So, I’ve tasted many different wines so far this year, and it’s been awhile since I’ve put any reviews on my blog. I think that’s kind of weird since it’s a large part of what I do. That being what it is, I’ve decided to go on a little review bender over the next week or two. Let’s get started…
2010 Tenuta Frescobaldi Di Castiglioni Tuscan Red (Tuscany, Italy) … Price ?
Aromas of vanilla, cassis, cherries a little tobacco leaf and hits of currants. From the nose I was expecting an earthy black olive, leather driven red. What I got was a mouthful of acidity. Totally caught me off guard. Very bright and tight on the front of the palate with notes of citrus and cassis. A little leather and wood comes through on the mid-palate leading into a finish of citrus and cassis. I tried it a little later with food and it calmed down. This is not a wine to drink solo… It definitely needs food. There is enough acid in this wine to give Pink Floyd a run for their money. 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 12% Cabernet Franc, 8% Sangiovese. (c+)
2011 Bodegas Y Vinedos Rio Madre Rioja (Rioja, Spain)… $10.
This baby blew me out of the water for ten bucks! Made from 100% Graciano (very unusual for Rioja which is dominated by the tempranillo grape). Aromas of blackberries, vanilla, a little wood and hits of tobacco and coffee. Intense, bright blackberry notes all over the front of the palate. The blackberry notes are met with tobacco and chocolate on the mid-palate. Spicy on the finish showing a nice freshness on the palate. This wine strikes a nice balance with acidity, fruit and tannins. A little short on the finish, but it is a “9” in the delicious category. This is an excellent bang for the buck. (B-)
2009 Peirano Estate Vineyards “The Unknown” Red (Lodi, CA)… $13.
I have become a huge fan of this winery. Their “The Other” red was my “Pick of The Month” not too long ago. This red is following in the footsteps of the Other. Pronounced notes of coffee beans come through on the nose along with notes of plums, powdered sugar, hits of red berries and hints of oak. This baby has some muscle on the palate with big notes of black plums, spice, coffee beans and chocolate on the mid-palate. There is a nice core of acidity backing up the fruit, not letting it get over=the-top ripe. The finish is delicious with notes of chocolate, black plums, blackberries and spice. There is a nice beam of brightness on the backside, giving the finish a nice kick. Nice complexity and balance. (A-)
2011 Shenandoah Vineyards Zinfandel (California)… $9.
The nose on this little zin is what you want if you are a true zin lover. Heady, jammy notes of blackberries and red currants. Very plump on the palate with ripe notes of dark currants and bramble berries. This is a zin fruit-bomb finishing with notes of vanilla and coffee bean surrounded by ripe dark fruit and just a tiny hint of make-up. If you want a little hedonism for nine bucks, this will do the trick. (C+)
2012 Pink Pegau (Vin De France)… $19.
I should have waited a little before I reviewed this wine on Vine. I gave it a bit of a bum rap because of the price. However, after trying it a little later it grew on me. Made from 100% cinsault, which is one of my favorite grapes for rose.
Aromas of cherries and watermelon with an underlying bright edge to it. I found the nose slightly challenged. There is kind of an apple/watermelon thing going on, on the front of the palate with a dose of crushed rock. A sweet core of fruit from the front to the mid-palate, and then it dries up on the finish. The cherry notes dominate, and then turn to cherry skins on the mineral driven finish. I think it’s just a little pricey for the quality, but it does grow on you. From wine maker Laurence Feraud, famed wine maker of the highly sought after Pegau Chateaneuf-du-Pape. (B+)
Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
