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.
2017 Bodega Catena Zapata “Catena Historico Tinto” (Mendoza, Argentina)
Aromas of boysenberries, plums and currants with a hit of bacon fat, coconut and red flowers. Currant notes hit on the palate up front, blended with notes of boysenberries on edgy, approachable sweet tannins. Brooding in the mouth with a fleshy edge to it, front to finish where bacon fat notes sneak in with a hit of white pepper that lingers. Good balance. A blend of Malbec, Bonarda and Petit Verdot (B+)
2019 Chateau De Costis Bordeaux Blanc (France)… $11.
Grape seeds, melon and a kiss of lemon on the nose. Bright acidity in the mouth, supports notes of lemon and melon front to finish with a kiss of cut grass. Clean and simple and cheap! (C+)
NV De Saint-Gall Grand Cru Extra Brut Blanc de Blanc Champagne (France)… $55.
Aromas of yeast, almond, pear and apple. Laser-sharp acidity cuts through the palate, carrying notes of citrus, almonds and green apple. Dry and clean with elegant bubbles. (A-)
2016 Chateau Reindent Bordeaux Superieur (France)… $15.
Licorice on the nose, joined by notes of perfumed red berries, cherries and underlying currants. Soft, structured tannins support notes of currants and dusty rocks. There are slight sour cherry notes that sneak in on the mid-palate into the finish where there is a big hit of leather that lingers with the sour cherry notes. Another solid, inexpensive Bordeaux from a great vintage. 100% Merlot. (C+)
2018 Tenuta Di Sesta Rosso Di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy)… $20.
Rusty and musty (not corked) on the nose with notes of ripe cranberry, red flowers and a kiss of worn leather. Soft tannins support notes of rust and black olives with earth notes riding underneath. Sour cherry notes sneak in on the back end. A classic expression of Sangiovese from Montalcino. Not complex, just old world. (C+/B-)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
