Exploring Languedoc Wine Country in "Virgile's Vineyard"

I picked up “Virgile’s Vineyard” during a January trip to the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France. Virgile Joly, the subject of this wine narrative, was eager to give me a signed copy. We’d dined together in Montpellier and I tasted through his wines at Millesime BioFair, a trade show focused on promoting organic and biodynamic wines.

Virgile struck me as a genuine man, devoid of all pretension. He listens closely before speaking, and when he does speak his words are rich with meaning. I liked his wines, too, especially his Saturne, a red blend from the Saint-Saturnin area of the Languedoc.   

I let my thoughts about the Languedoc simmer for a few months before I picked up this book and relived my experiences through Patrick Moon’s language. This book was originally published in 2003, but a new edition came out last year, which includes an 10-year retrospective epilogue.

Moon hails from England, but he spent a year-long sabbatical in an old Languedoc home that he inherited. The premise of his book is quite simple: Moon roams the Languedoc from January to December, and each month is shaped into a chapter. As the title suggests, Moon follows Joly around his vineyard and tries to learn as much as he can about vinegrowing, winemaking and the local oenological peculiarities. He prunes vines, picks grapes and, of course, drinks a lot of Languedoc vino.

Moon’s vocabulary is undeniably British. His diction is highly elevated and his language is flowery and effusive. When surrounded by bottles of wine and awe-inspiring vineyards, writers (myself included) are prone to getting carried away, and Moon gets carried away quite often.

But there’s something very pleasant about getting lost in Moon’s overflowing banter: “The vines were, of course, completely bare at this time of year — some neatly pruned, others still a ragged tangle — but the delicate, silvery grey foliage of the olive trees gently counterpointed the starkness of the rugged, fir-clad hills immediately behind me to the north.”

The book is quite informative for those interested in learning more about the entire vineyard-to-glass process. Moon shares what he learns as he learns it, which is helpful when talking about vineyard management methods, sugar and acid levels and fermentation chemisty.

Moon spends many pages reflecting on the farm-to-table way of life in the Languedoc: “Where vegetables in England might advertise their country of origin, here I find baskets that cite specific villages, even farms, in their pedigrees. Only the oranges come from as far afield as Spain. My naïve request for basil is simply laughed at. If it isn’t seasonal, it isn’t here.”

January clouds roll over a vineyard near the Languedoc town of Calce, France.

I really appreciate reading the historical and cultural tidbits that the Languedoc locals share with Moon. For example, I connected with Joly’s comments about the sometimes rough relationship between estate winegrowers and large cooperatives: “We’re not in competition; we’re complementary… Different products, different roles. You see, for me, a healthy market means a lot of people drinking wine on a regular basis. And that means a lot of decent quality, affordable wine for everyday consumption, rubbing shoulders with the best. Which is not to say that the co-op doesn’t make some very good wines…”

One of his guides, Krystina, is full of information about the Languedoc’s important role in the world’s history of wine. Here’s Krystina on the Greek connection with the Languedoc: “Wine proved a great success with the locals, you see. And very soon the Greeks were planting the Languedoc’s first cultivated vines and making the first local wines. Same with the olive trees, because olive oil wasn’t just the cornerstone of their cuisine, they also needed it for lighting, medicine, important religious observances, you name it. Absolutely vital.”

For millennia, hardworking men and women have cultivated vines and crushed berries in this rocky, sun-drenched terrain. But, unfortunately, the region’s reputation suffered as many producers churned out lots of bland juice for the bulk market. “The region was making forty-four percent of the country’s wine from only twenty-three percent of its vineyard area,” Krystina tells Moon. “It was selling on price not quality.”

Luckily for winemakers and consumers, the idea that the Languedoc is home only to mass-produced plonk doesn’t hold up anymore. Sure you can still find insipid wines, but more and more producers — like Virgile Joly — are producing exciting, terroir-driven wines that deserve your attention.

If you’re a lover of wine, travel, food and Southern France, this book also deserves attention.

Click here for a GoPro video edit from my Languedoc travels. 

Hourglass: Napa Producer Excels With Malbec, Merlot, Cab Franc

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

At Hourglass, premium Napa Valley red is more than just Cabernet Sauvignon. Their Cabernets deserve serious credit, but Hourglass has been working on some great varietal expressions of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec from the Blueline Vineyard in Calistoga.

2012 was the first full vintage for Hourglass’ winemaker Tony Biagi, who took over from renowned winemaker Bob Foley. It appears Tony arrived at a great time because 2012 was a good growing season, and the resulting wines show balance and depth. The 2013 vintage marks Hourglass’ first white wine, a Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, which I found refreshing and intriguing.

The new oak in these wines is nuanced and integrated, adding creaminess to the texture and accents to the fruit and earth flavors. But given the complexity of flavors, the structure and the balance, the oak never overpowers, at least for my palate.

These wines aren’t cheap, but they’re delicious and cellar-worthy. All of the wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted from 375ml bottles. The prices below represent the mailing list allocation cost for a 750ml bottle.

2013 Hourglass Sauvignon Blanc 

$40
A pale straw color. Crisp apple and lime aromas, orange blossom, honeysuckle, a striking amount of slate and minerals. Creamy and rich on the palate, but the acid cuts through with impressive power. Richer notes of apricot, honey and orange marmalade blend with elements of oyster shell, sea salt and minerals. Lots of concentration and depth here, this is a beauty of a Napa Sauv Blanc that refuses to fit in a stylistic box. Hourglass’ first shot with white wine, and they nailed it. This wine sees stainless steel as well as some new and old French oak. (91 points)

2012 Hourglass Malbec Blueline

$75
Generous purple color. Vibrant and playful aromas of deep plums and black currants laced with violets, cola and charcoal. On the palate, fine grained but grippy tannins meet with medium acid, almost crisp. Rich and boisterous, full of bright floral tones, this wine is plummy and packed with tart berries. There’s an underlying mix of cocoa powder, charcoal, vanilla bean, cola and black olive. Bold but elegant, this is impressive stuff that shows some solid aging potential. Aged 16 months in 40% new French oak, this wine also includes 25% Petite Verdot. (91 points)

2012 Hourglass Merlot Blueline

$75
Nose of roses, raspberries, caramel, roses, a lot of explosive ripe fruit but it’s backed up by earth and smoke, menthol and smoked meat. Full bodied but this wine shows an elegant texture with fine tannins and medium acid. I get berry compote, raspberries and dark plums; all the fruit is juicy but very tangy. Significant amount of mushroom, balsamic, soy, barbecue sauce and sweet floral elements. Chewy, elegant, rich, complex, this wine is all of these, with a long finish. Could use two to four years and I think this will develop for quite a while longer. Includes 5% Petite Verdot, this wine is aged 16 months in new and seasoned French oak. (93 points)

2012 Hourglass Cabernet Franc Blueline

$135
Deep and saucy on the nose, I get blueberry, blackberry and plums, but also lots of deep loam, granite, paved road and mushroom. On the palate, wow, this is just beautiful — medium acid, great concentration, dusty tannins. Full of tart blueberry and currant fruit, like crunching through the skins, but then the earth, charcoal, cedar and eucalyptus notes come in. The mushroom, granite and tobacco flavors need time to fully show themselves. Great structure here for aging. This sees 20 months in 40% new French oak. Gorgeous. (93 points)

Sonoma Wine Tourism Post Featured On Winerist

Sonoma County: Pairing Wine Tourism With Literary Arts

Touring and tasting your way through Sonoma is a thrilling experience for all the senses. But, as with visiting any wine destination, I find it even more enriching when I take time to learn about the history of a place. I guess I’m old school, but I still learn by reading books. If you’re looking for great wine, and some artistic stimulation, Sonoma County beckons.

“All I wanted was a quiet place in the country to write and loaf in, and get out of nature that something which we all need, only the most of us don't know it.” – Jack London

American author Jack London picked a good spot when he moved to Beauty Ranch, located in the Sonoma Valley enclave of Glen Ellen.

Click here to read the full post on Winerist.

Three 2012 Macon Chardonnays

The Maconnais region of southern Burgundy has long been one of my go-to areas for good Chardonnay at less cost than the Cote d’Or. I’d never tried any wines from Domaine Cordier or Domaine Cristophe Cordier, which are imported by Bobby Kacher, but I enjoyed these three selections. 

The Chardonnay crop in the Macon dropped slightly from 2011, but the acidity tends to be slightly higher than 2011. I need to explore many more white Burgundies from this vintage, but so far I like what I’ve tasted.

My notes...

2012 Domaine Christophe Cordier Viré-Clessé Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Viré-Clessé

SRP: $27
Aromas of golden pear and peach, nutty, flora. Creamy, honeyed texture, some pear and baked apple, peach and honey. Slight mineral tones. Easy-drinking, fresh but also rich (aged in 10% new French oak). Rides that Chardonnay middle ground very well. (87 points)

2012 Domaine Christophe Cordier Mâcon Vieilles Vignes - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Mâcon

SRP: $20
A bright golden color. Honeydew and cantaloupe melon on the nose, some honey and bright floral tones. Medium acid, a lighter approach on the mouth, the lemon and grapefruit peel mix with notes of apricot. Some sharp mineral and oyster shell tones, with just a bit of honeycomb. Not incredibly deep or long but it’s put together well and would be a great summer sipper. (86 points)

2012 Domaine Cordier Père et Fils Pouilly-Fuissé - France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé

SRP: $26
Light gold color. Bright lime and dusty chalk on the nose, along with rich papaya and honey. Crisp acid, lots of minerality and stony, chalky aspects. The fruit combo of fresh lime and papaya works very well. An underlying minerality and freshness, but plenty of bold, richer elements. (90 points)

Hamilton Russell Wines and the Bliss of Walker Bay

The Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, looking down on the winter waves of Walker Bay (left).

After a week of surfing and sightseeing on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, my wife and I made the trek from Hout Bay to the Southern Cape seaside town of Hermanus. It was late May, and we arrived just a bit too early for the annual Southern Right whale migration, which draws eco-tourists from around the world. 

We hired a group of local conservationists and surfers to take us on a boat into Walker Bay. We tried to find some Southern Rights arriving early but were unsuccessful. We followed a few Bryde’s whales into the bay, which was amazing in its own right. As a surfer, I was just stoked to be on a boat as a 15-foot swell was rolling in from the southern ocean. 

I was excited to visit some wineries in the Walker Bay region, which is a few degrees Centigrade cooler than Stellenbosch and known for producing some excellent Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. As a lover of the sea, I reveled in the oceanic influence. The air smells of crashing waves and sea shells and the wines taste crisp, clean and seafood-friendly.

On the top of my list was Hamilton Russell Winery, located in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley sub-region. This producer has been gotten some serious accolades from big American wine publications, and for good reason. 

Unfortunately, as we drove up we found that the tasting room was closed for renovations. Saddened, my wife and I drove a mile or so down the road to Southern Right Winery. I’d never heard of this producer, but, I’ll admit, I liked the name and their whale logo. Turns out, Southern Right is Hamilton Russell’s sister winery. The place was empty except for a young woman who was working in the winery office. She poured us some wines from the Hamilton Russell family line-up and talked with us about the region and the different wines. We got to taste Southern Right’s two bottlings, a pair of Hamilton Russells and two wines from another project called Ashbourne.

Here are my notes on the Hamilton Russell family of wines…

2013 Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa, Walker Bay
Clean and floral on the nose with green melon and a spearmint note. Tangy and mineral-driven on the palate with some creamy feel from two months on the lees. Intense lime and green melon mixes with sea shells and all sorts of minerals. No green grass here, just pure fruit and waves of mineral goodness. (89 points)

2009 Hamilton Russell Ashbourne Sandstone - South Africa, Walker Bay
A bit of grass on the nose, some green pepper, white tea and saline. Quite fleshy on the palate, creamy body, but tingling acid. Interesting blend of flavors: mango, honey, white tea, sea salt, showing some beautiful aged characteristics but it’s still quite lively and I’d like to cellar it for a few more. A complex and lovely blend of 88% Sauvignon Blanc and 12% Chardonnay. (90 points)

2013 Hamilton Russell Chardonnay - South Africa, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Deep, complex aromas of peach, flowers, slate, honey and minerals. So pure, clean and fleshy on the palate, with flavors of white peach, pear. lemon curd, apricot and green melon. Creamy but mineral-driven, so complex yet subtle and nuanced, with all sorts of tea and slate notes. Long, complex, verging on the profound. Wow, this is near-epic. I’d love to cellar this for two or three years, but I think it’ll improve for longer. This was my favorite wine of the entire trip, and I think it deserves much more time for contemplation. (94 points)

2013 Hamilton Russell Pinot Noir - South Africa, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Bright ruby color. Smells of spice cake, roses, cherries, currants, as well as a blend of oregano, sage and spearmint. Basically, the nose is amazing. Fleshy red fruit on the palate, but so silky, pure and elegant as well. Fine tannins, tangy acid, effortless on the palate. The spice, anise, rose and mushroom notes are wonderful, and will only improve with age. A real beauty. (92 points)

2012 Southern Right Pinotage - South Africa, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
Dark ruby color. Dark berries on the nose, with coffee, pepper and roses. Smells elegant, not stinky. Tannins are bold, but the mouthfeel is velvety. Rich berry fruit and plum cake mixes with anise, coffee and spicy cedar notes. Lively but also shows some elegance. One of the better Pinotage wines I remember tasting, and it could get better with a few years. (90 points)

2008 Hamilton Russell Ashbourne - South Africa, Walker Bay
Aromas of soft berries, spice, roses, earth, some charcoal. Grippy tannins, fresh acid. Tangy blackberry and strawberry fruit blends with smoke, roses, pepper, oregano and leather tones. A finish with sweet plum cake and cola. Complex, very pretty and elegant, which is quite an achievement for a blend of 67% Pinotage and 33% Cabernet. I’d love to lay this down for another three years. (90 points)

I was smitten with these wines, so I snagged a few to stow away in my luggage. Overall, I was beyond impressed with the Hermanus wine route experience. It’s a place of uniquely stunning beauty. I could wax about it for hours, using all sorts of superlatives, but it wouldn’t do much good. It has to be experienced. 

Outside of Southern Right winery, the locals showed up to hang out. Baboons
are fascinating animals and I was stoked to be able to watch such a large troop

On the way out of the winery, my wife and I spotted a troop of about 40 baboons. We spent a good half-hour just watching and photographing them as they played around in a small field. I’ll remember that day for as long as my mind works.

If you’re ever in South Africa, heed these words: Visit Hermanus. Tour the wineries. Get on a boat and look for some whales. Bask in the bliss that you’re alive and privileged enough to be here. I’m going back again to do just that.

Cheers!

Favorites From a Rhone Rangers Tasting

Wines from France’s Rhone Valley are responsible for my obsession with wine. It was Hermitage and Chateauneuf-du-Pape that got me hooked. Years later, I still seek out and collect Northern Rhone Syrahs and Viogniers, and I’ve never grown tired of red and white Chateauneufs.

For decades, American winemakers have looked to the Rhone Valley for inspiration while crafting wines that evoke a sense of their own time and place. At the forefront of this large movement is an organization called the Rhone Rangers, a non-profit group of vintners who promote American wines made from Rhone grapes.

To qualify as an official “Rhone Ranger” wine, member wineries must use one or more of the 22 varieties recognized in France, and these grapes must constitute at least 75% of the blend. Red Rhone grapes like Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre feature prominently, and white grapes like Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne are frequently blended together. (For more background on the Rhone Rangers movement, and the rising tide of American Rhone wines, check out a great piece by my friend David White from a few weeks ago: “Embracing the Rhone Rangers.”)

In early June, the Rhone Rangers made their first trek to Washington, DC, for a series of tastings, dinners and panel discussions. I caught up with this crew for a tasting held at the Longview Gallery near DC’s Convention Center. The place was packed with winemakers, winery reps and tasters. I only had two hours, and I was having too much fun chatting with winemakers, so I didn’t get to visit everyone.

The white Rhone wines from Two Shepherds are complex and beautiful.

I honed in on a few producers who I think are doing amazing things in California. Under the Two Shepherds banner, wine-writer-turned-winemaker William Allen has been putting out some intriguing stuff from selected vineyards across California. I’ve long been a fan of Donelan’s Sonoma County wines, and this tasting was no exception. And it’s not a California Rhone tasting without Central Coast staple Qupé.

Here are some of my favorite wines from that tasting…

2011 Donelan Syrah Cuvée Keltie - California, Sonoma County ($75)
Nose: dark berries, violets on the nose, warm and inviting. Juicy berry fruit on the palate, ripe but tangy. Also some meat, olive, tobacco and violet notes. Zingy, with a long finish. I’d cellar this for two years and see what it’s up to.

2009 Qupé Syrah Bien Nacido Hillside Estate - California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley ($40)
Dark berries, charcoal, some smoke on the nose. Quite elegant on the palate, with a velvety mouthfeel and some crisp acid. Pure berry and currant fruit, with complex notes of pickle, spice and soy. Rich, lasting, pure, plenty of time ahead. 

2012 Two Shepherds Grenache Saralee’s Vineyard - California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley ($38)
Love the nose, so floral, cool fruit, elegance. Fine tannins, crisp acid, a lighter, more elegant style at 13.3% alcohol. Cool red fruit, mixed with spice, earth and roses. Complex, versatile, I don't remember the last California Grenache I thought of as thirst-quenching. 

2011 Wrath Syrah Doctor’s Vineyard - California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands ($39)
Nose: smoke, crushed granite, meat on top of red currants and plums. Palate: firm, medium+ acid, currants and plums, but not too rich. Tangy throughout, with smoke, earth, meaty, jetty rock elements. Yup, this is doing it for me. 

2011 Cornerstone Cellars Syrah Stepping Stone - California, Napa Valley ($35)
Deep aromas, love the currants, plums, earthy, pepper, smoke, lots of depth. Juicy palate, fresh plum & currants, solid structure. Earth, loam, charcoal, chewy yet elegant. Will be even prettier with another two years. Wowed again by this wine. 

If you’re interested in notes from the full tasting, you can view my CellarTracker report here.

Have you tasted any good California Rhone wines lately? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Cheers!

Warwick Estate: Stellenbosch in a Wine Glass

I recently visited South Africa for the first time and had some incredible experiences. I've been chronicling my South African wine adventures for a few weeks now, but before I shift to other places and wines, I wanted to talk about a memorable visit to Warwick Estate in Stellenbosch.

Warwick produces a wide range of wines. Their entry-level Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are delicious and crowd-pleasing white wines that I’d love to see on some by-the-glass lists. Warwick’s high-end Cabs and Bordeaux blends reach that next level of quality and depth, tempting you to take advantage of the cellar door prices and load down your suitcase.

My wife and I visited Warwick before lunch one day, and tasted through the lineup with Mike Ratcliffe, who manages his family’s estate. Mike, the third generation Ratcliffe to run Warwick, is also a partner in Vilafonté, a Paarl-based project that makes some seriously impressive Cabernet- and Malbec-based blends. He shared stories of his family’s history, information about the estate vineyards and the fable of the wedding cup, which inspired Warwick’s wine labels and the brand’s overall aesthetic.

The Warwick wines are fresh and modern, but the whole Warwick experience is tinged with history. From 1771 until the end of the Anglo Boer war in 1902, the Warwick Estate was a farm called De Goede Sukses. When the war ended, Colonel William Alexander Gordon bought the estate, and as the Commanding Officer of the Warwickshire regiment, he changed the name as a tribute to his regiment.

Stan Ratcliffe bought the estate Warwick Estate in 1964 after searching the Cape for a good spot to lay down some Cabernet Sauvignon roots. His wife Norma became interested in the winemaking process and began studying. She was good at it, and in the late 1970s she became head winemaker.

In 1984, she released her first Cabernet Sauvignon, La Femme Bleu, now called The Blue Lady. Two years later, she produced her first Trilogy, a wine that would go on to become a reputable South African Bordeaux-style blend. Norma’s work was recognized by her colleagues in the South African wine world — she became the first woman member of the Cape Winemakers Guild and the only woman to act as Chairperson.

Today, Warwick pays homage to Norma Ratcliffe’s trailblazing efforts by continuing her work with Bordeaux grapes, and through the label art, the brand imagery and proprietary names like The First Lady.

Here are my notes on Warwick’s lineup…

2013 Warwick Estate Sauvignon Blanc Professor Black - South Africa, Western Cape
Fruity and floral on the nose, with peach, green melon and some lemon pith, a slight but pleasant seaweed note. Fresh and fruity on the palate, not green and herbal, with a salt and mineral touch to the generous peach fruit. Very pleasant, easy-drinking style. Includes 14% Semillon. (87 points)

2013 Warwick Estate Chardonnay The First Lady - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
So tropical on the nose, with juicy mango, guava nectar and honey. Rich and plush on the palate with guava and honey, some freshness from the acid. An entry-level, unoaked, playful wine, approachable but still well made and attractive. (86 points)

2012 Warwick Estate Chardonnay The White Lady - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Much more complex on the nose than the First Lady Chard, with lime and white peach, slate, crushed sea shells and hazelnut shells. Tangy and fresh on the palate, but a perfect blend of richness. I get mixed apple and melon fruit along with slate, mineral and lots of dried flowers. The hazelnut and toasted coconut shaving flavors are woven in perfectly. Long and pure, this is fermented in 1/3 new French oak using wild yeasts, no maloactic fermentation and they roll the barrels instead of stirring the yeast to reduce oxygen contact. A very pretty Chard that could develop more with near-term cellaring. (90 points)

2011 Warwick Estate Cabernet Franc - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Aromas of red berries, black pepper, English breakfast tea, some pepper, sweet lavender. Firm tannins, rich but velvety with lots of smooth berries. Complex notes of cedar, spice, cigar box, some black olive, cola and spice. Herbaceous qualities add complexity but play back-up. So silky but I'd wager this is three-to-five years from its peak and it will hold for much longer. The tasting room attendant said Warwick was the first in South Africa to make a varietal Cab Franc (this is 100% Cab Franc). Aged 24 months in 60% new oak. (90 points)

2012 Warwick Estate Cabernet Sauvignon The First Lady - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Juicy raspberries and strawberries on the nose, along with cola and spice. Fleshy and juicy on the palate with bright berries, cedar and cola. Smooth, fresh, very pleasant and enjoyable now. 100% Cabernet aged 18 months in old oak. Ready to drink now or in the near term. (87 points)

2012 Warwick Estate Pinotage Old Bush Vines - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Smells of spiced berry tea, cola and juicy strawberries. Fine tannins and medium acid provide a lively mouthfeel for the fig, raspberry and strawberry fruit. I get notes of roasted coffee, smoke and sweet cola. Soft, almost elegant, with a spice-toned finish. I probably wouldn’t guess Pinotage if served blind, but it’s very nice and I really enjoy this polished style. Aged 9 months in old French oak barrels. (88 points)

2011 Warwick Estate Three Cape Ladies Cape Blend - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Smells of sweet raspberries and blackberries, along with cola, smoke and tar. Solid tannins on the palate with pulpy plum and tangy black currant fruit. Notes of violets, iron, cedar and coffee add complexity. Finish with tar and smoke. A big, pretty, ageworthy blend of 37% Pinotage, 31% Cabernet Sauvignon, 28% Shiraz and 4% Merlot. (Normally, there are only three grapes, hence the name Three Cape Ladies, but this year they put in a dash of Merlot.) (88 points)

2010 Warwick Estate Trilogy - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
A dark purple color. Aromas of deep black cherry and plums, mixed in with red licorice candy, tobacco, spearmint and charred meat. Silky but bold with interwoven tannins and medium acid. Berry compote is laced with spearmint, pepper, mocha and subtle vanilla and cedar. Great balance. Gorgeous now but could easily benefit from five to 10 years in the cellar. One of the best Bordeaux blends of my trip, this is a very impressive wine worthy of serious attention. A blend of 56% Cabernet, 30% Cabernet Franc and 14% Merlot, aged 26 months in 60% new French oak. (92 points)

2011 Warwick Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Blue Lady - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Aromas of black currants, smooth plums, earth and cola. Grippy on the palate with lots of power. Black currants, plum, earth and charcoal. Also I get notes of black olive, tobacco leaf, wet leaves. This is made from a few select barrels that would’ve gone into the Trilogy, and I like how Warwick bottles this separate Cabernet. It’s muscular but also elegant. All Cabernet, aged 27 months in 60% new French oak. Wow. (91 points)

If you ever find yourself planning a winery tour to Stellenbosch, I highly recommend visiting this estate. Warwick is open for tastings from 9-5, 365 days a year, so just show up and enjoy yourself.

Cheers!

Chablis From Domaine Charly Nicolle

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Proprietor Charly Nicolle kicked off his domaine in 2004. He’s been expanding his vineyard holdings piece by piece since 1997, when he acquired one tenth of a hectare from his great-grandfather. Today Domaine Charly Nicolle tends 15 hectares of vines spread across several appellations, including Premier Crus and the Grand Cru Bougros.

Like many Chablis winemakers, Charly learned the ropes from his father, Robert, who runs Domaine de la Mandeliere. Charly still works with his father and the two domaines share a team of vineyard workers, but they each control different vines and make different wines.

Charly Nicolle’s wines are all fermented in stainless steel with natural yeasts. They have a clean feel with lots of verve, minerality and oceanic elements. The wines I tasted hailed from the 2012 vintage, except the 2011 Bougros. “The 2012 vintage is a very good one, rather round and aromatic,” Lucie Thieblemont, the domaine’s commercial director, explained in an email. “It has less acidity than the 2011, which makes it very pleasant to drink now, but might be not so good to keep long.”

The wines are indeed round and aromatic right now, but I’m thinking some of them could age well. All of the wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2012 Charly Nicolle Chablis Ancestrum - France, Burgundy, Chablis

Nose: salted lime, green apple some white floral tones and crushed sea shells. Medium bodied with medium+ acid. I get shaved lime and green apple, mixing with pure minerality, some saline and sweet white flowers. Bright and crisp and edgy but downright fun and pleasant as well. This wine is made from a blend of vineyards in four different villages with an average age of 35 years. (87 points)

2012 Charly Nicolle Petit Chablis - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Petit Chablis

A richer, more apple and apricot-driven nose than the Chablis Ancestrum, but there’s still some nice saline and mineral notes on the nose. Fleshy on the palate, but crisp acid, a nice mix of citrus and apple fruit, some honey and hazelnut accents, some sea shells. Still, this is a lot of fun, despite its more humble appellation, this is a solid Chablis with a lot of elements firing at once. From 15-20-year-old vines in a clay and limestone vineyard in Fleys. (87 points)

2012 Charly Nicolle Chablis 1er Cru Mont de Milieu - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

Salted margarita on the nose with more yellow apple than the Ancestrum, this also has a rich honeyed note that mixes with the sea breeze and sea shell note. Medium+ body with medium+ acid, the lime and apricot fruit is tangy but backed up by some whipped honey notes. The minerals streak across the palate, like limestone and quinine and mountain stream all thrown together, the subtle honeyed white tea and floral notes add complexity. Clean, vibrant, with a long finish. From vines averaging 50-60 years. (90 points)

2012 Charly Nicolle Chablis 1er Cru Les Fourneaux - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

Love the lime zest, sea salt and white flowers, but there’s a lot of creamy fruit as well (apricot, white peach, some honeyed notes). Long and deep on the nose.  Nervy acid but generous with the creamy aspects. The lime, green and yellow apple and apricot fruits are dusted with sea salt, crushed oyster shells and limestone. Love the intensity and verve, but I also enjoy the creamy, slightly honeyed aspects. Long and age-worthy, just a bit more depth and minerality than the Mont de Milieu. From vines averaging 50-60 years. (91 points)

2011 Charly Nicolle Chablis Grand Cru Bougros - France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis Grand Cru

Aromas of sea salt, white flowers, some moderate mineral and rocky elements, a bit of honeyed tea. On the palate this is a racy wine with crisp acid and a medium body. Creamy with some nice apricot, mixed apples, white peach and white tea flavors. A sense of lime peel and slate pervades the wine, complementing the honeyed tones. Very good stuff, but I wonder about cellaring this for more than a few years. From vines averaging 50-60 years. (89 points)

Robert Oatley: Affordable Wines From Classic Australian Regions

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Are you still buying those generic Australian wines with “Southeastern Australia” on the labels? You know what I’m talking about: Little Penguin Chardonnay, Rosemount Estate Cab or — gasp! — even Yellow Tail Shiraz?

If you are, that’s fine. Every wine drinker starts somewhere. But if you’re looking to deepen your experience with Australian wine, and you still don’t want to spend a lot of money, there are other Aussie options. There are plenty of wines that taste like, well, wine, as opposed to factory-churned Kool-Aid.

One producer of such wines is Robert Oatley Vineyards, who produces a wide range of value-driven, fan-friendly wines from vineyards across Australia. Founder Robert Oatley is the man behind Rosemount Estate, the Australian wine behemoth whose diamond label bottles can be found anywhere in America. It seems Robert is taking a more focused approach with this effort; he’s sourcing quality grapes from classic Australian appellations, instead of relying on multi-regional blends. The result is a line of distinctive and affordable wines that are representative of their respective regions.

Robert Oatley Vineyards is run by Robert’s son, Sandy Oatley, and Larry Cherubino, of Cherubino Winery, directs the winemaking. They describe their wines as “authentically Australian wines intentionally suited to the American palate.”

I’m not sure exactly what that means, but my American palate enjoyed these wines quite a bit. And the prices are very attractive.

2012 Robert Oatley Chardonnay Wild Oats - Australia, New South Wales, Central Ranges, Mudgee

SRP: $15

Aromas of apricot, lemon and orange peel. Creamy, buttery, but lively with acid, grapefruit peel, minerals, lots of tangy lemons. I get some papaya, apricot jam and sweet honey, nervy acid and minerals balance it out. Great value for the money. (87 points)

 

2012 Robert Oatley Chardonnay Signature Series - Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River

$17

Nose of lemon curd, daisies, honeycomb, lime, river rocks. On the palate, this is crisp, clean and tangy, only 13% alcohol. The apricot, green apple and lime play well together, and I enjoy the floral, perfumed aspects. Unassuming, lovely stuff, especially for the price. (88 points)

2013 Robert Oatley Riesling Signature Series - Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Great Southern

SRP: $17

Light yellow color. Lots of white peach, green pear and lime, some honey and minerals. Tangy acid on the palate, but not austere, with a wonderfully creamy texture. Apricot, green apples and lime juice, all fresh and lively, along with honeyed tea and chalk accents. Dry, crisp, lively, an impressive Aussie Riesling. (88 points)

2012 Robert Oatley Shiraz Signature Series - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

SRP: $20

Dark purple color. Aromas of black cherries, plums, sweet vanilla and earth. Open on the palate, with a stylish, juicy approach. Blackberries and black cherry jam mixes in with cinnamon and teriyaki notes. Fleshy but not overripe or hot. (87 points)

2011 Robert Oatley Shiraz Wild Oats - Australia, New South Wales, Central Ranges, Mudgee

SRP: $14

Bright cherry colored. Smells of raspberries and spice tea, some tobacco. Fresh and juicy on the palate, surprisingly tangy, with flavors of roses and clove accenting the red berry fruit. Surprisingly pleasant, especially for the price. (86 points)

2012 Robert Oatley Cabernet Sauvignon Signature Series - Australia, Western Australia, South West Australia, Margaret River
SRP: $20

Medium ruby color. Spicy aromas mix with blueberry, vanilla and loamy soil. Firm tannins, smooth acid, a plush mouthfeel. Tangy black currants and juicy blueberries are backed up by notes of mocha, charcoal, cigar smoke and eucalyptus. Drinking well now but could hold for a few years. Very good for the price. (88 points)