Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Lots of complexity to be found in this affordable Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from Whitehaven. The 2014 offers up classic, expressive aromas of gooseberry, boxwood, grass clippings, and capsicum. On the palate It’s quite steely on entry, though it gains in both intensity and viscosity, with starfruit and a bracing white grapefruit edge. There is too, […]
Jean Bourdy Côtes Du Jura 2009
A blend of Pinot Noir, Trousseau and Poulsard, all grown in a high-elevation alpine vineyard. Stylistically, the Jean Bourdy Côtes Du Jura Rouge 2009 is a nod to Burgundy, yet it also is a unique expression of terroir. Translucent cranberry in the glass, with delicate, ethereal aromas of clean, mountain air, underbrush, dried leaves and […]
Campuget Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé Tradition de Campuget 2014
The 2014 Château de Campuget Tradition Rosé 2014 offers a slightly earthy and wild cocktail of aromas, something akin to red forest berries, rhubarb and dusty spice. This Rhône-style blend of 30% Grenache, and 70% Syrah, sports a concentrated, translucent carmine robe, though somewhat lighter-bodied than expected, fleshed out by notes of cranberries, tart cherries, […]
Dehlinger Estate Bottled Pinot Noir Rosé 2014
The 2014 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Rosé offers up a nose of fresh strawberries, with a touch of tart cherry. Not overly complex, though enjoyable. There is, perhaps a trace of lemon pith on the finish. I have enjoyed other wines from Dehlinger, particularly their Syrah. My advice: skip this one, great Old World, especially Provence […]
Routas Côteaux Varois Rosé En Provence 2014
The 2014 Château Routas Côteaux Varois Rosé is a classic blend of 45% Cinsault, 35% Grenache and 20% Syrah. The color of ripe watermelon, this Provençal pink has quite a lot going for it, considering the price. Blood oranges, ripe raspberry, watermelon and rose petals grace the nose. On the palate, it’s soft and supple […]
Gérard Bertrand Vin de Pays d’Oc Cote des Roses 2014
Someone spent a lot of time on the packaging for this wine, from the custom bottle mold, down to the pink hued Vino-Seal glass closure. Is the wine good? For its price, the Gerard Bertrand Cote des Roses 2014 is quite drinkable, with enveloping notes of ripe honeydew melon and cantaloup. There is a minerally […]
Kapcsándy Family Winery State Lane Napa Valley Estate Cuvée 2007
Kapcsándy Family Winery found its place in the sun when it launched, with Helen Turley at the helm. She’s since moved on, but Kapcsándy continues to garner 100 point scores from Robert Parker. Certainly, the 2007 State Lane Napa Valley Estate Cuvée is both multifaceted and voluptuous with layers of cola, black cherries, blackberries, butterscotch, […]
Failla Occidental Ridge Pinot Noir 2005
The 2005 Failla Occidental Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir is austere and bright at nearly 10 years on. The nose is dominated by red fruit: rhubarb, cranberry, and crushed raspberries. It’s lean and spare and incredibly tart on the palate with pronounced, angular mid-to-back palate tannins. The tartness, unfortunately dominates the profile, giving impression that it’s […]
Tenute Rubino Saturnino Negroamaro Rosato Salento IGT 2014
The exact color of watermelon Jolly Ranchers, the 2014 Tenute Rubino Saturnino Negroamaro Rosato is thankfully, quite dry. Overtones of tart cherries, roses and spice lead an enthusiastic charge to the palate. Lively acidity gives lift to notes of yes, more tart pie cherries and the slightest hint of candy-like watermelon Jolly Ranchers, in the […]
Côte Bonneville DuBrul Vineyard Chardonnay 2010
2010 was a cooler vintage in Yakima Valley, affording the grapes extended hang time and phenolic maturation. The 2010 Côte Bonneville DuBrul Vineyard Chardonnay proffers a generous nose of buttered rum, vanilla, pineapple and toasted coconut. Aged for 17 month on new French oak with fine lees, it’s medium-bodied and voluptuous, with firm, tight-grained tannins […]