Vinos de Arganza 2015 “Seculo” Mencia, Bierzo

Vinos de Arganza 2015 “Seculo” Mencia, Bierzo

A small winery that has a laser-like focus on the Mencia grape. This is one of several they produce, much of whom have earned critical praise. These include the brands Flavium, Encanto, Legado De Farro, and Lagar De Robla.

The grape itself has a long history and thrives in the green northwest of Spain and Portugal (where it’s known as Jaen) It was (wrongly) believed to be the grandparent to Cabernet Sauvignon until DNA tests disproved that hypothesis. It’s an understandable enological mistake. It’s structure, flavors, and aromas can easily be mistaken for the eldest member of Cab’s family tree: Cabernet Franc.

While some Mencia bottles go toward structure and rusticity, this one goes for dark, round, and fun. Jammy fruit flavors and Hershey milk chocolate hit on the aroma and the palate. And there is plenty of oak-driven spices to tickle most people’s fancy. A soft note of juniper and sea smoke cool down  into a delightful finish. This bottle absolutely crushes with grilled  Merguez-style lamb sausages.

The post Vinos de Arganza 2015 “Seculo” Mencia, Bierzo appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.

source https://www.vinology.com/vinos-de-arganza-2015-seculo-mencia-bierzo/

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 29, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

• 2016 Poderi dal Nespoli Prugneto Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore (Emilia-Romagna): For when you need your red to stay spicy & juicy down to the last drop. $17 B+
• 2016 Fattoria Nicolucci ‘Tre Rocche’ Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore (Emilia-Romagna): Apparently the 3 castles here are named “Lovely,” “Lithe,” and “Overachieving.” $12 B+
• NV Caviro Bole NOVEBOLE (Romagna Trebbiano Spumante): Pear-apple-mineral party in a bounce house. $NA B
• 2018 Settesoli Mandrarossa Perricone Rose (Terre Siciliane): Fresh as a briny breeze by the waterway. $NA B
• 2014 Compania de Vinos del Atlantico Sierra de la Demanda (Rioja): Fresh, funky, and probably thoroughly misunderstood without food. $35 B+
• 2016 Ritual Sauvignon Blanc (Casablanca Valley): Things are just getting toasty and very, very interesting around here… $20 B+
• 2016 Youngberg Hill Vineyards Natasha Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley): You’ll need to like your game meat rubbed with sage and blackberry jus. $60 A-
• 2016 Miner Family Winery Chardonnay (Napa Valley): Rich tropical fruit and citrus peel that don’t at all mind getting their hands a little dirty. $30 B+
• 2017 Chalk Hill Estate Sauvignon Blanc (Sonoma County): Melons, cream, and a garnish of freshly cut grass. $23 B+
• 2014 Oso Libre ‘Bendicion’ Mourvedre (Paso Robles): Pepper, heft, and enough gushing, ripe red fruit to fill a farm stand. $80 A-

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Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 29, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-april-29-2019/

Chateau Boutillot 2015 “Revelations d’Hubert de Bouard” Bordeaux

Chateau Boutillot 2015 “Revelations d’Hubert de Bouard” Bordeaux

The Revelations d’Hubert de Bouard is a portfolio of wines from eight Bordeaux wineries. These are not their usual releases, mind you. They are each working with Hubert de Bouard and Yvon Mau. The former is the owner of the famous Bordeaux winery Chateau Angelus. The later is not a person –well, he used to be a person– but a wine distributor and import company.

A man whose own wine retails for $400 a bottle in 2019  has started a project to sell reasonably priced wines. There are several wines from this lineup available in the region. They are all good, but this one is the most interesting. It’s selling for under $10 in local Wine & Spirits Stores, which is a great value.

Chateau Boutillot  is located in the large Entre-Deux-Mers region in Bordeaux. It’s is a great entry-level Bordeaux with round and expressive red fruit, front and center. The fruit darkends into cassis and gritty tannins are evident in the mid-palate.  Pretty barrel notes fill out this delicious  wine.

The post Chateau Boutillot 2015 “Revelations d’Hubert de Bouard” Bordeaux appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.

source https://www.vinology.com/chateau-boutillot-2015-revelations-dhubert-de-bouard-bordeaux/

It’s Spring, So Drink Some F*cking Tavel

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 22, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

• 2016 Dry Creek Vineyard Old Vine Zinfandel (Sonoma County): Bold, fresh, and kicking the dust off of its trusty leather boots. $33 A-
• 2016 Day Grist Vineyard Zinfandel (Dry Creek Valley): The supple, sexy sides of showing off one’s power. $43 A-
• 2017 Bedrock Wine Co. ‘Papera Ranch Heritage’ Red (Russian River Valley): Papera’s got a brand new bag… and it’s full of tea, roses, & character. $60 A-
• 2016 Matrix Bacigalupi Zinfandel – Petite Sirah (Russian River Valley): All is big and black – as in black fruit, black licorice, black plums, black spices, and a brooding soul as dark as a black, moonless night. $38 A-
• 2015 Hendry ‘Block 7 & 22’ Zinfandel (Napa Valley): Plummy fruit that’s purer than a mathematical proof. $39 A-
• 2015 Hendry ‘Block 7’ Zinfandel (Napa Valley): Focused like a missile on delivering big, juciy, jammy black fruit, licorice, and violets. $38 A-
• 2016 Hendry R.W. Moore Vineyard Zinfandel (Coombsville): More like it’s from “Spiceville” or “Lovelyville.” $40 A-
• 2017 Rock Wall Wine Company St. Peter’s Church Vineyard Zinfandel (Alexander Valley): Savory and screamin’, so put your big boy/big girl pants on and drink with abandon. $42 B+
• 2016 Rock Wall Wine Company Hendry Vineyard Block 29 Reserve Zinfandel (Napa Valley): When the term “fruit bomb” can actually be used in a positive context. $45 A-
• 2015 Ridge Vineyards Geyserville Red (Alexander Valley): Juicy, tempered, and perfumed, and putting on a spice clinic. $48 A-

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Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 22, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-april-22-2019/

Getting The Tables Turned On Me For WIN Advisor

Vinessens 2016 “La Casica del Abuelo” Alicante

Vinessens 2016 “La Casica del Abuelo” Alicante

Vinessens is a small family-owned winery located in Spain’s Valencia wine region. This particular bottle comes from the sub-region of Alicante and is sourced largely from a vineyard of 80-year-old Monastrell vines.  This is the type of Spanish wine that is so undervalued that it is criminal. Locally, this currently available for less than $11, and drinks like a wine twice it’s price.

The nose has a sauvage element, studded with cinnamon and smoke. The palate is medium bodied and lush, with a thread of acidity turning the dark fruit into a hit of Meyer lemon on the finish.  A funky note of wet earth shows a nod to natural winemaking. Monastrell loves oak, and there is plenty here, but it’s well-balanced and plays well the other elements in this wine.  Serve this with smoked pork butt or some duck confit.

The post Vinessens 2016 “La Casica del Abuelo” Alicante appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.

source https://www.vinology.com/vinessens-2016-la-casica-del-abuelo-alicante/

“Sweet Lincoln’s Mullet!” (2019 San Diego International Wine & Spirits Challenge Highlights)

Wild Horse 2015 “Cheval Sauvage” Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley

Wild Horse 2015 “Cheval Sauvage” Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley

Long before the movie Sideways, Santa Barbara County has been a hot spot for Pinot Noir.  In particular, Sanat Maria Valley is home to some of  California’s top vineyards for the grape. That list of top spots includes Garey, Rancho Real, Rancho Sisquoc, and Bien Nacido vineyards. All four of them found their way into this remarkable bottle.

Steeped plums, earl grey tea, and molten licorice make for an exhilarating aroma.  Hedonistic flavors and lush texture amplify the pleasure here. Then comes a rich chocolate flavor that is complex but also simple: it is the holy trinity of movie theatre candy, blended together: Milk Duds, Sno-Caps, and Raisinets. That moment disappears. You are left with flavors that can only be described as eating steak tartare from a rusty can. And somehow that feels just right.  This is a wine is full of impossible contradictions and is immensely better for it.

As of this writing, this bottle was selling for under $20 in and around Philadelphia. Considering this sells for $65 at the winery, I’d say this is one of the greatest values for Pinot Noir in some time.

 

The post Wild Horse 2015 “Cheval Sauvage” Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.

source https://www.vinology.com/wild-horse-2015-cheval-sauvage-pinot-noir-santa-maria-valley/

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 15, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

• 2017 San Valentino Bio ‘Vivi’ (Colli di Rimini Rebola): White flowers, white peaches, red cheeks from drinking so much of it. $16 B+
• 2017 San Valentino ‘Bacaia’ Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore (Emilia-Romagna): Vibrant, spicy, versatile, delightful, and dammit please bring me a hamburger! $NA B+
• 2016 San Valentino Terra di Covignano Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva (Emilia-Romagna): Single vineyard, single clone, various responses – from plummy sexiness, to leathery grip, to funky vibrancy. $NA B+
• 2017 Celli ‘I Croppi’ Secco (Albana di Romagna): Apricots, saline, flowers, minerals; this is the luv that happens when this zesty grape meets the right limestone soils. $13 B+
• 2015 Celli ‘Bron & Ruseval’ Sangiovese Bertinoro di Romagna (Emilia-Romagna): Sour cherries and orange peel held together with sinewy tension. $NA B+
• NV Osborne ‘Sibarita’ 30 Year Old V.O.R.S Oloroso Sherry (Andalucia): Basically, you will burst out into song with “Spanish Caravan” in praise of this, or you probably lack a soul. $99 A
• 2016 The Infinite Monkey Theorem Cabernet Franc (Grand Valley): When otherwise friendly Colorado gets mysteriously dangerous in its dark intensity. $24 B+
• 2017 Whitewater Hill Riesling (Grand Valley): You’ll dig the honeysuckle, lychee, and sweet green apple; you’ll just wish that they hung around longer. $14 B-
• 2018 Gran Moraine Rose of Pinot Noir (Yamhill-Carlton District): So zesty, so vibrant, so earthy, so tasty, so pricey. $30 B+
• 2017 Bonterra Vineyards Rose (Mendocino County): You want to drink a lot of this. Yeah, you do. Admit it. $16 B

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Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 15, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-april-15-2019/

Julia’s Dazzle 2017 Pinot Gris Rose, Columbia Valley

Julia’s Dazzle Pinot Gris Rose Columbia Valley 2017

Don’t judge this wine by its bottle.  This is the type of packaging I’d expect for a White Zinfandel geared towards functional alcoholics that sell bedazzled dog leashes on Esty.  This is not such a wine: it’s a project by winemaker Gilles Nicaul of Long Shadows winery in Washington State’s Columbia Valley.

This is a seriously good rosé, a skin-fermented pinot grigio from a single vineyard in Horse Heaven Hills.  This is a beautiful wine that is this closer to an orange wine in technique than the fermented sadness that is white zinfandel.

Every spring and summer I pack my fridge with delicious rosés. I expect bottles of this wine will be gracing my top shelf from now to August. Sage and apple-skin aromas are followed by rich textures and freshness. Flavors of wild strawberry and tangerine are complicated with a hint of herbs and spiced coconut.

 

 

 

The post Julia’s Dazzle 2017 Pinot Gris Rose, Columbia Valley appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.

source https://www.vinology.com/julias-dazzle-2017-pinot-gris-rose-columbia-valley/

We Now Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Features To Kick Your Ass

Castelli del Grevepesa 2015 “Clemente VII” Chianti Classico

Castelli del Grevepesa 2015 “Clemente VII” Chianti Classico

This tale starts with our protagonist leaving their sylvan homestead in search of their destiny. With an eye to making their mark in the world, they make their way to a sprawlingly romantic city on a hill.  After trials and tribulations, they succeed, but not in a way that people will resent their good fortune.

This particular story is about Gualtiero Nunzi, who founded his namesake winery in the 19th century in Tuscany and retired to the great city of Florence. His family kept the tradition alive for two centuries. His great-grandson Gualtiero Armando Nunzi then founded the local winery cooperative in 1965, Castelli del Grevepesa, which has been a Wine School favorite for several vintages now.

The 2015 Chianti Classico tops that list. Sangiovese has several personalities. At times, it can be aggressivo e tannico, but other times it can offer up fiori delicati e profumo. In this incarnation, it is delicate and complex; the perfect partner for Pici Cacio e Pepe,  or any other fresh-and-simple Tuscan pasta.

Don’t mistake its lightness for simplicity. Darkly aromatic, it’s crisp red fruit is buttressed with cloves and cigar smoke.  Wet earth and thinly boned tannins make for a dramatic finish.

The post Castelli del Grevepesa 2015 “Clemente VII” Chianti Classico appeared first on Wine School of Philadelphia.

source https://www.vinology.com/castelli-del-grevepesa-2015-clemente-vii-chianti-classico/

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 8, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

• 2015 Tenuta La Viola Bertinoro ‘P.Honorii’ Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva (Emilia-Romagna): Ready for battle, with a steely-eyed glare and more than it’s fair share of grit & resolve. $NA A-
• 2015 Giovanna Madonia Cantina di Bertinoro ‘Ombroso’ Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva (Emilia-Romagna): Kicking ass, and taking names, using its ample graphite pencil for the latter. $NA B+
• 2016 Peter Zemmer ‘Giatl’ Pinot Grigio Alto Adige Riserva (Trentino-Alto Adige): Any sexier and it’d need to be featured in an adult magazine spread. $38 B+
• 2011 Caiarossa Rosso di Toscana (Tuscany): Still fruity, savory, and pretty, even if it’s put on a few extra pounds over the years. $60 A-
• 2016 Alara Cellars Tempranillo (San Benito Valley): Smokey tobacco FTW, people!! $41 A-
• 2015 Dutton-Goldfield Dutton Ranch Cherry Ridge Syrah (Russian River Valley): Meaty, tangy, spicy, and basically irresistible. $50 A-
• 2016 Dutton-Goldfield Rued Vineyard Chardonnay (Russian River Valley): Leaning into all of its curves with precision and focus. $55 A-
• 2014 Louis M. Martini Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley): Round, rich, and ready to make most of your friends feel very, very good. $33 B+
• 2018 Domaine Bousquet Chardonnay (Mendoza): Fun is written all over this one; it’s already saying “you’re welcome.” $12 B
• 2017 Bodega Colome Autentico Malbec (Calchaqui Valley): Case-worthy buy of plummy, spicy, meaty excellence. $30 A-

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Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 8, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-april-8-2019/

It’s Good To Be The Princess (Azienda Vitivinicola Condé Recent Releases)

Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 1, 2019

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.
 
They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), and are presented links to help you find them, so that you can try them out for yourself. Cheers!

• 2015 San Patrignano ‘Avi’ Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva (Emilia-Romagna): Long on the herbs, wood, spices, black cherries, structure, and, well, on pretty much everything. $35 A-
• 2017 Enio Ottaviani ‘Strati’ Romagna Pagadebit (Emilia-Romagna): Pear, White Fig, and Grapefruit all go surfing together. $NA B+
• 2017 Domaine de Sainte Cecile du Parc ‘Notes Frivoles’ Rose (Pays de Caux): With all of that pleasing structural bite, it’s not really living up to its namesake – in good ways. $17 B
• 2014 Christine Mouton Bertoli Domaine de Sainte Cecile du Parc ‘Sonatina’ (Coteaux du Languedoc): Bring on the BBQ, because this one has some savory meat to smoke up. $24 B+
• 2017 Ferraton Pere & Fils ‘Plan de Dieu’ (Cotes du Rhone Villages): We could talk about how floral, earthy, and solid this is, but it’d be a hell of a lot more fun to just drink it. $15 B
• NV Leclerc-Briant Reserve Brut (Champagne): Almonds, brioche, lemons, and decided improvement since its last report card. $65 A-
• 2014 Taylors Wakefield Exceptional Parcel Release ‘The Visionary’ Cabernet Sauvignon (Clare Valley): Eucalyptus, cassis, and a near-incredible sense of wonder. $200 A
• 2012 Truchard Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon (Carneros): This old fellow still has plenty of charm, attitude, and cigars to share. $38 A-
• 2015 Sosie Wines Spring Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sonoma County): A fine teakhouse plate – as in, bold and meaty, but also refined. $43 A-
• 2015 Sosie Wines Vivio Vineyard Roussanne (Bennett Valley): Oily/vibrant, floral/rich; it kind of enjoys showing off its contrasts. $38 A-

Grab The 1WineDude.com Tasting Guide and start getting more out of every glass of wine today!

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Copyright © 2016. Originally at Wine Reviews: Weekly Mini Round-Up For April 1, 2019 from 1WineDude.com - for personal, non-commercial use only. Cheers!

source http://www.1winedude.com/wine-reviews-weekly-mini-round-up-for-april-1-2019/