Details

In last week's Review Blog, I reviewed several wines from the great 2015 vintage in Burgundy and the Rhone Valley. This week, I have more tasting notes and scores on French wines plus a few from Italy.

French Wines

N/V Louis Bouillot "Perle d'Aurore" Crémant de Bourgogne ($18.99 - Safeway) - This is a charming, attractively priced sparkling wine. It offers salmon-pink color and fine steaming bubbles along with fragrant aromas of strawberries, cherries, spring flowers and cherry blossoms. The medium bodied flavors are pleasing as well, accented by ripe red fruits and earthy touches, followed by a dry, true Brut finish. 18/20 points.

2015 Joseph Drouhin Morgon, Domaine Hospices de Belleville ($18.99 - wine.com) - This Cru Beaujolais is a real charmer. Purplish colored, it possesses floral aromas of wild raspberries, blueberries, currants, crushed roses, mulberry, and whiffs of white incense. The medium bodied flavors are finely fruited, with notes of cocoa powder, black tea and minerals. The back picks up gently pressed berries, framboise liqueur and creme de cassis, followed by a soft tannin finish. 18.5/20 points. 

2015 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey ($27.99 - wine.com) - Faiveley has a strong position in the Côte Chalonnaise (see the Clos des Myglands in last week's blog) with several properties. Here, this communal bottling shows a brick red color and attractive aromas of fraises de bois, framboise and cassis, with scents of rosebuds, tobacco leaf, orange peel and whiffs of white incense. The flavors are palate pleasing, with true Pinot Noir character, imbued with red licorice, cocoa and Chalonnaise granitic earth. On the back, the wine turns chewy textured, yet velvety, with pressed bearer, toasted nuts and mocha, followed by a soft tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Louis Jadot Givry ($31.99 - wine.com) - Also from the Côte Chalonnaise, this Pinot Noir offers a brick red color and a nose of fraises de bois, cranberries, red currants, crushed red roses, sweet pea flowers, violets and whiffs of white incense. The medium bodied flavors, as well, are true to variety, with pleasingly supple ripe red fruits that are imbued with red licorice, cocoa powder, medium roast coffee and Saône alluvial minerals. The back picks up gently pressed berries, creme de cassis and toasted nuts on the way to a silky, yet well textured moderate tannin finish. As a vin de plaisir, this gets a plus. 18.5+/20 points.

2015 Les Pallières "Racines" Gigondas ($32.99 - wine.com) - From Domaine Brunnier and Kermit Lynch, this South Rhone red is composed of 80% Grenache, 8% Syrah, 7% Cinsault and 5% Clairette. It displays a deep ruby color and rich, earthy aromas of wild fruits - blackberries, cranberries, black currants - with scents of crushed black roses, mulberry, tobacco, garrigue, violets and incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with thick fruits that show old vine character, along with licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and minerals earth. On the back, the wine turns simultaneously chewy and velvety, with sensations of macerated berries, roasted nuts, creme de cassis and charcoal, followed by a well fruited ripe tannin finish. 18.5+/20 points.

Italian Wines

2016 Allegrini Valpolicella ($14.99 - Safeway) - This Veronese red is principally Corvina. It shows a ruby color and attractive aromas of raspberry, cherry, plum, crushed roses, tobacco, orange peel and oregano. The medium bodied flavors are appealing as well, with red and purple fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, herbal tea and minerals earth. The back picks up pressed berries, dried cherries and recurring orange peel, followed by a dryish yet nicely fruited tannin finish. 18/20 points.

2013 Ruffino "Riserva Ducale" Chianti Classico, Riserva ($21.99 - Safeway) - Ruby-garnet colored, this wine possesses a rich, smoky nose of wild cherries,  black currants, plums, crushed roses, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with ripe semi dried fruits that are intermixed with cocoa, medium roast coffee beans and minerally earth. The back picks up roasted berries and nuts, toffee, recurring cedar and burnt charcoal, followed by a dryish tannin finish. This wine veers toward the traditional style of Chianti. 18.5/20 points.

2014 Antinori "Peppoli" Chianti Classico ($23.98 - Super 1) - Composed of 90% Sangiovese with the balance Merlot and Syrah, this displays a ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of cherry, plum, currant, red roses, bayberry, tobacco, cedar, orange peel, rosemary and incense. The flavors are medium bodied yet deep and focused, with red fruits that are imbued with re licorice, chocolate, medium roast and earth. The back reveals sensations of pressed fruits, dried cherries, roasted nuts, recurring orange peel and graphite, followed by a classically Tuscan dryish yet finely fruited tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Ca' Marcanda "Promis" IGT Toscana ($44.99 - Safeway) - From a Gaja property in Bolgheri, this blend of 55% Merlot, 35% Syrah and 10% Sangiovese offers a deep ruby color and a seductive nose of blackberries, cherries, black currants, crushed roses, mulberry, a hint of mint, thyme and violets. The flavors, as well, are enticing, with supple yet penetrating red and black fruits that are imbued with red licorice, black tea, and minerals earth. On the back, the wine intensifies, with sensations of macerated fruits, dried cherries, grappa and polished tannins on the lingering herb dusted finish. 19/20 points.

2012 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino ($56.99 - Esquin) - Produced from the Sangiovese Grosso (Brunello) grape, this exhibits a nearly opaque ruby color and intoxicating aromas of black cherries, black currants, black plums, crushed black roses, mulberry, tobacco, fennel, a hint of mint and violets. The flavors are powerful, yet velvety, with infusions of licorice, dark chocolate, Italian roast and minerals earth. The intensity continues on the back with macerated fruits, roasted hazelnuts and ground charcoal, all pushing onward into a lingering spice and herb dusted Tuscan sweet-dry tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

 

 

Details

In my Blog of 12 January, I wrote that I have been stocking up on 2015 Burgundy and Rhone wines which have turned out to be even greater than the 2005s. I have been tasting some of these purchases and have written the following notes. 

Beaujolais - Many of the vignerons in Beaujolais claim that 2015 is their greatest vintage since 1947. Those 1947 wines were made by their grandfathers! On the basis of my tastings of 2015 Beaujolais, this is absolutely believable. The 2015s are the most concentrated, finely fruited and complex Beaujolais I have ever tasted, and my experience spans over 50 years.

2015 Georges Duboeuf "La Madone" Fleurie ($19.99 - wine.com) - Deep ruby colored, this possesses seductive aromas of cranberry, blueberry and currants, with scents of roses, sweet pea flowers and violets. The flavors are alluring, with saturated fruits that pick up licorice, cocoa, French roast and granitic minerals. On the back the wine turns silky, yet vigorous with a long sweetish tannin finish. "Transports you to France," says Lynn. 18.5+/20 points.

2015 Domaine de Rosiers Moulin à Vent ($24.95 - wine express.com) - This shows a deep ruby color and an intoxicating nose of raspberries, cherries and currants, with scents of crushed roses, bayberry and violets. The flavors are simultaneously full bodied and velvety, with notes of red licorice, cocoa, roasted coffee beans and granitic minerals. The back picks up pressed berries, framboise and cassis liqueurs, followed by a lingering sweet-dry finish that expresses the essence of the Gamay grape. Bottled by Georges Duboeuf. 19/20 points.

2015 Chateau des Jacques Morgon, Côte du Py ($31.99 - wine.com) - This full bodied Beaujolais presents a deep ruby color and a heady nose of wild fruits - fraises de bois, blueberries, black currants - with scents of crushed roses, sweet tobacco, sweet pea flowers, violets and oriental incense. On the palate, the flavors are deep and penetrating, marked by black licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and stony minerals. The saturation continues on the back with pressed berries, roasted nuts, fraise and cassis liqueurs and graphite. The smooth tannin finish is strikingly sweet for a Burgundy, yet dry and endless. From a property owned by Maison Louis Jadot. 19+/20 points.

2015 Chateau des Jacques Moulin à Vent, Clos de Rochgrès ($39.99 - wine.com) - This is even more concentrated than the Domaine's Morgon. Semi opaque purplish colored, it emits intense aromas of blackberry, black cherries and black currants with scents of black roses, bayberry, sweet tobacco, and sweet incense. The flavors are deep cored, showing old vine character, with layers of dark fruits that are intermixed with black licorice, dark chocolate, extra dark roast coffee beans and minerals. The penetration continues on the back with macerated berries, grilled nut meats. kirsch, creme de cassis and graphite, all leading seamlessly into a long, long firm yet smooth tannin finish. Expensive for a Beaujolais, but well worth the price. 19.5/20 points.

Côte Chalonnaise - Decanter magazine has stated that "the reds and whites of the Côte Chalonnaise are a great success." The Côte Chalonnaise is situated between Burgundy's Côte d'Or and the Maconnais. The whites are Chardonnay and the reds Pinot Noir. These two are fine 2015s, both from Domaine Faiveley which has choice vineyard holdings in the Chalonnaise.

2015 Domaine Faiveley "Champ Lalot" Givry ($29.99 - wine.com) - Brilliant gold colored, this white possesses wonderfully pure aromas of apple, peach, citrus, apple blossoms, wildflowers and fennel. The flavors show fine Chardonnay purity, with well delineated fruits that are intermixed with peach stone, grape skin and Sâone riverbed minerals. On the back, the wine picks up grape and citrus extracts that add texture, leading, again into a vivid, again, varietally pure finish. The wine's vibrance  gives it a plus. 18.5+/20 points.

2015 Domaine Faiveley Mercurey, Premier Cru, Clos de Myglands ($44.99 - wine.com) - This shows a deep brick red color and a rich, pure Pinot Noir nose off raspberries, cherries, plums and black currants, with scents of rosebuds, orange peel and violets. The flavors are svelte yet well structured, with layers of fine red fruits that are endowed with cocoa, medium roast coffee and minerals. The pleasure continues on the back with sensations of pressed berries, roasted nuts, toast and graphite, followed by a lengthy, satisfying soft tannin finish. 19/20 points.

Côte d'Or - The 2015 vintage in both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuts turned out superb wines, many of which will age beautifully for ten years or more. I have laid in a lot of Premier and Grand Crus which I will be saving for later. Here, though, is one lovely wine from the Côte de Beaune.

2015 Domaine Faiveley Blagny Premier Cru, La Pièce sous le Bois ($47.99 - wine.com) - Blagny is situated between Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, below the Bois de Blagny. The whites, Chardonnay, are called Meursault Blagny and the reds, Pinot Noir, are called Blagny. Deep brick red colored, this possesses a lovely nose of fraises de bois, cherries, red currants, wild roses, forest carpet, violets and whiffs of incense. The medium bodied flavors, as well, are alluring, with wonderful Pinot purity, marked by notes of cocoa powder,  medium roast coffee and granitic minerals. The back reveals sensations of fraise and cassis liqueurs, grape skin extracts and a dusting of finely ground charcoal, followed by a lingering, silky tannin finish that is lifted by fine fruit acids. 19/20 points.

Côtes du Rhone - The Rhone Valley, as well, saw great success in 2015. A warm, dry harvest resulted in beautifully ripened grapes that resulted in richly fruited full flavored wines. The South Rhone, in particular, excelled, especially in Gigondas and Châteauneuf du Pape. See below for some of these wines. The 2015s of the North Rhone (Côte Rotie, Hermigage, St. Joseph) will be released later.

2015 Domaine de Grand Montmirial "Les Deux Juliette" Gigondas, Selection des Vieilles Vignes ($23.99 - wine.com) - This is a fine value in a Grenache dominated South Rhone. It shows a deep ruby color and a rich, spicy nose of wild fruits - blackberries, raspberries and black currants - with scents of bayberry, mulberry and incense. The flavors are robust, yet plush, with loads of dark, direct fruits that are intermixed with licorice, cocoa, French roast and minerals. The back picks up macerated berries, framboise and creme de cassis, followed by a satisfying spiced ripe tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2015 Domaine de Cristia Châteauneuf du Pape ($38.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 70% Grenache, and 15% each of Syrah and Mourvèdre, this shows a deep ruby color and seductive aromas of raspberries, cherries and black currants, with scents of crushed roses, pipe tobacco, garrigue (lavender and herbs) and spiced incense. The flavors mirror the aromatics with full, penetrating red and black fruits that are infused with licorice, cocoa, French roast and granitic minerals. The saturation continues on the back with sensations of macerated fruits, grilled nut meats, framboise and cassis liqueurs and charcoal, followed by a lingering ripe tannin finish. 19/20 points.

2015 Domaine Grand Veneur "Le Miocène" Châteauneuf du Pape ($56.99 - Esquin) - This Cuvée from Alain Jaume boasts a deep ruby color and intoxicating aromas of wild fruits - raspberries, pomegranates, black currants - with scents of crushed roses, tobacco, garrigue and violets. The dark fruit flavors are deep and penetrating, yet velvety, infused with licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and distinct mas minerals. The concentration continues on the back with superb structure along with notes of macerated berries, roasted nuts, pomegranate seeds, kirsch, creme de cassis and pulverized charcoal, followed a long herb and spice dusted sweet-dry tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

 

 

Details

A couple of days ago, I received an email from Chris Kontos asking if Lynn and I would like to come to Kontos Cellars and barrel taste the winery's "The Boss" 2015 red wine. I said sure, and yesterday we drove over to the barrel room next to Chris and Cameron Kontos' father, Cliff's home south of Walla Walla. Before tasting, we chatted a bit and Cliff talked about the time when he and Gary Figgins made wine together and then how he started his own winery, Fort Walla Walla Cellars in 1998. 

"The Boss" is Chris and Cameron's tribute to their father, affectionately called The Boss, who helped make the wine. The Kontos family life revolved around cattle ranching, farming, aviation (the middle son, Kip, is a pilot for Alaska Airlines), winemaking and golf. The family still grows wheat and makes wine. Before that, Cliff was a cattle man. Branding was an annual activity that brought the family together.

My tasting notes:

2015 Kontos Cellars "The Boss" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley - Composed of 41% Pepper Bridge Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Les Collines Merlot and 8% Dwelley Cabernet Franc, this showed an inky purplish-ruby color and an intense, smoky nose of blackberries, cherries, plums, crushed roses, mulberry, pipe tobacco, black olive, sage and incense. The flavors as well were intense, infused with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, Sumatra roast and silty minerals. The back picked up macerated berries, roasted nuts, mocha, toffee and toasty oak all leading into long ripe, chewy yet firm tannin finish. Here, the plus indicates the potential to advance to 19.5 points. 19+/20 points. 

Each future vintage of The Boss will contain a percentage of the previous vintage to give continuity to this tribute.

2016 Kontos Cellars "The Boss" Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley - This consists of the same percentages of varieties as the 2015. It showed a deep ruby color and a sultry, smoky nose of wild blackberries, cherries, plums, crushed roses, tobacco, cedar and incense. The flavors came on as more closed and taut than the 2015, but stuffed with lots of layered fruits, intermixed with licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and earth. The back picked up roasted berries and nuts, toffee and burnt charcoal followed, again by a long, chewy ripe tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2015 Kontos Cellars "Caimbry" Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley, Pepper Bridge Vineyard - Named for Chris' daughter, this wine, made for the wine club, showed a semi opaque ruby color and an intense, smoky nose of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cassis, crushed roses, tobacco, olive and rosemary. The flavors mirrored the aromatics with thick black and blue fruits that were infused with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, extra dark roast coffee and silty earth. The back revealed roasted berries and nuts, mocha, toffee, dried cherries and integrated oak, followed by a lingering, slightly grainy sweet-dry tannin finish. 19+/20 points.

2016 Kontos Cellars "Tate" Syrah, Walla Walla Valley, Les Collines Vineyard - Three fourths whole cluster fermented, this showed an opaque purplish color and an intense, perfumed nose of blackberries, blueberries, black currants, crushed roses, lavender, sweet tobacco, violets and oriental incense. The flavors were thick, almost massive, infused with licorice, dark chocolate, Sumatra roast and silty minerals. The back picked up macerated fruits, roasted nuts, pulverized charcoal and ripe, sweetish tannins on the long, Rhone-like finish. 19+/20 points.

 

 

 

Details

We all know that Cabernet Sauvignon is king, and other varietals such as Syrah, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. What what others are trendy, ones which are growing in popularity. Here's my list, with wineries specializing in them.

Grenache - This is the principal grape of the South Rhone Valley. It produces medium bodied reds with nice supple fruits and rich aromatics. It makes a tasty and more consistent alternative to the more variable Pinot Noir. 

Specialists: Ocelli Cellars (Grenache is all they make. Reviewed July 2017), Rotie Cellars ("little g." Reviewed December), Beresan (To be reviewed in March), Rasa Vineyards ("Primus inter Pares" Reviewed September).

Mourvèdre - This is the other main variety of the South Rhone and also of Bandol. It is typically medium to full bodied, with a spicy, smoky character. It goes well with grilled meats.

Specialists: Rotie Cellars ("Dre." Reviewed December), Tapteil (October, 2017), Mark Ryan ("Crazy Mary." To be reviewed April).

The above two varieties are often used in the so-called GSM blends (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre).

Malbec - This is an increasingly popular varietal, with many generic versions on the market (Waterbrook, reviewed in the February issue) largely due to the ubiquity of Argentina Malbecs. It is also included in "BDX" blends, even though little Malbec is grown in Bordeaux today. Most French Malbec comes from Cahors in the Lot Valley, where it is called "the black wine."

Specialists: Flying Trout (August 2017), Seven Hills, Flying Trout (May 2017), àMaurice (December 2017).

Carmenère - This has been called "the lost grape of Bordeaux," almost extinct there, wiped out by the phylloxera devastation of the 1870's. It produces intense wines, smoky, perfumed (roses, violets), peppery (a distinct trait) that lend themselves well to flavorful dishes. Because of limited production and high grape prices, Carmenère is not cheap.

Specialists: Beresan ("Snowy Owl" label, to be reviewed March), Bartholomew (to be reviewed March), Tertulia (Phinny Hill Vineyard), College Cellars (one of the Best Buys in this variety).

Petit Verdot - This is another variety that has largely gone out of favor in Bordeaux. Most of the vines were killed off by the deep freeze of 1956 and little was replanted. It does well in Washington State, producing deep, perfumed wines.

Specialists: Seven Hills Tero Estates, Tierra Labrada (One of the best versions of this variety in Washington. Reviewed October 2017).

There is one white variety worth mentioning as there is a growing trend toward drier whites.

Albariño - This is a grape originating in the Galicia region of northwest Spain. It produces aromatic, chalky (from limestone cliffs) almost bone dry wines, ideal with seafood.

Specialists: Castillo de Feliciana, Adamant Cellars (July 2017), Coyote Canyon (May 2017).

Details

Four weeks ago, in my Review Bog posting of 29 December, 2017, "Looking Ahead to 2018," I predicted that more wine industry acquisitions would be taking place in the coming year. Since then, halfway through the first month of the year, four major deals have already been made. Here they are.

Tamarack Cellars has been sold to Vintage Wine Estates of California whose portfolio includes Clos Pegase, Cosentino, Viansa Snonoma and other properties. This sale caps a 25 year career in the wine industry for Ron Coleman who started his winery with his wife in the Walla Walla Airport District. Personnel will be retained. The sale includes inventory and wine grower contracts. The deal was put together by Metis, an Exvere Company, advising business mergers and recapitalizations, focusing on wine, beverage and hospitality industries.

Also brokered by Metis is the acquisition of the Red Lion Inn in Walla Walla by Columbia Hospitality, another California company. The Red Lion will be renovated this year into an upscale lodging facility, to reopen in 2019 that will cater to the burgeoning wine tourism clientele.

Another major deal is the Weidert Property near Nine Mile Hill west of Walla Walla which was put up for sale last fall by an Indiana owner. Te 6000 plus acre property was auctioned off and the winning bid was from Farmland LP which owns properties in Oregon's Willamette Valley and Northern California, specializing in agricultural sustainability. The Nine Mile property will be put to diverse crops, including grape vines.

Still another deal is the purchase of Jon and Amy Meuret's Maison Bleue Winery in Walla Walla by Willamette Valley Vineyards. Jon has already been making wines for Willamette Valley's Pambrun Wines. Meuret stated, "When they offered a solution to allow me to focus more on vineyards and winemaking, and the opportunity for Maison Bleue to have an estate vineyard in the Rocks, it brought to life ideas I've wanted to pursue for years."

All these acquisitions are indications that Washington State wineries and vineyards are promising avenues for expansion by investors to the south of the state. More later!

Next Week: The February issue of the Review of Washington Wines goes on line Thursday, January 25. For a preview, see last week's Blog below. Also on line will be a Blog posting about the latest varietal wine trends. 

  1. February Preview: Wineries to Watch in 2018
  2. Why I'm Stocking up on 2015 Burgundy and Rhone Wines
  3. Looking Ahead to 2018
  4. Best Buys of 2017