Exciting, Value-Driven Wines from Portugal and Spain

Long-time readers may have heard me sing praises of wines from Portugal’s Alentejo region, and, well, I’m here to do it again. There’s a nice mix of the region’s signature saucy, spicy reds that will keep you warm and cozy during winter.

Alentejo’s Esporão produces a dizzying array of wines. In this report, I have their entry-level, widely-available Monte Velho wines, which I think are some of the best values around. I also tasted three Vinho Verdes. I love those wines when I’m sitting at a café eating shellfish in Portugal, but they’re usually (by design), simple wines. Thee three in this report are something else entirely.

I enjoy vibrant, white wines year-round, and I have a few in this report that bring a crisp, summery feel to the colder, darker months. Two vibrant white Riojas, offer a lot of complexity, value and personality.

These wines were all received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2019 Esporão Quinta do Ameal Vinho Verde “Bico Amarelo” - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
SRP: $12
Light yellow color. Aromas pop with peaches, lemons, limes, with daisies, dandelion and honey, shows depth along with the freshness. Racy, fresh and vibrant on the palate, this shows a textural depth and complexity that I don’t get often from Vinho Verde a lot. Complex peaches, lemon and quince, combined with pristine chalk, minerals and sea salt, topped in white flowers. The depth and focus are impressive, and one of the more memorable Vinho Verdes I’ve tried. Loureiro, Alvarinho and Avesso. I was shocked when I saw this price point – excellent and inexpensive. Aww, yeah. (91 points)

2019 Esporão Quinta do Ameal Vinho Verde “Loureiro” - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
SRP: $18
Medium yellow color. The nose shows chalk dust, saline, floral perfume, along with limes, pineapple and yellow plums. Precise acid on a racy frame, with pineapple and lime fruit, and some creamy depth that adds to the mouthfeel. Notes of chalk, potpourri and mint add complexity. All Loureiro from the Lima subregion, this has precision and complexity worth seeking out. (90 points)

2019 Esporão Quinta do Ameal Vinho Verde “Solo Unico” - Portugal, Minho, Vinho Verde
SRP: $28
Deep straw color. Aromas of lemons, limes, green melon rind, new tennis ball, with honeysuckle and sea spray. Brisk and focused on the palate, a prickly and lively feel, with lemon, quince and green apple fruit. Notes of lemon verbena, daisies and honey mix with sea salt and crushed chalk. Lovely freshness and solid depth as well. All Loureiro aged on the lees for seven months, fermented in a mix of stainless steel and concrete eggs. (90 points)

2019 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho Branco - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
SRP: $10
Rich yellow color. Fresh aromas of chalk, ocean spray in river stones, over top of richer honeyed tones, yellow pears and apricots. Precise acidity frames the well this richly-textured wine, showing balance, freshness and delicious fruit (lemon, peach, apricot). The fruit is tossed with honey, raw almond, chalk and crushed shells, notes of ginger and saltine cracker. Beautiful stuff, a perennial screaming value, case buy kind of wine. A blend of 40% Antao Vaz, 40% Roupeiro, 20% Perrum. (90 points)

2019 Herdade do Esporão Monte Velho Tinto - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
SRP: $10
Light purple color. Aromas of juicy cherries, raspberries and plums, along with mocha, sweet roses and mesquite. Medium-bodied, light, dusty tannins, and juicy, accessible raspberry, cherry and blackberry fruit. Laced with smoky earth, sweet clove, cocoa and violets. Vibrant, yummy, accessible, this is inexpensive but has a lot of personality. A blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional and Syrah. (87 points)

2015 Adega Cooperativa de Borba Adega de Borba Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
SRP: $18
Vibrant purple. Jammy, ripe nose of black cherries and plum cake topped in milk chocolate, this is hedonistic but also spicy and smoky. Medium-bodied, has surprising acidity to help balance the plums, saucy cherries and blackberries. Notes of tar, smoky earth, anise, charcoal and dark chocolate add complexity. Tobacco and mint on the finish. A ripe, juicy, fan-friendly blend of Trincadeira, Alicante, Aragonez and Castelao. (87 points)

2014 Carmim Reguengos Garrafeira dos Sócios -­ Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Reguengos
SRP: $48
Light purple color. Aromas of mulled cherries and plums mix with these notes of grilled beef, cracked black pepper, olives, roasted red peppers and tobacco – lovely! Full-bodied, structured but refined tannins, moderate acidity, this is framed well and sports delicious, tangy plums and black cherries. The non-fruit flavors pop: tilled soil, graphite, roasted chestnut, anise. Still plenty of aging time ahead of it, and it opens up really well with air, and goes to show how Alentejo Alicante can age. Includes 20% Touriga Nacional and 15% Tinta Caiada. (91 points)

2017 Herdade de São Miguel Colheita Seleccionada - Portugal, Alentejano, Vinho Regional Alentejano
SRP: $15
Deep purple color. Nose shows deep tones of baked figs, blueberry jam, with cocoa, mint and tobacco. Medium/full-bodied with nice grip, velvety edges to the tannins, medium acidity. Tart black cherries and blackberry compote, topped in roasted coffee, grilled herbs, violets and clove. Has nice structure, depth, even ageability, which is really impressive given the price point. Alicante Bouschet with Touriga Nacional, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. (88 points)

2015 Adega da Cartuxa Évora Cartuxa - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo, Évora
SRP: $25
Medium purple color. The nose sports plums, blackberries and black cherries with an inviting mix of violets, tar, clove, warm clay and black tea. Medium-bodied with refined tannins that offer structure, while medium acidity gives freshness. Tart blueberry and blackberry fruit blends well with coffee, violets, anise, tar, and these deep mineral, pencil shavings and iron tones. Deep yet lively, this will continue to get better over at least the next five years. Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet and Trincadeira. This wine is consistently an awesome value. (91 points)

2016 Herdade do Esporão Alentejo Reserva - Portugal, Alentejano, Alentejo
SRP: $24
Deep purple color. Smoky, earthy aromas with charcoal, graphite and anise over top of dark plums and black cherry jam. Medium/full-bodied with nice, dusty tannins, chewy but lively with plums and black cherries. Notes of tar, charcoal, smoky, leather, with mineral undertones. Fresh, lively, with a vibrant finish. Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira and Cabernet Sauvignon. Expressive, exciting, especially for the price. (89 points)

2019 Viña Bujanda Rioja Blanco -­ Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
SRP: $15
Rich yellow color. Interesting tones of apricot, orange peel, with hay, white tea, some sea salt, dried honey. Inviting texture on the palate but also vibrant and fresh throughout, and the white peach, orange peel and yellow apple fruit mixes well with sea salt, brine, dried nuts, wildflowers. There’s a lot of pure, mineral undertones and a lot of depth in here. (88 points)

2016 Bodegas Palacio Rioja Blanco Cosme Palacio Crianza -­ Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
SRP: $26
Deep yellow color. A complex, inviting blend of apricot and orange, drizzled in honey, topped in sea salt, candle wax, almond skin and white flowers. Deep texture but precise on the palate, waxy yet zesty, with lemon peel, grapefruit and nectarine, mixed in with spiced white tea, sea spray, saltine crackers, mixed nuts and honey. Complex, evolving well but this has a solid stretch of years ahead of it, too. (91 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wine Reviews: Grenache & Syrah from Spain & France

I’m a big fan of Grenache, both as a varietal wine and it’s classic place in blends with Syrah and other red Rhone grapes. This week, I have a handful of diverse Grenache wines from Spain, and a Grenache Gris from the Roussillon region of France really wowed me.

I also tasted a few Syrah-focused wines from the Southern Rhone appellation of Costières-de-Nîmes, whose wines I’ve really enjoyed in the past. The value can be excellent, too.

These wines were received as samples and tasted sighted.

2016 Bodegas Aragonesas Garnacha Coto de Hayas Centenaria - Spain, Aragón, Campo de Borja
SRP: $15
Medium purple color. Nose of dark cherries, black currants and raspberry jam, with cocoa, vanilla and mint. Full and saucy on the palate, a chewy, fleshy style with mild tannins and medium acidity. Juicy black cherries and blackberries, mixed with vanilla, cocoa and earth. Smooth, fun, pleasant, good stuff for near-term drinking. (87 points)

2016 Bodegas San Alejandro Garnacha Las Rocas - Spain, Aragón, Calatayud
SRP: $12
Bright purple color. On the nose, spicy red and black cherries, raspberry jam, with black licorice and raspberries in dark chocolate notes.Full and chewy on the palate, juicy and fun with some light tannins and medium-low acidity. Plums, raspberry and blackberry jam, the fruit is backed up with anise, cola and dark chocolate. Fun, fruity, but well-made and solid for the price. (86 points)

2013 Las Moradas de San Martín Senda - Spain, Madrid, Vinos de Madrid
SRP: $15
Light purple color. Rich and dark on the nose with roasted figs, black cherries, along with anise, magic markers and coffee. Full-bodied, medium tannins, medium-low acidity. Dark plums, currants, saucy fruit mixed with spiced black tea, anise, charcoal and cedar. Bold, forward but built well. Calls for a big cut of grilled meat. 10 months in French oak. (87 points)

2015 Bodegas Ignacio Marin Ballad - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $20
Light purple color. Classic, sweet, rich Garnacha aromas of raspberry jam, plum sauce, with some vanilla and dark chocolate. Fully, velvety, soft tannins, low acidity, this is all about the sweet plum cake and saucy raspberry fruit. Some coffee, chocolate and vanilla accents as well. Fun, chewy, rich, crowd-pleasing dessert wine. (86 points)

2016 Domaine de la Rectorie Banyuls Cuvée Thérèse Reig - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Banyuls
SRP: $33/500ml
Deep purple color. Saucy blueberries, roasted figs, along with clove, toasted coconut, vanilla and coffee grounds. Full and bold on the palate with quite strong tannins but medium acidity, plenty of sweetness, but the balance is aligned very nicely. A warm compote of blueberries, blackberries, roasted fig, laced with charcoal, clove, graham cracker, cinnamon. Complex and evocative already, this is an excellent Banyuls with many, many years ahead. I’d love to bury this for 20 years and hope I’m alive to taste it. (92 points)

2015 Domaine Jones Grenache Gris - France, Roussillon, Vin de Pays des Côtes Catalanes
SRP: $28

Deep yellow color. Love the nose: deep yet bright, with apricot, lemon curd, lime, salted almond, sea breeze, crushed chalk. Plump texture, a fascinating depth and waxy element, but tangy too, and the balance is lovely. Lemon, orange pith, apricot, with lots of sea salt, chalk, mountain stream, minerals, as well as honey, white tea and olive oil-like elements. Complex, vibrant, gorgeous. (91 points)

2015 Ferraton Père & Fils St. Joseph La Source - France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph
SRP: $32
Light purple color. Aromas of plums, juicy black cherries, topped in roasted herbs, espresso, campfire smoke and black pepper. Medium-bodied with medium+ tannins and moderating acidity, nice grip but the wine is fleshy and lively, too. Tart black currants and roasted figs and plum cake topped in charcoal, espresso, some black olives. Nice depth but also quite vibrant and ready to drink, although this could easily be cellared for a few years. (88 points)

2017 Château de Campuget Costières-de-Nîmes Rosé 1753 - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes
SRP: $16
Medium copper color. On the nose, an explosion of peaches, apricot, topped in nettle, honeysuckle and tropical flower petals. Plump texture on the palate but fresh acidity. Loads of white peaches, cantaloupe, apricot and lemons. I get notes of chalk, sea salt, lots of spicy floral and tea elements, some pepper and herbs. Juicy and fruity but vibrant and quite complex. 80% Syrah and 20% Vermentino. (89 points)

2015 Domaine de Poulvarel Costières-de-Nîmes Les Perrottes - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes
SRP: $32
Light purple color. Dark and saucy on the nose with black cherry compote, loaded with violets, black pepper, coffee and charcoal. Full-bodied, solid grip from the tannins, medium acidity. Darker, Syrah-dominated fruit (blackberries and black cherries) mixed nicely with elements of pepper, cocoa, dark chocolate and earth. Big and dark but showing some good complexity, but I think this will be more expressive in two-to-four years. 65% Syrah, 30% Grenache, 5% Carignan. (89 points)

2014 Michel Gassier Costières-de-Nîmes Nostre Païs - France, Rhône, Southern Rhône, Costières-de-Nîmes
SRP: $20
Medium ruby color. Lots of aromas of pepper, sage, leather, grilled lamb, along with raspberries, cherries and plums. Full but fresh on the palate, the velvety tannins provide backbone while the acidity keeps the wine lively. Cool cherries, plums and raspberries laced with pepper, leather, chewing tobacco, grilled meats, and notes of earth and minerals as well. Showing very well now but this could hold for at least a few years. 35% Grenache, 25% Carignan, 20% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault. (90 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wine Reviews: New Releases from Around the Globe

This week’s report covers wines from all over the globe, including Chile, France, Israel, Italy, Portugal and Spain.

The new vintage of Concha y Toro’s Don Melchor (the 2015), is a real stunner, while the Chilean producer Odfjell offers less expensive but exciting wines.

I cover a few wines from the Abruzzo region of Italy, along with the perennially value-driven wines from M. Chapoutier’s Bila-Haut brand. Yarden offers up a delicious Champagne method bubbly from Israel, while the Spanish region of Navarra (keeping with tradition) comes through with some solid buys.

These wines were all received as samples and tasted sighted.

2017 Odfjell Carignan Orzada - Chile, Maule Valley
SRP $23
Medium purple color. The nose is vibrant but bold with black cherries, red and black currants, and a great mix of black pepper, leather, grilled steak, with some nice floral undertones, too. Full-bodied (15%) with a velvety feel, and the solid tannins align well with medium acidity. Rich but tangy fruit (black cherries, dark plums, saucy black currants), backed up with a mix of leather, roasted herbs, rose petals, anise, charcoal and earth. Loving the depth and complexity here, and I’d like to age this 3-5 years. From 20- to 80-year-old, dry-farmed, Carignan vines. (89 points)

2013 Odfjell Aliara - Chile, Central Valley
SRP: $44
Rich purple color. So spicy on the nose, with a mix of menthol, mint, roasted herbs and pepper on top of black currants and cherries. Full-bodied, nice grip to the tannins but not harsh, this is a smooth and nicely balanced wine with medium acidity. Black cherries and currants are topped in loamy, rocky, earthy notes, as well as black pepper, roasted red pepper and mushroom. This makes me crave steak! Complex, long, this could use a few years of cellar time. A blend of 65% Carignan, 20% Syrah and 15% Malbec from vineyards in Cauquenes, Lontué Valley and Maule Valley. (90 points)

2015 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor - Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
SRP: $120
Rich purple color. The aromas show rich tobacco, pepper, scorched earth, grilled herbs, on top of tangy black currants, dark plums, cocoa and cedar. Full-bodied on the palate with serious grip on the tannins but vibrant acidity, the balance is impressive for a wine this young. Crunchy plums, black currant, rich but fresh fruit laced with complex earth, pepper, chewing tobacco, mint, charcoal, tar, coffee. Wonderful depth and balance with a long finish full of graphite and minerals. So young, with many years ahead, but classic Don Melchor stuff, an excellent vintage of this wine. 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot. (94 points)

2017 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Les Vignes de Bila-Haut Blanc - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon
SRP: $15
Pale lemon color. Aromas of lemons, pineapple and kiwi, bright yet rich fruit, along with yellow flowers, honey and sea salt. Rich texture, lovely honeyed and waxy notes but fresh acidity and a crisp feel, too. Flavors of lemon, kiwi and pineapple mixed with flower petals, sea salt, honeyed tea. Plush but crisp, this is fun but serious, and would be so good with a diverse array of foods. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Macabeo and Vermentino, this is a perennially awesome value. (88 points)

2017 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Les Vignes de Bila-Haut - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages
SRP: $15
Light purple. Nose shows bright raspberries mixed with juicy black cherries, along with rhubarb, black pepper, leather, sweet eucalyptus and rose petals. Fleshy texture on the palate, light and dusty tannins with crisp acidity, lots of red and black cherries, raspberries and plums. Notes of smoke, lavender, charcoal, black pepper and rose petals. Lovely, vibrant, delicious stuff, as usual, seriously delivering for the price. Syrah, Grenache and Carignan. (88 points)

2010 Golan Heights Winery Yarden Blanc de Blancs - Israel, Galilee, Golan Heights
SRP: $33
Light gold color. On the nose, this is breezy and floral, with chalk dust, sea salt and slight biscuit notes on top of lemon, lime and green melon. Crisp and bright on the palate with fine bubbles and a zesty appeal. Lime, lemon, green apple, topped with white flowers, crushed chalk, sea salt. Some light biscuit notes, but this is a bright, light (11.5% alcohol) Chardonnay-based sparkling wine that would be great with salads and sushi. (88 points)

2017 Citra Trebbiano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
SRP: $10
Light yellow color. Aromas of lemons, white peach, along with floral perfume and honeysuckle. Fresh and bright on the palate, this is plump and peachy but shows nice acidity as well. Lemon, apples, simple, pleasant and fun with notes of honeysuckle, cucumber slices and sea salt. Good for the price. (85 points)

2017 Citra Pecorino Ferzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Terre di Chieti IGT
SRP: $26
Light yellow color. Aromas boast white peaches, green melons, along with flowers, perfume, so bright and vibrant, too. Crisp acidity on the palate with fleshy texture, almost waxy, and the balance and depth is impressive. Melon, lemon, apricot, along with deep floral and mineral tones, some stony, chalky complexity. A juicy and fun-loving wine, this would work nicely with so many different types of foods, but it has a lot of complexity as well. (89 points) 

2016 Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Ferzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
SRP: $26
Light purple color. Aromas of black cherries, plums, dark and fruity with elements of spiced tea, espresso and grilled herbs. Medium+ bodied with tangy, refreshing acidity and moderate tannins. Dark plums and cherries, deep but crunchy fruit, along with some pepper, loamy earth and espresso. Enough grip and depth to age for a few; this could stand up to some hearty grilled meats as well. (88 points)

2012 Dow Porto Late Bottled Vintage - Portugal, Douro, Porto
SRP: $24
Rich purple color. Nose of roasted fig, sweet plums, blackberry and black cherries, saucy and jammy, with coffee and clove and anise. Full and sweet but fresh, with accessible tannins, moderating acidity, and flavors of juicy black cherries, roasted figs and plum cake. Notes of clove, vanilla, sweet fig cookies and violets. Accessible and fun, but not simple, this delivers a lot of complexity for the price – great cold weather, holiday party choice in LBV Port category. (89 points)

2016 Castillo de Monjardín Navarra La Cantera - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $12
Deep ruby color. Smells of strawberry and black cherry jam, smoky tobacco, herbs, clove and vanilla. Fresh and bright on the palate with light tannins and juicy raspberries, strawberries and red plums. Flavors of tobacco, mint, cola and vanilla add some complexity. Fresh and fun, accessible but balanced, too. Nice for the price. 85% Garnacha and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Stainless steel-fermented, aged six months in old French oak. (87 points)

2016 Bodegas Nekeas Garnacha El Chaparral de Vega Sindoa - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $14
Light purple color. Smells of raspberries and jammy plums, saucy and smoky, with tobacco and anise notes. Light tannins, full-bodied, yet medium acidity helps it balance out. Black cherries, plums, this is a juicy, ripe and plush wine with a nice mix of violets, tobacco, espresso. Fun, crowd-pleasing, value-driven stuff. All Garnacha aged five months in French oak barrels. (87 points)

2010 Bodegas Ochoa Navarra Reserva - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $33Light purple color. Nose boasts dark plums, currants, blackberries, mixed in with a hefty amount of charcoal, leather, coffee grounds and grilled herbs. Dusty tannins but nice grip, velvety feel but bright acidity, and the balance is nice. Tart black currants and tangy plums, I get a lot of deep earth, graphite, leather, violets and soy. Complexity is impressive, this is ready to drink now or hold for a few years. Tempranillo with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Merlot, aged 18 months in new American and French oak, aged 36 months in bottle before release. (89 points)

<85 points
2017 Citra Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
SRP: $10 
Medium ruby color. Nose shows raspberries, red cherries, rhubarb and white pepper. Medium-bodied on the palate with dusty-light tannins and tart acidity. Cherries and raspberries mix with notes of spiced tea, coffee and earth. Simple, fun, crowd-pleasing, pizza-friendly wine.

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist. 

Wine Reviews: International Grab Bag

This week, I’m tackling another group of wines from all over the globe.

Starting off with the newest vintage of Trivento’s flagship Malbec, Eolo, the 2014 again delivers a mouthful of delicious, complex, cellar-worthy Mendoza goodness.

A few Spanish wines make an appearance in this week’s report, including two inexpensive but solid Riojas from renowned producer Bodegeas Lan. Carpenè Malvolti brings a pair of Italian bubbles into the mix. And South African stalwart Mulderbosch delivers four wines that bring serious quality at their respective price points.

There’s a new red blend from Virginia winery Early Mountain that I really want to highlight. The inaugural 2015 vintage of their Rise red (a Merlot-based blend), really shines. It should, considering the price point, but this is a serious, delicious, Virginia red blend that will stand the test of time.

I also received three wines from the Firstleaf wine club. Consumers can fill out a quick quiz to generate their first three-pack of wines for $15, plus shipping. The wines each come with story cards that provide technical and more general information about the wine or region. Members can rate their wines on the club’s website, and those ratings are used to generate more personalized wine selections for future shipments. I tasted three wines from an introductory shipment.

All of these wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2014 Trivento Malbec Eolo - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
SRP: $79
Deep purple color. Rich and enticing on the palate with waves of plums, blackberry, currant, kirsch, backed up by complex and evolving notes of anise, scorched earth, coffee grounds, mint chocolate chip, violets. Solid grip but no harsh tannins, this is velvety and smooth with medium acidity and pretty dark plum, blackberry and black currant fruit. Complex elements of leather, scorched earth, eucalyptus, mint, dark chocolate, tobacco. A complex mineral, earth, smashed rock element, too. A long-ager for sure but this is beautiful young. (92 points)

N.V. Carpenè Malvolti Rosé Cuvée Brut - Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
SRP: $20
Bright watermelon color. Aromas of wild strawberries, white cherries, roses, spicy herbal notes. Juicy and fleshy on the palate but tangy, too, with watermelon and strawberry fruit. Notes of spicy herbs, rose petals, baby’s breath, which combines well with the fruit. Finishes fresh and salty. 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Raboso. (87 points)

N.V. Carpenè Malvolti Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 1868 - Italy, Veneto, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
SRP: $19
Pale straw color. Aromas of sea salt, dandelion, magnolia petals, baby’s breath and green apples. Tart and brisk on the palate with lemon, green apples and limes, backed up with a floral punch of magnolia, rosewater and dandelion. Sea salt and dusty, flinty notes add complexity. Crisp and delicious, quite complex for the price. 100% Glera. (88 points)

2017 Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa, Western Cape
SRP: $17
Medium yellow color. Super fresh and green and crunchy on the nose (limes, kiwi, green apples) with white pepper, sea salt, lemongrass and fresh, floral breezy notes. Crisp and zesty on the palate but nice depth and texture. Green apples, apricot, lemons and limes, backed up with sea salt, honeysuckle, an interesting herbal/spicy note that accents the wine but doesn’t dominate the other elements. So well put-together, this is a great vintage of this wine which is, per usual, killer for the price. (90 points)

2016 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard Block A - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Bottelary
SRP: $33
Deep yellow color. Whoa! On the nose, a burst of tropical insanity (pineapple, white peaches, some lemon curd) doused in lamp oil, sea spray, nougat, honey butter, hay and rich vanilla. Plump and juicy on the palate, zesty but rich, with flavors of key lime pie, bruised yellow pear and fresh white peaches. Rich and suave but bright, too, with really cool minerals, ginger, musky cologne and sea spray, honeyed white tea. From 33-year-old vines, this shows the ripeness of the vintage and was aged 10 months on in French oak barrels. (91 points)

2017 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé - South Africa, Coastal Region
SRP: $12
Pale watermelon color. Fresh and floral nose with white pepper, nettle, rose petals, and some juicy strawberry and white cherry aromas. Crisp acidity frames the wine nicely, but there’s a plush, inviting mouthfeel as well. White cherries, strawberries, watermelon, mixed together nicely with white pepper, sliced cucumber, nettle, rose hips, some breezy, salty notes. Lovely balance with fruit, freshness and complex flavors. (88 points)

2015 Mulderbosch Faithful Hound - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
SRP: $22
Light purple color. The nose shows gobs of black cherries, currants and blueberries, along with lots of black pepper, leather, sage, bay leaf, vanilla and cedar. Tangy acidity keeps this full-bodied, medium tannin red stay fresh, but this is also a big and dark wine loaded with black currants and blueberries. Lots of black pepper, cigar smoke, menthol, with dark chocolate and vanilla woven in nicely. Ready to go or could hold for a few years, this packs a lot of complexity for the price point. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged in 30% new French oak. (89 points)

2017 Delia Tempranillo - Spain
SRP: $9
Medium ruby color. Juicy raspberries, cherries and red currants on the nose with sweet roses, tobacco and cola. Medium-bodied and fresh on the palate with light, easygoing tannins. Raspberries, cherries and strawberries, juicy but tangy fruit, mixed with roses, herbs, menthol, smoke and coffee. Light and fresh but lots of fun, and really solid for the price. (86 points)

2015 Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza D-12 Eighth Edition - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
SRP: $20
Light purple color. Aromas of tangy black cherries mixed with spice rub, tobacco, leather, vanilla and cedar. Full-bodied, smooth tannins, with tangy acidity, and it mixes well with the crunchy, tart black cherry and currant fruit. Notes of scorched earth, tobacco, leather, some black olive, topped with vanilla and coffee. Delicious, early-drinking Rioja. (87 points)

2010 Bodegas LAN Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
SRP: $25
Deep purple color. Smells of tart black cherries and currants, tangy plums (just smelling it makes my mouth water), with mint, tobacco, coffee, loamy soil and graphite notes. Fresh acidity frames the wine nicely, solidly-gripping tannins mix with tart black cherries and currants, backed up with violets, black pepper, mint, black tea, coffee, lots of complex elements. Underlying earthy, mineral notes, this is a vibrant and fresh wine but also structured and ageworthy. Tempranillo from Rioja Alta and 10% Mazuelo. (89 points)
 

2015 Early Mountain Vineyards Rise - USA, Virginia, Central Virginia, Madison County
SRP: $95
Deep purple color. The nose shows gorgeous depth of fruit (blackberry, cassis, dark plums, roasted fig), along with lavender, violets, sweet cocoa and wet forest/woodsy notes. Solid tannic backbone on the palate but underlying fresh acidity keeps it in lovely balance. Tart black cherries, currants and plums, tangy but bountiful fruit, laced with anise, violets, clove, coffee, all woven together so nicely. Pure, delicious, complex, I’d love to cellar this for a decade. Early Mountain makes a serious statement with the inaugural vintage of this Rise red. 57% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot, and 14% Tannat, sourced from their Quaker Run vineyards on the southern side of Doubletop Mountain. 240 cases produced. (91 points)

2017 International Archives Sémillon - Australia
SRP: $22
Deep yellow color. Nose shows apricot, pineapple, lemongrass, honey and a rosewater note. Plush texture, moderate acid keeps it bright as juicy white peach and pineapple fruit carry the wine. Honey, some cotton candy notes, baby’s breath and cut flower stem notes. Fun, crowd-pleasing stuff for the money. From Firstleaf. (85 points)

2017 Paso del Tiempo Syrah - Spain
SRP: $26
Deep purple color. Nose of juicy raspberries, sweet plums, cola, coffee, roses. Full-bodied with soft tannins and medium acidity. Tart plums meet sweet raspberries and candied cherries, backed up by roses, sweet cola and coffee. Fun, simple, crowd-pleasing stuff. From Firstleaf. (85 points)

2017 PrimaZon Malbec - Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $26
Light purple color. Aromas of dark plums and black cherries, along with violets, warm clay, tobacco, cedar, espresso. Fresh acidity on the palate frames the wine nicely, and it has velvety, accessible tannins. Tangy black cherries, plums, raspberry jam, the fruit is mixed with cola, coffee, sweet pipe tobacco and vanilla. Fun, pleasant, widely-likeable stuff. From Firstleaf. (86 points)


This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

International Grab Bag: New Releases Under $30

This week, I’ve got a round-up of recent samples from all over, all of which cost less than $30.

William Fèvre, known for ethereal Premier and Grand Cru Chablis, has an entry-level new release that offers a bit of everything I look for in a Chablis, and it’s a really solid buy at $25.

M. Chapoutier’s Domaine de Bila-Haut brand, always reliably good for the money, delivers again with their L'Esquerda red blend, a serious wine that brings a lot of complexity and aging potential.

Included in this report are a handful of wines from all over Italy (Veneto, Tuscany, Piedmont), all of which cost $30 or less.

Lastly, I tasted two whites and a pink from the Spanish region of Cariñena, all of which cost less than $15. It’s still summer, and these three wines pack a whole lot of goodness for their price points. Oh, and a “Game of Thrones” branded Pinot Noir, because… well…

All of these wines were received as samples and tasted sighted.

2017 William Fèvre Chablis Champs Royaux SEA Limited Edition - France, Burgundy, Chablis
SRP: $25
Light yellow color. Aromas of white peaches, lemons, honeysuckle and seashells. Medium-bodied on the palate with a brisk and fresh appeal and plenty of acidity. Lemon curd and orange peel mix nicely with saline, seashells and ocean spray notes, with some dusty minerals that linger onto the finish. A lot of depth for an entry-level Chablis at this price point. (89 points)

2016 M. Chapoutier Côtes du Roussillon Villages Domaine de Bila-Haut L'Esquerda - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Côtes du Roussillon Villages
SRP: $25
Deep purple color. Dark and saucy black currants, juicy black cherries, along with complex elements roasted herbs, cracked black pepper, leather, cocoa. Plump and juicy with medium tannins and medium-low acidity. Black cherries, black currants, roasted fig, the fruit mixes with spicy black pepper, sage, grilled rosemary, with deeper notes of dark chocolate, espresso, vanilla and scorches earth. Put together so well, this should age nicely, too, but ready to go now. Syrah, Grenache and Carignan from a single vineyard, 40- to 60-year-old vines. (90 points)

N.V. La Marca Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore Luminore - Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Congliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore
SRP: $25
Bursting nose of fresh lemons and limes, dusty chalk, notes of dandelion and baby’s breath. On the palate this is crisp and quite dry, light-bodied but texturally interesting. Lemon-lime, some melon peel, with notes of white flowers, cut flower stems, chalk dusty. Fresh and bright and a lot of fun. A step-up Prosecco that is not to be dismissed. (88 points)

2016 Pieropan Soave Classico - Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
SRP: $20
Rich yellow color. Aromas of bruised yellow apples, creamy peach, with honeybutter, some nutty-salty notes. Plump texture on the palate with bright acidity on a medium-bodied frame. Apples and peaches play well off of floral perfume, whipped butter, notes of salt and almond. A bit lacking on the finish, but fun and tasty stuff. 85 Garganega and 15% Trebbiao. (86 points)

2016 Jermann Vinnaioli Pinot Grigio - Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT
SRP: $30
Medium yellow color. Steely and salty aromas with grapefruit, green apples, honeysuckle and dandelion. Brisk and fresh, light and breezy, but some interesting creamy texture and minerality. Yellow and green apples mixed with floral perfume, magnolia flowers and honeysuckle. Fresh and fun, but it has a lot more skill and punching power than many Pinot Grigios from this region. Sourced from two vineyards in Collio. (90 points)

2015 Argiano Non Confunditur Toscana - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
SRP: $23
Bright ruby color. Nose shows tart raspberries, red currant jam, spicy strawberries, with notes of tobacco leaf, rose petal and spicy pepper. On the palate, this is a medium/full-bodied wine with quite smooth tannins and moderate acidity. Flavors of tart red currant and raspberry mix with black pepper, spicy tobacco and scorched earth. Simple, fun, pleasant. Cabernet, Sangiovese, Merlot and Syrah. (87 points)

2017 Rocca di Montemassi Renaissance Rosé - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
SRP: $17
Very pale copper color. Smells of white cherries, watermelon, along with thistle, baby’s breath, a wild green herb and honeysuckle component that I find interesting, too. Medium-bodied, fresh and zippy but a pleasant plumpness on the palate, too. White cherries and wild strawberries mix with bright white flowers, wild green herbs and a spicy herbal tea note. Fresh, inviting, but showing complexity, too. A blend of Sangiovese and Syrah from Maremma. (88 points)

2014 Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese - Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT
SRP: $23
Rich purple color. I get aromas of roasted figs and plum sauce, with violets, vanilla and coffee grounds. Rich and plush on the palate with velvety tannins and fresh acidity. Flavors of roasted fig, black currant jam, topped in anise, espresso, black pepper and tobacco. Full, warm and rich, but also tangy. A blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Sangiovese, this is a solid value for this style and price. (88 points)  

2016 Renato Ratti Barbera d'Alba Battaglione - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba
SRP: $20
Rich purple color. Smoky aromas of charcoal, anise and graphite on top of generous black cherries and dark plums. Fresh and fleshy on the palate, fun stuff with medium acidity and plush tannins, but this shows a bit of complexity too. Black cherries, tart and crunchy red currants and plums mix with anise, violets, smoky tobacco, cinnamon. Fun and easy-drinking but not simple, this opens up nicely with some air. (88 points)

2016 Seven Kingdoms Wines Pinot Noir Game of Thrones - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
SRP: $20
Pretty, deep ruby color. Aromas of strawberries, bright cherries, cola, some chai tea and cedar. Juicy and full with smooth tannins and medium acidity. Cherries and red currant jam flaors mix with some sweet tobacco and cedar. Big and boastful but shows some balance as well. A fun Pinot for early drinking. (86 points)

2016 Bodegas Virgen del Águila Agoston Viura & Chardonnay - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $9
Very pale color. Steel and bright on the nose with white flowers, lime pit, lemon wedges and sea salt. Zesty and bright on the palate on an easy-drinking frame with flavors of lemon-lime and green apple. Floral perfume, cucumber, white pepper flavors. Simple, fresh, fun summer sipper. (85 points)

2017 Grandes Vinos y Viñedos Corona de Aragón Garnacha Blanca - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $9
Pale straw color. Aromas of peaches, limes, oranges and lychee, topped with sea salt and honeysuckle. Precise and fresh on the palate with fun stony-salty qualities. Lemon, white peach and oranges mixed with floral perfume and a steel, zesty appeal. Lots of fun, showing some good complexity at this price point. (87 points)

2016 Bodegas San Valero Garnacha Rosado Origium - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena
SRP: $15
Almost neon cherry color in the glass. Loving the spicy aromatics of green herbs, white pepper, nettle, on top of watermelon, red cherries and pomegranate. Bright and crisp but super fruit, as the watermelon, raspberry and pomegranate fruit offer a lot to love. Stays fresh, with lots of spicy elements like herbal tea, nettle, rose hips. Delicious, fun, lots going on for the price. (88 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Get to Know Albariño from Rias Baixas

With vibrant acidity, fresh fruit, and lots of oceanic and floral tones, Albariño is such a great wine for summer. And Spain’s Rias Baixas region is where to go to find the good stuff.

Located across the Miño River from Portugal, this coastal area of Galicia produces almost exclusively white wines. Albariño is king, with other local white varieties mixed in like Caino and Loureiro. I love the distinct oceanic elements (like sea breeze, sea salt and crushed shells) that I find in a lot of wines from this area. Tasting a good one makes me think of sitting by the ocean (my happy place) — and the price points make me happy as well.

Here in the States, I’ve seen a steadily increasing range of Rias Baixas wines. For years, the same few brands produced reliable, but not necessarily exciting wines. But I’m convinced that Rias Baixas Albariño can be far more than fun, relatively inexpensive summer whites. They can be “serious wines.”

Last week, I poured a bunch of wines, including three Rias Baixas Albariños, at a charity fundraising event. The crowd, with varying levels of wine knowledge, loved these crisp, zesty whites, and several people told me this would be there go-to grape when they want to branch out from drinking Sauvignon Blanc.

I recently received a bunch of Rias Baixas and found solid quality across the board, with a few standouts that far over-deliver for the price. These wines were received as samples and tasted single-blind.

2017 Terras Gauda Rías Baixas O Rosal - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, O Rosal 

SRP: $24
Rich yellow color. Gorgeous aromatics of sea breeze, salted almond, lemon curd, some creamy-deeper aromas of whipped honey and tropical flowers as well. Texture is lovely, there’s so much depth on the palate while the acid rips across the palate and keeps it fresh. Lime, orange pulp, tart green apple, lemon crème, the fruit is tossed with saline, mineral, some interesting raw olive and almond notes. Love the complexity here, and the balance, my favorite of the lot. This Albariño includes 20% Caino and 10% Loureiro. (92 points)

2017 Adegas Valmiñor Albariño - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, O Rosal
SRP: $19
Light yellow color. Nose shows orange blossoms, dandelion, along with lemon zest, pineapple, green apples. Bright and so focused with apricots and green apple fruit. Honeysuckle and slate notes, with a mineral-chalky finish. Depth is impressive. (88 points)

2017 Bodegas Altos de Torona Albariño - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, O Rosal
SRP: $20
Light yellow color with a slight fizz. Bright notes of sea spray, oyster shell, lemon-lime, pineapple. Crisp and loaded with oceanic and mineral notes, an intriguing texture with some punch to it. Orange peel, lemon zest, with oyster shell and breezy floral tones. This is complex, vibrant, lip-smacking stuff. (90 points)

2016 Adegas Galegas S.L. Albariño Don Pedro de Soutomaior - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, O Rosal
SRP: $19
Vibrant yellow. Nose of oranges and limes, green apple, cut floral stems, chalky, saline notes. Lovely precision, gorgeous acidity, rich textural depth, with apricots, melon rind, green apples. A salty, cut flower stem complexity, with salted almond and a unique candle wax note. Complex, interesting, dynamic. (90 points)

2017 Terra de Asorei Rías Baixas Nai e Señora - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, Val do Salnés
SRP: $16
Pale yellow color. Aromas of peaches and green apple, pineapple, sea breeze and yellow flowers. Bright and so zippy on the palate but there’s a real richness here as well. Tart lemon and pineapple fruit with a seawater and mountain stream combo that is really nice. (89 points)

2017 Adega Paco & Lola Albariño - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, Val do Salnés
SRP: $22
Pale yellow color. Nose of yellow flowers, dandelion, honeysuckle, apricot, white peaches, lime. Super zippy on the palate this is one of the saltiest ones (which I love), with sea salt and ocean spray on top of lemon and pineapple. Some underlying floral and mineral complexity. Balanced nicely, quite complex. (90 points)

2017 Pazo de Señoráns Albariño - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, Val do Salnés 

SRP: $25
Bright light yellow color. Aromas of guava, lemon-lime, with honeysuckle, white pepper, saline and chalk dust. Textural depth, zesty acidity, I love the complex saline, oyster shell, raw almond, sea breeze notes. Grapefruit, lime, nectarine fruit along with honey notes. The depth, balance and complexity here is really impressive – this one stood out strongly. (91 points)

2016 Adega Condes de Albarei Albariño - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, Val do Salnés
SRP: $15
Rich yellow color. Green apples and lemons on the nose with floral perfume and lots of sea salt. So crisp and lively on the palate on a medium-bodied frame. Tart green apples, lemons, some pineapple, along with cut flowers and sea spray. Pure and crisp and tart, but not simple, this sports significant depth and complexity. (89 points)

2017 Bodegas As Laxas Albariño - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, Condado do Tea
SRP: $18
Pale yellow color. Aromas of peaches, green apples and limes, along with sea spray and yellow flowers. Medium-bodied, clean and zesty, with green apples, apricots and lime. Notes of honeysuckle, lilies, sea salt, with a dry, mineral-infused finish. (87 points)

2017 Señorío de Rubiós Robalino - Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas, Condado do Tea
SRP: $18
Medium yellow color. Aromas of whipped honey, floral tea, more tropical and rich in its approach with pineapple and floral tea. Crisp acid frames the palate, but there’s some nice textural depth here. Pineapple, limes, orange zest, with notes of clean laundry, floral perfume, salty-airy notes, lingering mineral presence. Lovely complexity here. (90 points)


This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Delicious Value Wines from Spain's Navarra Region

A vineyard in the Spanish region of Navarra. Credit: Navarra US.

This week, I’m delving into a range of wines from the Spanish region of Navarra.

This region, which is located east of La Rioja, is only about 120 miles from north to south and 60 miles east to west, but it shows a wide range of soils and microclimates. With the Pyrenees Mountains to the north and the Bardenas Reales Desert to the south, the average vineyard in Navarra sits at about 1,300 feet in elevation. Navarra is home to a wide variety of both classic Spanish and international grape varieties.

Most of the wines in this report fall into that “bargain” range of $10-$15, but I found the quality and value to be very solid. These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2016 Bodega Inurrieta Sauvignon Blanc Orchidea - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $13
Light gold color. Super bright aromatics with lemons, ruby red grapefruit, some guava, honeysuckle, cut grass. Medium-bodied, slightly creamy with plump fruit (peaches, guava), but moderating acidity. Lots of cut flower stems, some honeyed tea, grass and oregano. Simple, delicious, summer- and salad-friendly stuff. (86 points)

2015 Bodegas Berceo Viura Mas de Berceo - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $15
Pale lemon color. Nose shows tart lime, green apple, saline and some white pepper and green grass. Medium-bodied, bright acidity, a lighter, steely style with flavors of lime, lemon and green pears. Notes of whipped honey and cut flower stems. Light, simple, pleasant wine made from the Viura grape. (85 points)

2015 Castillo de Monjardín Chardonnay El Cerezo Unoaked - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $12
Medium yellow color. Nose of honeyed tea, yellow apples, dandelions and nettle. Medium-bodied and clean with crisp acidity and plump fruit (peach, yellow apple, some lime juice on top). Notes of white and yellow flowers, some nougat and honey woven in but this is a tangy, lighter, shellfish-accompanying style of Chardonnay. (87 points)

2015 Camilo Castilla Muscat Rayo de Sol - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $15
Pale straw. Aromas of lychee, white table grapes, sweet floral perfume, tropical flowers. Round on the palate with sweet tropical fruit (papaya, pineapple, banana) and low acidity. A bit heavy but I could see many palates liking this. (82 points)

2016 Bodegas Ochoa Garnacha Calendas Rosado - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $15
Light watermelon color. Nose shows watermelon, white cherries, notes of cinnamon candy and nettle. Bold and juicy but very bright and crisp of white cherries, strawberries, watermelon, plump but tart fruit. Laced with honeysuckle, rose petal, raspberry leaf tea, honeyed notes. Some chalky mineral elements linger on the finish. So good for the price! (88 points)

2015 Castillo de Monjardín Garnacha La Cantera - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $15
Medium ruby colored. Nose of juicy red cherries, lots of spicy tobacco, pepper, sage and desert brush. Medium-bodied, light tannin, medium acidity, this is a fresh and easy-drinking wine but it shows lots of cherry fruit mixed with a fun mix of tobacco, sage, pepper, some sweeter cola and coffee notes. Lighter-styled for grill-outs and summer drinking. (86 points) 

2015 Bodegas Berceo Tempranillo Mas de Berceo - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $15
Deep ruby/light purple color. Nose shows tangy red and black plums with spicy pepper, sweet cola, leather. Medium+ bodied with light tannins and moderate acidity tangy red and black fruit but plenty of juicy ripeness. Soot, campfire, coffee and cola notes on the finish, drink now, this is a fun, delicious, grill-friendly Tempranillo at a solid price. (87 points)

2011 Bodegas Ochoa Tempranillo Crianza - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $23
Light purple color. Aromas of red plums, red and black cherries, tobacco smoke, charcoal and spicy pepper. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins, decent structure, medium acidity. Plenty of juicy red and black plums and cherries, mixed with notes of tobacco, charcoal, leather. Still a few years ahead but this would be good now with grilled meat and veg. (87 points)

N.V. Camilo Castilla Navarra Capricho de Goya - Spain, Navarra
SRP: $29/500ml
 An auburn/rich brown color. Nose of raisins, roasted figs, musk cologne, sweet cola, brown sugar, pepper. Full-bodied but sports moderate acidity (some volatile acidity) and moderate alcohol (16%), the sugar is balanced quite nicely. Roasted figs, candied apples, yellow raisin, mixed with pepper, root beer, caramelized sugar, a lot going on here. This shows tawny fortified notes mixed with Madeira-style acidity and baked elements, and the end result is delicious. A fortified, barrel-aged, Muscat-based wine. (90 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wine Reviews: International Grab Bag

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)

2016 Concha y Toro Rosé Casillero del Diablo - Chile

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)

2014 Bodegas San Valero Particular - Spain, Aragón, Cariñena

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)

2016 Arinzano Hacienda de Arinzan Rosé - Spain, Navarra, Arinzano

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

N.V. Le Grande Courtâge Grande Cuvee Blanc de Blancs Brut - France

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. 

N.V. Le Grand Courtage Grande Cuvee Brut Rose - France

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.