Category: WIne Blog

Origin:  Vino de la Tierra de Castilla application, Spain

Grape:  White Blend of 90% Airen and 10% Macabeo

Year:  2017

Alcohol:  12%

Price point:  $10

Year Reviewed:  2018

By now you know I love to learn about grapes that are less heard of but by no means not grown plentiful in Spain.  This white blend consists of Airen and Macaebo.  So what do we know about those varietals. 

Airén is a variety of Vitis vinifera, a white grape commonly used in winemaking. This grape is native to Spain where it represents about 30% of all grapes grown. As of 2010, Airén was estimated to be the world’s 3rd most grown grape variety in terms of planted surface, at 252,000 hectares, down from 306,000 hectares in 2004, where it held 1st place, although it is almost exclusively found in Spain,   predominantly in the Spanish regions of south, central and some parts of western Spain as well.  

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airén

Airén is best consumed as fresh as possible. Airén is widely planted in the La Mancha region of Spain. New wine-making techniques of stainless steel and cold-soak fermentation have made it a little more palatable, but most is still used as either a blending grape to lighten heavy reds or in the production of Brandy de Jerez.

www.winegeeks.com/grapes/154

Airen traditionally used for making Brandy. 

Macabeo, also called Viura or Macabeu (Catalan: [məkəˈβew], French: ) is a white variety of wine grape. It is widely grown in the Rioja region of northeastern Spain , the Cava producing areas south of Barcelona , and the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macabeo

Macabeo is best consumed young. Besides Cava the best examples of Macabeo come from Rioja, where it is known as Viura, and now makes up 90% of white wine production in that area. It can also be found in large quantities in southern France, particularly in the Languedoc area where it is usually blended with Grenache Blanc.

www.winegeeks.com/grapes/56

For Protocolo, the soil is filled with clay and contains a high limestone content.  Vines are planted on trellises with no fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides on the grapes, hence the grapes can be labelled ‘organic grapes.’   The grapes undergo a short cold maceration and are pressed and placed in stainless steel vessels.  The cold fermentation process helps to retain aromatics of the Macebeo grape.   This wine making process does introduce sulfites.

On the nose, a light fragrant tart lemony smell but clean.

The palate will give you some tartness upfront, yet light bodied and refreshing.  Reminds me of when you are making apple pie with tarter apples and you put them in cold water with lemon to keep the apples from turning brown.  This light lemon flavored apple slice reminds me of the tastes I experience with this wine.   Try pairing with Swiss cheese to bring out the butteryness of both the wine and the cheese.  Glad I found this interesting, moderately priced, refreshing young blend.  Nice with light snacks, starting your party off with some light cheese and cracker appetizers or just enjoying some summertime on the deck.

Origin:  Western Cape, South Africa

Grape:  Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Petit Verdot

Year:  2014

Alcohol:  14%

Price point:  $12

Year Reviewed:  2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stumbled on this gem at a summer wine tasting event.    A bit hazy with a ruby color with slight orange tints.  Medium intensity on the eyes with the nose giving pleasurable aromas of medium intensities of spice, oak, wet leaves, vegetal, mocha and cedar.  Robust flavors of blueberry, strawberry, cherry spice, (a tobacco cherry pipe flavor), black pepper, and chocolate.  Also flavors mulling around of honey and mocha.  Tons of flavors erupt in this interesting blend, which gives it a nice maturity.  Sweetness is off dry, with very low acidity and medium tannins.  This wine ends with a strong long finish with tingling on the tip of your tongue.  So unique and enjoyable.  Pair with beef, lamb, spicy food, hard cheese or even a heavier pasta dish.  This wine opens up well and after an hour, rounds itself out a bit.

 

 

 

 

 

Origin: Dunnigan Hills, near Yolo County, CA

Grape: 51%  Tempranillo, 39% Tannat, 10% Verdejo

Year: 2016

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price point: $13

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

51% Tempranillo in a Rose catches my attention on the get go. I love the Tempranillo grape, so what will that bring out in a Rose??   The Tinto Rey Rose is a clear medium salmon colored wine with lighter aromas of strawberries and raspberries.  These Matchbox estate grown grapes are a unique blend that has flavors of sour cherries and ripened watermelon, and the acidity leaves a noticeable gentle tingle on your tongue. This crispness is perfect for a warm to hot summer day.  The medium finish smooths out after a bit with a pleasant touch of sourness lingering. The wine was made by fermenting all three varietals together and then cold fermented in stainless steel. Very good quality and some conversation about some not well known grapes.

So why is Dunnigan Hills a great AVA?

Origin: Dunnigan Hills, near Yolo County, CA

Grape: 51%  Tempranillo, 39% Tannat, 10% Verdejo

Year: 2016

Alcohol: 13.5%

Price point: $13

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

51% Tempranillo in a Rose catches my attention on the get go. I love the Tempranillo grape, so what will that bring out in a Rose??   The Tinto Rey Rose is a clear medium salmon colored wine with lighter aromas of strawberries and raspberries.  These Matchbox estate grown grapes are a unique blend that has flavors of sour cherries and ripened watermelon, and the acidity leaves a noticeable gentle tingle on your tongue. This crispness is perfect for a warm to hot summer day.  The medium finish smooths out after a bit with a pleasant touch of sourness lingering. The wine was made by fermenting all three varietals together and then cold fermented in stainless steel. Very good quality and some conversation about some not well known grapes.  Check out Tannat below and get educated.  Matchbox estates makes a bunch of wines, so try them out also.

Why is Dunnigan Hills such a great AVA?

The Dunnigan Hills AVA is an American Viticultural Area located in the Dunnigan Hills, in Yolo County, California.^[3] Located in the northwest portion of Yolo County, the wine region has a Mediterranean climate that is less prone to frost than other parts of the Sacramento Valley. The largest winery in the Dunnigan Hills is R.H. Phillips, which has a 1,300 acres (526 ha) estate vineyard.^[3]

Dunnigan Hills AVA
Wine region
Type	American Viticultural Area
Year established	1993[1]
Country	United States
Part of	California
Total area	89,000 acres (36,017 ha)[2]
Grapes produced	Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Sauvignon blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier [3]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunnigan_Hills_AVA#cite_note-appellation_america-3

 

 

ABOUT TANNAT

The Tannat grape finds its main home in the Madiran AOP in Southwest France. There, it is used to make full-bodied, rustic and brambly reds, according to our Tannat Wine Reviews. Over the last several decades, Tannat has broadened its horizons and is now grown and vinified in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Italy, Peru, Uruguay and the US. In fact, it has become the most prominent and widely grown varietal in Uruguay and is used in every style from fortified reds to sweet rosés. However, in examining our Tannat Wine Ratings, it is the dry red wine style of Tannat that is held in the highest regard. Depending on where the wine is made and the amount of oak aging it receives, these reds can range from big and tannic with raspberry aromas (typical in France) to elegant yet powerful with blackberry fruit flavors (typical in Uruguay). To find out more about the top rated wines and top value selections, be sure to take a look through our Tannat Online Buying Guide.

https://www.winemag.com/varietals/tannat/

ABOUT VERDEJO

– Verdejo (“Vurr-day-ho”) is an uncommon, light-bodied white wine that grows almost exclusively in Spain. The wine is an outstanding alternative to wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio, with surprising changes in flavors coming with age.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin:  Napa Valley, CA

Grape: 75% Syrah and 25% Zinfandel

Year: 2016

Alcohol: 14.1%

Price point: $17

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

 

Found this interesting wine at a summer wine tasting event. Just a bit hazy medium red ruby wine.  On the nose, it present with a clean, medium intensity interesting aroma of a bunch of unique aromas.  I found it unlike anything else I have smelled.  I get a mix of flora, violets or lavender, almost like a lovely cologne and then some spices with that.

 

This wine presents as off dry, lower acidity, tannins are pungent rich to medium, but not overwhelming. Flavors of red cherry, black cherry, mocha and spice are just a unique experience….you have to try this to understand what I mean here.  I cannot say I have ever had a Syrah and Zinfandel blend, just by themselves.   Have you? The finish is quite beautifully long and stays on your tongue and the teeth and upper lip for some time.  Outstanding quality and unique wine.   Will purchase again.

 

 

Origin:  Mendoza, AR

Grape:  Malbec 40%, Merlot, 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon, 30%

Year: 2013

Alcohol: 14.5%

Price point: $20

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

Have you heard of Bodega Norton? You should have.  Sir Edmund James Palmer Norton (1865-1944) was the pioneer of Mendoza viticulture.  Here is some informative data on Norton’s history and who now owns the bodega:

 

 

Transandine Railway[edit]

After graduating with a degree in engineering his expertise in building railway bridges was requested to help build the Transandine Railway which connected the Argentine railroad from Mendoza to Santiago, Chile. This line, climbing through the Andes through a 12,000-foot pass, was built in one of the most difficult railroad terrains in the world.^[2] Though the railway has not been functional since 1984, in 2006, both the Argentine and Chilean governments agreed to refurbish the railway and make it functional by the year 2010, at an estimated total cost of US$460 million.

Argentine viticulture[edit]

Once his work on the railway was completed, he moved to Bahía Blanca before returning to Mendoza in 1889 to settle permanently. Though his formal training was in designing railway bridges, he soon sought other opportunities. In 1895 he founded the very first winery in the area, Bodega Norton, located to the south of the Mendoza River in the district of Perdriel, in the department of Luján de Cuyo. Norton recognized the Mendoza region’s potential for wine cultivation and production, and planted grapes with vines imported from France. He devoted the rest of his life to winemaking. He married Juana Suarez and had several children, some of whom continued the family business.^[3]

Bodega Norton[edit]

In 1989, Bodega Norton was acquired by Austrian entrepreneur Gernot Langes–Swarovski, owner of Swarovski Crystal Company.^[4] Bodega Norton now exports over 1.5 million cases annually.^[5]

References[edit]

1. Jump up^Fischer, Richard (2006, April 19). Globalization and the Latin Perspective. Retrieved October 24, 2008, from http://www.dallasfed.org/news/speeches/fisher/2006/fs060419.html
2. Jump up^Schreiner, John (2008, April 13). Travels in Argentina Wine Country: Bodega Norton. Plan It, British Columbia. Retrieved October 24, 2008 from http://www.planitbc.com/Articles/article241-BodegaNorton.html
3. Jump up^Bodega Norton. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2008, from http://www.sawineco.com/vineyard.cfm?preview=96tml
4. Jump up^Bodega Norton. (n.d.). Retrieved October 23, 2008 from http://www.norton.com.ar/english/origin.htm
5. Jump up^Molesworth, James (2007, November 29). A Sit Down With Bodega Norton. Wine Spectator Retrieved October 23, 2008 from http://www.winespectator.com/Wine/Blogs/Blog_Detail/0,4211,1541,00.html

This clean medium garnet presents aromas of plum, white and red pepper and vegetals. I also get some medicinal or eucalyptus aromas and did some research on why many wines I have been opening have hints of this.  Wines that give the medicinal, minty or eucalyptus aromas are usually wines that are higher in alcohol content or truly the vineyards are near eucalyptus trees….Interesting.

On the palate, you will receive a well-blended dry, medium acidity wine with only medium tannins. The body holds its own as medium with flavors erupting of black cherry, plum and red pepper with spices. The wine rounds out with a long finish and the quality is very good.  Norton continues to be a leader in his category of wines.

 

 

Origin:  Columbia Valley, Washington State

Grape:  Syrah, Merlot and Petit Syrah

Year: NV

Alcohol: 15%

Price point: $18

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

Check out my longer article on Dave Phinney’s location wines.   I am in love with this one from Columbia Valley.  I get why it has been rated 95 points by many folks.  This clear deep garnet blend is aged in French and American oak.  Dave found the best of the region, as usual, and has stated that he wanted to get folks interested in the best wines of each region to get folks to experience the grapes of each region.  On the nose, this wine is clean and pronounced with subtle aromas of menthol and eucalyptus and can be an indication that the wine is higher in alcohol or eucalyptus trees are planted near the vineyards.  On the palate this is off dry, with flavors of forest floor, pepper after notes, dark fruit, dark chocolate covered blueberries and cherry.

 

Pair this with blue cheese BBQ, short camembert cheese. This is a silky, slightly tannic velvety blend that goes down quite easy. A long luscious finish that will stain your teeth and tongue quite purple.  Outstanding quality from this region and Dave Phinney lands it again…….what an amazing wine maker!

 

Origin:  Piemonte, Italy

Grape:  Barbera

Year: 2016

Alcohol: 13%

Price point: $10

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

 

Barbera is a dark-skinned wine grape variety found in several Italian wine regions, including its native Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna, Puglia, Campania and even the island regions, Sicily and Sardinia. At the turn of the 21st Century, it was Italy’s third most-commonly planted red wine grape, after Sangiovese.

https://www.wine-searcher.com

 

The Piedmont (Piemonte) regions sits in northwest Italy and is home of the most DOCG wines out of any other Italian wine regions. This particular wine has been increasing in popularly and look at the price point. Ratings on this wine have been around 87-89 points by various critics.  I found this wine indicative of a Barbera.

 

On the eyes, there is a clear (with just a bit of blur) medium Ruby color. The aromas, upon opening are truly of those red fruits snacks you packed in your children’s lunch boxes, blending with black cherry, spice and a minor nutty smell.  I also did pick up the earthy and barnyard smells. On the palate, lots of red tart cherry flavors with an off dry sweetness, medium acidity and lower tannins than I anticipated for this region.  Flavors of a tart cherry tart are forward, rounding out more upon consumption.  The finish leaves you puckering a bit with cherry flavors surrounding your inner cheeks.  Quality—good.

Origin:  Paso Robles, CA

Grape:  Cabernet Sauvignon

Year: 2016

Alcohol: 13.9%

Price point: $24

Year Reviewed: 2018

Note: (Apologizes for the blurry picture.  Must get a new phone soon and will retake and replace.)

 

This clear deep garnet wine gives aromas of eucalyptus, mint, black cherry and black currant with bits of vegetal essence.   This well-structured, and fully integrated wine was tight when I opened it up, but once it got some air, was simply amazing.  Right upon opening, flavors of animal, meaty and leather where on top of some herbal notes.  After being opened ½ of an hour, it was not as harsh and began almost velvety, smooth with the tannins rounded out.  Other flavors of black plum and almost a sweet and sour red fruit seems to blossom.   Sweetness was off dry with low acidity, well integrated medium tannins and a medium body to this wine appeared in the glass. This wine had a medium finish but I would rate the quality of outstanding.  Let this wine open up and get some air to really bring out its beautiful character.  Decant or open 1 hour before serving.  Incidentally, tried this wine one day later (after keeping it in the wine refrigerator) and it was still quite amazing.  Serve this wine to impress those cabernet lovers.  Serve with heavy red pasta dishes, prime rib, steak or even ribs.  I will purchase this one again.

 

 

 

 

Origin:  Burgenland, Austria

Grape:  80% Zweigelt, 15% Blaufrankisch, 5% Sankt Laurent

Year: 2015

Alcohol: 12.5

Price point: $15

Year Reviewed: 2018

 

 

Step out of your comfort zone with your usual varietals…Take a look at the above blend of grapes…..go to the wild side. This wine captured my interest as it was a blend of Austria’s 2 staple grape varietals….

 

The creation of the Zweigelt variety in the 1920’s by Professor Fritz Zweigelt, a crossing between Blaufränkisch and St. Laurent, only really gained recognition after the Second World War. Nowadays, Zweigelt is the most widespread red wine variety in Austria and can be found in suitable sites in all wine-producing regions.

 

 

https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/zweigelt/

 

 

he Blaufränkisch is a thoroughly central European variety. This traditional Austrian variety is a cross between Blauer Zimmettraube and Weißer Heunisch. Blaufränkisch was previously widely-planted throughout the Habsburg Monachy,

 

https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/blaufraenkisch/

 

 

 

 

 

The high quality St. Laurent variety belongs to the Pinot family, and the synonym Pinot St. Laurent suggests a pinot seedling. In the course of a more quality orientated thinking in recent years, the variety has experienced a revival in all wine-producing regions.

 

 

https://www.austrianwine.com/our-wine/grape-varieties/red-wine/st-laurent/

 

A clear medium ruby wine with a clean nose and medium intensity with aromas of spice, sharp cherry and vanilla. Not as interesting on the nose as on the palate.  The palate awakes you with such interesting flavors that I haven’t experienced in a wine previously.  The cherry notes, pepper and spice are well blended and have a good structure.  Tannins are well integrated and not too strong.  I see this wine pairing with some foods that are difficult to pair with such as asparagus dishes, liver and veal dishes and duck.  Besides the interest on the palate, I am enjoying the unique aromas I receive from my glass.  This wine gives me many flavors from start to a medium finish that finishes a bit tart and then rounds out beautifully in 15 seconds and becomes almost velvety on the tongue.  Quality is very good and worth the experience of trying some popular Austrian grapes.  I will purchase this one again.

 

 

 

 

Origin:  Horse Haven Hills, WA

Grape:  95% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon

Year:  2013

Alcohol:  14.5

Price point:  $27

Year Reviewed:  2018

 

On the eyes, this is a clear deep garnet wine.  On the nose, clean and pronounced with a bit under ripeness of green pepper and leafiness.  I also get aromas of kernel, possibly almond, coffee and chocolate.

On the palate, off dry, low acidity, medium tannins that are well integrated and dusty.  A bunch of flavors appear of red cherry, plum, red and green pepper, a bit of smoke, tobacco and chocolate….which I love in finer Merlots.  The long finish was unchanging and quite stable throughout.

 

Aged for 16 months in French and American oak, 60% new. Outstanding quality of a Merlot…..must purchase some more.

 

 

Planted in 1991, the vineyard at Canoe Ridge Estate lies on a steep south-facing wind-swept slope on the bank of the Columbia River in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills AVA.

 

https://www.ste-michelle.com/our-wines/2013-canoe-ridge-estate-merlot