Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes 2015
Nice value to be had in this bottle, the 2015 Château Saint-Cyrgues Costières-De-Nîmes offers up a bouquet of violets, perhaps even a hint of dried rose petal. Following this perfumed floral bloom are plums, bramble berries, soil and dried moss, lilting clove and allspice notes. This is a lighter red, with a palate is soft […]
Château de Roquefort Côtes de Provence Grêle 2012
Château de Roquefort Côtes de Provence Grêle” width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>A Provençal red, the 2012 Château de Roquefort Gréle No. 2 reveals black olive tapenade, Garrigue, black licorice, fresh potting soil. smoky black tea and pen ink as it slowly unspools. Round in the mouth and expressive, though not as full bodied or as intense as […]
Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 Red NV
Ron Rubin Winery’s Q&A Label Series One No 12 Of 12 is bright ruby in the glass with violet reflexes, and offers primary fruit on the nose. Mostly raspberry, red cherry, anise, and vanilla with touch of spice. It’s a medium-bodied [undisclosed] blend, with soft, ripe tannins—toast, if any, is scarcely discernible as texture. Moderate […]
Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
The profile of the 2012 Louis M. Martini Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is consistent with the profile of the 2013 I reviewed last spring—how did I manage to get the vintages out of order? No matter, these are wines with great aging potential, they can be squirreled away for a decade or more. Black currants, […]
Brooks Runaway Red Pinot Noir 2013
According to winemaker, Chris Williams, Runaway Red is the first Pinot Noir the winery blends each season. This is also Brooks’ entry level label, priced at $23.00, it’s soft and accessible with an entirely red-fruited profile. Rhubarb, strawberries, pie cherries and a delicate floral note lead into a wine that is acid driven and lightly […]
Frei Brothers Reserve Chardonnay 2014
A nice value Chardonnay from the River Valley Russian, Frei Brothers 2014 Reserve is medium lemon yellow in the glass with a leaning towards tropical-papaya, ripe pear, buttered scone and baked apple tartin. The attack is round and full with moderate toast squarely at the mid-palate. A short shorts that adorned with toast and pencil […]
Pierre-Henri Morel Luberon 2014
Pierre-Henri Morel is Maison Chapoutier’s commercial director. He launched his eponymous brand in collaboration with Michel Chapoutier in 2008, all of the wines under this label are vinified at Chapoutier’s facility. The 2008 Luberon is has a wonderful sauvage character—an earthy mix of leather, woody trails, game and wild strawberries. It’s light bodied, underscored by […]
Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon High Mountain Vines 2014
Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon High Mountain Vines 2014″ width=”200″ height=”200″ /></a>I received a selection of Catena wines following an interview with Dr. Laura Catena (to her credit, she’s an amazing person and a part time ER doc). Her 2014 High Mountain Vines Cabernet displays glorious aromas of black currant, anise, mocha, exotic spice, and […]
Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas Blanc 2015
A 50/50 blend of Marsanne and Viognier, the enchanting Clos Bellane Côtes du Rhône Villages Blanc hails from a higher altitude site, with vineyard blocks set on 410″ plateau opposite Mont Ventoux. Sunbeam yellow with lemon drop and d’Anjou pear leading into more diffuse aromas of dried laurel and slate. The attack is round and […]
Feudo Arancio Cabernet Sauvignon Sicilia Stemmari 2013
Aged in neutral French barriques, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is softly textured, fresh, and endowed with fine tannins that gather at the fore-palate. Laden with plums, blackberries, incense and Chinese five spice, this is an easy and approachable Cabernet Sauvignon, a perfect wine for a casual gathering. 13.5% ABV | Sample Feudo Arancio Stemmari 8.7 […]