Had these two this last weekend:
1. Riofavara Marzaiolo IGP: Terre Siciliane (13%; 40% Inzolia/40% Grecanico/20% Moscato; www.RioFavara.It; KermitLynchImprts) 2018: Med.light gold color; quite fragrant floral/apple blossoms/carnations/rather muscatty light stony/chalky almost R-like very attractive nose; lightly tart/tangy/bit metallic strong floral/carnations/bit orangey/some muscatty light stony/chalky/earthy quite attractive flavor; very long/lingering quite floral/apple blossom/carnations/muscatty lightly tangy/metallic bit stony/earthy finish; very nice balance between fruit & minerality; quite an attractive white at a very good price; one of the best Sicilian whites I can recall w/o the rustic/coarse character you often find in those Sicilian whites; the muscat really comes thru & contributes a lot to the aromatics. $20.00 (AV)
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2. TablasCreekVnyd Patelin de Tablas Rouge PasoRobles (48% Syrah/32% Grenache/16% Mourvedre/4% Counoise; 13.0%; 20% EstrellaFarms/19% Derby/16% Hollyhock/15% SelfFamily/13% StarrRanch/7% Fralich/6% Velo/4% TablasCreek) 2017: Med.dark gold color; strong blackberry/Syrah light Grenache/strawberry bit plummy rather fruit-forward attractive nose; bit soft slight tangy/metallic strong blackberry/Syrah/strawberry/plummy slight earthy quite pretty flavor w/ light tannins; med.long bit soft slight tangy/metallic strong blackberry/Syrah/plummy/strawberry slight pencilly flavor w/ light tangy tannins; nothing profound but a very pretty/easy-drinking Rhone blend at a great price. $21.25
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. The Patelin was the Feb TCV monthly wine special. It is their white & red blend they make from purchased grapes. At this discounted price, it was a real steal.
Harry Fralich is a name I've not seen in quite some time. He's an independent grower who sells Syrah & Viognier to a number of different wineries. His vnyd is located on EastSide Paso on the South side of the hwy a bit closer to town than Eberle. Harry originally planted at the behest of Gary Eberle who wanted to expand his Rhone production. Eventually, Gary became very dissatisfied w/ the quality of Harry's farming and grapes, and dropped him has a source. For awhile, Harry made his own wine under the Fralich label, but I gather he's just a grower nowadays.
Tom