Last Week's Tasting Notes (6.10.22)

​Vignoble Couillaud Rosé 2020 ($12.99)
Loire Valley, France

This light and fruity 100% Gamay rosé shows how an extra year in the bottle really softens and rounds out the wine. It's great on its own or paired with lighter dishes such as salads or charcuterie.

Bodega DiamAndes Rosado 2021 ($13.99)
Uco Valley, Argentina

You don't see many 100% Malbec rosés in the market, so this is a novel wine. It has strawberry and mild citrus notes and quite a bit of structure on the palate; this is a rosé to pair with food, rather than to be enjoyed merely as an aperitif. It has enough character to stand up to BBQ, red meats, or fattier vegetarian dishes. Vegan-friendly wine.

Chateau Sainte-Marie Bordeaux Blanc 2020 ($15.99)
Bordeaux, France

This white wine is a typical Bordeaux blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, the latter of which softens the acidity and mellows the wine, as does stirring of the lees. White flowers and pink grapefruit come through on the palate, which is round and satisfying. Lovely on its own or paired with meaty fish, pork, or Caesar salad. Vegan-friendly wine.


Neleman Organic Vineyards "Nucli Blanc" & "Nucli Rainbow" 2020 ($16.99)
Valencia, Spain

These whites are both unusual and delicious. The Blanc is a blend of 70% Macabeo and 30% Sauvignon Blanc. It's light and fresh with a lemon and herbaceous quality balanced out with subtle salinity. Great alone or with salads, fish, or chicken.

The Rainbow is 60% Verdil and 40% Viognier. It has a little more body than the Blanc and a round mouthfeel. On the palate the citrus undertone gives way to stoniness and a hint of smoke. Just a brilliantly bonkers wine!

Both are vegan-friendly.


Chateau Ramafort Cru Bourgeois Médoc 2016 ($27.99)
Bordeaux, France

This is a left bank wine that's 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot. I don't carry a lot of Bordeaux, and even when the price increased last year, I kept this one. It has all of the robust fruit you would expect with a very satisfying earthiness to keep it balanced. I absolutely love this wine, and 2016 is an excellent vintage.