My June Sips

At some point, I am going to have to come up with a more original title for my wrap-up of monthly wine reviews, but for now, this works. I’ve also had a pretty sh*tty month on the personal front, so I don’t feel super creative. I am still soliciting title ideas, though. Anyone?

I do have some good news, though, about my writing and my professional life. I was given the opportunity to write a blurb about Cabernet Franc for Wine Turtle, which was fun. Some of my Delectable reviews were featured in this post from Grape Collective. I also have a new part-time job starting now (my third or fourth job, can’t remember now how many I have!) with The Wine Check. I was their first online customer in 2010 and I’ve been a loyal customer ever since. I’ve also written about The Wine Check. I own three of them, including the original which is still going strong. Best wine accessory investment I’ve ever made. If you’re interested in more information about The Wine Check as an individual customer or winery, don’t hesitate to contact me and I will steer you in the right direction. But, I have digressed enough. On to wine!

I wrote more focused wine reviews for samples received from Villa Maria Estate and Early Mountain Vineyards, but below are some of the other notable wines I’ve tasted this month. Three are from wineries for which I work, but I promise you, my reviews are my own and from my point of view as a wine consumer. I only write about what I enjoy, not what I don’t. You can’t go wrong with any wines from these three producers.

2014 Passaggio Mourvèdre Rosé, purchased for $26
The 2014 Passaggio Mourvèdre Rosé, whose grapes come from Herringer Estates in the Clarksburg, California area, is everything you want in a wine. It’s floral, fruity, and herbal on the nose, with juicy, ripe cherries, raspberries, and strawberries on the palate. It finishes with mouthwatering, food-friendly acidity. Only available directly from Passaggio Wines, while it lasts.

2014 Passaggio Tempranillo Rosé, California, purchased for $25 (SOLD OUT)
It’s too bad winemaker Cindy Cosco only made 25 cases of this Tempranillo rosé, because it’s gorgeous and it’s already gone. It has a rich salmon color and is crisp, and clean, fermented and aged in stainless steel. Red berries such as raspberry, redcurrant, strawberry playfully vie for the attention of the nose and palate, along with a touch of watermelon and guava.

P.S. Passaggio still has the 2014 Barbera Rosé, Lodi, for $26, along with other current releases. Reviews by my friend, The Drunken Cyclist, can be found here.

2013 Anderson’s Conn Valley Vineyards Chardonnay, $50 at the winery, employee allocation
The grapes for the 2013 vintage are sourced from Oakville, a change from previous vintages. This Chardonnay is bright yellow-gold in color and has a substantial mouthfeel and fresh acidity. Aromas and flavors of green apple, pear, and yellow citrus are layered and persistent throughout, intertwined with nuttiness and smokiness from time spent in 100% French oak. The finish is complex, long, and lingering. Kudos to winemaker Robert Hunt.

2005 William Harrison Rutherford Red, paid close to $100 for this wine back in the day
One of the first Napa Bordeaux-style blends I ever purchased (I’m a late bloomer) on my second trip to Napa in August 2009. Bottle #171 of 3840 of the 2005 William Harrison Rutherford Red is deep garnet in color. The mouthfeel is dense. This wine still has great fruit – black cherry front and mid-palate and tart red cherry on the finish – but intertwined with tertiary flavors, most noticeably mint and leather. Good tannin structure remains, although much softer than when I tasted this in 2009.

These are my recommendations from the past month, so I hope you will give them a try if they appear to be what your palate desires. I can’t believe how this month has flown by, but frankly, I am glad it’s over except for the wine tasting I enjoyed. Here’s to hoping for a better July.

Happy sipping!
Beth