WORD OF THE DAY… “FUN”.

Posted on October 17, 2013 by Stan The Wine Man

Like “pretty”, fun is not in my winedom nomenclature. However, many in my circle of wine peeps like to use this word to describe a certain type of wine. The question is, what kind of wine are they talking about and what is meant by using the word “fun” to characterize a wine?

Interestingly, the big Greek dude who likes to use the word “pretty”, also likes to use the word fun. I always give him a hard time when he uses the word, so one day I came out and asked him what he means when he uses fun to describe a wine. He simply said, it is a wine that you do not take seriously. As silly as that sounds, it made perfect sense to me, and helped me to conceptualize that word in relationship to a wine.

For a wine to be “fun” it must first be inexpensive. No one is going to feel happy about drinking a wine that costs them some bucks, and it can’t be taken seriously. You have to feel happy if you are going to find the wine fun. Second, the wine has to be one-dimensional (without complexity). It must be simple, or you might find yourself taking it seriously which would take all the fun out of drinking it. Third, and most importantly it has to be delicious. If it is not tasty, you could hardly consider it a fun wine to drink. All of this begs the question…What wines might fall into the fun category?

The first wine that comes to mind for me is a Beaujolais Nouveau. Thanksgiving is coming shortly and many folks will go out and buy a bottle of this simple juice from France that comes out once a year. This wine is not complex, is usually inexpensive and it tastes good (especially with turkey food). Another wine that could easily fall into the “fun” category would be a cheaper Malbec. There are a boatload of them out there for around ten bucks. There is nothing complex about them, but they are smooth and delicious. Who wouldn’t call a wine “fun” that costs them nine bucks and everyone they share it with loves it… Fun, fun, fun!

I think the ultimate fun wine may be a Pinot Grigio. Talk about simple. It is probably on the top of the list for cocktail wines, or a wine that you would drink without food. They are in the majority of cases quite simple, cheap and you certainly would not take a Pinot Grigio seriously. If you do, come see me and I will bi#%h slap some sense into you. That would not be fun for you, but I might get some joy out of it. If you are a Pinot Grigio fan, don’t feel bad. I’m just saying it is a “fun” wine…Wouldn’t you agree?

I could come up with some more examples, but I think you get the picture. A wine is fun when you don’t have to think about what you’re drinking or what you spent, but you are enjoying it. Sound like fun to you? It does to me. However, this does not mean you will see me using that word for a wine anytime in the future. That would take all the fun out of it.

Cheers! Stan The Wine Man

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WEEK 2, DAY 5: WASHINGTON WINE REVIEWS.

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Stan The Wine Man

I realize that rain is a good thing, but it is certainly something we don’t want to see a lot of in August. This has been a strange August so far and the last few days have been more like early October. I want to spread some good Karma for the weekend by ending my second week of Washington wine reviews with white wines only.

As a wine producing state, Washington has been best known for reds such as Merlot, Syrah and some pretty fantastic blends. However, Washington is also known for pumping out some awesome Riesling, Semillon and Chenin Blanc. I have also discovered some pretty interesting Chardonnay, white blends and of all things, Gruner Veltliner. Washington whites as a whole have taken a foothold in the mainstream and are finding a place in the heart of the consumer. Here are my thoughts on some whites that I tasted last night.

2012 Syncline Gruner Veltliner (Underwood Mountain Vineyards Columbia Gorge, WA) … $20.
Subdued on the nose with notes of pears and apples with a trace of minerals. Apple notes are prominent on the palate with a backdrop of lemon grass and pears. There is a nice core of minerality on this Gruner with just a tiny hit of sweet fruit on the mid-palate. Finishes dry with a fruit skin element that comes across as just a little bitter. Apple skin notes linger for some time. This didn’t seem like any Austrian Gruner I have tasted recently, but I liked it for what it is. (B)

2012 Syncline Grenache Blanc (Boushey Vineyards Yakima Valley, WA) … $24.
Aromas of fig, melon and coconut… Very enticing and, I know this sounds a little weird, but it almost smells thick. Loads of tropical fruits up front…Fig, melon and mangoes. There’s a nice backdrop of minerals. This baby starts drying out on the mid-palate and flows into a fig/citrus finish with a dose of crushed rocks that lingers. There is an interesting apple juice component that sneaks in on the back-end. I’m not a big Grenache Blanc fan, but this one may convert me. (A)

2012 Waitsburg Cellars Pinot Gris Old Vines (Columbia Valley, WA) … $16.
Former wine columnist Paul Gregutt “The Wine Advisor” for the Seattle Times has struck out on his own as a wine maker. Waitsburg Cellars is Paul Gregutt’s and he produces in conjunction with Precept Brands, three whites and a red. I was very interested in trying these wines as I have followed him as a columnist for some time (he still works as a Washington State wine reviewer for The Wine Enthusiast).

The Waitsburg Pinot Gris exhibits aromas of perfumed figs and nuts with a little apple and melon thrown in with a dash of celery on the backside. Creamy on the palate (almost buttery) with notes of honey and apple up front. Silky across the palate but finishes clean with notes of apples, melons, white pepper and honey notes that linger. This is a sweeter style Pinot Gris most of the way, but has a nice dry finish. (B-)

2012 Waitsburg Cellars “Chevray” Old Vines Chenin Blanc (Columbia Valley, WA) … $18.
Aromas of wet wool (this is a good thing for a Chenin), figs and melons with a little cut grass coming though. Very aromatic.Creamy tropical fruit notes come through on the palate with a back-drop of honey and wool. Buttery fig and mango notes show on the mid-palate with a little crushed rock component that flows into the finish. This wine is seamless on the palate and this is right up there with some of the best Chenins I have enjoyed from Washington State. (A)

2012 Waitsburg Cellars “Cheninieres” Old Vines Chenin Blanc (Columbia Valley, WA) … $18.
This one is a little subdued on the nose with notes of wooly citrus and fig backed by traces of minerals. Wool, melon and minerals with a honey edge come through on the front of the palate. There is a herbal component that shows on the mid-palate and follows into the finish. There is a lot of stuff going on with this juice on the finish. Wool, minerals, white pepper, and a little citrus peel. This bottle screams oysters baby! (A-)

My hats off to Paul Gregutt for a good start with his new winery. Also to James Mantone from Syncline for consistently surprising me with his quality whites. I absolutely adore the Grenache Blanc.

There you have it, week two is under my belt for Washington wine reviews in August. Fifty down, fifty to go….Stay tuned as I start on the next fifty Monday. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man

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WEEK 2, DAY 4: WASHINGTON WINE REVIEWS.

Posted on August 15, 2013 by Stan The Wine Man

I have to admit that I am really digging this challenge I put before myself to taste and review 100 Washington wines during the month of August, the second Washington Wine Month of the year. I love the wines and have discovered some excellent values and absurdly delicious examples of what can come out of this great state.

Today I will focus on a little Washington winery that has caught my attention in a big way…Cor Cellars. Wine maker Luke Bradshaw is a down-to-earth New Yorker turned Washingtonian who really doesn’t acknowledge his talent for crafting some of the best Washington wines I have come across for the money. I had a chance to taste through his wines recently and here are my thoughts.

2012 Cor Cellars Riesling (Underwood Mountain Vineyards Columbia Gorge, WA) … $19.

Aromas of dusty apple and mouth-watering acidity, very steely on the nose. Green apple skins all over the palate backed by good acidity with a steely edge. This juice penetrates start to bracing finish with a little kiwi action on the back side. (B+)

2012 Cor Alba White (Celilo Vineyards Columbia Gorge, WA) …. $20.

A little petrol action on the nose along with aromas of melon and peach. Melon notes with a little sugar cane action on the palate flowing into a little apple/sugar cane finish. There is a sweet core to this wine but it is by no means over-sweet. This my friends would be perfect with some Asian or Indian food. 56% Pinot Gris and 44% Gewürztraminer. (B-)

2010 Cor Cellars Momentum (Horse Heaven Hills, WA) … $16.

Nice rusticity on the nose giving you some of that “old world” feel with notes of red flowers, currants and cassis. Notes of black olives, wood, cassis and cherries hit up front with a little leather and tobacco joining on the mid-palate and finish. Nice balance of acid and fruit with that old school style shining through with just a touch of vegetation and tannic grip on the finish. This wine is for those who are a bit tired of the silky smooth fruit bombs that dominate the wine shelves these days. It screams for grilled meats. (A-)

2009 Cor Cellars Cabernet Franc (Alder Ridge Vineyards Horse Heaven Hills, WA) … $23.

Aromas of black licorice and Worcestershire Sauce with a green edge. Nice backbone of minerals on the palate with notes of currants and tobacco. There is a leathery edge with a hit of white pepper and a little tannic grip on the long finish. If you are into Chinon from the Loire Valley of France, you will more than likely appreciate what this wine brings to the table. I’m not saying it’s entirely Chinon in style but it is not “New World”, that’s for sure. A well-built wine that is made to enjoy with food. (A-)

2009 Cor Cellars Malbec (Columbia Valley, WA) … $23.

Intense aromas of boysenberries and grape jam. Bold and powerful on the palate without being jammy. Grapes, herbs and spice come through with a little black tea action thrown in. Seamless flow across the palate into a tea, tar, tobacco and boysenberry finish with a kiss of vanilla. This is a big, bad boy who is just tame enough to drink solo, but food wouldn’t hurt. I have to say this is a steal for the price and is one of the best domestic Malbecs I have tried in recent memory. (A+)

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WEEK 2, DAY 3: WASHINGTON WINE REVIEWS.

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Stan The Wine Man

It’s hump day, week two of my 100 Washington wine reviews. In honor of “Hump Day” which is one of my busiest days at the store where I find myself pulled in all directions, I am going to go in several directions with my reviews. In fact, I am going to recognize five different wineries in this segment. Variety is the spice of wine, so here is a little variety for you this Wednesday, August 14, 2013 from my Moleskine.

2010 Seven Falls Winery Cabernet Sauvignon (Wahluke Slope, WA) … $15.

Ste. Michelle Winery has a huge umbrella under which sit many Washington wineries…Seven Falls is one of the newest. Wine maker Doug Gore who was head wine maker for Columbia Crest for twenty years is responsible for this new project by Ste Michelle. All his experience shows in this terrific cab.

Notes of currants, black licorice, and brown sugar come through on the nose backed by a meaty element and a little pencil lead. Sweet tannins back notes of black currants, black licorice and tobacco. Seamless on the palate with a backbone of acidity and spice. Expands on the mid-palate through the finish with lingering notes of ripe currants and spice. I think they want this wine in restaurants only, we will see how that goes. (A-)

2008 Le Chateau Cabernet Sauvignon (Columbia Valley, WA) … $30.

I tasted this cab and wondered why I have never heard of this winery before. Veteran wine maker Brian Carlson has done and excellent job on this cab.

Aromas of currants and spice with a hit of mint. Back notes of oak and black cherries come through. Rich currant and black cherry notes hit on the front of the palate with a spicy edge and a little vegetation showing up. Leather and tobacco notes show on the mid-palate on sturdy tannins. Finishes with minty currant notes, a little tannic grip and spice notes that linger. This is a good example of a “New World” cab with an “Old World” bend. (A-)

2009 Kestrel Vintners “Falcon Series” Tribute Red (Yakima Valley, WA) … $21.

This is a very interesting blend from Kestrel… 52% Mouvedre, 44% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Sangiovese. Exhibits aromas of black currants with an edge of spice. Notes of licorice, tobacco and blackberries come through on the back-end. Nice intensity on the palate with notes of blackberries and currants showing on smooth tannins. Nice mouthfeel on this wine with some warm spice notes hitting on the mid-palate. Nice beam of minty acidity penetrates from start to finish. A little leather hit on the white pepper, currant and spice driven finish. The best Kestrel wine I’ve tasted in recenvit memory. (B+)

2008 Cote Bonneville Carriage House Red (DuBrul Vineyard Yakima Valley, WA) … $49.

I had a chance to visit Dubrul Vineyards a couple of years ago and meet Hugh Shiels, owner of Dubrul Vineyards and Cote Bonneville Winery. I have to tell you that I was thoroughly impressed with Hugh’s passion for farming grapes and his love of the product of the vine. The wines are a little pricey, but as far as value for the dollars, I have to admit that they are worth every penny. If this were a Napa product, it would be in the hundred-dollar range.

Aromas of red flowers, earth, cassis, cherries and sweet black licorice. Intense currant and dark cherry notes on the front of the palate with a back-drop of leather and licorice. Minerals and spice come through on the long finish of dark fruits. Excellent balance and good structure. 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 23% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. (A)

2011 Renegade Wine Company Red (Columbia Valley, WA) … $10.

Being the Blue Collar wine guy that I am, I had to finish with a ten-dollar gem. I love what wine maker Trey Busch does. I don’t always like all his wines, but I love his high energy and intent. He hit the nail on the head with this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Petite Verdot.

Very interesting nose of liquid vitamins, iron, violets, black licorice and blackberries. Plush blackberry and plum notes on the front of the palate with hits of liquid vitamins (I hope you remember), and iron. There is a little gritty minerality that comes through on the finish. Nice balance, good fruit, and it never gets juicy or flabby on you. For ten bucks, this is a no-brainer and a perfect accompaniment to the back-yard BBQ. (B+)

I hope that was enough variety for you on this “Hump Day” of week two. See you tomorrow with five more. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man

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