Hello, and welcome to my periodic dig through the samples pile. I’m pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently.
This week included a bunch of Italian wines of various stripes. The most impressive of which was the recently released Castiglione Barolo from the famed producer Vietti. While also good, the Renato Ratti Barolo I taste this week didn’t quite compare when placed next to the Vietti.
There were a couple of Toscana IGT blends in the mix as well, the best of which was from Chianti producer Tenuta di Arceno, an estate part of the Jackson Family Estates portfolio.
Closer to home, I was excited to see the latest release of Kathryn Kennedy’s small lot Cabernet Sauvignon, which was quite pretty, as well as a Pinot from one of my favorite Sonoma producers, Anaba wines.
Lastly, and certainly not least, I was thrilled to taste the latest vintage of Lang & Reed’s Chenin Blanc, which is the best they’ve made, and a delightful rendition of the grape.
All these and more below.
Enjoy!
2015 Lang & Reed Chenin Blanc, Napa Valley, California
Palest blonde in color, this wine smells of pear, white flowers, and wet stones. In the mouth, asian pear, quince and floral notes seem strained through quartz. Beautifully crisp and bright, thanks to excellent acidity. 13.5% alcohol. 246 cases produced. Score: around 9. Cost: $27. click to buy.
2011 Tenuta di Arceno “Valadorna” IGT Red Blend, Tuscany, Italy
Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of roasted figs and black cherries. In the mouth, black cherry fruit and dried flowers have a pretty, sweet aromatic complexion with powdery tannins that coat the mouth and linger with a sweet licorice note in the finish. A blend of 60% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc. 14.5% alcohol. 1388 cases produced. Score: around 9. Cost: $80. click to buy.
2014 Kathryn Kennedy “Small Lot” Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, California
Very dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of sweet cassis and black cherry. In the mouth, rich and faintly sweet cherry and cola flavors have a bright juiciness to them thanks to excellent acidity. Notes of cedar and cassis emerge on the finish which is dusted with powdery tannins. Rich and delicious, but not too heavy. 14.2% alcohol. Contains 20% Merlot. 900 Cases produced. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $45. click to buy.
2012 Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon, Rutherford, Napa, California
Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of cherry cola. In the mouth, cherry cola flavors mix with hints of cocoa powder and tobacco. Excellent acidity keeps the wine bright and fresh, and the wood, while present, is nicely integrated. 14.5% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $60. click to buy.
2013 Galerie “Pleainair” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California
Dark garnet in color, this wine smells of black cherry, tobacco and chocolate. In the mouth, black cherry, tobacco, and chocolate mix in a rich velvety-textured stream across the palate. Excellent acidity keeps the wine fresh and bright in the midst of the rich fruit. 15% alcohol. 1616 cases produced. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $ 50. click to buy.
2014 Anaba “Las Brisas Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Carneros, Sonoma, California
Light garnet in the glass, this wine smells of raspberry and cranberry fruit. In the mouth, juicy cherry and cranberry fruit mix with cedar and hints of herbs. Faint tannins linger in the finish with hints of citrus peel. 14.1% alcohol. Score: around 9. Cost: $??
2012 Vietti “Castiglione” Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
Light ruby in the glass, this wine smells of strawberries and leather and forest floor. In the mouth, forest floor, leather, and dried flowers mix with strawberry fruit and other berries. Muscular tannins hold the core of fruit in a tight fist as notes of dried flowers linger in the finish. 13.5% alcohol. Score: between 9 and 9.5. Cost: $45. click to buy.
2013 Beresford Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, South Australia
Very dark garnet in color, this wine smells of cherry and a touch of green bell pepper. In the mouth, bright and juicy cherry fruit is shot through with just a hint of green bell pepper and crushed green herbs that give the wine a cool minty character along with the bright fresh cherries. Excellent acidity and length. 14% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $20. click to buy.
2012 Renato Ratti “Marcenasco” Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
Light garnet in the glass, this wine smells of strawberries and dark earth. In the mouth, strawberry, tar and dried flowers mix with dark peaty earth amidst a blanket of fine powdery tannins. Excellent acidity and brightness. 14% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $55. click to buy.
2014 Ridge Vineyards “Ponzo” Zinfandel, California
Dark purple in the glass, this wine smells of blackberry pie. In the mouth, flavors of blackberry pie and blueberry jam mix with a hint of licorice and a touch of sweetness. Contains 4% Petite Sirah. 14.6% alcohol. Score: around 8.5. Cost: $32. click to buy.
2011 Caiarossa Red Blend, IGT, Tuscany, Italy
Dark garnet in the glass, this wine smells of cherry, tobacco and leather. In the mouth, cherry, leather, and a barnyard tang mix with tight, muscular tannins. Excellent acidity keeps the the fruit bright. An unusual blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Sangiovese, Petit Verdot, and Alicante. 14.5% alcohol. Score: between 8.5 and 9. Cost: $32. click to buy.
