P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt balanced by a spritzy, tangy acidity which pretty much extends through the LONG (albeit very slightly faint), tangy finish. Drink NOW, though MAY make it through '18. 9.5% ABV; My G+, poss VG-. [This vendor's (close out?) $6.99 is literally *1/2* the price for the 1 vendor currently shown on wine-searcher!]
100% Torrontés grown at more than a mile above sea level; 14.0% ABV, 1.94 g/L R.S., 3.30 pH, & 5.99 g/L; 6,100 cases.
N: Minerals with notes of grass, poss flowers
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by a grapefrty acidity which definitely dominates into & through the LONG, grapefrty, bitterish finish which ULT softens. Might improve over the next 6 mos or so, then drink through '20? My VG-, more IF it softens. [This vendor's $12.99 beats the only currently listed wine-searcher entry by $2.]
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with SWTISH frt (definite R.S. > threshold) adequately balanced by acidity which transitions into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with HINTS of Gt's (typical) varietal bitterness. NICELY done in its syle, this should drink through '19 without problem. 11.9% ABV; My VG/VG+. [This vendor's $11.99 is $3 < the only currently listed wine-searcher source.]
Croatia, Dalmatia, Srednja i južna Dalmacija, Pelješac
According to Wikipedia, this varietal is a cross between Zin & an ancient Croatian var "...not commonly found on its own."
Dry farmed 100% Plavac Mali grown in very rugged, mostly red soil with clay stones, hand-harvested, de-stemmed, fermented in open vats, aged for 5 mos in s/s (inox) tanks, coarsely filtered, then aged an additional 2 mos in bottles before release; 12.7% ABV, 6 g/L T.A., & 2 g/L R.S.
N: Berries, some earth?
P: LM body; NICE frt met by some astringent structure which does SOMEWHAT resolve by the LONG, very, VERY slightly spicy, still puckerishly astringent finish. NEEDS into Spring '19, I'm guessing. My VG-, poss higher IF the astringency resolves. [While I can't find anything with which to compare this vendor's $15.99, I'm struck that there are so many SURER bets out there for that or less.] :(
P: L, poss LM, body; NICE frt met by astringent pucker which pretty much extends into the LONG finish of the same nature, yet with balance & hints of swtness. NEEDS into EARLY '20, then 4 yrs more? 13.5% ABV; My VG/VG+. [This vendor's $15.99 is at the top of wine-searcher's current class.]
70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, & 15% Merlot/C.S from a 10 hectares plot in Falset with sandy gravel from degraded granite; 60% of the wine was aged for 16 mos in different wood barrels from 300L up to 4000L + little clay amphorae, the remaining 40% in concrete tanks.
N: Berries slightly atop minerals
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE frt met by a puckerish astringency which slowly, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly puckerish/astringent finish which ult shows signs of swtness to come. Deserves/NEEDS into '20, then drinking for ~4 yrs more. Shows GOOD potential for such a price pt! 14.5% ABV; My VG+, poss EXC-. [This vendor's $18.99 puts it in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's currently fairly limited listings.]
From the Adelaida District's Alta Colina Vyd, it's "...the only site we work with that is planted to primarily silicious soil rather than the limestone that is so prevalent in the area. Silicious soils yield wines with chewier textures and umami characteristics. Fermented 100% whole cluster in 1.5 ton open top bins and aged in neutral barrels for 14 mos."
N: Slightly closed; Intriguing melding of berries, minerals, & pyrazines
P: Med, poss LM, body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by a PUCKERISH astringency which somewhat mitigates by the LONG, tangy, bitterswt finish, the swtness of which gains over time. NEEDS into Summer of '19, then into if not through '22. 15.0% ABV; My VG/VG+. 93 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Purely Domestic Wine Report, 90+ WA, & 89 Vinous. [This vendor's $34.99 MAY be the only source outside of the winery's $55.]
70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, & 5% Syrah from "...Olsen Brothers Vyd, yielding 2.3 tons per acre, & located on the NW bend of the Yakima River as it turns N at Red Mountain. The elevation averages about 1000 ft, and the soils are sandy with broken basalt." "100% whole cluster pressed, 31 days on skins; 50% neutral Fr puncheons, & 18 months barrel-aged on lees." 5.0 g/L T.A., 3.94 pH, & 14.5% ABV.
N: Berries, forest floor, poss Brett?
P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by a PUCKERISH astringency which loses ALMOST all of its astringency by the LONG, balanced, very, VERY slightly dustily tannic finish with a tangy/swtness ult coloring the tannins. DESERVES/needs into Spring '19, then for 4 yrs more? My VG+/EXC-. 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 93 WS, 92 WE @ $45, & 90 Vinous. [This vendor's $34.99 is as good as anyone currently listed on wine-searcher.]
From vyds (planted 1935 & 1970) @ an altitude of 650-750 meters with dry & shallow soils, poor in organic matter, & full of rocks from the limestone; Aged for 14 mos in FR oak.
N: Closed; earth, berries, seems ripe
P: Med body; RNDISY entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by a puckerish ASTRINGENCY which slowly, only somewhat resolves by the LONG, tangy/astringent finish yet with the initial frt substrate. NEEDS into Summer '19, then drinking for 3 yrs more? 15% ABV; My VG-/VG. 93 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 92 WS & #17/Top 100 for 2017, 91 Vinous, and 90 goodcheapvino.com . [This vendor's $12.99 is within pennies of being AS good as any currently listed on wine-searcher.]
100% Malbec from "older" vines up to 70 years old yielding 3.1 tons/acre; 14.9% ABV, 2.90 g/L R.S., 5.13 g/L T.A., & 3.65 pH.
N; Closed; berries, smoke, prob ripe?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with nice, almost swtish frt counterbalanced by tangy, almost dusty tannins which never lose the initial swtness as it transitions into the LONG, pleasant finish with a tangy/swtness to those dusty tannins. For now (with food), but DESERVES into if not through Fall '18, then drinking for 3 yrs more. My VG/VG+. [This vendor's $17.99 is $1 > than the lowest of wine-searcher's current listings.]
2015 Herdade do Rocim Vinho Verde
Portugal
Too cold.
N: Closed; grapefrt, minerals
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish frt balanced by a spritzy, tangy acidity which pretty much extends through the LONG (albeit very slightly faint), tangy finish. Drink NOW, though MAY make it through '18. 9.5% ABV; My G+, poss VG-. [This vendor's (close out?) $6.99 is literally *1/2* the price for the 1 vendor currently shown on wine-searcher!]
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2016 Loscano Torrontés Private Reserve
Argentina, Mendoza, Valle de Uco, Tupungato
Too cold
100% Torrontés grown at more than a mile above sea level; 14.0% ABV, 1.94 g/L R.S., 3.30 pH, & 5.99 g/L; 6,100 cases.
N: Minerals with notes of grass, poss flowers
P: Med body; RNDISH entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by a grapefrty acidity which definitely dominates into & through the LONG, grapefrty, bitterish finish which ULT softens. Might improve over the next 6 mos or so, then drink through '20? My VG-, more IF it softens. [This vendor's $12.99 beats the only currently listed wine-searcher entry by $2.]
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2017 Field Recordings Wine Hock
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
Too cold.
50% Gewurztraminer, 35% Pinot Gris, & 15% Riesling
N: Intense Gewurz-like flowers & spice
P: Med, poss MF, body; RNDISH entry with SWTISH frt (definite R.S. > threshold) adequately balanced by acidity which transitions into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with HINTS of Gt's (typical) varietal bitterness. NICELY done in its syle, this should drink through '19 without problem. 11.9% ABV; My VG/VG+. [This vendor's $11.99 is $3 < the only currently listed wine-searcher source.]
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2016 Bura Estate Vintner Plavac Mali
Croatia, Dalmatia, Srednja i južna Dalmacija, Pelješac
According to Wikipedia, this varietal is a cross between Zin & an ancient Croatian var "...not commonly found on its own."
Dry farmed 100% Plavac Mali grown in very rugged, mostly red soil with clay stones, hand-harvested, de-stemmed, fermented in open vats, aged for 5 mos in s/s (inox) tanks, coarsely filtered, then aged an additional 2 mos in bottles before release; 12.7% ABV, 6 g/L T.A., & 2 g/L R.S.
N: Berries, some earth?
P: LM body; NICE frt met by some astringent structure which does SOMEWHAT resolve by the LONG, very, VERY slightly spicy, still puckerishly astringent finish. NEEDS into Spring '19, I'm guessing. My VG-, poss higher IF the astringency resolves. [While I can't find anything with which to compare this vendor's $15.99, I'm struck that there are so many SURER bets out there for that or less.] :(
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2016 Raul Pérez Bierzo
Spain, Castilla y León, Bierzo
N: Berries with herbaceous notes, poss smoke?
P: L, poss LM, body; NICE frt met by astringent pucker which pretty much extends into the LONG finish of the same nature, yet with balance & hints of swtness. NEEDS into EARLY '20, then 4 yrs more? 13.5% ABV; My VG/VG+. [This vendor's $15.99 is at the top of wine-searcher's current class.]
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2015 Venus La Universal Montsant Dido
Spain, Catalunya, Tarragona, Montsant
70% Grenache, 15% Syrah, & 15% Merlot/C.S from a 10 hectares plot in Falset with sandy gravel from degraded granite; 60% of the wine was aged for 16 mos in different wood barrels from 300L up to 4000L + little clay amphorae, the remaining 40% in concrete tanks.
N: Berries slightly atop minerals
P: Med, poss LM, body; NICE frt met by a puckerish astringency which slowly, fairly seamlessly morphs into a LONG, VERY slightly puckerish/astringent finish which ult shows signs of swtness to come. Deserves/NEEDS into '20, then drinking for ~4 yrs more. Shows GOOD potential for such a price pt! 14.5% ABV; My VG+, poss EXC-. [This vendor's $18.99 puts it in the top 1/2 of wine-searcher's currently fairly limited listings.]
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2015 Paix Sur Terre Mourvèdre Comes A Time Alta Colina Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles
From the Adelaida District's Alta Colina Vyd, it's "...the only site we work with that is planted to primarily silicious soil rather than the limestone that is so prevalent in the area. Silicious soils yield wines with chewier textures and umami characteristics. Fermented 100% whole cluster in 1.5 ton open top bins and aged in neutral barrels for 14 mos."
N: Slightly closed; Intriguing melding of berries, minerals, & pyrazines
P: Med, poss LM, body; Nice, ALMOST swtish frt met by a PUCKERISH astringency which somewhat mitigates by the LONG, tangy, bitterswt finish, the swtness of which gains over time. NEEDS into Summer of '19, then into if not through '22. 15.0% ABV; My VG/VG+. 93 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 92 Purely Domestic Wine Report, 90+ WA, & 89 Vinous. [This vendor's $34.99 MAY be the only source outside of the winery's $55.]
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2014 B. Leighton Gratitude Olsen Brothers Vineyard
USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley
70% Mourvèdre, 25% Grenache, & 5% Syrah from "...Olsen Brothers Vyd, yielding 2.3 tons per acre, & located on the NW bend of the Yakima River as it turns N at Red Mountain. The elevation averages about 1000 ft, and the soils are sandy with broken basalt." "100% whole cluster pressed, 31 days on skins; 50% neutral Fr puncheons, & 18 months barrel-aged on lees." 5.0 g/L T.A., 3.94 pH, & 14.5% ABV.
N: Berries, forest floor, poss Brett?
P: LM body; NICE, almost swtish frt met by a PUCKERISH astringency which loses ALMOST all of its astringency by the LONG, balanced, very, VERY slightly dustily tannic finish with a tangy/swtness ult coloring the tannins. DESERVES/needs into Spring '19, then for 4 yrs more? My VG+/EXC-. 94 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 93 WS, 92 WE @ $45, & 90 Vinous. [This vendor's $34.99 is as good as anyone currently listed on wine-searcher.]
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2015 Bodegas Volver Monastrell Tarima Hill Old Vines
Spain, Valencia, Alicante
From vyds (planted 1935 & 1970) @ an altitude of 650-750 meters with dry & shallow soils, poor in organic matter, & full of rocks from the limestone; Aged for 14 mos in FR oak.
N: Closed; earth, berries, seems ripe
P: Med body; RNDISY entry with NICE, almost swtish frt met by a puckerish ASTRINGENCY which slowly, only somewhat resolves by the LONG, tangy/astringent finish yet with the initial frt substrate. NEEDS into Summer '19, then drinking for 3 yrs more? 15% ABV; My VG-/VG. 93 pts Jeb Dunnuck, 92 WS & #17/Top 100 for 2017, 91 Vinous, and 90 goodcheapvino.com . [This vendor's $12.99 is within pennies of being AS good as any currently listed on wine-searcher.]
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2015 Loscano Malbec Grand Reserve
Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
100% Malbec from "older" vines up to 70 years old yielding 3.1 tons/acre; 14.9% ABV, 2.90 g/L R.S., 5.13 g/L T.A., & 3.65 pH.
N; Closed; berries, smoke, prob ripe?
P: Med body; Rndish entry with nice, almost swtish frt counterbalanced by tangy, almost dusty tannins which never lose the initial swtness as it transitions into the LONG, pleasant finish with a tangy/swtness to those dusty tannins. For now (with food), but DESERVES into if not through Fall '18, then drinking for 3 yrs more. My VG/VG+. [This vendor's $17.99 is $1 > than the lowest of wine-searcher's current listings.]
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