(May 22, 2016) … We’re over at my brothers for a dinner on the long weekend and because they love Baco (I can’t explain this) I bring over a couple to try with them. First up is the Aleksander 2007 Baco Noir: leathery in taste and smell, bricky in colour, with elements of earth and sweet smoke – even my brother and sister-in-law find it hard to drink a full glass, but they also claim it is “not horrible”; it does not make sense to me but it does to them … so I guess I’ll go with it; they are afterall the Baco fans in the room.
I also get the chance to try the newest incarnation of Baco in the Henry of Pelham range, and while Baco still is not my grape of choice (by a long shot) this 2014 Baco Noir, Old Vines ($19.95) has real wine character, the Speck brothers have done it again – taking a lowly, unimpressive grape and turned it into a proper wine (folks this is a skill): blackberry, 
cassis, mocha, black cherry, with a nice hit of spiced black-cherry and acid on the finish. I would also like to take this opportunity to remind you if you like Henry of Pelham Baco, and it’s the only Baco you can name, you are NOT a “Baco fan” you are a Henry of Pelham Baco fan, there’s a distinction there. (****+)
Moving on … California also came to the party in the form of a Toasted Head 2010 Untamed Red, a blend of Syrah 45% / Petite Sirah 28% / Zinfandel 14% / Merlot 9% / Tannat 3% and Tempranillo 1% … Red and black fruit with hints of plum, spice and licorice … interesting red that probably was not meant for aging this long but does show fun characteristics that make it more interesting – drink young, but I see this wine as one of copycats of the Apothic reds of the world but with a little something extra – you don’t make it this long with it.
We ended up in Spain with a delicious Honoro Vera 2013 Garnacha, not much complexity but a whole lotta flavour: rich plum, blackberry, black cherry and spice; juicy and delicious.