Brancatelli Valle Delle Stelle 2020- great Italian red but needs decanting!

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon- 89% with just a splash of Cabernet Franc- 11%. from Tuscany that is dominated by cherries with little room for a hint of floral and spices.

The palate is silky smooth (I must point out that I allowed 2-3 hours decanting) with tannins evident but not obtrusive. This is a puppy and will develop and improve over the next 10 years- out to 2035 without a problem.

Delightful layers of dark cherries, dark raspberries, and plums with secondary notes of blackberries, chocolate, and spices to round things out. Nice length on the finish with great balance, elegance, and depth.

Did I mention all the grapes are Estate grown and organic? Maybe, another reason to try this Tuscan offering. It will not disappoint, and neither will the price- around $28.

Pairings should include beef, baked or grilled lamb, game, braised meats, and mature cheeses. Meat pasta and Pepperoni Pizza should not be excluded.

Frankland Estate Isolation Ridge Riesling 2022 – exceptional drinking!

This is unlike any other Riesling you have tasted, certainly different from its cousins in Eden and Clare Valley but just as exciting and seductive. 

This walks a fine line between crisp acidity and a rich plush mouthfeel, but I am getting ahead of myself.

The nose presents immediate appeal with enticing aromas of honeysuckle, lime, and white peach, with just a hint of apple and mandarin. So much going on.

The palate is an elegant buffet with lime, pink grapefruit, apple, and white peach being served with side dishes of guava, herbs, a flintiness, and Parmesan rind. The mouthfeel is creamy with some size and personality- from 9 months on the lees no doubt.

There is an indefinable quality about this wine that makes it both a mystery and desirable.

Great balance and acidity with exceptional depth and complexity will ensure aging potential- 2035, and excellent length that draws you back in for another sip.

Pairings should include seafood, shellfish, chicken, and pork.

If any Oz Riesling is worthy of a 98 Pt rating (from Stuart Pigott- jamessuckling.com) it is this. I am becoming more and more convinced that Frankland River AVA is the place to look for quality Riesling in the future- watch out Clare and Eden Valley, the River is coming for you.

Two Great Italians I got to Hang out with this week.

Angelo Negro Onorata Lange Favorita 2022

This wine is sourced from the Langhe region in Piedmont, known as the Favorita del Roero- we know it as Vermentino.

Vibrant shimmering greenish-yellow hues with aromas of peach, citrus, honeysuckle, and pear issue an invitation to taste.

The palate is tight and focused with crisp mouthwatering acidity wrapped around delicate layers of citrus, peach, pear, and apricot with just a hint of green apple and orange peel.  

I would drink this in the next 2 – 3 years. It is meant to be drunk young and fresh.

Pairings should include seafood, scallops, shellfish, Vegetarian pasta, and pizza.  

Angelo Negro Angelin Lange Nebbiolo 2021

There are so many things I love about Nebbiolo: it is fun, it is versatile with food, and it is really easy to drink. Did I mention an amazing ruby red color in the glass? It kind of reminds me of wine you would drink in any local restaurant in Langhe, late in the afternoon.

The nose exudes delightful aromas of rose petals, raspberries, cherries, and blackberries.

The palate features loads of cherries and raspberries with hints of strawberries, earthy notes, leather, tobacco, and spices. Great balance with tannins evident but not obtrusive.

Cellar out to 2032 without a problem.

Pairings should include beef and lamb but definitely light enough for Chicken Cacciatore, Peking Duck, and Pork Tenderloins or Shanks, especially with a raspberry chipotle puree.   

Clos de Fafall Red Blend- Priorat 2021. A must try wine for early week drinking.

Located on gently rolling hills in the northeast of Spain, not far from the coast, this family-owned winery consists of only 7 hectares of old vines and focuses on estate-grown wines that are worthy of carrying the Priorat name. There is pride and commitment to making the best wines possible here.

The winery is located above old manganese mines, abandoned since the civil war, that they have brought back to life and used to store all their barrels for optimum aging conditions. You get a sense that tradition has been living here for a very long time.

This is a blend of Carignan, Grenache Noir, Syrah, and Cabernet with enticing aromas of plums, black currant, blackberries, and olives.

The first thing you notice is the depth and complexity with great balance and a smooth silky mouthfeel- tannins are evident but kept in check.

The palate rolls out layers of plums, rich fruit cake, raisins, blackberries, and chocolate stand in complete harmony with secondary notes of dark cherries, olives, balsamic, black pepper, and fresh herbs. The rich mouthfeel and long finish only add to its overall appeal.

It is still young, only 5 years old so I would recommend a few hours in a decanter.

Cellar time should extend up to 2035 to get the best from this wine. It is very reasonable in price so I would buy a case and drink a bottle a year until you run out. That will also give you excellent insight into the age-ability of this wine for future vintages. This is a wine to keep an eye on. 

Food pairings should include Beef, Lamb, Game, and Chicken. Upon saying that, eat what is grown and served locally. I can see sitting down to several Tapas dishes with a bottle or two of this and a few friends.

Two Wonderful Albarano’s

Tasting these two wines this week reminds me I’m still shocked this isn’t more popular and question why its ignored by most wine drinkers. If it wasn’t, it would be giving all other white wines a run for its money.

Montecillo Albariǹo 2022

Grapes are sourced from 40-year-old vines with, continuous battonage of the lees giving this the potential to cellar out with more depth and complexity.

White peach, floral, and citrus notes make an immediate impression.

The palate is elegant and delicate with impressive balance and freshness wrapped in an enticing mouthfeel. Rich fruits of peach, melon, and citrus notes balance excellent acidity making this a complete package. A long lingering finish makes you want to take another sip. An absolute delight to drink.

Cellar out to 2030 will reap rewards.

Food pairings should include grilled or fried fish, fish tapas, caviar, scallops, oysters, sushi, and tempura rolls: Chicken Piccata, roast chicken or turkey, crispy pork bellies, and Chinese lemon duck will also work well.

Alvinte Albariǹo 2021

The nose is a little restrained for my expectations with a splash of tropical fruit with a hint of citrus. Tropical flowers make an appearance later as it opens up.  

The palate is a whole different story with mouth-watering acidity that begs you to take a sip. Delicious layers of honeysuckle, peach, and melon with a hint of tangerine that finishes this off perfectly. Lovely complexity and balance are a definite plus.

It is hard to imagine why this varietal is not more popular- a delight to drink.

Cellar out to 2028.

Food pairings should include grilled or fried fish, fish tapas, caviar, scallops, oysters, sushi, and tempura rolls: Chicken Piccata, roast turkey, crispy pork bellies, and Chinese lemon duck will also work well.

Thomas Goss McClaren Vale Shiraz 2010 – big, bold, and opulent!  From the Cellar.

Ben Riggs, winemaker extraordinaire, made this from grapes sourced from McLaren Vale with some coming from the original Thomas Goss Vineyard established in 1849.

Ben recommends this wine be best enjoyed over the next 7 years- that puts it 7 years ago in 2017- see back label. I think he was a little conservative.

This is holding up so well it is ridiculous- rich blackberries and ripe dark cherries dominate the nose with just a hint of vanilla and plum. The palate is rich and lavish, with impressive layers of blackberry jam, dark cherries, and plum, with secondary notes of chocolate, vanilla, black raspberries with just a smattering of blueberries and spices- mainly white pepper.

Soft velvety mouthfeel with excellent balance with deceptive depth and complexity. This drinks way beyond its original price tag of around $12 and 90 pt rating. This could just be the best value Shiraz out of McLaren Vale in decades. Tannins are evident but in balance with just a hint of sweetness on the middle palate.

This absolutely over delivers, good luck finding a bottle but if you do- cheers and enjoy, and please let me know what you think.

Pairings should include red meat, red meat, and red meat, in whatever dish you enjoy most. From the grill, pasta, and pizza would work well.  

Cellar time, somewhere in the range of 3-5 years.  

Yalumba Virgilius Viognier 2016 – one of my favorites.

Seductive aromas of fields of wild flowers mixed with honey, melon, and ginger draw you in.

The palate reeks of elegance and finesse with an exceptionally smooth rich mouthfeel, wonderful texture and impressive depth and complexity. Seamless layers of honey, ginger, dried apricots, melon, and almonds with just a hint of stoney flint and spices on the finish.

This is such a complete wine with eight years in the cellar bringing everything together with focus and precision.

I reviewed the 2019 a few years ago, and while it was very impressive and considered a marginally better vintage, the years of aging has only benefited the 2016 vintage. An absolute delight to drink.

All the hallmarks of a classic Viognier that stands head and shoulders above the rest- it doesn’t get much better than this- one of my all-time favorites.  

Pairings should include Salmon, grilled chicken, Turkey, Pork, Lobster, Crab and Prawns as well as spicy Indian Chicken and Goat Dishes.

Chappellet Chenin Blanc 2017 – From the Cellar.

I have had this in my cellar for a while, waiting for the exact right moment. I decided this afternoon was the right time. This is my first time drinking this wine from this Iconic Winery.

Delightful aromas of Myers lemon, white peach, jasmine, and minerality escape from the glass enticing you to take a sip.

The palate features lively acidity, impressive minerality, and a fresh clean mouthfeel that shows both depth and complexity combined with delicacy and elegance. Intertwined layers of apple, lemon, lychee, white peach, and hints of tropical fruits that seem like an afterthought in the grand scheme of things.

This is an impressive wine and despite being 7 years old, it is holding up beautifully. Grab some if you ever see it- you will not be disappointed.

It is all Chenin Blanc but with a Napa twist. Not as rich and oily as some of the Vouvray offerings and is more delicate and subtle than the South African offerings.

I would be guessing but I think this has at least another 5 or so years- say to 2030.

Pairings should include lighter seafood dishes such as oysters, shrimp, grilled fish, grilled chicken, and Salade Niçoise with tuna.

If you are a fan of Assyrtiko, or Clare Valley Dry Riesling, this is a must-try.

Leviathan Red Wine 2021- Andy Erickson Does it Again!

Andy Erickson is the founder and winemaker for this impressive blend and is considered by many to be one of the finest winemakers in Napa. His resume is a list of who’s who including Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Staglin, Dalla Valle, Ovid, and Favia- an up-and-coming winery owned by his wife, in Coombsville. This is the most southern Napa AVA and the 16th to be formally recognized in 2011.

Andy and his team meticulously hand-pick vineyard sites across Napa with the aim of what will the site contribute to the blend and how will it improve the overall result. This vintage is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Merlot, 10% Petite Sirah, 6% Syrah, 6% Petit Verdot, and 3% Cabernet Franc.

Lots of cherries, raspberries, and spices on the nose with just a hint of chocolate.

The palate is big, rich, and welcoming with seamless layers of Blackberry jam, Plum, and Dark Raspberries with secondary notes of Blueberries and Dark Chocolate. Impressive balance, silky smooth mouthfeel, and elegant with a long finish.

What you have is Andy Erickson’s fine-tuning and his magic touch at about a tenth to a twentieth of the price of the other wines he makes.

This will cellar out to 2030 and beyond. Upon saying that, there is a youthful exuberance I would not want to see you miss out on if you leave it too long.

Pairings should include red meat in your favorite dish or straight from the grill, especially with herbs. Pasta with meatballs, Lamb Skewers, Meat lovers Pizza, Roasted Chicken with herbs, Chicken Cacciatore with mushrooms and peppers added.

From the Cellar- Quintessa 2016.

Quintessa 2016

A generous pour into a glass will reveal stunning deep purple almost black in color, shimmering in the glass. Seductive aromas of fresh blackberries, crème of cassis, blueberries, dark cherries, cigar box and rich earth pours from the glass. Elegance, refinement, and sophistication exude from the glass establishing boundaries of expectation.

One sip will reveal that your expectations have been met and exceeded. Exceptional balance is immediately apparent.

Seamless layers of dark and red fruits sweep you away to the rows of vines in Rutherford at dusk, with the legendary ‘Rutherford Dust’ gently cradling the whole experience. There is subdued power sitting between the layers of fruits with hints of vanilla, red raspberries, dark chocolate, spices, with just a hint of truffles completes this wine.

Silky smooth, velvet mouthfeel from start to finish, frames a richness with impressive depth and complexity. Add 8 years of bottle aging to temper the tannins and you have a complete package to drink now, with a few hours of decanting, or be patient, and watch it develop over the next decade or two.

Did I mention small amounts of Carménère and Petit Verdot were added to complete the blend, making it a ‘Bordeaux Blend’ from Napa.

Most definitely lives up to the 98-point rating from James Suckling.

Food Pairings should be worthy of this exceptional wine. Seek out the finest cut of red meat you can find: Japanese Kobe beef, Japanese Wagyu beef, American Wagyu beef, Tomahawk Steak (bone-in rib eye), and filet mignon would all be excellent choices.