Benziger Sonoma County 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, $14.99-$18.99, 87 points, poured patches of black and impregnable purple/reds with a clear wine ring and light glass sheeting.
Aromas of soft floral notes, cedar, black currants and a hint of shoe polish showed great depth.
Full-bodied with fair-plus acidity and a drying underlayment of tannin managed to retain fruit flavors of prunes and black currants.
Finished long, a bit sour with easy spices and an appropriate 14% alcohol.
2012 California Cabernet Sauvignon wines tasted
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Les Lauzeraies Tavel 2016 Rosé, $7.49-$15.99, 83 points, was a blood-orange red.
Aromas of bubblegum and strawberry were okay.
Light-bodied, brut dry, good acidity with flavors of the aromas drowned-out by a big 14% alcohol, which is the story of this wine (JMO).
Finished as it began.
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Brooks Runaway Red Willamette Valley 2015 Pinot Noir (Oregon), $16.19-$17.99, 88 points, poured a deep garnet red with a broad clear wine ring and fat hanging legs.
Profuse and trenchant earthy aromas of red cherries with a floral vibe were okay.
Medium-bodied with fair-plus acidity and a mellow underlayment of tannin delivered delicious flavors reflective of the aromas with a hint of mint.
Finished long on the trailing palate and a warm/balanced 13.6% alcohol.
I bought this Willamette Valley Pinot Noir at the Harvest Market of Bedford.
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Chamisal Vineyards Central Coast 2014 Stainless 'Unoaked' Pinot Noir, $11.04-$24.99, 85 points, poured a deep ruby red shifting to a more garnet red toward the glass shallows, clear wine ring, and thick stained tears.
Grapy and cherry-fruity aromas were okay.
Medium-bodied with fair acidity and soft easy tannins managed flavors consistent with the aromas plus a medicinal note.
Finished rather unremarkable on the trailing palate, tangy pomegranate, and an appropriate 13.9% alcohol.
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Charles Smith (CS) Columbia Valley "Substance" 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington), $13.59-$18.99, 87 points, poured black with multiple purple/red holidays, a broad clear wine ring, and sticky fat legs.
Smells of cedar, black currant, and a hint of spearmint were strong.
Full-bodied with fair-plus acidity and wooly enduring tannins managed to eke out chocolate, black currant, and earthy plum flavors past the tannin and alcohol (14.5%) sentries.
Finished consistent with the overall package, a bit too much of a red wine to pair with anything less than venison, lamb, or rich stews (JMO).
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Auberge Diacre 2015 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, $16.99-$39.99, 89 points, poured deep purple/reds with a broad meniscus and heavy stained legs.
Aromas were a bit herbaceous nuanced with black fruits and toast.
Full-bodied with good acidity and round lush tannins handled with kid-cloves a teetering complexity of flavors with earthy black fruits and herbaciousness dominating the profile.
Finished long, dry, a bit spicy, and floral with red raspberry and a well-balanced 13.5% alcohol.
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Domaine De La Fruitière 2016 Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine Sur Lie, Loire, France, $12.59-$13.99, 85 points, was a very light brass color quickly becoming water-clear mid-way toward the glass shallows.
Pome fruit and blossom aromas were soft and pleasant.
The light-plus body with only fair noticeable acidity, a rather lackluster flavor profile, and an off-dry presentation seemed to undermine the magic of an often dramatic grape.
Finished fair on a sprinkling of black pepper, kiwi, and an innocuous 12% alcohol.
Why French wine labels can be confusing: On the back label the varietal is noted to be 100% Melon de Bourgogne (Grape varietal vs. French for Burgundy) Wine, but this can be construed as a misnomer; on the front label it is clearly designated a Loire Valley wine.
This label is why I posted Unnecessary Fear And Loathing Of French Wine Labels; Well, Maybe Not Unnecessary!
I bought this wine at the Whole Foods of Bedford.
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