Quick Reviews
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon – Chile – 2015
Nose explodes, filling the room with great fruity notes after uncorking. On the palate it’s more refined and shy, a fairly typical new world cab that is fine for its pedigree but not up to California snuff. Basement must, nuts and black cherry. Paired well with charcuterie at a cheese tasting.
Bodega Garzón Reserva Tannat – Uruguay – 2017
Another incredible Tannat from Uruguay, with heavy notes of plum and other dark fruits. Lacking the smokiness and earth of other Uruguayan Tannats, but it’s still very good. A bit young. Improves with air.
Quinta do Vallado Touriga Nacional – Portugal – 2016
Fantastic red from Portugal. Nose is complex, smacking your smoother with equal parts fruit and earth. Smooth tannins and notes of blackcurrant and leather. Finish is long but a bit bitter, robbing this of one half star. Otherwise very, very good.
Henry Fessy Gamay Noir – France – 2017
Nose is grape jelly. Everything else isn’t, though. Medium dry, with some earthy notes that take it far away from jammy. Moderate but smooth tannins surprise. A bit of green olive hides beneath the fruit. Not bad, but was expecting more from this grape.
E. Guigal Châteauneuf-du-Pape – France – 2015
Milk chocolate and slight dark earth on the nose. Palate is smooth, silky plum. Tannins come around only at the end. Very good but so-so finish keeps this from a higher score.
Ammunition The Equalizer Red Blend – California – 2015
Came recommended but fell short. Blackberry is the main note but it gets bitter quickly. Nice back end and finish but not enough to improve the score. Some weird fruit notes (peach in a red?) at the start but they burn away quickly. Meh
Caro (Catena and Rothschild) Aruma Malbec – Argentina – 2017
Grape jelly on the nose but this isn’t overly jammy… Probably just the right amount of fruit, given that most malbecs are tending towards dull, fruitless creations. Short finish means it’s not memorable though. Other notes are mild earth and black cherry.
Celler Ronadelles – Cap de Ruc Montsant – Spain – 2017
So-so grenache, representative of the more mediocre end of the breed. Drinks fine but also is entirely forgettable. Some interesting earthy notes but there’s a tiny hint of chemicals that I’m pretty sure doesn’t belong there.
Celler Ronadelles – Cap de Ruc Vins I Llegendes – Spain – 2012
Old vine grenache is great when you can find it, and this one doesn’t disappoint. Subtle black cherry combines with black soil earthy notes and surprisingly smooth tannins. Hints of cedar. Brief finish keeps this from five stars. Was served aerated.
Venta del Puerto No. 18 Vendimia Selección – Spain – 2012
Spanish cab overwhelms any syrah in this blend, resulting in something that may not be better than the sum of its parts, just different than them. The fruit hire is surprisingly ripe and a bit acerbic. Finish was shallow. Was served aerated when tasted, left to stand before drinking. Didn’t help much. So-so. Notes of blackberry.