Stan The Wine Man

A boatload of wine

2013 Rio Madre Graciano (Rioja, Spain)…$9.

Raspberries and currants on the nose with wet stone and rose petals joining in. This is a crunchy red for sure with a s*^t-ton of acidity. Notes of crushed rock, asparagus, cranberries and under-ripe blueberries. This is old world, bright and not for everyone. (C+)

2012 Sierra Cantabria Rioja (Spain)… $10.

It’s kind of weird, but I get riverbed on the nose with this one along with notes of dill, currants and old wood (very interesting).
Quite seamless on the palate with good balance of acidity and fruit. Notes of currants boysenberries, rose petal and violets come through with a little coffee bean action. A touch of tomato stem hits on the mid-palate with underlying mineral notes. Finishes with just a hint of white pepper joining the party. (B+)

2013 Wrongo Dongo Monastrell (Jumilla, Spain)… $8.

Aromas of iron, plums and currants with a backdrop of wilted rose petals and a trace of cinnamon. Red and black plum notes hit on the front of the palate with a little dark cherry and black olive action. There is an interesting twig element in the background with chocolate notes coming through. White and black pepper notes join up on the finish with a touch of cinnamon and tar. Nice complexity and balance. (B+)

2013 Joseph Drouhin Saint Veran White Burgundy (Beaune, France)… $20.

Notes of slate on the nose joined by aromas of banana, melon and white flowers with a hint of lemon, honey and cut grass. Gravel all day on the palate with notes of melon and herbs in the background. The honey element hits on the mid-palate leading into a steely lemony finish. This Chardonnay is perfect for shellfish or a pasta dish with cream sauce. It represents the region very nicely at a great price. (B+)

2012 Camaraderie Cellars Madrona Red (Columbia Valley, WA)… $20.

Black raspberries, licorice and dark cherries on the nose with a little candy element coming through. There is a meaty element to this wine on the palate with notes of dark cherries, white pepper, bark and tobacco with a backbone of red flowers front to finish. This wine has solid structure with sturdy tannins and excellent acidity that is well-integrated with the fruit. A blend of Syrah, Merlot, Dolcetto and Malbec. (B+/A-)

2013 Punta Aquila “Tenuta Rubino” Primitivo (Salento, Italy)… $15.

A little stinky on the nose with notes of wet stone, tobacco and currant with a hint of cinnamon and blackberries. Solid core of fruit on the palate…Notes of ripe cherries and currants with a load of gravel underneath. Notes of rose petal linger in the background joined by tobacco and hits of pepper with licorice lingering on the finish. Seamless on the palate with good structure and a bright core. A great wine for those who love both old and new world wines. (B+/A-)

2012 Torres Coronas Tempranillo (Catalunya, Spain)… $12.

Cherries and rose petals on the nose with just a hint of stink action. A little wood comes through along with crushed rock and a touch of leather. A ton of tobacco on the palate with a little white pepper action with currant, cherry and leather notes rounding it out. Sweet tannins with a little grip action on the somewhat thin finish. (B-)

2013 Torres Sangre de Toro Garnacha (Catalunya, Spain)… $9.

Aromas of tobacco, rose petal and raspberries with a touch of blueberry and dried spices. There is a honey element underneath front to back. Not the sweetness of honey, but the flavor. Currant notes on top with a compliment of blueberries, red flowers and worn leather. Sweet structured tannins with a nice freshness that makes it a touch crunchy. This baby is delicious and interesting at the same time, and that’s hard to do at this stupid price point. (B)

2011 Torres Gran Coronas Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (Penedes, Spain)… $17.

Aromas of tobacco, currants, dill and hints of clams. It has a nutty element on the palate with sweet tannins supporting notes of currants, tobacco and leather. It rounds out on the mid-palate with a little green element coming through and white pepper. Tobacco notes linger on the finish that has just a slight grip action. (B)

2012 Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvee (Sonoma County, CA)… $18.

Aromas of licorice and plum with a backdrop of currants and a touch of tobacco…It wants to go raisin, but stays in check. Smooth polished tannins support notes of plums and prunes with a hint of tobacco. This red is very one-dimensional a little boring and a touch light on the finish. (C)

2012 Camaraderie Cellars Cabernet Franc (Washington State)…$20.

A little branch and stem action on the nose (it is Cab Franc), joined by notes of black tea, cherries and tobacco with a little tomato leaf action. Nice intensity of cherry fruit on the palate with a little veggie stem action in the background. Oak notes come through on the mid-palate, but they are not over-powering. Tobacco, tar and white pepper notes sneak in on the finish. I love Cabernet Franc and this one is definitely on my radar now. (B+/A-)

2010 Camaraderie Cellars Merlot (Washington State)… $20.

Aromas of currants and violets with a touch of meat marinade and tobacco. Ripe currants on the palate, joined by notes of tobacco and white pepper. Wilted rose petal notes sneak in on the finish with a good dose of tobacco. Solid structure with grippy tannins make me think that this baby would do well with a little more age on it. (B+)

2013 25th Anniversary Conundrum Red (California)… $29.

Chocolate, mint chip, eucalyptus, licorice and currants on the nose. Deep, rich currant and chocolate notes on the palate with licorice and hints of white pepper underneath. Wants to go goopy, but stays in check and actually gets fresh on the finish with chocolate and licorice notes lingering. I know a lot of folks out there that will love this wine. (B/B+)

Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man