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.
2019 Lestrillle-Capmartin Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle (Entre-Deux-Mers, France)… $16.
Aromas of cut grass and melon with a kiss of lemon and grapefruit. Bright grapefruit notes on the palate with a hit of wet stone on the mid-palate and a little stainless steel action underneath. Melon and lemon notes join up on the fresh finish. (B-)
2015 Monchiero Carbone Pelisa Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont, Italy)… $19.
Aromas of rose petal, cherries, black olives and perfumed licorice. Solid acidity makes this wine dry on the palate with notes of black pepper, black olive, red flowers and a good shot of minerals front to finish with a touch of funk. This is what old world is about, and this baby screams for stews, lamb or roast. (B-)
2015 Chateau Larose-Trintaudon Les Hauts de Trintaudon (Haut Medoc, France)… $17.
Aromas of tobacco, dark cherries, red plums, worn leather and hints of red flowers. There is a huge leather attack on the front of the palate, joined by notes of dark cherries and wilted red flowers. Wood tannins hide underneath front to finish. There is a high tone of acidity that comes out on the mid-palate into the finish where worn leather and cherry notes linger with a dusty minerality. Still needs 5-8 years to hit its peak. Please decant before imbibing. Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot (B+/A-)
2018 Masseria Li Veli Primonero (Salento, Italy)… $11.
Aromas of currants, tobacco, wood, oregano and thyme with hits of red licorice, red flowers and BBQ spices. Currant notes on the palate, with dried herb notes underneath. Smooth tannins that have a mineral edge to them. Tobacco notes hide underneath and come out in force on the finish where herbs and red berry notes join up and linger. Good balance and integration. fresh on the finish. A blend of Negroamaro and Primitivo (B)
2018 JorJao Malbec (Mendoza, Argentina)… $16.
Dark cherries on the nose with slight burnt wood, vanilla and red flower notes sneaking in. Brooding dark cherry notes on the palate with wilted red flower notes thrown in and a touch of gritty minerality. Fresh and slightly thin finish where the grit lingers with red flowers. (C-/C)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
