I have a dear friend who is trying to talk me into putting all my wine tasting notes on an I-Pad. First off, that would require me buying an I-Pad which I will do soon. Second, it would require me to set down my coveted Moleskine and quit writing out my notes with my favorite pen. This is a scenario I am not ready to face because I get such enjoyment out of penning my notes on paper…. Especially in my magic notebook called a Moleskine.
Again, the last two weeks have been a little slow as I have tried to drag my lazy ass to the tasting bar and go through some of the many samples given to me. Recently I conducted one of my favorite tasting events of the year… “Fifteen Under Fifteen in February”. Fifteen wines under fifteen bucks were presented to those who attended. In preparing for this event I was asked to taste a couple of the wines to see if they would be a fit. This is where my tasting notes begin, so here goes.
2010 B. Flaco Tempranillo… Vinos de Madrid, Spain … $6.99
I always get excited when I taste a wine that retails for seven bucks. Offering my customers a value like that is not only fun, it brings great enjoyment to me.
Aromas of blackberry, vanilla, mocha and hints of black cherry. Quite soft on the palate with notes of blackberries, black cherries and a little hit of tar on the backside joined by notes of blackberries on the finish. This wine was boring to me. You might actually like it. There is nothing funky about it. Boring can be o.k. for seven bucks. I personally like to see a little more pizzaz in my wine…. Yes, even for $7. 85+ points
2010 Andes Crossing Malbec …Mendoza, Argentina … $7.99
Here is what I am talking about. Only a buck more then the aforementioned wine, yet it delivers about five more bucks in pizzaz. Aromas of toasty blackberries, coffee bean, soapy leather and tobacco leaf. Now that is a serious nose on a wine for only eight bucks! Good structure and balance on the palate showing notes up front of coffee bean, black currants, mocha, chocolate and a tobacco leaf element that shows up on the mid-palate. Nice flow leading into a finish of tobacco leaf, mocha and some minerals. Could use a touch more fruit, especially on the finish. However, this is a unique and interesting wine, unlike most of the malbec I have been tasting recently. A lot of wine for eight bucks. 87+ points
2009 Chateau de Vaugelas Corbieres Languedoc, France … $11.99
Some of the best values in red wine come from Corbieres in Languedoc. This is a classic example. Aromas of wood, black cherries, currants and tobacco leaf. Dark fruits on the palate that are framed by sturdy yet smooth tannins. Tobacco leaf and boysenberry notes come through up front with hits of wood and tar on the mid. Nice hits of BBQ spice and tar backed by dark fruits on a long finish. Nice layers of flavors on this wine with a backbone of minerality. 35% syrah, 30% grenache, 30% carignan, 5% mouvedre. 89 points
2010 Chateau d’ Aussieres Val de l’Ours… Pays d’Oc Languedoc, France … $9.99
For all you “Old World” wine lovers out there, this should do the trick. Aromas of green stem, black tea, anise and blackberries. Intense dark fruits on the palate backed by notes of char and spice. Nice leather grip on back of mid-palate finishing with char and spice that linger. There is a core of minerality/earth notes on this dirty little old world wine that borderlines on “chewy”. This is a blend of cabernet sauvignon and syrah. Love this little gem for ten bucks. 89 points
2009 San Juan Vineyards Sangiovese … Yakima Valley, Washington … $22.99
I really have a problem with this price on sangiovese. There are a lot of good examples coming out of Washington for far less and that is not even tapping into the mother land of sangio… Italy. That aside, this is well made wine. Chris Primus, wine maker at San Juan Vineyards continues to put his stamp on some great juice.
Earthy notes come through on the nose along with notes of strawberry and red cherry. Plush in the mouth with notes of blueberry, strawberry and hits of natural black licorice. (You know, the organic stuff that you pay out your nose for.) Nice warm spice notes compliment the fruit on a long finish. This baby has some love handles on it. Love the juice, hate the price. 89+ points
2009 San Juan Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon … Horse Heaven Hills, Washington … $19.99
Unlike the sangiovese, this wine has a fair price point for what you get. Nice aromas of spice, minerals, black currants and mocha with a touch of mint. Solid black currant, tobacco, and spice notes hit you up front wit a little mocha action on the backside. Lightens up a bit on the mid-palate, but finishes strong with notes of tobacco leaf, black currants vanilla and spice. Solid structure and balance, this is serious juice with a nice core of minerality. They should swap price points on this and the sangiovese… It would make more sense. 91 points
2008 Herdade Dos Grous Vinho Tinto… Alentejo, Portugal … $10.99
I am really starting to have a deep affection for wines from Portugal. They are cheap and delicious. This wine simply adds to my conviction. Aromas of oats and dark berries with hits of leather and soapy perfume. Nice and plump on the palate with notes of cassis and blackberries. There is a nice freshness to this wine from front to finish with a backbone of blackberries and spice. Seamless on the palate with a beam of minerals and a blast of flavors on a long finish. You would be hard pressed to find a wine of this depth and quality for this price from anywhere else. (Except maybe Argentina or Spain) 89+ points
2009 Folie a` Deux Zinfandel … Dry Creek, California … $14.99
I am a huge zinfandel fan. You cannot find a zin in my cellar because I drink them up right away. So, when I am tasting a zinfandel I am quite critical because it has to live up to my standards. This zin comes really close.
Very jammy on the nose with dense notes of blackberries and black cherries with underlying black raspberries. Balanced and rich on the palate (which is what I like) with notes of rich blackberry, black cherry , chocolate and spice. Nice flow across the palate with an underlying black licorice element. This zin coats the palate on the long finish with dark fruits and black pepper along with an interesting underlying freshness. Not the best zin I’ve ever had, but I like it alot. Rumor has it that you can get this baby for $12. in February. If you find it offered at this price, stock up! 90+ points
That’s it for me this week, my Moleskine has played its magic and I have found some new favorites. Hopefully, it has been helpful to you. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man.
