Other Red Wines
2013 Altocedro, Malbec Reserva
Valle de Uco, Argentina
Fermented in concrete tanks and aged in new French oak for 18 months.
Enticing aromas of toast, vanilla bean, dark plum, blackberry and violets with hints of cigar box, leather, mocha, toasted star anise and baking spices.
The palate is full bodied with full, smooth tannins, acidity and alcohol that are balanced. Toasty flavors of black plum and blackberry show notes of cigar tobacco, mocha, vanilla, crushed violets, new leather and baking spices. Lingers through the full finish.
2011 Tapiz, Malbec, Black Tears
Mendoza, Argentina
100% Malbec aged 24 months in New French Oak and a further 12 months in bottle prior to release. Deep, dark, opaque and almost black in the glass.
Rich and yet nuanced on the nose with aromas of black plum, mission fig, mocha, toasted star anise, nutmeg and marzipan with notes of vanilla, toast, pastry, flowers and oak with just a hint of menthol.
On the palate this is suave and opulent. Fine grained, plush tannins and structured acidity are met with silky textures and density. Deeply penetrating flavors of rich fig paste, plum and marionberry reduction weave into notes of deep mocha, floral pastilles, vanilla, black licorice, baking spices, toasty oak and rocky minerals. Long and intense through the finish.
2015 Desparada, Death and Resurrection, Sangiovese
Central Coast, California
89% Sangiovese, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon fermented & aged in 33% New French Oak and 67% Neutral French Oak barriques for 22 months..
Intoxicating scents envelop the senses upon the first sniff; red cherry, forest picked raspberry, cranberry sauce and lingonberry are scented with sweet red florals, potpourri, Moroccan tea, exotic spices, oak, and a walk in a Pacific Northwest forest after the rain.
The sultry palate shows juicy berry acidity with ripe drying tannins. Exotic flavors of ripe cherries, smashed raspberry, Toschi Fragoli, cranberry sauce, exotic spices, Moroccan tea, rose hip, English lavender and light oak. Velvety textures and the density compliment. The finish lingers with sophistication.
2013 Herman Story, Grenache 440 Days
Paso Robles, California
100% Grenache. For 440 days this wine was kept as whole berries in barrel (60% New French).
Highly perfumed and completely unique. Smoked strawberries, wild raspberry, plum, shisha, clove, cardamom pod and cinnamon scented pinecones aromas mingle with incense and ash notes and shows lighter touches of chocolate, mineral, bramble and hoisin.
The palate is surprising; expecting a big bomb, but surprisingly a full-bodied middle weight. The fruit density hits the front palate, but as it transitions across the mid and back palate the acidity adds lift. The tannins, are grippy and slightly gritty. Flavors of plum, smoked strawberry, dark cherry and wild raspberry morph across the palate with shisha smoke, cardamom pod, spice cake, bramble, Turkish coffee, hoisin and cocoa notes. The exotic finish lingers on.
2015 Hence Cellars, Malbec
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
100% Malbec. Estate grown. Aged 24 months in 100% new oak..
Aromas showing walnuts and hazelnuts with notes of tobacco leaf, dark chocolate, burnt coffee, plum, blackberry and dark cherry with hints of earth, baking spice and pastry.
On the palate concentrated and deep. Firm structured tannins and moderate-to-moderate plus acidity. Flavors reinforce the aromas with smashed blackberry and black plum that are seasoned with baking spice, vanilla and dark chocolate notes that come with a nutty presence as well as the tobacco leaf, earth and dark roasted coffee bean notes. The finish lingers pleasantly.
2015 Domaine Costa Lazaridi, Cava Amethystos
Drama, Greece
This is 100% Old Vine Cabernet Franc aged 18 months in 100% new French Oak barrels and at least as long in the bottle.
In the glass this is dark, opaque and dark red, almost black.
The nose was unexpected, modern and rich. Bold notes of cassis, plum and dark cherry meet notes of cedar and cigar box, toast, mocha, violets, sweet anise and a hint of mint.
The palate follows suit in its modern-ness. Full Bodied with plush fine-grained tannins and above moderate acid and alcohol. Bold yet smooth, rich yet balanced. Flavors of dark plum, cassis, black cherry, dark chocolate, espresso, cedar, vanilla, violets, earth, herbs and anise play out through the hedonistic finish.
Potentially one of the best wines from Greece!
2015 Leonetti Cellars, Sangiovese
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
87% Sangiovese and 13% Aglianico aged 22 months in new and once-filled French oak barrels, and neutral French oak barrels, puncheons, and oval botti.
Aromas of suave cherry, raspberry and dried strawberry mingle with notes of flowers, cigar box, No 2 pencil, graham and toast.
The palate is tightly wound, but revealing purity of fruit with raspberry, strawberry, red cherry and goji that notes of flower petals, graham and and cigar ride in behind closing with the red fruits coming back into focus. Above moderate alcohol, acidity and full tannins which gain intensity through the finish.
2014 Simonsig, Pinotage Redhill
Stellenbosch, South Africa
100% Pinotage aged 13 months in 89% French, 11% American oak (60% New).
Scents of dark cherry, wild raspberry and red plum mix with notes of garden soil, eucalyptus, game meats, tanned pelt and hints of dried herbs, garrigue, pepper spice and coffee.
The palate is full with fine tannin, and juicy acidity. Savory flavors of dried herbs, aged meats, ground black pepper and coffee around the core of dark cherry that lingers on the mid palate with tastes of brambly raspberry, plum and leather before closing with the oak nuances. The finish lingers with balance.
One of the best examples of Pinotage you will find.
2015 Turley, Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard,
Paso Robles, California
From Pesenti Vineyard located in Paso Robles This is a dark and powerful Zinfandel that remains lifted and zesty.
Bold with notes of dark/black cherry and strawberry compote, with touches of blueberry that transition to show herbs, briar, earth, spice, chocolate covered espresso beans and hints of blood orange. The alcohol is integrated nicely on the palate that shows good structure and a lengthy and full finish.
2013 Leonetti Cellar Aglianico Serra Pedace Vineyard
Walla Walla, Washington
A new wine from leonetti, the 2013 Aglianico Serra Pedace Vineyard is 100% Aglianico that spent 44 months in a mix of amphora, new French oak, and neutral barrels.
Intoxicating, above moderate aromas show scents of mature leather, cash stuffed billfold, herbs, braised meats, dark cherry, goji, chocolate, dried mushroom and umami notes with a hint of black licorice.
On the full palate this shows moderate alcohol perception, dusty tannins, and well structured acidity. Flavors of dusty leather, dried cherry and goji berry, dried porcini, mineral, dry aged steak, mocha, dried herbs, earth and tobacco. The finish lingers with a nod to the old world.
2016 The Walls, ‘Wonderful Nightmare’ Tempranillo
The Rocks District, Oregon
98% Tempranillo, 2% Grenache from Stoney Vine Vineyard in The Rocks District. Partial Whole cluster fermentation. 263 cases produced.
Bold aromas show the Rocks distinctly. Bold meaty scents of aged meats, Portobello mushrooms, sous bois and touches of cooked bell pepper mingle with notes of dark red cherry, plum, olive, campfire, earth and white pepper.
The palate is full showing firm and ripe tannins, above moderate acidity, and smooth, velvety textures. Flavors of plum and dark cherry weave in Portobello, olive tapenade, earth, ash, bramble, smoke and spice that linger through the long, bold finish.
2016 Peju, Cabernet Franc
Napa Valley, California
83% Cabernet franc, 17% Cabernet sauvignon aged 18 months in 40% New French and American oak.
Well scented with notes of cherry, Framboise, rhubarb pie, chocolate, camphor, rose petals and vanilla, cedar, spice, earth and a hint of eucalyptus.
The palate shows smooth, suave and full tannins that gain in intensity. Acidity and alcohol are above moderate. Flavors coat the palate with Cherry, Framboise, strawberry rhubarb pie, spice, rose, hibiscus, vanilla and lighter touches of cocoa and eucalyptus. the finish is long and chewy lingering with weight. An excellent showing.
2016 Alpha Estate Xinomavro Réserve Vieilles Vignes
Amyndaio, Greece
The 2016 Xinomavro Ecosystem Reserve Vielles Vignes Barba Yannis Single Block was aged for 24 months in new French barriques. Bottled Unfiltered. This comes from a single block called Barba Yannis at 647 m planted the ungrafted bush vines are from 1919.
Scents of cherry, cranberry and pomegranate fruit are met with notes of cedar, singed herbs, slightly dried florals, juniper, tea, pepper, spices, earth and hints of smoke.
On the palate this wine is high toned with a laser beam of acidity. Tannins are moderate and flavors follow the nose revealing tart red fruits, florals, pepper, earth, tea, florals and juniper. The finish is tightly wound.
2019 Failla Gamay Noir Bjornson Vineyard
Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Oregon
Gorgeous and detailed. Reminiscent of a Cheverny rouge. Bright red fruits of raspberry, red cherry and wild strawberry are laced with pepper and spice notes along with sandalwood, cedarwood, verbena, bergamot, minerals and rocky earth.
Bright and high toned on the palate with juicy high acids and just above moderate tannins. Crunchy red fruits play with the pepper and spice notes, bergamot, sandalwood verbena, floral pastilles and earth that lead to a mineral laced finish that shows finesse.