Despite how busy it is at the store, I need to continue to try and maintain a consistent writing schedule. I have been tasting quite a few wines each week and have found a number of them that made the grade to make it into the store. I enjoy sharing my tasting notes and hopefully help you to find a wine that fits your palate preferences. Here for your reading pleasure, are my notes from five wines that I have tasted recently.
2020 King Estate Rose’ of Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley, OR)… $20.
Aromas of strawberries and cherries with a little pink rose and watermelon action. Crisp acidity drives cherry and strawberry notes on the palate with a little watermelon underneath. Pink and white flower notes pop on the mid-palate and fade away on the finish, where citrus notes sneak out and linger with the strawberry and cherry. (B+/A-)
2017 Next Red Blend (Columbia Valley, WA)… $19.
The nose on this is crazy! Notes of black plums, bacon fat and blueberries with a kiss of tobacco, char, wilted rose petal and coffee bean. Fresh acidity on the palate with notes of cranberries and blueberries up front and round red plum notes on the mid-palate into the fresh finish where under-ripe raspberry notes linger. This baby needs food. 40% Syrah, 40% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. (B-)
2018 Ryan Patrick Red Head Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $11.
Smoke and blueberries on the nose, joined by currants and a kiss of beauty bark, earth and red flowers. This baby has good structure and slightly gritty tannins that support notes of beauty bark, smoke, and currants. with a little cherry and plum action. The tannins have a meaty element on the mid-palate into the finish where earth, red flowers and just a kiss of chocolate lingers. A blend of Cab Sauv, Merlot and Syrah. (C+/B-)
2017 Januik Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA)… $29.
Aromas of dark cherries, cedar, currants and wilted red flowers. Ripe currants and cherries all day on the palate with a slight hit of vanilla and caramel underneath. Interesting spice notes tickle the palate front to finish with a spine of freshness. Good integration and balance. Wilted red flower notes join the palate party on the back of the finish. (B+/A-)
2019 Daou Sauvignon Blanc (Paso Robles, CA)… $19.
Dried herbs on the nose, joined by notes of apple and slight grapefruit and pear. Solid pear notes on the front of the palate, with apple notes lingering underneath and a kiss of spice. Lemon notes come out on the back of the mid-palate into the finish. Good balance with soft acidity. (B-/B)
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
