Quarantine Selection from Tobin James: Part 2

On By sandysoloIn Wine, wine reviewLeave a comment

I worked my way through the second half of my quarantine shipment from Tobin James almost as quickly as the first. I’ll need to place another order soon.

2016 Petite Sirah “Midnight Magic”

This Petite Sirah was pretty magical. The nose was like bacon covered in triple berry jam. I couldn’t stop sniffing it. Sticking my nose in deeper, I also picked up blueberry which is an aroma I don’t find a whole lot as I don’t eat enough blueberries. There was also something tangy and sweet, like tomato jam. No, I do not actually mean ketchup. I mean tomato jam. If you’ve never had tomato jam, I suggets you find some. On the tongue this was just like the first part of the nose – jammy bacon and I really enjoyed it. I didnt go much deeper because it had me at bacon jam and I drank it rather quickly. Solid 3.9/5.

2015 James Gang Reserve Zinfandel

I found this so interesting on the nose becasue all I could smell was Cherry Coke. Like a perfectly syruped Cherry Coke fountain soda from 7/11. There was also some campfire in there but I was having too much fun smelling the Cherry Coke to try to go past it. It tasted similarly – it had the ripe cherries and something carmel-y. This was very good. Not as good as my beloved Fat Boy ZInfandel, but very good. Solid 3.9/5.

2016 Rock-N-Roll Syrah

This wasn’t my favorite Syrah. I prefer a really funky Syrah. The more it smells like a dead animal, the better for my palette. I definitely got some meat on the nose here, as I should. It was like a raw grocery store steak, not a dry ages steakhouse cut, but the fruit was overpowered the funkiness. I still drank the whole bottle, and I didnt dislike it. It was just nothing to write home about. I sort of gave up and just drank it. The white flag was probably more due to my quarantine mental state than the wine itself. I had no more to give by the time I got to the Syrah so it was never going to get a fair shot. So I won’t rate this and hope my will to taste returns soon.

Stay safe and healthy fellow wine nerds!

Quarantine Selection from Tobin James: Part 1

On By sandysoloIn Wine, wine reviewLeave a comment

Since the PA state stores are closed and Delaware State Police are targeting Total Wine to stop PA residents from crossing the border all due to Covid 19, I thought it was as good of a time as any to place an order at my favorite Zinfandel-producing winery, Tobin James. They ship and it all arrived quite quickly in relative terms. I also thought it was a good opportunity to Branch out and try some of their other varietals.

It’s not lasting long so here are my thoughts on three of the six bottles I have already consumed.

Tobin James Chateau Le Cacheflo 2016

The name of this wine is fantastic. It’s described on the bottle as a Mediterranean style blend. The first sniff yielded me a pile of figs on a slice of cherry pie. There is some pizza spice in there drizzled with caramelized balsamic glaze. On the tongue it’s spiced cherries. It’s full bodied, noticably heavy on the tongue. It opened nicely after 15 minutes and settled right into its yummy-ness. I enjoyed this and will buy it again. 3.89/5 in my book.

Tobin James RED Blend 2016

The alcohol in this blend smacks you in the nose at first and if you really inhale, it will clean out your sinuses. Once you get passed that I smelled triple berry pie. But the alcohol was really making it difficult for me to get any deeper. On the mouth it’s blackberry and balsamic notes. You have to let this air out for at least 20 minutes. After that, while not a complex wine, still good. And one big glass and I was feeling gooooood and warm, if you know what I mean. 3.3/5 on the Sandy Somm Scale.

Tobin James Riesling JGR

I got a little cooky and ordered a bottle of white. The nose is of lemon and peaches and a little touch of pineapple. Very fruity. On the tongue it’s lemon and apples drenched in honey. I found it had a little more body to it than I typically like my rieslings, but nonetheless the flavors were delightful since I really love honey (like as much as Buddy the Elf loves maple syrup.) I’m giving this a 3.8/5.

Now, time to work on the second half of the shipment…

Tenuta Ulisse, Montelpuciano d’Abruzzo, 2017

On By sandysoloIn Wine, wine reviewLeave a comment

I was in the mood for some Italian tannins, and while at the PA Wine and Spirits shop I came across this Montelpuciano on sale for $11.99. Now, normally I struggle to find anything new and affordable from Europe at the state store that doesn’t disappoint. Being that our stores here in PA are run by the state, the employees aren’t very knowledgeable so they are usually no help. The description seemed desirable and as I was just looking for a “Friday night alone” wine, I scooped this up.I was pleasantly surprised. This wine is good!The nose is especially yummy. Carmel hit me right away. And like balsamic glaze. And coffee and campfire. Which makes this especially perfect for fall. The fruit is blueberries and prunes. It makes me wonder if I’d actually like the blueberry flavored coffee I’ve been avoiding at work because blueberry coffee sounds gross to me. I also get a hint of tabacco but in a good way not and old ciggie way.

In my mouth and down my throat (that’s what she said…) I taste very ripe red fruit, raspberries and cherries. And then like this wonderful Carmel espresso that makes me want to trade in my lattes and start drinking this for breakfast. And there’s that campfire at the end.The tannins are silky. I was hoping for more gritty tannins but you can’t win them all. If I was in another mood they would be perfect.Imma have to head back to the store tomorrow and pick up some more. I’d give this a solid 4 on my scale. Yum.

Black Slate 2016, Priorat

On By sandysoloIn Uncategorized, Wine, wine reviewLeave a comment

Priorat has been my new BFF for the past year or so. When I saw this was on sale and read its great reviews, it was a no brainier.

The name Black Slate describes the nose perfectly. It’s all you can smell right off the bat, as if someone smacked you in the face with a large, wet stone.

I’m not gonna lie, this wine smells funky. Not bad funky. Just funky. I get a little barnyard/poopy diaper like a Pinot noir but with absolutely no roses or floral. It’s real earthy. Wet rocks in a pig sty earthy. After letting it aerate for 20 minutes or so, some red fruit comes out. It also has this pungent scent that I get with some Bordeaux wines. I can never accurately describe it other than pungent and a little unpleasant to me. Truffle maybe? I hate truffles, at least the mushroom anyway (if anyone knows what I’m talking about and can describe it please share!)

On the mouth it’s just as earthy, but equally black cherry-like. Smear some almost ripe cherries on some slate and lick it. That’s this wine. Letting it breathe changes almost nothing.

Im not in love. It’s really really interesting. The flavors are just not my jam. This is the first Priorat I’m not in love with. I’ll survive. Plenty more to try.

3.5 on my own personal scale.

Domaine Yannick Amirault Bourgueil

On By sandysoloIn French Wine, Wine, wine review1 Comment

I purchased this Loire Valley rosé last summer in Paris at this little wine shop with the friendliest owner. I got the last bottle he had in his shop of this unique wine.

It barely looks like a rosé. It looks more like a white that has a quarter of a tablespoon of rosé added to it.

It smells of honey and strawberries and a teeny weeny bit if lime down deep. It also has a tiny vegetal scent like the mildest green pepper you ever smelled.

It confuses your pallate in the most delightful way. You’re not sure if you’re drinking white or rosé. It has features of each. You taste peaches and strawberries and green pepper. That sounds gross but it’s an absolute delight. I could drink this on a sunny afternoon or with a light meal.

This is a 4.495 in my book. It’s so unique. I’ve never tasted anything like it. I wish the store had more. If I’m wishing things though, I wish I lived in France so I had easy access to the Loire Valley.

Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling 2016

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A little less than a year ago, I was feeling restless and wanted to go on a little weekend getaway. I had two problems: I hate driving long distances and I wanted to take my dog, Lionel.

I then happened to see my colleague on social media partaking in wine tasting in what appeared to be a quaint, small town. I asked her about it and she informed me that she was in the Finger Lakes in New York. Then she told me the wineries were dog-friendly.

Say what? I could go wine tasting with my dog a few short hours from where I live?!?!?! I promptly booked an Air BnB in Watkins Glen and found a driver service in the area for the next weekend.

I had an absolute ball. With myself and my dog. And tasted some good wine, including this Riesling.

On the nose, it’s honey and dried apricots. I also get some blood orange. Like, not tart naval orange, but rich deep blood orange. Slight wet rock minerals as well but it’s faint. The honeyed apricots blanket everything in a cozy and pleasant way.

On the tongue it’s more like honey covered Granny Smith apple. It’s tart like the apple with high acidity and a honey flavor without the sweetness of actual honey. That might be my favorite quality of a Riesling, how it can have honey flavor but not be sweet. There is also a teeny weeny vegetal aspect. Its not like a green pepper in Sauv Blanc. It’s more like iceberg lettuce. Crisp and not strong.

This is not a complex wine. It’s simple but not boring and very pleasant in that way. I’m going to give it a 4.15987. I wish I had more in my stash.

Herdade das Servas Colheira Seleccionada 2016

On By sandysoloIn alentejo, Portugal, WineLeave a comment

I visited Herdade das Servas on my recent trip to Portugal and had lunch there. After enjoying a delicious rose during the starter course, I was served this red. My guides saw my delight written all over my face. Yum.

I decided I needed more than one bottle to take home and decided two of the rose and four reds would suffice. After I finished my delicious lunch, I went into thier wine shop to pay.

“42 Euro” the clerk said.

“Oh no miss, I’m getting six bottles,” I clarified.

“Yes I know. It’s still 42 Euro.”

“THAT’S NOT REAL LIFE!” I yelled in the middle of the winery. In fact it was real life. Glorious Portuguese real life. Always a value.

On the nose you get hit with ripe cherries and quince paste. Don’t worry, I recently had to smell quince paste as it’s not something I consume regularly. If you don’t get this or can’t describe this don’t fret. I couldn’t either until recently after sticking my nose in a jar several times.

After that I smell something meaty. That is not a figure of speech. Its like smokey candied bacon, as if that’s a thing. If it’s not it should be. It’s similar to a Syrah with those notes but not exactly like it. It’s more subtle. I even got a little steak tar tar. So basically this smells like a lot of meat and I’m down for it. I also get motor oil and I mean that in the best way.

On the tongue it tastes like it smells: like red fruit and meat and smoke and oil. And it’s fantastic. On the finish, it tastes like salami. I swear. I swallowed it and was confused because it was mind-f*cking me into thinking I ate some smokey charcuterie.

I’m giving this a 4.0. like my gpa on a bad semester. It’s a 10/5 if you factor in the cost.

Cheers.

Quinta de La Rosa Red 2017

On By sandysoloIn Douro Valley, Portugal, Uncategorized, WineLeave a comment

I recently returned from a wonderful trip to Portugal – my fourth trip to the country. This trip I focused on two wine regions: The Douro Valley and Alentejo.

I actually spent two nights at Quinta de La Rosa right at the start of the harvest. What an incredible time to be in this area. The grounds of Quinta de La Rosa were lovely. It is literally on the side of the hill in the vinyards. I literally slept a few steps from thier famous Vale do Inferno. You could actually hike through it. It was all very magical, being in the vines, with view of the Douro River, not a cloud in the sky, walking amongst grapes that would soon be made into wine that would make people very happy. I highly recomend staying here.

On to the wine. The tasting they do for visitors is actually mildly disappointing. They don’t do tastings of thier Vale do Inferno or thier reserve wines. They didnt even offer it as an upgrade. As disappointing as that was, you could not not be happy in thier scenery so I didn’t sweat it. I brought a bottle of thier Red home with me to enjoy later.

Later turned out to be the weekend after I got back when I was having Flashback Friday moments and FOMO as I knew the harvest was in full swing and I was not there. So I opened my bottle of QdLR Red 2017 and tried to transport my mind back a week.

This is a good introduction to the Douro Valley wine, I think. Douro reds are mainly blends and usually always include thier favorite native grape, Touriga Nacionale. I find that letting Douro reds decant a bit “settle” them and this was no exception. They can be a bit “in your face” right after you open them, but letting them air out for a little bit silkens them out.

I found this was the best after an hour. Which is A LONG TIME for me to wait for wine after it’s poured. It’s torture knowing its right there in the glass, while you try to summon Yoda telling you to “be patient young Skywalker.”

On the nose you get ripe red fruits, like raspberries that are just ripe and still a teeny weeny bit tart. There is also some unsweetened cocoa, like baking cocoa. Go to your kitchen and smell the container if you have it to see what I’m talking about. There is a mild smokiness, and some herbaciousness that I can’t define more than that. I smell herbs but can’t quite narrow that down to the specific one.

Upon tasting it, it has balanced acidity, and is mildy earthy and fruity. Mild is the best way I can describe this. Nothing is smacking me in the face. The flavors are hanging out and chilling.

I then ate a peice of dark chocolate with salted pretzel and it really brought out the cocoa. Yum.

Overall, on a scale of 1- 5 (and I rarely give 5’s so keep that in mind), I’m gonna give this a 3.65. It was enjoyable, I’d order it in a restuarant happily, but not the best wine I’ve ever had. At the price point it is in Portugal, it’s a steal.

Pulenta Wines Gran Cabernet Franc 2014

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I purchased this wine on a trip last year to Mendoza, Argentina. I was with my travel soulmate, Meredith, and the “soul” purpose of this vacation was wine. If you want to read about some of those adventures, read my other blog, Sandy Solo (link found on the intro page of this site). 

Meredith and I spent several days touring and tasting in all the Mendoza regions, ending with the Uco Valley. Pulenta was the second winery of the day and we enjoyed a 7-course wine pairing lunch at this beautiful winery. So needless to say, my tongue was a bit numb towards the end which is where this Cab Franc came into play.  At the time I remember thinking it was unique. Having already purchased all Malbec from the other wineries, I decided to purchase this Cab Franc to add a little variety to my suitcase.

Like most wine I purchase on trips, I hoarded it for well over a year. I need to learn to buy duplicates so I actually drink it when I get back. I decided to open it recently in my effort to make more room in my wine fridge for additional inventory that will be coming from my upcoming trip to Portugal.  Boy, was I surprised by this Cab Franc the second sober time around.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a very very good quality wine. But it is very very much NOT my jam. It embodies the quality of a Cab Sauv that makes me dislike Cab Sauv: Green Pepper. I have never liked Cabs and couldn’t really articulate why until I took my Somm classes. The answer: Pyrazine. It’s what gives wine that green pepper aroma – in both Sauv Blancs and Cabs. While it doesn’t bother me in a white, I strongly dislike it in a red.  This is a signature aroma of a varietely correct cab sauv. And it makes a strong, leading actor appearance in this Cab Franc. Blech.

The green pepper aroma in this Pulenta Cab Frac is overwhelming to me. At first sniff, it’s like Mike Tyson is wearing boxing gloves made out of giant green peppers and he punches you right in the nose. Then, he grinds up the giant green pepper into a fine powder and makes you snort it like cocaine. That’s how intense that aroma is in this wine. I let it rest in my glass for about an hour and also let the temperature lower a bit. That scent got more palatable, but was still the primary thing that hit me.

Really digging my nose in and trying to get past the pepper, I do pick up some ripe red fruit.  I also smell a little bit of what’s called forest floor, but more like in the fall – like it rained and the leaves are a bit damp and then someone sets some leaves on fire. That like smokey leaf smell, but also like someone added pencils to the fire and it’s a mixture of burning leaves and burning graphite.

So then I taste it. You can really taste the ripe red fruit up front but it’s as if someone packed them into a green pepper. So you taste the fruit up front, but you end with the pepper. Maybe because it’s a flavor I don’t care for, it’s all I can taste.  The pepper is following me. I can’t escape it.

If you enjoy that flavor you will absolutely love this wine. Like I said, it’s a very good wine. Ripe and full-bodied, tannic enough. It’s just not my jam.