Let’s take a look at a few bottles to get your weekend off to a good start.
2012 Angelini Pergola Rosso, DOC Marche, Italy $19
100% Pergola grapes. From the Marche region of Italy. Dark ruby color. Red fruit, herbs and rose petals in nose. Confirmed in the mouth. Black cherry flavors as well. Medium plus acid and chewy tannins. Not a huge amount of complexity but pleasant to drink now or near-term ageing. A red-sauce pasta wine.
2013 Stoneleigh Latitude Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough $19
Typical New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Herbaceous nose. In the mouth green apple, hints of mango. Winner of a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge. No surprise as this is one of the best balanced and pleasant Sauvignon Blancs that I have had for some time. Serve with Turkey or chicken.
2012 Trumpeter ‘Rutini Wines’ Malbec. Mendoza, Argentina. $11
Color: Dark blueberry. Nose: Briary, closed-in dark fruits of plum, blueberry, blackberry. Needs aeration for maximum enjoyment. Fruit smells ripe, indeed opulent. In the mouth the fruit flavors are very large and forward. Little herbaceous or earthiness. Tannins are soft and chewy. Acid medium, maybe a little bit low. Great value.
NV Stlto Prosecco, DOC, Italy. $14
With its prominent high-heeled shoe logo on the label there is little doubt who this brand is targeting. Young women wine drinkers. They will find this to be an average quality Prosecco priced a little higher than competitors. Straightforward nose of green apple and pears. Acidity slightly lower than some other Proseccos. Lively mouthfeel. Short finish. Maybe use this to make your favorite Bellini.
2011 Matchbook Tempranillo, Dunnigan Hills, California $16
Brown rim,. Briary but not particularly pronounced nose of raspberries. Mouth confirms raspberries. Soft tannins. Detectable residual sugar. Not complex. Medium finish. Everyday quality. Quaff or drink with burgers or barbecue.
2012 Travaglini Nebbiolo, Coste della Sesia DOC, Piedmont, Italy $17
Classic Nebbiolo thin brick red color. Plummy nose and flavors. Soft tannins. Medium finish. Drink now or keep 3-5 years. Average quality. Best with food. Italian red sauce pasta recipes.
2008 Bodegas Franco-Espanañolas Rioja Bordon Reserva, Rioja, DOC, Spain $14
I have reviewed Bodegas Franco-Espanañolas wines before and continue to like their old world style of winemaking. This six-year old reserva is ready to drink with soft tannins and fully resolved flavors. Red fruit, mushrooms, forest floor all come together in a very pleasant wine that is ideal with roast lamb or other red meat. Excellent value.
2013 Bodegas Barco de Piedra, Ribero del Duero, Spain $12
100% Tempranillo grape. Ruby color. Ripe raspberry and black cherry nose. French oak. Mouthfeel is soft, medium body, acid medium, raspberry flavors. Not complex. Drink now. Either on its own or with barbecue.
