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 Chronic Cellars Red “Purple Paradise” (Paso Robles, CA)… $14.
Aromas of dark currants, tobacco and brown sugar. Solid and deep dark currant notes backed by underlying minerals and white pepper with a kiss of bittersweet chocolate front to finish. Structured tannins that are approachable. Finishes bright and juicy with vibrant acidity driving the fruit notes. 70% Zinfandel, 17% Petite Sirah, 9% Syrah, 4% Grenache (B+)
2018 Reserve de Marande Sauvignon Blanc Cotes De Gascogne (France)… $10.
Pineapple, mango, papaya and a kiss of tangerine on the nose. Mango and papaya notes hit on the front of the palate with pineapple notes lingering underneath. Creamy upfront, but then the pineapple notes take over on the mid-palate into the dry finish where there is a kiss of citrus. Nice balance of fruit and acidity. (B)
2019 “Ma Vie” Vignes Des Lumieres IGP Gard (France)… $10.
Slightly perfumed on the nose with notes of strawberries, cherries and blackberries. Solid, structured tannins that have a little grip to them, support notes of leather, blackberries and strawberries that are wrapped in a tight package. Cherry notes sneak in on the mid-palate into the finish where there is a hit of black tea leaf that lingers. A nice core of acidity hangs out in the background. This baby has a meaty texture and needs food. Something in the beef category. 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah (B)
2016 Arganza Legar De Robla Mencia (Castilla Y Leon, Spain)… $10
Dark cherry notes on the nose, joined by currants and spice with a hit of red flowers and red candy. Deep currant notes on the palate that rest on a bed of spices that are well integrated. Red flower notes come through on the mid-palate and persist into the finish, joined by notes of bittersweet chocolate and tobacco that lingers with pepper and spice. 100% Mencia (B+)
2018 Woop Woop Shiraz (South Australia)… $11.
Coffee and currant notes on the nose with a kiss of eucalyptus and petrol. Coffee and currant notes on the palate, backed by structured tannins and solid acidity. Eucalyptus notes sneak out here and there with pepper notes in the background. Nice, fresh finish. Good balance and integration. (B-/B)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
