Chronic Cellars Paso Robles "Suite Petite" 2014 Red Wine

 The Constant Ceaseless

Seeking for Sweet Treats.

 

Chronic Cellars Paso Robles "Suite Petite" 2014 Red Wine, $14.99-$24.99, 86+ points, poured opaque grading Concord grape juice purple toward the clear wine ring.
Aromas of toasty dark grape and slightly sour plum were just okay for me.
Full-bodied with good acidity and firm building tannins were carried along smoothly.
Flavors mirrored the aromas with dried herbs and mulberry.
Finished long on the trailing palate, warm spices, and a potent 14.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 87% Petite Sirah and 13% Syrah.
Paired well with our Texas burgers.
Chronic Cellars has many different offerings for tonight, and with 2014's post, I've reviewed another, but for my chronicling of Halloween wines, visit:
Halloween Wine and Décor featuring Once Upon A Vine Red Wine, Wicked Bold 100% Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine, and Chronic Cellars Paso Robles Purple Paradse 2013 Red Wine.

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Mercer Wine Estate's 'Fathom' 2013 Columbia Valley Merlot

October is Merlot Month!

 

 

Some things I can't fathom:

The way of a women with a man,

Halloween is tomorrow,

And

My fear of spiders in the dark!
However,

I will fathom this wine!

Mercer Wine Estate's 'Fathom' 2013 Columbia Valley Merlot, $12.99-$25.99, 88 points, appeared as an opaque purple/red grading more red at the broad clear wine ring and moderately leggy glass bowl.
Rather shy blackberry and chocolate on the nose were accented with plum notes.
Medium-plus bodied with good acidity and moderately firm tannins carried tart flavors of pomegranate, plum, licorice, and coffee.
Finished well on the trailing palate, a hidden citrus note, cola, black cherry, and a sweet-spot 14.2% alcohol.
Paired splendidly with my rare spiced rack of lamb.
All treat and no tricks from Washington State, where great things are happening to those grapes.

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Domaine Pichot ~ Le Peu de la Moriette 2014 Vouvray

Domaine Pichot ~ Le Peu de la Moriette 2014 Vouvray, $11.04-$14.99, 89 points, poured a lustrous gold color with a copper tint.
Shy aromas of melon and orange peel were okay.
Almost medium-bodied textured rich and slightly viscous with good acidity and focused flavors reflective of the aromas plus touches of tangerine and crème brûlée.
The tangy slightly dry finish was accompanied by melon rind and a comfortable 12% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Massachusetts fried clams.




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Angeline Russian River Valley 2008 Merlot

October is Merlot Month!

Angeline Russian River Valley 2008 Merlot, $5.79-$12.99, 83 points, poured core maroon grading purple/red toward the clear wine ring.
Aromas of toasty plum with a shy floral component were okay.
Medium bodied, fair-plus acidity, and an underlayment of soft tannins carried plum, tart pomegranate, a bit of black pepper, and oaky blackberry flavors.
Finished fair on the trailing palate dominated by plum and warm spices with a 13.9% alcohol.
Paired sufficiently with my rigatoni and sausage in a marinara sauce.

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Mazzei Castello Fonterutoli 2011 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG)

Mazzei Castello Fonterutoli 2011 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (DOCG), $40.79-$47.99, 92+ points, poured a deep ruby grading pomegranate red toward the broad clear wine ring.
Aromatic lavender, truffles, and cherries were excellent.
Medium-bodied, bright acidity, grainy layered mouth-drying tannins were a bit wooly, but altogether these managed excellent flavors reflective of the aromas with a touch of tart pomegranate and plum.
Finished long on the trailing palate, developing hot spices enlivened by a formidable though respectable 14.5% alcohol.
Varietals were 92% Sangiovese, 4% Malvasia Nera, and 4% Colorino.
Paired perfectly with my spiced rubbed rib eye steak.

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Heritance Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc

Heritance Napa Valley 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, $8.99-$17.99, 91 points, poured a light gold color and trended water clear at the glass edge.
Aromatic lemon/lime with a floral and pineapple vibe were excellent.
Light, crisp, appropriately acidic and with a beautiful blend of citrus, pome, and melon flavors impressed; a three year-old Cali Sauvignon Blanc should have lost some of its luster; I wished I had this one available in 2014!
Finished well on the trailing palate, hints of honeysuckle, soft ginger notes, and a sweet-spot 13.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my yellow-fin tuna salad and chips.

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Rosemount Estate Diamond Label 2007 Merlot (Australia)

Rosemount Estate Diamond Label 2007 Merlot (Australia), $8.99-$13.99, 86 points, appeared core black, but quickly transitioned to deep purple/red with a bit of bricking at the glass edge and the bleeding clear wine ring; there was thick sheeting on the glass bowl.
Okay aromas of plum, a sense of a sea breezes, a tad herbal with chocolate and toffee.
Medium-plus body with fair acidity and mellowed tannins ushered a pleasant flavor of mostly plum into the exceptionally long finish of warm spices, herbaceous plum, and an appropriate 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our deep-dish sausage pizza.

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Atamisque Assemblage 2009 Red Wine (Argentina)

Atamisque Assemblage 2009 Red Wine (Argentina), $32.99-$36.99, 89 points, was Bordeaux styled with Malbec, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.
Poured core black trending a deep purple/blood-red toward the leggy glass wall and crystalline wine ring.
Aromas of clove, cinnamon, violets, macaroon, and underbrush were pronounced and expressive.
Full-bodied, good acidity, and an underlayment of firm tannins managed a plethora of flavors reflective of the aromas.
Finished long with good hot spices activated by a big 14.5% alcohol.
Paired well with Debbie's beef lasagna.


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Coppola Director's Sonoma 2007 Merlot

October is Merlot Month!

Coppola Director's Sonoma 2007 Merlot,
$17.99-$24.99, 84 points, appeared a deep purple/red at the core trending blood red toward the thin transparent wine ring.
Early smells were hints of juniper, sour plum, and the faintest Necco Wafer , but a shy floral note showed late.
Medium-plus body, good acidity, and mellow tannin carried acceptable flavors reflective of the aromas, though the plum was not sour.
Finished oaky with good cayenne pepper, and a polished 13.5% alcohol.




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Paul Valmer 2014 Merlot (Vino De La Tierra De Castilla Red Wine, Spain)

Paul Valmer 2014 Merlot (Vino De La Tierra De Castilla Red Wine, Spain), $6.29-$6.99, 86 points, appeared a bright maroon trending purple/red toward the broad clear wine ring.
The nose was rather dumb with but a hint of cedar, toasty plum, and a floral vibe.
Medium-bodied with exceptional acidity and thin tight tannins managed okay blueberry, plum, and tobacco flavors.
Finished long on slightly astringent and sour notes, but the 12.5% alcohol was remarkable for a Merlot, and will appeal to many not wanting to fall over after two or three glasses.
Paired fine with my spice rubbed rare rib-eye steak.
Definitely an acceptable table wine that comes with a great price (bought at the Whole Foods of Bedford).

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Merlot (International) Mostly Bordeaux

"Total Wine" An Intro to Merlot

October is Merlot Month!

 

 

Arabella South Africa 2010 Merlot, $12.52-$13.91, 83 points

Bad Boy Bordeaux 2005 Merlot, Approximately $20.00, 88 points

Bolla 2008 Merlot, $5.99-$8.99, 86 points (Italy)

Casa Lapostolle Reserve Rapel Valley, Chile, 2007 Merlot, $8.49, 87 points

Casa Lapostolle Rapel Valley Grand Selection 2013 Merlot (Chile), $12.99-$14.99, 87 points

Château Barde-Haut Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $37.39-$43.99, 95 points

Château Clinet Pomerol 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $101.49-$116.49, 97 points

Château Coufran Haut-Médoc 2005 (85% Merlot) Bordeaux $20.17-$32.99, 88 points

Château Dalem Fronsac 2010 (90% Merlot) Bordeaux, $31.49-$34.99, 91 points

Château Fonroque Saint-Émilion Grand Vin-Grand Cru Classé 2009 (85% Merlot) Bordeaux, $43.19- $47.99, 93 points

Château Franc Mayne Saint-Émilion Grand Cru Classé 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $34.42-$40.49, 92 points

Château Gazin Pomerol 2010 Red Bordeaux (86% Merlot), $116.99-$129.99, 96 points

Chateau La Dominique Saint Emilion 2009 (100% Merlot) Bordeaux, $55-$70, 94 points

Château Larcis Ducasse 1er Grand Cru Classé de Saint-Émilion 2014 Bordeaux Red Wine (85% Merlot), $56.09-$65.99, 94 points

Château Magrez Fombrauge Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2009 Bordeaux, $156.39-$183.99, 94 points

Chateau Nardian Saint Emilion Grand Vin De 2009 (100% Merlot) Bordeaux, $16.99-$18.99, 88 points

Château Rol Valentin Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2010 (90% Merlot) Bordeaux Red Wine, $54.39-$63.99, 93 points

Château Vrai Canon Bouché Canon-Fronsac 2010 (95% Merlot) Bordeaux Red Wine, $32.29-$37.99, 92 points

Concha Y Toro Casillero del Diablo Rapel Valley, Chile, 2008 Merlot, $8.00-$12.00, 90 points

Clos Fourtet 'La Closerie de Fourtet' St. Émilion Grand Cru 2015 Bordeaux Red Wine, $28.89-$33.99, 94 points (France)

Mollydooker The Scooter 2013 Merlot (Australia), $18.39-$24.99, 88 points

Oyster Bay Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, 2018 Merlot, $14.39-$15.99, 88 points

Paul Valmer 2014 Merlot (Vino De La Tierra De Castilla Red Wine, Spain), $6.29-$6.99, 86 points

Petrolo Galatrona (Italy) 2005 Merlot, $55.24-$120.99, 93 points

Picheral 2006 Merlot, Vin De Pays (Country-Wine of France) approximately $10.00, 83 points

Santa Rita Maipo Valley 2012 Merlot Reserva (Chile), $10.99-$13.99, 86 points

Stone Castle Vineyard and Winery, Kosovo, 2018 Merlot (PGO), $9.99-$18.99, 90 points

Yellowtail (Australia) 2008 Merlot RESERVE, $9.99, 85 points

Rosemount Estate Diamond Label 2007 Merlot (Australia), $8.99-$13.99, 86 points

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Lamole di Lamole 2010 Chianti Classico (DOCG)

Lamole di Lamole 2010 Chianti Classico (DOCG), $12.99-$24.99, 88 points, poured a pomegranate red with a flash of maroon; the clear wine ring was quite broad.
Aromas were shy fresh laundered linen, roses, truffle, and black cherry.
Medium-bodied, good acidity, and moderately tannic (a bit scratchy), but the cherry flavors accented by coffee and mint notes were quite good; the bottle's back label describes the former descriptions as a "thrilling structure", and just maybe that would be accurate.
Finished fair on persistent warm spices, plum, and a well-integrated 13.5% alcohol.
Paired great with my spaghetti in an Italian marinara sauce.

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Cecchi Valdelle Rose Litorale 2014 Vermentino

Cecchi Valdelle Rose Litorale 2014 Vermentino, $13.99-$16.99, 90 points, poured a light gold color with a slight green tint.
The melon and flower aromas were good.
Light-plus body was crisp with mouth-watering acidity livening-up flavors of melon, limestone-minerality, and citrus.
Finished well on hints of lime, watermelon rind, white pepper notes, a slightly sour citrus, and a spot-on 13% alcohol, making this Vermentino a rather masculine and assertive white wine.
Paired perfectly with my stuffed Maine lobster with melted butter, and mixed vegetables in a cheddar cheese sauce.

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Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2013 Chardonnay

For me,

Autumn cuisine calls for Chardonnay.

Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2013 Chardonnay, $39.94-$49.99, 93 points, repeated its 2012 burnished gold color.
More pome fruit on the nose than tropical, but together with a whiff of honeysuckle the aromas were excellent.
Medium body with good acidity managed enticing and supple flavors of watermelon rind, a tasteful appropriation of vanilla, and a whisper of hops along with typical Chardonnay neutral grape flavor, all of which were also excellent and well-balanced.
Finished exceptionally long on ginger and tangerine notes with a spot-on 14.1% alcohol.
Grgich Hills Estate Napa Valley 2013 Chardonnay is unmistakably Cali, but is blessed with complexity and a delicious restraint making this a superior Chardonnay.
Paired perfectly with my baked turkey vegetable pie.

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Piazzo 2009 Barbaresco (DOCG)

Piazzo 2009 Barbaresco (DOCG), $26.99-$32.99, 93 points, poured a lovely cranberry red with a broad clear wine ring.
Perfumed aromas were soft sandalwood, violets, cinnamon, and black grape.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and mildly supportive tannins carried deliciously feminine will–o'–the–wisp flavors difficult to delineate, but its gestalt wove amore.
Smoothly textured throughout with trailing flavors of lavender, warm spices, red cherry, coffee, savory, a whisper of oak, and a perfect 14% alcohol.
Paired well with our meat-lovers pizza.

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Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2012 Merlot (revisited)

October is Merlot Month!

 Handsome photographs and interesting information about the 50th Anniversary of an icon of our USA wine heritage (Robert Mondavi).

Robert Mondavi Napa Valley 2012 Merlot (revisited), $19.99-$23.99, 89 points, poured, smelled, and tasted slightly different after only one year, but all for the good.
Color was more burgundy trending blood-red toward the clear wine ring and leggy glass wall.
Aromas were herbal with toasty plum, clove, cedar, and a floral component.
More than medium-bodied with good acidity and appropriately supportive tannin which managed flavors reflective of the aromas with hints of chocolate and mulberry.
Finished well on the trailing palate with a hot spice inspirited by a potent 15% alcohol.
Varietals were 78% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Syrah, 1% Malbec, and 1% Petit Verdot.
Paired nicely with my roasted red pepper/onion and sweet sausage sub.

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Bodegas Breca 'Oronta' Aragón 2013 Garnacha

Bodegas Breca 'Oronta' (Calatayud, Aragón) 2013 Garnacha, $10.79-$14.99, 87 points, poured core black trending purple/red at the broad clear wine ring and heavily laden glass wall.
Excellent early aromas were floral, grapey, and toasty with coffee notes, but devolved a bit plummy.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and escalating firm tannins began juicy and smooth, but transitioned quickly toward strident expressions of that acidity and those tannins.
Flavors reflective of the aromas with blackberry were quite good.
Finished energized with cayenne pepper, tart red fruit, and a potent 14.5% alcohol, but after breathing for a few hours developed a more plum dominant flavor.
This is a food friendly red wine which paired perfectly with my portabella mushroom tomato sauce poured over Italian sausage on spaghetti.

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RombaueR Carneros 2012 Merlot

October is Merlot Month!

RombaueR Carneros 2012 Merlot, $25.99-$32.99, 89 points, poured core black grading to a deep purple/red at the clear wine ring.
Aromatic lavender, plum, and chocolate on the nose were pleasant.
Full-bodied with good acidity and a moderate underlayment of tannin carried a rich early palate of clove, plum, and violets straight into the tight late and long finish of aroma reflective flavors with a 14.5% alcohol enhanced warm spiciness.
Paired fine with my traditional steak and potatoes with asparagus.
Varietals were 92% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% Petit Verdot.

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Banfi Castello 2013 Rosso di Montalcino

Banfi Castello 2013 Rosso di Montalcino, $16.14-$20.99, 88 points, appeared as a cherry red garnet with a broad clear wine ring.
Aromas were earthy and fruity with red cherry.
Medium-plus body with good acidity and rather coarse tannins, managed blunt flavors of plum, truffle, and tart pomegranate.
Finished long on the trailing palate, a tad green, warm spice, and a sweet-spot 13.5% alcohol.
This Rosso was reminiscent of the 2009 (not as good), but quite dry and reasonable; paired fine with my not so optimum spicy chili.

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Barton and Guestier Côtes de Provence 2015 Rosé

Barton and Guestier Côtes de Provence 2015 Rosé, $10.99-$13.99, 90 points, poured a gossamer peach-textured color.
Lovely strawberry and soft peppermint aromas impressed.
Light, crisp, excellent acidity, and good flavors of ginger, strawberry, and melon rind added to the impression.
Finished well on the trailing palate, a hint of Marshmallow Peanut Candy, and a spot-on 13% alcohol.
Paired well with my pu-pu platter.





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Carpineto 2013 Rosso di Montalcino

Carpineto 2013 Rosso di Montalcino, $23.79-$27.99, 91+ points, poured a lovely cranberry red with a broad clear wine ring.
The most aromatically floral of the tasted 2013 Rosso di Montalcino wines, but rich black cherry and fresh laundered linen were fine complements.
Medium-plus body with appropriately layered and firm tannins managed an excellent fruity flavor profile, but interesting mushroom, mint, and cilantro notes added a sophisticated depth.
Finished well on white pepper, bay leaf, the trailing palate, and a warm 14% alcohol.
Paired fine with my provincial burgers.

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Tiefenbrunner 2015 Pinot Grigio (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy)

Tiefenbrunner 2015 Pinot Grigio (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy), $11.04-$15.99, 89 points, was a light gold color trending quite clear at the glass edge.
Aromatic pome blossoms, apple, and a hint of pineapple were excellent.
Light, crisp, appropriately acidic, and full of flavors reflective of the aromas with hints of black pepper, melon rind, and kiwi were better as an aperitif than with my Asian cuisine.
Finished well on lime notes and a last moment's breath of pear along with the trailing palate and a balanced 12.5% alcohol.

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