I tasted some absolutely fabulous wines in 2014! Of the twenty-seven (27) vintages I’ve reviewed this year, the five (5) red wines noted below are personal favorites. Please be advised that the prices quoted are approximate, are subject to change, and may vary.
2009 Gordon Estate Columbia Valley Syrah, $20.00 – $25.00 (Washington State): Winemaker Tom Henley has made Syrah a star at Gordon. Following fermentation, the wine was sequestered in small oak barrels for 22 months prior to final blending and bottling. There’s a slight smokiness, an ingratiating hint of spice, and a touch of marshmallow at the finish. Smooth as silk and seductive, with gentle tannins and a complex concentration of flavors, the 2009 Gordon Estate Syrah is a wine that’s easy to love. A bargain at approximately $20.00 a bottle, I’ve seen it on sale for as low as $12.99… You might want to check various sources online for the best price. If this vintage is still around, it’s worth laying in a case. Yes… it’s that good!
2012 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir, Average Price $40.00 (South Africa): Hamilton Russell Winery’s Pinot Noir is arguably South Africa’s finest. The Wine Spectator, for example, recently bestowed a whopping 93 points (100-point scale) on the 2012 vintage. This wine, as one critic so aptly described it, is “fantastically persistent.” It is beautifully bold, ripe, and aromatic; and, rather than grabbing you right out of the box, it gradually wins you over with layer upon layer of elegance and gently evolving nuances. Thanks to its ethereal tannins and sleek acidity, this is a wine that can be marvelously enjoyable at the present moment or cellared through to 2020.
2011 Bodegas la Magdelena Sueño Tempranillo, $12.99 (Spain): The 2011 Sueño, which means “dream” in Spanish, is sourced from 50-year-old vines with low yields. The result is an exceedingly rich red with marvelous concentration. And the 10 months spent in small oak casks has added even more character to the vintage. This is a heady wine, but also supple and elegant with soft, balanced tannins. Wine guru Robert Park rated this vintage a whopping 91 on his 100-point scale and noted: “The oak is very well integrated… and it lends the dark chocolate-tinged finish a seamless quality and weight without impinging upon the terroir character.” A steal at $12.99.
2012 Roots Run Deep “Educated Guess” Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99 (Napa Valley, CA): Educated Guess is Roots Run Deep Winery’s first release and their flagship wine. The 2012 is a combination of 88% Cabernet, 8% Merlot, and 2% each of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. After fermentation, it is aged for 12 months in French and American oak. Bright garnet in the glass, it exudes subtle aromas of truffle & spice. On the palate, it is medium bodied with ripe fruit flavors, hints of vanilla, and soft tannins. It is what is colloquially know as a “pop ‘n pour” Cabernet. This is a wine that neither must be decanted, nor must it sit for several hours to “open up.” It is instantly approachable, food friendly, and downright fun to drink… And priced at around $20.00, it also gets exceedingly high marks in the value department.
2011 Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, $14.99 (Italy): Zaccagnini’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has always enjoyed the reputation of being an utterly reliable reasonably priced red wine that was just right for everyday quaffing and/or the perfect sidekick for zesty pasta dishes and other hale & hearty fare… But the 2011 vintage is more than just reliable. This full-bodied beauty is also softly textured and beguilingly opulent. Aged in French oak barrels for eight months, followed by several months in the bottle prior to release, this is a wine – rife with succulent ripe fruit and soothing touch of vanilla – that has truly come into its own. An exceptional wine at an exceptional price.
Cheers!
TAD
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