Looking Ahead to October

Now that the heat wave is over and the grape harvest under way, here's what we have coming up for October. In the October issue, there will be reports on Mongata, Gramercy Cellars, Neher Family, Kontos Cellars, Saviah Cellars, Vital, Brook & Bull and Armstrong Family. We will also be introducing Hawkins Cellars on Underwood Mountain in the Columbia Gorge and Cultura Wines in Zillah in the Yakima Valley. 

More New French Wines

Here are some new wines we've tried lately.

N.V. Maison Fortant Rosé Brut ($10.99 - Grocery Outlet) - This is a super buy in a pleasant, light Mediterranean sparkling Rosé. It shows a light copper-pink color, streaming bubbles and aromas of strawberry, peach and orange, with scents of orange blossoms, day lilies and orange incense. The flavors are light and deft, with pink fruits that are imbued with peach stones and minerals. The back picks up fraise and peach liqueurs and a twist of orange peel, enliven by CO2 on the light alcohol (11.5%) finish. 18+/20 points.

2022 Château Vignelaure Côteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé $19.99 - wine.com) - Composed of 30% Grenache, 30% Syrah, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Rolle Blanc, this shows a copper-tinged pink color and attractive aromas of strawberries, pink cherries, pink grapefruit, pink roses, pink lavender and pink incense. The flavors, as well, are appealing, with pink fruits that are accented by grape skins, cherry stones and hillside minerals. The pink theme continues on the back with fraise and cerise liqueurs and grapefruit peel, followed by a balanced dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2022 Château d'Aqueira Tavel Rosé ($21.99 - wine.com) - This is a striking Rosé. Brilliant crimson colored, it possesses intense aromas of raspberry, red currant, pomegranate, blood orange, crushed roses, orange tree blossoms, lavender and orange incense. The flavors are lavish and mouth filling, more extracted than usual for a Rosé, with red and orange fruits that are imbued with red licorice, pomegranate seeds and Rhône riverside minerals. The back picks up framboise and cassis liqueurs and recurring orange peel, followed by a lingering, finely fruited finish. "Delicious, a great one," says Lynn - 3 stars. 19/20 points.

2022 Château Praedeaux Bandol Rosé ($29.99 - wine.com) - Mainly Mourvèdre with some Cinsault, this shows a brilliant pink tinged copper color and intense aromas of wild strawberry, pomegranate, blood orange, persimmon, hillside lavender, and orange incense. The flavors, as well, are distinctive, with pink and orange fruits that are intermixed with grape skins, pomegranate seeds and maritime minerals. The back picks up fraise liqueur and recurring orange peel, followed by a lingering, mouth filling sweet-dry finish. 19/20 points.

2021 Roger Sabon "Lirac by Sabon" Rouge ($24.99 - wine.com) - This super South Rhône value offers a deep purplish color and aromas of raspberry, black currant, plum, black roses, purple lilac, garrigue and sweet incense. The flavors are generous, with red and purple fruits that are intermixed with licorice, bittersweet chocolate, coffee and riverside minerals, followed by macerated berries and red liqueurs on the chewy moderate tannin finish. 18.5/20 points.

2020 Domaine du Grand Montmirial Gigondas, "Les Deux Juliette" ($28.99 - wine.com) - This displays a deep ruby color and a rich, smoky nose of raspberries, black currants, black plums, black roses dark tobacco, garrigue, olive tapenade, grilled meats and smoldering incense. The flavors, as well, are dramatic, with thick fruits that are infused with licorice, cacao, French roast and Montmirial minerals. The chewy textured back reveals roasted berries and nuts, mocha, toffee and creme de cassis, followed by a pepper dusted ripe tannin finish. The range of flavors gives it a plus. 18.5+/20 points.

2019 Mas de Boislauzeau Châteauneuf du Pape, "Les Deux Chênes ($48.99 - wine.com) - Deep purplish ruby colored, this emits intoxicating aromas of black currants, black plums, blood orange, crushed roses, sweet tobacco, lavender, anise, wild violets and spiced incense. The flavors, as well, are dramatic, with loads of dark fruits that are infused with licorice, dark cocoa, French roast and mas earth and minerals. The concentration continues on the back with roasted berries and nuts, grilled meats, mocha and burnt charcoal, followed by a lengthy ripe tannin finish (15% alcohol). 19/20 points.