Some Fall wine picks
As we swing into our beautiful Fall months, it is time to refill the wine cellar. More than likely a restock is in order. October means drinking more reds for cool evenings, plus an occasional white wine for those remaining warm days and picnic outings. These four wines are sure to please the palate and the pocketbook.
Kaiken Ultra Malbec – KL Wines $14.99
I mentioned the Kaiken Ultra Malbec in a previous post. The Kaiken winemaker, Aurelio Montes Jr, spoke to us at the recent Wine Bloggers Conference. I raved about this wine then and I am doing the same here. I so happy to have found this Malbec at K&L Wines. The Kaiken Ultra needs some breathing time. Open it an hour before you try it, and you will be one happy wine drinker. We still have some BBQ opportunities in October and early November. Grill up a juicy bone-in ribeye and pop the Kaiken Ultra Malbec. So great! James Suckling gives the Kaiken a whopping 94 Points and Robert Parker 90 Points. 90 Points for me, too.
Lambuena Tinto Ribera del Duero – KL Wines $12.99
The Lambuena is a K&L Wines selection, a direct import. The Lambuena is 100% Tempranillo aged in Barrica (larger oak barrels) for 4 months. As in the wine above, the Lambuena will benefit from breathing time. It’s tight and in one hour’s time, the aroma and character of this beautiful Tempranillo will be so much more apparent. Delicious! Wine & Spirits rates it 90 Points, and the same goes for us. A very good buy! The Lambuena and Paella are a mix in heaven.
Hanna Sauvignon Blanc 2014 – Costco $12
The Hanna Sauvignon Blanc is a very reliable wine from the Russian River Valley. It is always a crisp and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc and the price at Costco is unbeatable. I have seen this same wine offered at discount prices but not nearly as low as the Costco price. This same wine is sold for $19 at the winery. The Hanna Sauvignon Blanc is more on the New Zealand style of Sauvignon Blanc rather than the French Sancerre. The thing I like is some very cool tropical notes. For less than $10, this is a great deal
Mayhall Tibbs Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2013 – Trader Joe’s $9.99
The Fearless Flyer touts this PInot Noir as the greatest bargain since sliced bread. The Santa Rita Hills is in the Santa Barbara wine country and on the edge of the Pacific Ocean. I do think this wine passes the Pinot Noir test; it smells and tastes like a Pinot Noir. It is a little heavier than most, but I think that just might be the characteristic of Pinot Noir from the Santa Rita Hills. The wine is not terribly complex. I give this wine 87 Points and I do believe it is worth a try for folks who like Pinot Noir and have a budget pocketbook.
Wine Tips
- Safeway currently having a short 30% off sale in their wine department. Oct 14 to Oct 20.
- Nob Hill is currently having a 30% off wine sale. No details on duration.
- Learn About Wine
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