Quick Reviews
Château de Goëlane Bordeaux Supérieur – France – 2014
French guy missteps on the dance floor. Nose is wood, black pepper, and blackcurrant. Palate is the same, with the pepper coming forward strong. Very dry, and perhaps too much so, since some sugar might balance out the overall glass. Lacking a lot of what makes a great Bordeaux, making me think this bottle might not have been stored properly by the shipper. Grapes are traditional bordeaux blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot.
Bodega del Fin del Mundo Postales Malbec – Argentina – 2020
Clearly a fan of The Postmarks. I used to be a bigger fan of Malbec before I moved to Peru and got drowned by the stuff. This bottle (as well as this French one) reminded me of why I used to love the grape. Nose is cherry and olive with a hint of smoke. On the tongue it’s black cherry. Medium tannins and dry. Very nice. You have got to find the key somewhere to unlock the mystery, if you dare; time is nearly up for you to save the world.
Philippe Dreschler Riesling – France – 2019
Leather elbows on a tweed coat, is that the best you can do? Far too slate-y with weird citrus notes makes this closer to a Sauvignon Blanc than an Alsace Riesling. I had to check the label to make sure I had poured the right bottle. Some slight slice notes save this from an even lower rating. Still not as bad as the Ch. Ste. Michelle swill, but too close for comfort. Surprisingly bad, given that Dreschler has won high ratings elsewhere on Winepisser.
Cicchitti Red Blend – Argentina – 2016
But, sir, this passport is genuine. This Argentino Bordeaux blend may have you suspecting “cabernet fauxvignon” but it’s very good. Nose upon decorking was shoe leather, but flavor notes included blackcurrant, spice and licorice. Label says it was aged in barrels for 12 months but I’m not picking up much oak; steel maybe? Tannins are still a bit tight given the vintage. I think this is as good as it will get, so drink now. Grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot.
Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Riesling – Germany – 2020
Albino elephant is the most beautiful of the herd. Color is super pale, nearly white, but don’t let that fool you. Nose is honey, once guzzled it is more honey, green apple, slate. Lots of bright fizz hides the sugar, which is just right. Unlike some other Mosel reezes, this is not oversweet or heavy. Not labeled as such, but probably at the spatlese grade of sugar. Highly recommended. With Hugel off the map as a producer, Loosen is becoming my go-to source for reliable riesling.
Matayac Malbec – France – 2019
November spawned a monster. Nose has earth, soil, bell pepper and eucalyptus. Flavor notes include basement must, black cherry. Super smooth tannins shows just how France does Malbec as compared to California cousins of the same age. Witchcraft maybe? This is a fantastic wine, limited (for me) only because malbec itself always lacks oomph.
Casa Ferreirinha Vinha Grande Douro – Portugal – 2018
An art gallery in a glass. So-so red from Douro. Color is to die for, and car manufacturers wish they could replicate this deep purple. Otherwise, it’s standard red fare, some notes of black cherry and dark fruit, but a bit over tannic and bracing. But did I mention the color?? Grape is Touriga Franca.
Dr. Loosen “Dr. L” Riesling Dry – Germany – 2019
Yes, you can have fun at a chess club. Proof that dry Riesling doesn’t mean boring. Green apple dominates here, with some light fizzy bubbles to add fun. Loosen rarely fails to do reez right, and this is no exception. Pairs very well with even your spiciest fish dishes, but wouldn’t shrink from a steak either, if you’re a rulebreaker.
Baron de Lestac Bordeaux Élevé en Fûts de Chêne – France – 2019
Out of the bottle, this was a somewhat tasteless cab, but giving it 10+ minutes to sit in the glass improved it dramatically. Flavor notes include blackberry and smoke. Label says “aged in oak barrels” and it shows. Not as good as I expected, however, as the overall flavor profile was tepid. Paired OK with beef lentil dish but barely rose above it. Good, but I expected more. Grapes are Merlot and Cab Sauv.
Baron de Lestac Bordeaux Blanc – France – 2019
A trip down memory lane, and just as blurry. Candy notes, like SweeTarts minus the sugar. Melon and grapefruit. I couldn’t find any oak, but did pick up some mild vanilla. Wasn’t served at ideal temperature (glass was a bit warm) but I think the review still sticks. Nice but could be better. Grapes are Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon.