Sorry that I've been neglecting WLDG, having gotten wrapped up in Facebook lately. Anyway, here's some mostly everyday stuff, ranging from just nice to exceptionally good.
Domaine de Vieux Chene, Cuvee de Capucines, Cotes-du-Rhone 2013
Rose, 100% Grenache. Excellent nose, aromatic and deep (almost heady), with sweet fruit. On the nose and palate, lots of sweet strawberry, with notes of black raspberry, hints of currant, orange rind, impressions of olives, garrigue, and cocoa power, and earthy stone. Impressive body for a rose, and very nice texture. Almost like drinking a lighter bodied red Cotes-du-Rhone. Very nice! Drink now. 2.5 Stars [9/9/16]
Skylite Cellars, Syrah, Columbia Valley 2009
Wonderful nose: dark, fresh blackberry, aromatic tobacco and floral tones, earth and mineral, all with gamey tones and overlayed with smoke, and with good density. Similar notes on the palate, with dark, juicy blackberry, blueberry, and plum, with green tobacco leaf, and loads of earthy mineral. Full bodied, with wonderful texture, lush and dense and juicy, and with good acidity; very well balanced. Love it! 5 years more. 3.5 Stars [10/13/16]
Fairview, Goats do Roam, Rose, Paarl 2014
Really nice dark strawberry color. Low key nose, but rich and deep. On the palate, fresh, juicy strawberry and cherry with touches of currant and plum, with a hint of tobacco leaf, and a touch of chocolatey earth, all with slightly orangey acidity. The body, texture, and rich depth are really, really nice. One of the best roses I’ve had in a while. Drink now. 3 Stars. 49% Shiraz, 21% Grenache, 20% Gamay, 10% Mourvedre. [10/14/16]
Chateau Fardel Laurens, Cuvee Ardoise, Faugeres 2012
Rich, earthy nose with nice depth; a little but smokey. On the palate, rich black cherry, blackberry, damson, touch of tobacco, smoke, and barnyardish, slightly chocolatey earth. Really nice, juicy, rich texture, with lots of mineral-laden tannin. Classic Languedoc with rustic elegance. So good! 5 - 8 years more. 3 Stars. [10/9/16]
Emiliana, Natura, Cabernet Sauvignon, Valle de Rapel 2013
Excellent nose: rich with respectable density and depth; blackberry currant, tobacco/cigar box, cocoa, leather/cedar, graphite, and smokey oak. Similar notes on the palate; medium-full bodied, rich but acid-driven. Almost Bordeaux-like (with the occasional hint of Tuscany in the style of its fruit); love the Old World sensibility of this wine. Seems mature already, with some tertiary notes showing, so drink now. I like this very much. 2.5 Stars [10/23/16]
Goats do Roam, White, South Africa 2010
68% Viognier, 17% Roussanne, 15% Grenache Blanc. Very nice nose, rich and aromatic, with tropical fruits. On the nose and palate, a personality of passion fruit, kiwi, and lemon/tangerine, perhaps some guava, with some herbal notes, and a touch of honey/flower nectar; perhaps a touch of salty mineral as well. Full bodied, rich and slightly fat in texture, but supported by lots of acidity; 14% alcohol, which is just a bit exposed, but mostly contributes to the rich texture. Food friendly, and very likable. Despite being 6 years old, this is still perfectly fresh; drink now or in the next two years. Very nice! 2.5 Stars. [10/28/16]
Falcoaria, Classico, Tejo 2011
Nice color: dark ruby. Wonderful nose: tarry earth and chocolate, dense, slightly heady cherry, black raspberry, currant, and damson, with tobacco, a touch of flowers, and white pepper; very fragrant, lovely aromatics. Same notes on the palate, with rich, dense, succulent, fruit; full bodied with excellent acid tone. Polished and elegant, with lovely, aromatic fruit. Very good quality. Wonderful stuff! Drink now or in the next 5 years. Blend: Castelao, Alicante Bouchet, Touriga Nacional, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Verdot. 3.5 Stars. [10/30/16]
Maynard’s, 10-year-old Tawny, Porto NV
Great color: medium garnet/ruby. Wonderful nose, sweet and fragrant. On the nose and palate, cherry/raspberry, fresh dates with a touch of sweet raisin, hints of chocolate and caramel, and a touch of candied nuts, all with a nice note of spirit coming through; such wonderful, sweet, succulent fruit! On the light side of full bodied, with great freshness, texture, and presence. This and the chocolate cake we had were match made in heaven. Exceptional stuff! 3.5 Stars [10/30/16]
Leopoldo I di Toscana, D’Aria, Toscana 2011
50% Cabernet France, 40% Merlot, 10% Petite Verdot. Opaque ruby. Wonderful, rich, dense, savory nose of black cherry, blackberry, and Tuscan notes of orange rind, earth, and herbs, with leather and tobacco. Same notes on the palate. Rich and dense, with big body, but juicy and savory in texture, and supported by prominent acid; wonderful texture and presence. Needs about an to really open up, and is worth the wait. Very good quality and polish. Impressive! 5 to 10 years ahead. 3.5+ Stars. [11/5/16]
Nuvola Vecchia, Riserva, Chianti Classico 2011
Medium ruby. Rather lovely nose, that starts out shy but becomes more expressive and deep as it opens. On the nose and palate, black cherry, and reasonably deep earth notes, with a hint of herbs, cured tobacco, and a touch of citrus rind, all overlaid by aromatic notes of violets. Medium bodied, savory in texture and succulent on the finish; average length. Very nice for under $10. Drink now. 2 Stars [11/19/16]