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 on Stanthewineman.com. Here for your reading pleasure, are five wines that I have reviewed in my Moleskine (good or bad), this past week.
2018 Four Vines Naked Chardonnay (Central Coast, CA)… $14.
Pears and apples on the nose. Pear and apple notes blend together on the palate with a pinch of pineapple. Low in acidity, giving it a riper feel in the mouth. Finishes on the fresher side with a clean finish where apple notes linger. (C/C+)
2019 Domaine le Closdes Lumieres “Leclate” Rose’ (Cotes-du-Rhone, France)…?
Aromas of watermelon, citrus and cherries. Ripe fruit on the front of the palate with a round mouthfeel. Notes of ripe cherries with underlying watermelon, a kiss of orange citrus and a whole lot of spice and white pepper. Finishes fresh, clean and spicy. Ripe start, dry finish. 40% Cinsault, 30% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre (B-/B)
2018 Marisco Vineyards “The Ned” Pinot Gris (Marlborough, NZ)… $15.
A mix of apples and pears on the nose with a hint of white peaches. Creamy mouthfeel with a hint of oily upfront. Ripe notes of pears, peaches and apples with a kiss of apricot coming through. The acidity is balanced and gives the wine a fresh feel in the mouth starting at the mid-palate. The acidity pops the fruit notes on the finish where hits of tarragon sneak in. Very interesting Gris from New Zealand, the land of Sauvignon Blanc. (B)
2018 Le Blanc De Greysac Bordeaux Blanc (Bordeaux, France)… $24.
Grapefruit, cut grass and melon on the nose with a hint of popcorn kernel. Loads of grapefruit on the palate, joined by notes of dusty rocks. Lemon notes sneak in the background on the mid-palate into the finish where a kiss of sea salt joins with grapefruit pith, lemon and white flowers that linger. (B+)
2018 Avalon Chardonnay (California)… $12.
Aromas of Lemon Pledge, apples and a hint of butter. Butter, butterscotch, pineapple and pear on the palate with a little makeup thrown in front to finish where a hit of baking spice comes through. It’s buttery and butterscotch driven with a little manipulation rearing its head. There are some folks who love this style! (C-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
