This week we’re focusing on a bunch of wines from all over the world. Most
of these wines are inexpensive, easy-drinking wines designed for early
consumption, but there are some really impressive bottles in the mix.
We have some solid values from Côtes du Rhône, four interesting wines
from the Spanish region of Cariñena, and a few more from Arinzano, a Spanish
winery in Aragon that has a D.O. Pago designation and excellent wines to
justify it. We also have a few others from Italy, Australia and Argentina
thrown into the mix.
These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.
2016 Trivento Torrontés White Orchid
Reserve
- Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $11
Medium straw
color. As the name would suggest, this is super floral on the nose, all sorts
of white and yellow flowers along with lychee, peach and guava nectar.
Light/medium-bodied with some tropical juiciness and moderate acidity. Lots of
lychee and apricot with some lime juice, the fruit is laced with perfume and
all sorts of orange and pear blossoms. Great picnic or party wine for the lover
of floral white wines. A blend of Torrontes and 15% Pinot Gris. (86 points)
2015 Penfolds Shiraz Cabernet Max’s - Australia, South Australia
SRP: $25
Deep purple color.
Aromas of blackberries and tart blueberry with some spiced coffee, pepper, and
vanilla and cedar notes that are blended in well. Plump and juicy on the palate
with some light/medium tannins and some moderate acidity, which helps keep it going.
Black cherries and blueberry fruit is bold but stays vibrant, and the fruit is
matched with notes of cracked pepper and espresso. Delicious but also nicely
structured. 70/30 Shiraz/Cabernet aged 12 months in French and American oak.
(87 points)
2015 Penfolds Cabernet Sauvignon Max’s - Australia, South Australia
SRP: $25
Deep purple color.
Smells like tart black cherries and some blackberry jam along with black
pepper, coffee grounds and sweet eucalyptus. Full-bodied, chewy texture,
medium/low acidity, approachable but some decent structure. Black cherries and
blackberries, gushing fruit, a little tartness to it though, along with loamy
soil, dark chocolate and cedar shavings. A fun, accessible Shiraz but shows
some structure and depth. Aged 12 months in 10% new French oak. (87 points)
SRP: $11
Pale pink color.
Fruity and fresh on the nose with strawberries, rose petals, hints of white
pepper. Medium-bodied with bright acidity and fresh fruit (strawberries, white
cherries, red apple peel). This nationally-available rose is reliable, simple,
fun. Syrah with some Cinsault and Carmenere. (85 points)
2016 Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes
du Rhône Blanc Samorëns - France,
Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
SRP: $14
Medium yellow
color. Aromas of peaches, apricots and limes with a white floral notes of
honeysuckle and baby’s breath. Medium-bodied, slight creaminess but fresh
acidity. This wine is packed with apricot and peach, and topped in some sea
salt, honeysuckle, nettle, sliced cucumber. Good weight/freshness balance, a
pleasant summer sipper for sure. A blend of Roussanne, Viognier, Grenache
Blanc, Clairette, Marsanne. (87 points)
2016 Ferraton Père & Fils Côtes
du Rhône Rosé Samorëns - France,
Rhône, Southern Rhône, Côtes du Rhône
SRP: $14
Light pink. Nose
of wild strawberries, white cherries, floral perfume, some lemongrass and white
pepper. Crisp and vibrant with plump texture and fresh acidity. Tangy white
cherries and bright strawberries, lots of white pepper, spicy herbs,
honeysuckle and roses. A lot going on for the price. A blend of 50% Grenache,
30% Syrah, 20% Cinsault. (87 points)
2015 Castello di Gabbiano Dark Knight
-
Italy,
Tuscany, Toscana IGT
SRP: $17
Deep ruby color.
Aromas of plum cake, red currant, sweet cherry, vanilla and cedar.
Medium/full-bodied with moderate tannins and acidity. Juicy black cherries and
saucy blackberry fruit mixes with tobacco, cedar, vanilla and bitter chocolate.
Fun stuff but impressive structure. Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Merlot and 20%
Sangiovese, this is the debut vintage of this wine from Gabbiano. (87 points)
2016 Contrade Malvasia-Chardonnay - Italy, Puglia, Puglia IGT
SRP: $10
Medium straw
color. Tons of tropical flowers and fruit blossoms on the nose with some kiwi
and guava, too. Juicy, tropical, creamy, dry with some moderate acidity.
Pineapple and mango fruit, drizzled with lime, and lots of floral perfume
freshness. Not super complex but it does what it does very well. 90% Malvasia
and 10% Chardonnay. (86 points)
2015 Contrade Negroamaro - Italy, Puglia, Puglia IGT
SRP: $10
Rich purple color.
Dark and saucy aromas with juicy but spicy black fruit, some charcoal and
smoke, grilled herb and sweet vanilla notes. Medium-bodied, smooth tannins but
they provide some structure, moderate-low acidity. This is a chewy, fun wine
with rich blackberry and black cherry fruit, backed up by some smoky herbs,
roasted chestnut and vanilla. Good introduction to this grape, this seems made
for a wide audience. (86 points)
SRP: $15
Deep ruby color.
Dark cherries and tart blackberries with lots of spicy and earthy complexity
(pepper, olive, soy, violets). Medium+ bodied with suave appeal and dusty
tannins, medium acidity. Tart black cherries and roasted plum fruit mixes well
with notes of smoke, teriyaki, pepper, violets. Lots of fun but also impressive
depth. 100% Cariñena. (88 points)
2013 Grandes Vinos y Viñedos Corona
de Aragon Special Selection - Spain,
Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $14
Rich, deep ruby
color. Aromas of tar red and black cherries and plums, incense sticks, tobacco
and some clay earth. Medium-bodied with light but slightly bitter tannins and
moderate acidity. Tart red and black plums meet bell pepper, cracked black
pepper and soy sauce. A hint of sharpness but still rather pleasant, although
not too complex. A blend of Cariñena and Garnacha. (85 points)
2014 3C Cariñena Premium Selection - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $10
Light purple
color. Spicy black cherries and raspberries on the nose with roasted herbs,
pepper, some sweet roses and coffee notes. Bold and juicy on the palate but
nice freshness and moderate tannins. Crunchy plums and tart black cherry with
loads of pepper, clove and cinnamon and some sweet herbal tones. Delicious
texture, structured but fresh and easy to sip. 100% Cariñena. (88 points)
2015 Bodegas Paniza Cariñena - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $10
Light purple
color. Strawberry and raspberries, darker roasted plum notes, including spicy
herbs, sweet and savory notes. Juicy and fresh on the palate with light
tannins, but enough for some structure, moderate acidity. Tart raspberry and
black cherries mixes with some raspberry cheesecake topping, notes of black
pepper, roasted herbs, spiced coffee. Fresh and easy drinking, this is a great
cookout wine that should please many palates. 100% Cariñena. (87 points)
SRP:
$20
A
deep watermelon color. Bright aromatic display of white flowers and dandelion
but some darker cherry and strawberry jam richness as well, hints of pepper and
tobacco. On the palate, this is richly-textured (14% alcohol), but some vibrant
acidity keeps it balanced. Flavors of watermelon, ripe strawberry, red apple
peel, laced with white pepper, tobacco, flower stems and green herbs. Bold but
vibrant, complex and so, so delicious. 100% Tempranillo. (90 points)
2014 Arinzano
Hacienda de Arinzano White - Spain, Navarra, Arinzano
SRP:
$20
100%
Chardonnay. Medium yellow color. Bright and vibrant aromas but also a lot of
richness, with lemon curd, juicy apples, tart pears, integrated almond and
cedar notes with sea spray and chalk. Plush texture but vibrant acidity on the
palate, richer baked pear notes blend so well with lemon curd and tart green
apple. Notes of floral perfume, minerals, chalk, also some nougat and honey.
Complex, elegant, delicious, this is so good, but will get better. 40%
maloactic fermentation, some new and old French oak. (90 points)
2012 Arinzano
Hacienda de Arinzano Tinto - Spain, Navarra, Arinzano
SRP:
$20
Rich
purple color. Gorgeous nose of currants and red plums along with incense,
charcoal, rose petal, lots of clay, tilled soil and tobacco barn notes –
fascinating to sniff. Grippy tannic structure but such fresh acidity, it’s all
pure and balanced. Raspberry mixes with red and black currant and the fruit is
layered with pipe tobacco, eucalyptus, pepper, lots of earthy/spice and pine
resin. Complexity is wonderful but it’s also so vibrant and easy to drink.
Delicious now, but this could improve for more than a few years. A stunner at
the price. (92 points)
2008 Arinzano
Arinzano La Casona -
Spain, Navarra, Arinzano
SRP:
$40
Dark
ruby color. Gorgeous aromatic display: humidor, mint, sage, rich earth, on top
of bold but tangy currants and cherries. On the palate this is full and
structured with solid grip from the tannins and pretty, vibrant acidity. Black
cherry and red currant fruit, lively and refreshing fruit, and complex non-fruit
elements: cigar smoke, charcoal, forest floor, tobacco, cedar, graphite. A
blend of 75% Tempranillo and 25% Merlot, aged 14 months in 40% new French oak
and then seven years in bottle. This has 5-8 years ahead of it easily, but
gorgeous now, especially with lots of air. (92 points)
<85
points
SRP: $18
Pale straw color.
Smells of under-ripe green grapes, some chalk dust, bitter lemon and grapefruit
pith. Tart and zesty on the palate with some white cherry, sour green apple and
a cut floral stem note. Quite sharp, a bit too much bitter lemon and austerity
for my palate. A blend of Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc, Colombard and Chenin Blanc.
SRP: $18
Pale salmon color.
Aromas of rose bush, sour cherries and under-ripe strawberries. Tart and brisk
on the palate with foamy bubbles. Sour white cherries, under-ripe strawberries,
the fruit mixes with notes of nettle and bell pepper. Unbalanced and quite weird.
A blend of Chardonnay, Ugni Blanc and Gamay. This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.
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