Once again I will share my note-taking with you. I admit that I’ve been a bit lazy over the past month when it comes to writing descriptors in my Moleskine. As the busy season at the store approaches rapidly, I will need to discipline myself, because the notes I take now, will start to form my “Top Twenty-Five” list I put out at the end of the year. That list will be the best twenty-five wines I tasted during 2021 under twenty-five bucks. I will also be in search of a new winery to become my “Winery Of The Year.” This year it is Barnard Griffin, which I have been writing about, YouTubing about and reviewing. For your reading pleasure, here are the notes on five wines I have recently tasted.
2018 Ridge “Geyserville (Alexander Valley, CA)… $43.
Orange citrus and currants on the nose with a little raisin action underneath. Ripe currants on the palate that is balanced by nicely integrated acidity. Good structure and balance. Seamless across the palate into the finish where notes of candied blackberries join up with the currant notes and a big kiss of white pepper that lingers. It wants to go big fruit but stays fresh because of the acidity. 68% Zinfandel, 20% Carignan, 10 % Petite Sirah, 2% Alicante Bouschet (A-)
2019 Portillo By Salentein Wines Sauvignon Blanc Valle De Uco (Mendoza, Argentina)… $11.
Aromas of grapefruit pith, grape seeds, passion fruit and starfruit with hits of apple. Grapefruit notes hit on the front of the palate with solid, bright acidity. Apple, kiwi and starfruit notes sneak in on the mid-palate and then morphs into a dry, citrus-driven finish with a kiss of lime and fresh-cut grass. (B+)
2020 Yealands Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, New Zealand)… $13.
Rosemary, thyme and grapefruit on the nose with hints of Bazooka and passion fruit. Notes of grapefruit pith, passion fruit and lime are well-integrated and flow seamlessly across the palate with passion fruit notes expanding on the mid-palate into the finish where lime and grapefruit notes dominate. Mouthwatering laser-sharp acidity cuts through the palate front to finish. A zippy, delicious white. (B+/A-)
2019 Portillo By Salentein Malbec Valle De Uco (Mendoza, Argentina)… $11.
Ripe cherries, blackberries and black raspberries on the nose. Ripe cherry and blackberry with a kiss of cherry on soft, structured tannins. Cherry notes expand on the mid-palate into the finish where they linger with blackberry notes joining and a kiss of veggie. Good balance and integration. (B+)
2019 High Heaven Vintners “Star shower” Riesling (Columbia Valley, WA)… $11.
A touch of petrol on the nose blended with apple, tangerine and apricot with a pinch of mango. Notes of mango, apple and apricot on the palate supported by medium acidity, front to finish. Mango notes hit stronger on the mid-palate. Starts of sweeter and finishes drier and fresh where the fruit notes linger. (B/B+)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
