February  Wines

March 3, 2018

Richard Moore

Wine of the Month

Some very good wines this month, but for me personally the Concannon Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon was very special and one of the best wines I have ever had.  

   

Concannon 2014 Spring Mountain District Cabernet Sauvignon ($48 Concannon Wine Club)

Very classic Cabernet, chewy and oaky right away in the mouth. I absolutely loved it, but I am sure many would not (Julie did not care for it all that much). Aroma of Earth and oak, with a hint of fruit and flower. In the mouth there is oak, a bit of chocolate, some fruit, and it is very dry. The finish is long and consistent. A wine that could be aged for many years as I drank it over 3 days and it was very in your face even on the third day, although it did develop a bit more fruitiness. To me this is what Cabernets should be. Wine notes: “Layers of flavors and nuances coat your palate in an abundance of dark fruits and sweet, plush tannins. A dusty character with currants, sweet tobacco, cocoa, and ground pepper intermingling with cinnamon, and cedar. This Cabernet is full bodied with beautiful tannins that show finesse and length balancing the firm mountain acidity.” Overall a good description of the wine, the dark fruits would require letting the wine air for a good couple of hours. Although I am not one to spend too much on wine, I will pick up a couple of bottles of this to put in the cellar.

   

Martini and Rossi Prosecco (12.97 Ben’s Liquor South Padre Island)

We have taken a liking to Prosecco, and I thought it would be nice to have some for lunch on our last day of vacation on South Padre Island. What a disappointment this Prosecco was! Not much to say except it does not have the pear/apple fruit and crispness we have come to enjoy and expect in a Prosecco. We both could not have any more after a glass and ended up pouring it down the drain. To help our taste buds recover I opened a Beringer Cabernet, see the next wine, that I was anticipating taking to San Antonio with us. Guess you can figure I will not be buying any Martini and Rossi Prosecco, and would be very hesitant buy any of their wines.

   

Beringer 2015 Founders’ Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (12.97 Ben’s Liquors South Padre Island)

As I mentioned above, I opened this in hopes of washing away a very subpar Prosecco. This wine did that and more. A very nice on the nose and in the mouth Cabernet. You pick up a lot of dark fruit on the nose, and the fruit continues into the mouth with a pretty high level of jam and spice for a Cabernet. The finish is long and dry with the fruit and jam lingering. I tend to like a bit of jam in my wines so this works for me, if you do not like jam skip this wine. Wine notes: “flavors of black cherry, raspberry, vanilla and cinnamon spice. It has a round mouthfeel, supple tannins and a long, lingering finish.” A pretty good description of the wine. The grapes for this Cabernet are from the Lodi and Delta regions of California which are known for their Zinfandels. That might explain why this wine has spice and jam. A nice wine by itself and one that would be good with food. I would consider buying more bottles of this wine considering the quality and price point, especially since Total Wine has it priced at 6.97. This just might be one of the best wine bargains I know! I did pick some more and it continues to be a very nice wine.

   

Coppola 2015 Rosso  (24.00 Gabriella's restaurant South Padre Island)

Always a good wine at a good price. We enjoyed a great dinner of homemade pasta with a bottle of Rosso. A blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet, and Syrah (Petite and regular) this wine has characteristics of each grape. There is a Zinfandel jam and spice. Cabernet provides a nice fruit and structure. Syrah provides a very solid backbone with a long dry finish. Wine notes: “supple texture and rich, juicy flavors of plum, cherries, mocha, and strawberry jam” I would say an okay description of the wine, I would not characterize the jam as strawberry but more of a blackberry jam. I usually pick up this wine from time to time and it is a great wine for an event where not many serious wine drinkers will be at. You can pick it up at Total Wine for 7.49 which makes it a very good bargain.

     

Greg Norman Estates Limestone Coast 2014 Cabernet Merlot  (12 Feldman’s Liquor)

Since we liked the Shariz from Greg Norman Estates I picked up a bottle to the Cabernet Merlot. Actually I thought it was a Cabernet Sauvignon, and only realized it was a Cabernet Merlot when I was writing this. This is a very dry and in your face wine right away. A hint of dark fruit on the nose. When I opened the wine there was a wonderful aroma, but for some reason that does not continue into the glass. In the mouth it is dry and spicy. There is a medium amount of dark fruit. The finish is long and consistent, maybe not the most complex of wines. What you start with is what you end with. Wine notes: “vibrant aromas of blackberry, blueberry, brown spice and light vanilla notes while the palate is layered with hints of violets, clove and ripe, juicy berries” I guess I did not pick out as much berry fruit. At a $12 price point I may not be inclined to buy more bottles as there are many other wines at that price point I would enjoy more.

   

Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2012 Maitre de la Chapelle (26.99 WTSO)

A very refined, dry, spicy, and fruity wine. Everything is very well balanced, but you must like spice in your wine. Wine notes: “aromas of raspberries, cherries, spices, lavender and licorice which all come together in the glass. On the palate this is refined, with lovely silky tannins and remains well balanced through the finish.” I am having trouble smelling all the aromas they mention, but do taste all of them in the mouth with the exception of licorice. There is a bit of a sting on the nose which could be expected with 15 percent alcohol. After drinking a couple of glasses I vacuumed it shut and the next day the wine had settled down a bit and was smoother, jammer, with less sting on the nose. Definitely a wine to decant and air for a while. A bit on the fence about buying any more bottles. At the price point I can think of many other wines I would enjoy more.

   

Clos d'Argentine Winemaker's Selection Reserva Mendoza Malbec 2013  (14.99 WTSO)

I had some high hopes for this Malbec, but it was not very good. Both Julie and I did not find it very special in any way. I would say it seems a bit watery for a Malbec and lacking some good oaky tannins. Aroma of dark cherry and plum, in the mouth more plum than cherry to start then the Bing cherry takes over. A dry wine with tannins that lead to a long finish that the fruit continues into. A bit of tobacco and spice. Wine notes: “Smoky, charred aromas of blackberry and blackened spices set up a bold palate with energy to spare. Blackberry and cassis flavors are rich, toasty and chocolaty, while the finish on this full-bodied, ripe Malbec is lengthy and moderately complex.” Not really sure they were drinking the same wine I was. Not a repeat buy for us.

   

Parducci 2012 Small Lot Blend Zinfandel  (7.97 clearance table Saracks)

The consensus between our son Steve, Julie and I was that this was not even worth drinking. Maybe it was beyond it’s time, but it was not baked, vinegary or corked. The aroma is apple and the taste is apple, very weird. Not worth spending any more time writing about. My first dog of a wine from the clearance table at Saracks.

   

Maroon Napa Signature Reserve Meritage Red 2011 (17.99 WTSO)

This wine was a nice recovery from the Parducci wine above. A mixture of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Petit Verdot that work well together for a dusty, earthy, and fruity wine that has a nice aroma that continues into the mouth. The finish is long and dry with the fruit and spice lingering. Wine notes: “wonderful aromas, ample fruit and the toasty and vanilla notes from the French and American oak combination. The wine has nice fruit aromas, a rich midpalate, well-balanced acidity and a medium length finish.” A good description of the wine, I would add a bit of peppery spice and would say the fruit is more of a dark (blackberry, plum) fruit. We all enjoyed this wine with our spaghetti dinner that Julie made. A wine I would order at a restaurant or buy more of as it is in the 41/2 star range.

   

Ghostrunner 2016 Ungrafted Red ($36 Marx Bistro)

Everytime we go to Marx Bistro to eat I always get a glass of this. Today we ordered a bottle for Julie and I to share and bring some home. This is a feast for those that like their wine with jam, fruit and tannins. The Aroma is a great mixture of jam and berry fruit. In the mouth the jam is there but not overwhelming, the fruit of raspberry and boysenberry coat your tongue and persist for for a long finish with a nice level of tannins to give a medium dry finish. There is some spice and flower after the wine has been in you mouth for a while. This wine is a treat as the only local source I have found is Marx.

The grape blend is Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Zinfandel. If I had to pick a single grape that comes through in this wine it is the Zinfandel. Wine notes: “aromas of raspberries and rip plum, blackberry flavors and hints of spice show on the palate. This red blend, full of artful fruit, has an exotic mouth feel and a lingering finish with hints of toasted oak”  A pretty good description of the wine, I may pick different fruits but overall the same basic description. A silky wine with a bit of cedar, and I would add that there is a bit of sweetness to the wine, guess I would say jam. If I can find this wine locally or online for the 12-15 price range I will be picking up some. It seems the 2014 and 2015 vintages were labeled Ghostrider Ungrafted Red.

   

Frankland Estate Rocky Gully Shiraz 2014 (14.99 WTSO)

There is a lot to like about this Shiraz. It is fruity, a bit jammy, spicy, valvety, with a good finish. When I opened the bottle there was a wonderful aroma that continued into the drinking of the wine. Wine notes: “Bright, ripe red fruits, with plum, black pepper, and spice with a subtle integration of oak. There is a middle weighted palate with bright, juicy fruit and a lifted integration of black pepper, plum, and spice notes. The creamy texture and subtle oak provide a poised finish. The tiny addition of Viognier with vibrant Shiraz fruit notes gives aromatic lift and subtle texture, which makes the wine more approachable in its youth. Good acidity and fine tannins combine to create a soft finishing, well weighted cool climate style” I would say a very good and accurate description of this wonderful wine. I would say this is a great bargain of a wine and I will be looking to get some more.

     

Balzini White Label Super Tuscan Library Series 1999 (24.99 WTSO)

Disappointing would be the word I would use for this wine. Maybe beyond its lifetime? The aging is 15-20 years and being that it is near the 20 year mark I might be inclined to think that is the issue.  Wine notes: “Complex scents of berries and black cherry. Notes of hot spices combined with refined hints of tobacco and violet. Taste: Full body and warm. Complex and powerful tannins, characterized by a growing softness. Very long after taste absolutely coherent with olfactory notes.” There are hints of all this in the wine but pretty subdued and the tannins are pretty tame which also leads me to believe it has been aged too long. Hard to say if this wine in a later vintage is one that I would consider buying.

   

Bernardone Chardonnay Behler Vineyard Sonoma 2012 (12.99 WTSO)

Both Julie and said, this is an unusual Chardonnay. Wine notes: “With its bright fruit and smooth, round texture, this is a subtle and tantalizing Chardonnay. Aromas of butterscotch, brioche and ginger combine with flavors of toasted almonds, butterscotch and Creme Brulee.” There is an underlying butterscotch, but I do not smell or taste any creme brulee. There is a odd sweetness to this wine. Not a wine I will be looking to buy any more bottles of.

 

Robert Stemmler Carneros Lawler Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 (19.99 WTSO)

A wonderfully refined and delicate Pinot Noir. A nice mix of cherry and strawberry fruit with a medium dryness and a good lengthy finish. Wine notes: “earthy aromas of mushroom and forest floor fill the room, accompanied by just ripe raspberry and cherry. The palate is darker and more fruit driven, with cherry, blackberry, and strawberry joined by vanilla bean flavors. Focused and intense, with a sharp spine of acid, there is plenty of richness as well, which rounds out the finish.” I am still sticking with strawberry fruit but I could see where some might go with raspberry. Otherwise a good and accurate description of this wine. I find that the Carneros Pinot Noirs are usually to me liking.

   

Lunadoro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2010  (19.99 WTSO)

Both Julie and I like this wine, it has a wonderful nose, is light in the mouth with tannins and good finish.  Sweet plum fruit to start in the mouth moving to a tartness. Later there is spice and a tongue drying finish.  Wine notes: “Ruby to garnet red colour, complex nose and characteristic of the most traditional Vino Nobile with fruity, mellow and mature aromas. The elegance, more than the power, directs the bouquet with notes of black pepper, plum jam, a floral touch of violet, and tertiary aromas of dark chocolate and cigar. In the mouth the structure is well balanced, with soft tannins and acidity that gives it a long finish.” Overall a good description of this wine, as it is a complex wine that shifts through many phases of taste and structure in your mouth. Not quite 5 stars but pretty close. A bit bummed that I gave up buying wine for Lent, as this wine was offered on WTSO a few days ago. Guess I will give it up to the Lord and hope it comes around again after Lent.

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.

Copyright 2018, Richard J. Moore

keywords: Wine,Wine Tasting, Wine Reviews

description: New wines tasting notes for February of 2018