This month we celebrate fall with these beautiful wines. October also means that we are not even two months away from The TOP 50 Wines of 2020, with the countdown of the top 10 beginning next month. I hope you enjoy these wines as much as I do and stay tuned for some hot new releases next month before we begin the countdown of the Top 10 Wines of 2020. The Full Top 50 list will be posted as Decembers picks.
Salute-
October
1999 Vincent Couche, Sensation Champagne Extra Brut
Champagne, France
A 50/50 split if Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Aged 19 years on the lees. No Malolactic conversion. Extra brut with a 5 g/l dosage.
Intense on the nose with a complex array of aromas that display a mix of oxidized and bruised apple, dried pear, biscuits, baked dough, chopped mushrooms, chalk dust, flint, herbs, dried white flowers, almond and umami notes in the realm of aged Parmesan.
The palate shows depth and a richness that is dry and met with above moderate acidity. Flavors show Oxidized apple, bruised white peach, dried pear, almonds, sautéed mushrooms, herbs, biscuit, baked dough, flinty-minerality, chalk and dried white flowers. Long through the finish. Bubbles are tiny and delicately excite the palate before dissipating.
2017 Viña Otano, Rioja Blanco
Rioja, Spain
75% Viura and 25% Tempranillo Blanco both from a single vineyard and 90 year old vines. Barrel fermented in new French oak and matured in the same barrel for 4 months.
Aromas show notes of pear, oxidized white peach and yellow apple with notes of white fig, almond oil, white flowers, sea breeze, Autumn leaves and chalk that give way to hints of vanilla, butterscotch and oak staves.
The palate shows the weight of the Viura along with a clean acidity profile and moderate phenolics. Flavors of pear and yellow apple come with notes of slightly oxidized white peach and nectarine, white flowers, almonds and filberts, mineral, earth and oak. The finish lingers moderately.
2014 Ca'Del Grevino, Pinot Noir Grevino
Santa Maria Valley California
Aromas open to show forest floor, underbrush, sage and camphor notes that come with scents of slightly dried red cherries, cranberries, sunburnt strawberry, star anise, cinnamon stick and notes of rooibos, white pepper, cola and hints of eucalyptus.
The palate is medium/medium-plus in body with slightly above moderate weight, alcohol, acidity and tannins. Fruit more present on the palate than the nose with flavors of cranberry, tart cherry, dried strawberry, herbs, garrigue, cola, tea, dried rose, bramble and earth notes.
The savory finish lingers moderately.
2014 Dominio Basconcillos, Ribera del Duero Viña Magna Reserva
Ribera del Duero, Spain
Only 300 cases produced.
80+ year old vines. 95% Tempranillo and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon aged 24 months in new French oak. 100% Organic.
The nose shows suave and complex scents of vanilla crème, high-end leather and velour notes that compliment the scents of plum pudding, deep red cherry, cassis, toasted coconut, balsamic, crème caramel, pipe tobacco, Danish pastry, baking spices, cocoa and warm earth.
The palate is suave and refined with a creamy texture, plush tannins and structured acidity, all creating a sense of opulence and luxury on the palate. Intense flavors coat the palate in notes of coconut crème, vanilla Chantilly, plum pudding, cassis, muddled dark cherry, Framboise, cardamom and baking spices, Danish pastry, fine suede, flavored pipe tobacco, cocoa, balsamic and earth. The finish is long, expansive and opulent.
2015 Brittan Vineyards, Block R
This 22-case bottling comes from a one-third acre block on the west side of Cygnus. A blend of 94% Syrah, 2% Viognier, 2% Durif, 1% each Grenache and Carignan that is co fermented and aged in once filled puncheon for 15 months, then allowed to develop in bottle for 48 months prior to release.
Aromas of mulled cherries and cardamom with red plum, baking spices, hibiscus tea, juniper trees, sandalwood, earth and hints of chocolate pudding cakes and shisha.
The palate is tight, and still compacted but reveals firm high-level acid and tannin profiles. Flavors show dark cherries and plums mix with backing spice, sandalwood, herbs, hibiscus, shisha, pine sap and forest floor notes. The finish is long and massive letting the tannins and acidity playout.