Thursday, June 8, 2023
Alain Jaume Lirac Clos de Sixte, 2015
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Powers Columbia Valley (Washington) Chardonnay, 2022
Medium lemon yellow. Fruit rather than oak, white peaches and melon with a hint of honey. Firm acidity on the palate. The wine apparently is unoaked or has had very little oak treatment, and I approve of that. Lacks the complexity and excitement, though, that I have found in many Dijon Clone Oregon Chardonnays. Still young and will probably age well over five years or so. I would consider buying more at $10 to $12 a bottle.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
Gonzales Byass 1847 solera cream sherry
Walnuts, figs, tofee, raisins, caramel and dried fruits. Rich and complex plus plus. I don't drink much sherry but when I taste a wine like this I wonder why. At the neighborhood bar across from Emilio Lustau, I paid $1.70 and enjoyed every sip.
Sunday, May 21, 2023
WillaKenzie Estate Emery Pinot Noir, 2006
Medium light. Wild cherries, strawberries, pomegranate, forest floor. Flavors that reverberate. More ripeness and warmth on the mid-palate than I have found in other WillaKenzie Pinots, but that's alright with me. Remarkable depth and a finish that lasts at least 45 seconds. No comparisons necessary. This is fine wine.
Friday, May 19, 2023
Quinta do Cabriz Dao Coheita Selecionada, 2014
Deep ruby with violet tints and garnet at the rim. Intense smells and flavors: cherries, red plums, balsamic. Medium to full body but only 13% alcohol. Tannins are still a bit aggressive (maybe even more than they were in 2017 and 2020) and I will be in no hurry to drink my remaining bottles. Peppery, spicy finish that reminds me of a good Oregon Pinot Noir.
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Domaine Marcel Couturier Saint Veran La Cour des Bois, 2018
Medium straw, bright and clear. Captivating scents and flavors: white flowers, peaches and honey with a twist of lemon. Light and delicate on the tongue but oh so delicious. For me, this is what Chardonnay is all about.
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Saltram S2 Southeast Australia Shiraz, 2019
I knew that Saltram's is an old and respected Australian winery, but this S2 bottling is not listed on their website. That's because it's a cuvee that is ordinarily sent to China. When a trade dispute occurred, however, China would not let a 30,000 case shipment into the country, and Trader Joe's (according to their story) bought all 30,000 at a discount low enough to offer it at this rock bottom price. It is not a typical Saltram Shiraz, of course, but certainly worth the price.
Bright ruby. Light color suggests that the wine has spent little or no time in oak barrels. Black raspberry smells and flavors. Medium to light body (13.5% alcohol) and minimal oak tannins. Has enough acidity to give it interest, but probably not enough concentrated fruit to justify aging. Unadorned Shiraz fruit, smooth and ready to enjoy.