Quick Reviews
Protos Rueda Verdejo – Spain – 2016
Fantastic if subtle nose of perfume and lemon, gives way to palate of bright tart apple. Dry, so don’t let the nose trick you. Best paired with bold dish, this is a bit powerful to drink solo.
Achaval-Ferrer Malbec – Argentina – 2016
Really wonderful example of the fine malbecs coming from Argentina. Strong dark cherry with hints of wood and black pepper. Dry without losing the fruit. Paired well with homemade traditional Italian lasagna.
Tabernero Vittoria Malbec – Peru – 2016
Reliable malbec from a reliable source. Some smoke, some tannins, and potent flavors of blackcurrant and dark cherry.
Honig Sauvignon Blanc – Napa – 2014
Typical Cally SB, lacking minerals that make the NZ’s so superior. Fruit notes of melon and green apple with a marked acidic bite.
Marchesi Antinori Villa Antinori Rosso Toscana – Italy – 2013
Blend of sangiovese, cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah, the nose is spice and leather. No tannins but with a leathery finish. Some smoke and burnt black cherry.
Luis Cañas Rioja Blanco Barrica – Spain – 2014
Spanish white blend of Viura and Malvasia grapes. Surprisingly light on any wood notes despite the barrel fermentation marketing; were the barrels made of steel? Citric tangy fruit dominates. Didn’t pair with simple white sauce pasta dish.
Inception Central Coast Pinot Noir – California – 2014
Tanninless and lacking as much joy. Nose of linens and black tea. Typical lack of depth suffered by these pinot noirs. Nose is nice, but that’s it.
Château du Cros Loupiac – France – 2013
Nose is peach, palate is honey and more honey. Perhaps too much reminiscent of cough drops. No raisins here thank goodness. Slightly bitter finish,but despite all this it was not an overall bad glass. Dessert wine blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon and Muscadelle.
Séptima Obra Cabernet Sauvignon – Argentina – 2013
You’d be excused for confusing this Argentina cab for a California pinot blend. It’s foot-stompingly fruit forward with only hints of the wood used in the process. Very faint nose and a deep red color with a brownish hue. Improved with some air but only slightly. Strong acid with only medium tannins, and a lackluster finish. Disappointing.
Fernández de Piérola Labraz Tinto – Spain – 2016
Bracing tannins and dark cherry notes make up for an otherwise young-tasting wine. Much better than the other reviews would have you think, but still lacking some structure. Paired fine with traditional surf and turf plate.