Is this August? This morning feels like we took a wrong turn at SeaFair and ended up in October. No worries, August will be back soon. In the mean time we’ll be sipping on some delicious reds from Spain, France and Italy. Here’s the weekend tasting lineup:

Friday — the bunny is back

2021 Tomàs Cusiné, Llebre $14
85% Tempranillo, 5% Garnatxa, 5% Cariñena, 5% Syrah
Costers del Segre
Clean vivid nose with red fruit compote tones, balsamic, spices, vanilla, white pepper, clove and oak tones well integrated. Velvety, fresh and elegant in the mouth with nice and gentle tannins and liquorice hints. Red fruit and spiced tones on the finish.

Was $18, Now $14

Saturday–illicit encounters

2023 Domaine de la Chanteleuserie, Bourgueil Rosé $16
100% Cabernet Franc
Loire
Creamy, round, and zesty, it bursts with red berries and blood orange

2023 Olivier Coste, Illégal $18
100% Mourvèdre
Languedoc
This wine comes from a small appellation in Languedoc where 100% mourvèdre is not allowed. Raspberry and blackberry fruit and peppery spice brushing up against touches of mint, beeswax and balsam polish; finishing with refreshing brightness without any oak getting in the way.

Sunday– time to tango

2020 Guido Vada, Tanguera Barbera d’ Asti $18
Guido and his sister Serena run this family farm (established in 1850 by Lorenzo Vada) on the border of Langhe and Monferrato in the heart of Asti. The wine has red berry, underbrush and ground clove aromas. The palate offers cassis, orange zest and white pepper alongside smooth tannins.