On Saturday, October 5 Haskell’s had their Grand Tasting. While this is less Grand it seems every year it was fun to talk with the sales reps and the store was not nearly as busy as year’s past. Here are the results.
Must Buys!
2016 Sonoma-Cutrer Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
This is really nice and have not had this wine in years. Complex and very drinkable with mild oak, spices, lemon, apple and floral notes. Drink now to 2020. (89 pts.) $16.99
2016 Mantanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc – USA, California, Sonoma County
I have not a California SB in a while and this is great stuff. Floral, grass, vibrant fruits and vivid acidity. This is very enjoyable and I could see this go well with seafood. (91 pts.) $17.99
2016 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Good Pinot for under $20. One of the few in this price point with real Pinot Noir character and not some super syrup sweet stuff. Strawberry, floral, soy and subtle spices. Short to medium finish and decant acidity. Drink now to 2020. Good overall value. (88 pts.) $17.99
2015 Bodega Catena Zapata Cabernet Sauvignon – Argentina, Mendoza
This was nice with some funk, plums, cherry and coffee beans. Medium plus finish and has some aging potential. Drink now to 2022. (89 pts.)
A Trio from Marietta!
2014 Marietta Cellars Christo – USA, California, Sonoma County
60% Syrah, 16% Petite Sirah, 14% Grenache and 4% Viognier. This is really drinking well. Spices, black pepper, blackberries, dark cherries and dust. Medium plus finish. This is an outstanding value for the price. $21.99 on sale at Haskell’s. (91 pts.) $21.99
2016 Marietta Cellars Zinfandel Roman – USA, California, North Coast
Not bad. 90% Zinfandel, 6% Petite Sirah and 4% Barbera. Nice fruit, pepper and spices. Not hot like so many Zins I have sampled. Good value for $21.99. (88 pts.) $21.99
2014 Marietta Cellars Armé Lot Number 1 – USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Very solid for the price. Spice, coffee beans, black currants and minerals. Medium plus finish and age worthy. Drink now to 2024. (90 pts.) $23.99
Possible Try’s
2015 A to Z Wineworks Pinot Noir – USA, Oregon
This is good intro stuff to Pinot. For those looking for Pinot Noir under $15 this is a for you. Floral, subtle fruits and mild earth. Short finish. (86 pts.) $15.99
2015 Château La Gravière – France, Bordeaux
Floral, red currants and minerals. Decant stuff overall. (85 pts.) $12.99
2017 Benoit Girard Sancerre – France, Loire Valley, Upper Loire, Sancerre
Floral, spice and orange peel. Short to medium finish with decant acidity. (87 pts.) $19.99
2016 La Crema Chardonnay Sonoma Coast – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Good Chardonnay overall. Lemon, spice and good acidity. Well made and pleasant. This is a good Chardonnay for those who hate a lot of oak but like some complexity. (87 pts.) $13.98
2014 Andre Goichot Côte de Nuits Villages – France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Nuits Villages
Pretty good stuff. Cranberry, rose petals and earth. Balanced and drinking well now. I would not hold this long. Drink now. (88 pts.) $24.99
2017 Block Nine Pinot Noir Caiden’s Vineyards – USA, California
Spice, cherry and floral notes. This is drinkable and average for the under $15 price point. (85 pts.) $13.99
2016 Josh Cellars Pinot Noir – USA, California
This was the best of the 3 Josh wines I sampled but that is not saying much. Fruit forward wine with short to medium finish. (84 pts.) $12.99
See you Later Guys
2014 Henri de Villamont Chardonnay Bourgogne Blanc Prestige – France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Blanc
Mediocre stuff. Subtle wine with mineral and light fruits. A touch of oak. (83 pts.) $16.99
2014 Louis Latour Pinot Noir Bourgogne – France, Burgundy, Bourgogne
Light and subtle wine. There is so many better examples of Pinot Noir available. (81 pts.) $19.99
2015 La Croix de Boyd-Cantenac – France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux
Simple but drinkable. Cherry, earth and minerals. Light style wine. (84 pts.) $14.99
2016 Viña Robles Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles $17.99
First note on Cellar Tracker on this wine. Oak city. While there is some fruit under all this oak it is not balanced. A bit hot. So many better offers out there for less money. (77 pts.)
2016 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
The fact this wine has a 90 point plus average is an embarrassment to Pinot Noir. I have never liked Belle Glos and this sample at a FREE tasting confirms this fact. Sweet candied fruit, cherry cough syrup and perfume. Medium finish and lacks acidity. This should cost about $7 and have a label called Mark West. (82 pts.)
2016 Hahn Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California
Simple stuff and lacks an acidity. This is the kind of wine that you should just skip the tasting process with. (80 pts.)
2017 Josh Cellars Chardonnay – USA, California
Worst Chardonnay I have sampled this year. Flavors are muted and unoaked. Undrinkable in my opinion. (68 pts.) $10.99
2016 Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – USA, California
Wow is this bad! Sweet fruits and underbrush. Has no California Cabernet character. (80 pts.) $12.99
2016 J. Lohr Cabernet Sauvignon Seven Oaks – USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Not a fan. Simple spice and astringent. Pass on this one. (80 pts.) $12.99
2016 Wwe. Dr. H. Thanisch (Erben-Thanisch) Riesling feinherb – Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
Very mediocre wine. Dry with some fruit but minerality is lacking. Very much like a dry cracker taste. Pass. (82 pts.) $12.99
2016 Piattelli Vineyards Malbec Premium Reserve – Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
I have never had a good Piattelli wine and this proves me right again. Lacks fruit and does not have an secondary character either. The fact they call this premium is a joke! (77 pts.) $10.99
2017 Bouchard Aîné et Fils Vin de Pays d’Oc Collection Grenache-Cinsault – France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d’Oc
Dry with rose petals and minerals. Worth about the price it costs $9.99. (83 pts.) $9.99