Chatom Vineyards Calaveras County 2006 Merlot

October, Merlot Month Again!

 

Chatom Vineyards Calaveras County 2006 Merlot, $13.79-$17.99, 89 points, poured opaque purple/red with a clear wine ring and leggy glass bowl.
Aromatic herbs, chocolate, and licorice were excellent.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and soft tannins carried earthy and herbal mulberry with hints of chocolate and licorice.
Finished fair on the trailing palate, a touch green, warm spices, and a potent 14.8% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Asada Quesadilla.

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Casa E. Di Mirafiore 2011 Barolo (DOCG)

Casa E. Di Mirafiore 2011 Barolo (DOCG), $30.59-$42.99, 92 points, poured a dark cranberry juice red with a transparent wine ring and considerable glass draping.
Aromatic floral red raspberry, white truffle, and juniper were excellent.
The dry medium-body with good acidity and firm grainy tannins carried delicious flavors of citrus, black tea, and lingonberry jam.
Finished long on the trailing palate, tart black cherry, a hint of red pepper, and a spot-on 14% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my guacamole burgers.

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Ryan Patrick Columbia Valley 2015 Riesling

Ryan Patrick Columbia Valley 2015 Riesling,
$8.49-$11.99, 90 points, poured a light brass color trending clear at the glass shallows.
Smelled like wet slate with hints of apple pie, juniper, orange peel, and petrol (nice).
Light-bodied, dry, and crisply acidic with a touch of guava leading the flavors more reflective of the nose.
Finished well on the trailing palate and a potent 12% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Chinese cuisine.






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Crios 2016 Malbec Rosé (Mendosa-Argentina)

Crios 2016 Malbec Rosé (Mendosa-Argentina), $11.99-$13.99, 86 points, poured a bright maroon color.
Shy red raspberry 'Cool-aide' aroma was okay.
Medium-bodied with good acidity managed nondescript flavors approaching those of dragon fruit, bubblegum, and strawberry.
Finished earthy with hints of strawberry, white pepper, and a cool 13.5% alcohol.
Paired fine with our Mexican cuisine. 

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Heitz Ink Grade Vineyard Napa Valley 2013 Zinfandel

Heitz Ink Grade Vineyard Napa Valley 2013 Zinfandel, $26.34-$32.99, 91 points, displayed a variable sienna color with a clear wine ring and decidedly fat legs.
Aromatic dusty wild red raspberries, cherry fruit, a hint of clove and tobacco, and a pure early morning freshwater lake smell reminded me of the best Zins I've had.
Medium-bodied with good acidity and a soft underlayment of tannin carried delicious flavors of plum wine, black raspberry, and cola notes.
Finished fine on the trailing palate, warm spices, and a well-balanced 14.5% alcohol.
Taco night and Heitz Zin were a perfect pairing.

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Fontanafredda Di Gavi 2016 Gavi (Gavi, Piedmont) DOCG

Fontanafredda Di Gavi 2016 Gavi (Gavi, Piedmont) DOCG, $13.59-$15.99, 90 points, poured a light gold color fading clear at the glass edge.
Bashful aromas of white chocolate and tangerine were seductive, but fragrantly fragile.
Light-plus body was dry and mouthwateringly acidic with a fruity nondescript medley of nuanced melon, and a hint of citrus.
Finished long on the trailing fruit, a glint of ginger, and a modest 12.5% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my seafood platter.

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Santo Santorini Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) 2015 Assyrtiko White Wine (Greece)

Santo Santorini Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) 2015 Assyrtiko White Wine (Greece), $17.13 (gift), 87 points, poured a deep copper gold color similar to Sauternes.
Aromatic citrus, honey, and apricots were outstanding.
Medium-bodied with good acidity segued with the bouquet accompaniment into the bone-dry finish nuanced with a bright limestone minerality and a restrained 13% alcohol.
Paired perfectly with my Mediterranean Yellow fin tuna salad.
100% Assyrtiko Grape.

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