Tasting Notes: Weekly Roundup
Sandlands
Kirschenmann Cinsault 2022
The 2022 “Kirschenmann” (Lodi) sources its fruit from, you guessed it, Sandlands home vineyard, Kirschenmann which, only recently, had Cinsault grafted to 1 single acre of 140r rootstock (rootstock was planted in 2019 and Cinsault was grafted in 2020).
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The wine pours a slightly hazy ruby color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of raspberries, freshly ground black pepper, Peony’s, and dried herbs. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium, fine gritty tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and sweet-tart. Drink now through 2032. — a month ago
Clos Mogador
Com Tu Montsant Grenache 2019
Time to explore this Clos Mogador ‘Com Tu’ Garnatxa Negra de la Figuera (2019).
It’s made with 100% Garnatxa Negra (Grenache Noir) grapes coming from the small village of la Figuera in Montsant DO in the broader region of Catalunya, NE Spain.
Montsant DO neighbors and surrounds Prioriat DOQ with similar macro environmental influences (warm, dry, sunny), making it a great place to produce ripe and powerful wines.
Com Tu started as a side project and has since become part of the iconic Clos Mogador portfolio.
This is a quintessential, and elevated, summer barbeque wine! It’s medium ruby with aromas and flavors of ripe, juicy red and black cherry, red plum, boysenberry, stewed strawberry rhubarb, blood orange, dried prune, violet, black licorice, crushed stone, and leather.
It is dry, with medium acidity, a full body, high alcohol (14.5% ABV), medium tannins that are ripe and a medium(+) finish. It’s lovely and could pair well with a variety of grilled or smoked meats and vegetables.
Cheers to Clos Mogador and delicious Garnatxas from around the globe! — a month ago
Domaine de Chevalier
Pessac-Léognan Red Bordeaux Blend 2014
2014 vintage. This is the red. 65% Cab Sauv, 30% Merlot, 5% PV. Nose opened up after 45 mins with some sea salt, allspice, currant and cherry notes. Medium to medium+ body. Fairly plushy and cushioned on the finish. Tannins are there if you want ‘em but that Petit Verdot really steals the show at the end. A modicum of mint + baking chocolate make an appearance as well. Still clinging to a small paunch of baby fat which should fall off in another two years. The tumblers are clicking but the combination isn’t totally there just yet. Give it another 3-4 years but pretty dayum delish right now. — 3 years ago
Andy Stabile
Love opening a bottle with no expectation and having hit your sweet spot.
unbelievably soft tannins. Velvet mouth feels. Touch of oak against tobacco / leather with enough fruit and just a kiss of sweetness to keep it from being overly earthy.
A little light bodied relative to peers.
This was nice. #Barsha — a month ago