Dark plum and black cherry take center stage, along with blackberry. The fruit notes together come across as stewed, tart, and a little jammy. Oak elements include smokey charcoal, clove, vanilla, and resin.
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Author: Aaron
Aaron has had a curiosity and passion for wine since his late teens, when he fantasized about becoming a winemaker. After a short stint working on political campaigns nationally, Aaron began a career in marketing, eventually co-founding a mobile technology start-up for the adult beverage space called Slingr. Shortly after the company folded, Aaron and his wife moved to Temecula Wine Country, where he fell in love with the community, the scenery, the entrepreneurism, and (most importantly) the wine culture.
Endlessly curious, Aaron earned a WSET Level II Award in Wines & Spirits in 2018, and is embarking on the Level III program. Aaron has a BA in International Relations from UC Davis, and is currently pursuing an MBA at UC Riverside's A. Gary Anderson Graduate School of Business.
Fazeli Cellars 2015 Meritage
This is an outstanding representation of a “Right Bank” Bordeaux.
Danza del Sol 2017 Sauvignon Blanc
In the glass, Danza del Sol’s 2017 Sauvignon Blanc is a clear, crisp, pale lemony yellow. One characteristic you might note is how viscous the wine looks. As you’ll read below, that is largely attributed to the alcohol content.
Europa Village 2016 Sangiovese
It’s worth noting the quality of 2016 Sangiovese. It lacks some of the spiciness and oakiness you’ll commonly find in wines from that varietal, but I consider that a positive. The fruit doesn’t need to hide behind these secondary flavors, something indicative of the grapes being picked by hand as opposed to machine-harvested. The result is a pleasant, easy drinking experience which appeals to most palates.
The Importance of an AVA
I was planning to post a new wine rating & review this weekend, but noticed when I opened the cork something interesting: there was no AVA on the bottle. That’s troubling.
Baily 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon
One quality which makes this specific wine truly unique is it comes from the oldest commercially planted grapevines in the Temecula Valley, planted in 1968.
Monte de Oro 2014 Petite Sirah
Monte de Oro is a Temecula winery which makes impressive reds — if not only for the quality, because all of their wines use estate grown grapes. In other words, the Monte de Oro winemaking team oversees the entire process from bud to bottle.
An Introduction
Greetings! My name is Aaron Saltzman, and I’m the administrator for Temecula Wine Ratings. I’m a WSET Level II certified wine and spirits professional. I’ve had a passion for wines and spirits since 2011, when […]