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.
2016 Three Of Cups “La Monde” Malbec Cameron Ridge Vineyards (Columbia Valley, WA)… $15.
Aromas of crushed red brick and chocolate-covered cherries with a splash of red flowers and licorice. There is a solid core of acidity that dominates the palate. Notes of sour cherry and red flowers up-front. Licorice notes sneak in on the mid-palate into the finish joined by tart raspberry and cranberry notes with a kiss of minerals. A little tang action on the back-end. This baby needs food. (C)
2015 Brian Carter Cellars “Corrida” Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $36.
Toasted currants on the nose with a burnt wood element coming through and a splash of dark cherries. Charred wood and currants on the palate with an undertow of dark cherries on soft tannins that have an edge to them. There is a sweet element that hits on the mid-palate into the finish where there is a kiss of tangerine and a whole lot of charred wood. Nice balance and smacks of old world in style. Would match up nicely with smoked meats. 63% Tempranillo, 18% Graciano, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Garnacha (B-/B)
2017 Sineann Gruner Veltliner Pear Blossom Vineyard (Columbia Gorge, WA)… $20.
Pears and rubber boot on the nose with a splash of apple. Sweet pears and apples on the front of the palate, morphing into lemon citrus notes with petrol hit on the mid-palate. Bone dry citrus-driven finish that is a touch thin. (C+/B-)
2018 Claude Riffault Sancerre Les Boucauds (Loire, France)… $27.
Aromas of pear with a splash of lemon and apple. Boatloads of crushed rock and slate on the palate with white flower and apple notes hiding underneath. The apple notes are sweet on the mid-palate leading into a soft finish. Good acidity that is balanced and well-integrated. (B)
2017 Whoa Nelly Wines Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR)… $17.
Strawberries and cherries on the nose with a splash of cola and hints of Asian spices and coffee beans. Ripe cherry notes on the palate that are somewhat thin with a touch of earth and cola underneath. Simple and on the sweet side, this baby is overpriced for what you get. (D+/C-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
