled with iron and a little green twig action. Green twig notes dominate the palate on edgy tannins. Cherry notes hit on the mid-palate and mingle with green twig and black tea notes on the finish. Very green on the palate, especially on the finish. 50% Malbec, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Syrah, 5% Petit Verdot (C+)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
