September Wines

October 11, 2017

Richard Moore

Wine of the Month

September was an unusual month that provided no 5 star selections. There were many good wines and few that came close. Thinking back the wine that comes to mind the most is Concannon’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, and for that reason I am selecting it as the wine of the month.

Concannon 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($28 Concannon Wine Club)

The two Cabernet Sauvignons I am reviewing from Concannon this month were part of a special gift three pack I could get from the wine club with very low shipping costs. This was a wonderful wine that takes time to open up and develop so let it decant and air. Tasting notes: "baking spice, and sweet tobacco. Full-bodied with bright black cherry, plum, black currant and berry fruit with just a wink of oak barrel accents on entry. The finish is clean, long and layered with dark fruit surrounded by soft tannins balanced by crisp acidity and floral notes" I would say the notes are on target, the only exception would be that there is more than a wink of oak (which is a good thing). At $28 I would be inclined to buy some more bottles although at the list price of $40 I would not consider it. Looking on the internet, it seems this wine is not available outside of Concannon. I am beginning to wonder if Concannon is taking the approach of selling it’s higher end wines only through the wine club because the only Concannon wines I can find in local wine stores around here are the central California bottlings which are pure junk.

Wente 2014 Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon (14.99 Safeway)

A very nice fruity Cabernet. One that needs a bit of air to develop, straight out of the bottle it is marginal. Tasting notes: “This Cabernet Sauvignon is brilliantly focused with aromas and flavors of bing cherry, black cherry, raspberry, and blackberry with notes of herbs, bay leaf, roasted coffee and subtle dark chocolate. The wine has excellent concentration and a full mouthfeel with gripping tannins and balanced acidity.” I not sure I picked up all those tastes. There was a bit of cherry, but much more raspberry and blackberry which I prefer. There is some spice, and dark chocolate. Did not pick up on any coffee. It is a very nicely balanced wine with medium tannins and finish. A nice Cabernet you can drink with or without food. At $15 I would pick up more bottles of this. (it looks like Total Wine has it for 11.99 here in MN, so this is a definite buy)

Baloiro Reserva Bierzo 2009 (14.99 WTSO)

This is my first wine based on the Mencia grape and I am a fan. This is a nicely balanced fruity wine with a solid backbone and finish. Tasting notes: “A heady, mineral-laced bouquet evokes dark berry preserves, Indian spices, licorice and floral oils. Stains the palate with vibrant black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors underscored by a smoky mineral nuance. Plays power off of liveliness smoothly and finishes with strong thrust and slow-building tannins.” I would say the notes are spot on and you can tell that the wine spent 16 months in oak (French and American). A very enjoyable wine that I would get more of given the chance.

Chateau Saint-Michel Bordeaux Superieur 2014 (13.99 WTSO)

I always enjoy this wine and have been ordering bottles since I have been buying from WTSO. I have had problems navigating the Bordeaux region and the subregions. This Bordeaux Superieur really is a nice fruit bomb with a backbone. It is probably the most aromatic wine I have drank, you can smell the wine in the glass a good 3 feet away. The aroma is fruity with quite a bit of berry, very nice. Tasting notes: ““An intense, almost black robe. The fruit aromas are intense and pure. A wine with a dense, compact structure that will age beautifully for years. On the palate, the wine is generous, with perfect harmony between fruit and tannins that makes us want to come back for more! It fills the palate and leaves us satisfied with a long finish.” I would say the notes are pretty much on target. The aroma of berry fruit continues into the mouth and the use of 10% Cabernet Franc with Merlot gives the wine a nice structure and long finish without being overly oaky. You can bet I will stock back up if I can, I have ordered 8 of the 2013 (all gone) and 4 of the 2014.

Fratelli Barba 'I Vasari' Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Old Vines 2011 (12.49 WTSO)

Both Julie and I agree that this wine is tart, and dry. A bit like an underripe plum. Tasting notes: “Inky ruby. Sweet spices, plum jam and a note of coffee reduction on the complex nose. Bright and fresh on the palate, with mouthwatering acidity lifting the red and darker fruit flavors. The long finish features hints of plum jam, mint and underbrush.” I am pretty much in disagreement with the notes and the tart plum taste pretty much overrides anything else. I will finish up the bottles I have and would not be inclined to ordering any more.

DeLoach 2014 Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir (10.99 Haskells)

We did a group tasting of four Pinot Noir’s a couple of years ago during Thanksgiving and the 2013 DeLoach did well. This has been my under $10 Pinot for a while, but it has snuck up over the $10 mark. There is a fair amount of cherry and it is right at the edge of cherry-ness for my taste. Tasting notes: “mouthwatering flavors of Bing cherry and ripe raspberries accented beautifully with just a touch of walnut and pine duff. This Pinot Noir is medium bodied with fine grain tannins that lead to a long, juicy finish.” The notes are pretty on target with the exception of pine duff(?) and the finish as it is more medium than long. I would also say it seems a bit heavier in body and almost a bit syrupy compared to what I remember of the 2013. The tasting notes for the 2013 seems to indicate it was a lighter bodied wine. I am a bit on the fence about the 2014 vintage and might not be inclined to pick up more bottles in preference for the 2013 vintage or the Korbel Pinot Noir.

Vina Robles 2016 Estate Rose (12.00 Vina Robles Wine Club)

Somehow this bottle made it’s way into our latest wine club order. Not sure if I made a mistake ordering or it was a substitute for something I ordered but they are out of stock. Either way it turned out to be a nice surprise as both Julie and I really liked this Rose. It is very distinct, crisp and refreshing. Tasting notes: “Aroma: Wild strawberry and ripe plum with hints of rhubarb and cherry blossom Taste: Fresh and lively with expressive red fruits and a quenching finish” I felt that there was a definite melon aroma and taste. We struggled to place the aroma exactly but it was very present and pleasant. The Vina Robles website says this rose is in the southern French style. It is a bit darker in color and heavier than a Provence Rose, more towards a Tavel Rose. At a $12 price point this is a wine to stock up on.

Concannon 2015 CV Cabernet Sauvignon ($14 Concannon Wine Club)

This wine is sourced from grapes grown in Paso Robles vineyards. I must say this is a big step up from the Founders 2014 Cabernet I reviewed in March of 2017. I think John Concannon is taking back control of the wine making and that is a good thing for the quality of Concannon wines. This is a very drinkable Cabernet and it just falls short of 4 stars for me. Tasting notes: “Enjoy rich aromas and luscious flavors of intense red cherry, ripe plum and black currant intermingling with hints of cocoa, vanilla and spice. The upright pumpover tanks extract aromatics and allow for softer tannins producing a fragrant fruit forward wine.” I would agree with the tasting notes although I did not really taste any cocoa. It is definitely a very fruit forward wine, almost a bit too fruit forward in a Cabernet for my taste. If you enjoy fruit forward wines with soft tannins then this might be a wine to try. I would consider adding this to a wine order from Concannon in the future for the $14 price. Seems like not many places are carrying it, but the price online seems to be $15 and up.

Parducci 2014 Small Lot Blend Pinot Noir (Gift)

A friend brought this wine as a gift to a dinner party. We both really liked this Pinot Noir. Light in color in the glass with fruity aroma. Tasting notes: “aromas of juicy, ripe raspberries and strawberries. Its berry flavors are full and rich on the palate,picking up a hint of cedar on the finish. Medium-bodied red wine” I would add a bit of cherry to the aroma and taste. It has a nice medium body to it with a nice dry finish. Looks like it can be bought for about $13 online. At that price it is a very good wine value, and one I will look to get. (Update: I did find it locally at MGM Liquor for $9.99. At that price this seems like a heck of a wine)

Until next month, happy tasting and drinking.

Ratings:

Wow, knock my socks off good. A wine to stock up on.

A very good wine, also a wine to stock up on.

A good average wine that is very drinkable, one that I might buy

again.

An okay wine, one I can drink but would not run out to buy any of.

Not worth really drinking, most likely poured out.

keywords: Wine,Wine Tasting, Wine Reviews

description: New wines tasting notes for September of 2017