New Releases from Australia

When I first started getting into wine, I fell hard for Australian stuff. Inexpensive, fun, reliable, yummy, it allowed me to explore different regions and grapes without a lot of effort or money. While my wine purchases have moved away from Australia over the years, I never outgrew my love for Australian wine.

And that’s thanks to producers like Wakefield, and many others, make wines that are much more than just fruit and alcohol. I’ve reviewed Wakefield wines before (check them out here and here), and this crop of new releases reinforces my respect for this producer.

The Taylor family kicked off their winery in 1969, after purchasing a 430-acre vineyard near the Wakefield River in the Clare Valley region. These wines are known as Taylor’s in Australia but, due to trademark restrictions, they’re labeled as Wakefield in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Clare Valley wines all come from the Taylor family estate, where vineyards at more than 1,100 feet above sea level vineyards get plenty of sun but receive the benefit if large diurnal temperature swings. The St. Andrews wines come from the estate fruit grown in their terra rossa soil, while the Jaraman wines are blended with fruit from other sites. For this report I also tasted two vintages apiece of Wakefield’s flagship Cabernet, the Visionary, and Shiraz, the Pioneer. They’re expensive, but so, so good.

I’ve also included four other Australian wines, from Jansz, Tyrell’s, Torbreck and Chambers.

All of these wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2017 Wakefield Chardonnay - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Vibrant medium yellow color. Aromas of lemon curd, yellow apples and key lime pie, with sea spray, limestone and toasted nut notes. Plush but crisp acidity, deep and honeyed texture, with plenty of yellow apples, limes. Notes of salty minerals, ginger, cream and toasted bread, this is rich and flavorful but precise, with impressive depth and minerality. (88 points)

2016 Wakefield Chardonnay St Andrews - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $40
Medium yellow color. Nose shows lemon curd, a burst of limes and white peaches, along with saline, white flowers, chalk, and subtle almond and honey butter. On the palate, this is pristine and vibrant, medium-full-bodied with crisp acidity. I love the lemons, limes and white peaches, matched with hay, saline, dandelion, along with nougat and honey. A very pretty, vibrant, compelling Clare Valley Chardonnay. Aged 10 months in 80% new French oak. (91 points)

2016 Wakefield Chardonnay Jaraman Clare Valley/Adelaide Hills - Australia, South Australia
SRP: $25
Deep yellow color. Smells of lemon curd and orange marmalade, along with notes of honey, salted almond and freshly-baked biscuits. Plump texture but moderating acidity, along with plenty of apricot, bruised pear and apples. Notes of cinnamon, almond, sea salt and ginger snap add complexity. Richly flavorful but vibrant, too. This spends eight months in 60% new French oak. (88 points)

2017 Wakefield Riesling - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Light yellow color. Lovely notes of peaches, limes, apricot, along with complex floral, honey and chalky notes. Crisp, dry and so zesty on the palate on a light/medium-bodied frame. Pleasantly plump peach meets zesty limes and green apples, and I get notes of crunchy sea salt, honeysuckle, floral perfume. Juicy and fruity but brisk and fresh, too. (87 points) 

2017 Wakefield Merlot - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Light purple color. Bright but juicy on the nose with sweet raspberries, red and black cherries, along with some violet petals, cola and coffee. Full but smooth with soft tannins and medium acidity. Juicy black cherries, tangy plums, raspberries, the fruit is juicy but fresh and mixed in with some coffee, violets and coffee. Smooth, easy-drinking, accessible, but well-made and vibrant. Aged in a mix of French and American oak, 10% new. (87 points)

2017 Wakefield Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Medium purple color. Aromas show sweet plums, blackberries and blueberries, with some eucalyptus, mint and violets. Full-bodied, smooth tannins, surprisingly fresh acidity. Crisp and juicy with blackberries, blueberries and black cherries, which fit well with the espresso, mint, dark chocolate, black pepper and vanilla tones. Delicious but vibrant, this has quite a bit of complexity at this price point. Aged 12 months in American oak. (88 points)

2013 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon The Visionary - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $140
Dark purple color. Deep, wafting aromas of blackberries, boysenberry and blueberry, rich but crunchy, with mint, anise, wet earth, cedar forest, some vanilla and warm cocoa. Full-bodied with serious grip but the tannins show some velvetiness, too, and the acidity is great and the mouthfeel is lovely. Tart black cherries, black currants, plum skins, along with cocoa, anise, coffee, and complex tobacco, graphite, earth, forest floor. Beautiful, a fresher feel than the 2014, expressive in youth, although this can also age for quite some time. Aged 20 months in French oak. (93 points)

2014 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon The Visionary - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $140
Rich purple color. Nose boasts tangy, concentrated currants, black cherries, blueberries, along with complex floral and earth tones, lots of clove and coffee and cinnamon sticks. Full and rich on the palate, but lively as well, with fine-grained tannins, moderating acidity, and plenty of tart black cherries, cassis, dark plums. Complex elements of violets, clove, bay leaf, earth, sweet vanilla and coffee. Serious time ahead for this one. Seems more structured and could use more cellar time than the 2013. Aged 20 months in French oak. (93 points)

2013 Wakefield Shiraz The Pioneer - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $140
Deep purple color. Aromatically, I get waves of deep, dark fruit (blackberries, blueberries, black cherries) and complex bursts of eucalyptus, black pepper, espresso, violets, anise. Big and full on the palate, built well with tannins but the edges are fine and the acidity here is really inviting and refreshing. Suave blackberry, blueberry, black currant, mixed with coffee, anise, dark chocolate, eucalyptus, with an earthy, peppery finish. Long time ahead but beautiful young. Aged 20 months in French oak. (93 points)

2014 Wakefield Shiraz The Pioneer - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley SRP: $140
Deep purple color. Gorgeous fruit, blackberries and blueberries, juicy and ripe, with espresso, pepper, anise and earth, but I get deep floral complexity here compared to the 2013. Plump, rich, yet velvety, acidity provides some nice balance to the bold blackberry and blueberry fruit. Complex elements of violets, clove, earth, anise, black tea, dark chocolate, and there are lots of savory, earthy tones as well. Velvety but vibrant, this has many years of lovely evolution ahead. Aged 20 months in French oak. (93 points)

N.V. Jansz Wine Company Premium Rosé Brut - Australia, Tasmania
SRP $29
Pale copper color. Super floral on the nose with roses, daisies and honeysuckle, along with plenty of red apple, pomegranate and lemon fruit, some chalky notes thrown in as well. Crisp, so tangy and focused on the palate, but it has the depth to balance it out. Red apples, raspberries, strawberries, crunchy red fruit mixes with musky cologne, white pepper, rose hips, chalk dust, slight biscuits. Crisp but some residual sugar, harmonious, gluggable but complex, too. Champagne method bubbles made from Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. (89 points)

2017 Tyrrell's Sémillon - Australia, New South Wales, Hunter Valley
SRP: $25
Medium straw color. Bursting aromas of lime, apricot, topped in sea salt, this is also highly floral with magnolia petals, honeysuckle and white ta. Light and brisk on the palate, this is fresh and accessible with a mix of lime, green melon, apricot and white peach. Notes of cut flower stems, honeysuckle and baby’s breath. Fun, summery and fresh, a light-on-its-feet appeal, but some nice complexity and depth. (88 points) 

2017 Torbreck Shiraz Woodcutter's - Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
SRP: $25
Medium purple color. Nose boasts blueberries and saucy black cherries, topped in pepper, barbecue sauce and smoke, some vanilla. Full but smooth on the palate, with chewy tannins and medium-low acidity. Delicious blueberries and blackberries, juicy and saucy, mixed with pepper, black olive brine, espresso, mint and sweet cocoa. Full, forward and smooth, but balanced and well-made stuff to drink over the next few years. All Shiraz, 15% alcohol. (88 points)

N.V. Chambers Rosewood Muscat - Australia, Victoria, North East, Rutherglen
SRP: $16/375ml
Deep apricot, light brown color. Deep and inviting aromas of clover honey, graham cracker, crème brulee, orange marmalade. Rich and sweet on the palate with a velvety, creamy feel, but some medium acidity that keeps it from feeling too heavy. Flavors of apricot jam, orange marmalade, clove, graham cracker. Lovely depth and spice, a reliably delicious Aussie sticky. 17.7% alcohol, 233 grams/liter of residual sugar, this is aged solera style in old oak casks. (89 points)

This post first appears on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wakefield - Fresh but Serious Wines from South Australia

I’ve reviewed some wines from Australia’s Wakefield before, here and here. They also produce a $200 a pop Visionary Cabernet and Pioneer Shiraz, which are stellar. This time I’ve got two wines from their Jaraman label, which are blended from multiple regions, and two wines from the St. Andrews brand, which come from estate fruit planted in Clare Valley terra rossa soil.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2015 Wakefield Chardonnay Jaraman - Australia, South Australia
SRP: $25
Pale gold color. Juicy white peach and green apple on the nose with some sea spray, honeyed tea and cut flowers. Full-bodied and creamy but some refreshing acidity keeps it balanced. The lemon curd, peach and baked apple fruit is topped in chopped peanuts, almonds and notes of chalk and floral perfume. Vibrant and clean but packed with rich flavor. A blend of fruit from Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills. (88 points)

2014 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon Jaraman - Australia, South Australia
SRP: $30
Plump purple color. Dark and saucy aromas of black cherries and roasted plums, along with a bold shot of menthol and eucalyptus, sweet coffee and clove. Full-bodied with moderate tannins but a refreshing sense of acidity holds it together nicely. Black cherries and blueberry fruit, ripe and juicy, topped in coffee grounds, vanilla, eucalyptus and pepper. Juicy and rich but shows some complexity of non-fruit flavors to keep it interesting. A split of juice from Clare Valley and Coonawarra. (87 points)

2014 Wakefield Shiraz St Andrews - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

SRP: $60
Deep purple color. Aromas of deep currants, blueberries, dark plums, along with black pepper, grilled steak, rich earth and eucalyptus. Full but smooth, plush but fresh, ripe fruit (blueberry and blackberry) combines with fleshy tannins and vibrant acidity, and the fruit maintains a fresh edge. Lots of earth, soy, pepper, tobacco, beef jerky. Instantly delicious but complex, with five to ten years of potential development from this wine. Aged 18 months in American oak. (91 points)

2014 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon St Andrews - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $60
Dark purple color. Aromas of rich currants, plum skins, gushing blackberry, but lots of sweet tobacco, rich earth, violets, smashed rocks and iron. Full-bodied and saucy but vibrant acidity balances out nicely with the sturdy tannins. Deep black currants and black cherries, loaded with coffee, loamy soil, grilled herbs, graphite, roasted chestnut. Density for aging but it opens up nicely with just a little air. Gorgeous Clare Valley Cab! Aged 18 months in 40% new French oak. (91 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Vibrant, Value-Heavy Australian Wines from Wakefield

A kangaroo checks out the Wakefield Clare Valley Vineyard. Credit: Wakefield Wines

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Earlier this year, I reviewed some new releases from Southern Australia's Wakefield. Well, I’m back to Wakefield again, and this reports includes some really solid buys from the mid-shelf offerings. If you’ve turned away from Australian wines generally, it might be worth turning to Wakefield wines specifically. These wines in this report are moderately priced and highly delicious, showing a stylistic trend toward brighter acidity and fresher fruit.

The Taylor family kicked off their winery in 1969, after scoring a 430-acre vineyard near the Wakefield River in Southern Australia’s Clare Valley region. These wines are known as Taylor’s in Australia but, due to trademark restrictions, they’re labeled as Wakefield in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Clare Valley wines all come from the Taylor family estate, where vineyards at more than 1,100 feet above sea level vineyards get plenty of sun but receive the benefit if large diurnal temperature swings. The St. Andrews wines come from the estate fruit grown in their terra rossa soil, while the Jaraman wines are blended with fruit from other sites.

And for those looking to splurge, Wakefield has some stunning high-end reds, the Pioneer Shiraz and Visionary Cabernet. I reviewed these wines in November 2015. Spoiler: they are amazing.

2015 Wakefield Pinot Gris - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Pale lemon color. A brisk and salty appeal on the nose with floral perfume, orange peel, guava and melon — a lovely sniffer! On the palate, this is crisp and suave with bright acidity and vibrant minerality. Floral, herbal, seashell and flint notes accent the lemon, orange and guava fruit. Begs for oysters or a picnic lunch in a sunny field. Impressive stuff! (89 points)

2015 Wakefield Chardonnay Jaraman Clare Valley/Adelaide Hills - Australia, South Australia
SRP: $25
Light gold color. Aromas of green and yellow apple, almond, honeysuckle, white tea and notes of seashells. Plump and juicy on the palate but this sports surprising acidity and a fresh sense of minerals to contrast the honey and nougat richness from the French oak. Peach, baked apple and a spritz of lime mix well together in this well-balanced, vivacious Chardonnay. 51% of the fruit comes from Clare Valley, 49% from Adelaide Hills. (88 points)
 
2015 Wakefield Riesling Saint Andrews - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $40
Pale straw color. Gobs of white peach, papaya and fresh squeezed limes on the nose, and some chalk, mineral and floral perfume. Precise on the palate, packed with a stony mineral presence, but a waxy texture and lively fruit give the wine serious depth. Papaya, kiwi, peaches, lime juice, pretty fruit topped with river rocks, chalk, minerals and quinine. Lots going on here, but this will surely improve in the cellar. A gorgeous Clare Valley Riesling. (91 points)

2015 Wakefield Merlot - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Juicy light purple color. The aromas are strong and ripe, but there’s nuance in the plum and black cherry fruit, and I get some menthol, earth and sweet violet notes. A fleshy but tart wine on the palate with refreshing acidity, medium-light tannins, and a bright mix of red and black cherry fruit – notes of dark roast coffee, violets, charcoal and eucalyptus. A bright and lively Merlot that tastes great now but could probably improve for a few years. (87 points)

2015 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Vibrant purple color. Aromas of cedar shavings, eucalyptus and black pepper accent the juicy red and black currant fruit. The palate shows fine-grained tannins and moderate acidity, framing this medium-plus bodied wine in a fresh package. Juicy red and black currants and plums mix off of loamy soil, eucalyptus, mint and espresso. Plenty of fruit but this has lots of freshness that make it easy and pleasant to sip, but enough to unpack for a few years in the cellar. Aged a year in 10% new French oak. (87+ points)

2015 Wakefield Shiraz - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $17
Deep purple color. A dark core of plum and blackberry fruit on the nose along with violets, loam and black pepper glaze. Silky and juicy presence on the palate with medium acidity and medium-soft tannins. Deep, dark black cherry and plum fruit but it maintains a tart edge. Notes of roasted chestnut, wet earth and pepper add some complexity. Fun, tasty stuff for near-term drinking. I like the more vibrant and less roasted appeal. (86 points)

Wakefield's Gems: Visionary Cabernet & Pioneer Shiraz

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

Wakefield produces some exciting wines from Clare Valley, South Australia, ranging the spectrum from approachable, relatively inexpensive bottles to, well, these big boys.

The Pioneer Shiraz and The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon come from the Wakefield team’s best vineyard blocks in the Clare Valley. These are bold, concentrated wines that spend time in American oak, but the purity of fruit, complexity of flavors and aging potential make these wines very impressive. They’re special wines for sure — as they should be, considering the suggested retail price is $200.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2012 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon The Visionary - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

SRP: $200

Medium purple color. Aromatically slugging, with deep red and black currants and tart plums, but with air more reserved and elegant notes come out, tobacco, eucalyptus, mint, sweet violets, pickle, white pepper. Seriously complex sniffing. On the palate, this shows a firm tannic structure, some medium acid. Tart black currants and dark plums, the fruit has crunchy skins but lots of ooze on the inside. Complex secondary notes of tar, charcoal, wet forest, mint, white pepper, clove, roasted chestnut and dark roast coffee. Crazy complex but the elements unravel beautifully on the palate. The oak signature is written in thick pen, but it has enough other elements going for it. A burly wine that will improve for ten years and hold for longer, but it’s quite a thing to taste the power right now. (93 points)

2012 Wakefield Shiraz The Pioneer - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley

SRP: $200

Rich purple color. Complex nose that needs time to open up and show it’s full bounty, but I start getting black cherry, blueberry and black currant mixed in with notes of bacon fat, black pepper, mushroom, notes of roasted coffee, eucalyptus and anise. Full-bodied, firm tannins but they’re smoothed out around the edges, and an impressive amount of acid holds the wine together. Black cherry, blueberry and dark currant fruit, tart and crunchy but full of sweet flavors. A complex web of black pepper, soy sauce, cedar, eucalyptus and mint makes this a delight to sip and ponder. Long finish with deep notes of asphalt and minerals. Rich and mouth-filling but so elegant. Really bold and worthy of cellar development, but impressive in its approachability and vibrancy at this young point. (93 points)

In Defense of Australian Wines: d'Arenberg and Wakefield

Australia is an early stop on the wine lover’s journey, a testing ground for the development of the sophomoric palate. It’s a place where the rookie goes to fulfill the baser desires for ripe fruit and alcohol. But, as you grow wiser, you eventually come to your senses. You discover the Northern Rhone and Bordeaux and leave your childish Aussie-loving ways behind.

Of course, this is all a bunch of crap. Australian wines are amazing. Maybe I’m in the minority among nerds, but I’ve never outgrown Australian reds. And with the days getting shorter and the weather getting colder, a burly Shiraz sure hits the spot.

I recently tasted through some wines from one of my favorite Aussie producers, d’Arenberg, and another reliable producer, Wakefield. All these wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2012 Wakefield Riesling - Australia, South Australia, Clare Valley
SRP: $16
Light-straw color with the tinges of sea green. Bursting with aromas: key lime, honeysuckle, white peach and minerals. Tingling acid, lots of lime and white peach fruit. The mineral content here is great, and I get a bit of a sea salt aspect as well. Some creamy feel to the wine, but overall this is a focused and brisk Riesling. 12.8% alcohol and .07 g/L residual sugar. (87 points)

2002 d’Arenberg “The Galvo Garage” - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
SRP: $29
At 12 years old, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Verdot and Cabernet Franc is showing remarkably well. Medium purple color with some slight brick red around the rims. The nose shows smoke and charcoal on top of sweet plum cake and black cherries, notes of beef and tobacco came out with some air. Full and creamy on the palate with finely polished tannins and a solid dose of acid. The cherry and currant fruit is fresh and still going strong, but those aged notes of tobacco, pickle and bay leaf come out in full force. Delicious stuff, and I’m really impressed by how well it’s holding up. (90 points)

2005 d’Arenberg Cabernet Sauvignon “The Coppermine Road” - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
SRP: $60
A simply gorgeous McLaren Vale Cabernet. The nose is full of cherry, black pepper, red licorice, roasted red peppers, and it gets better and better with air. Juicy berry fruit covers the palate, but tangy acid keeps it balanced. I love the combination of cherry, blueberry, roasted coffee and meaty flavors. Powerfully long finish with menthol and rhubarb. Very complex, this deserves a decant and a good meal of roasted meat. Aged 18 months in new and one-year-old French and American oak. (93 points)

2010 d’Arenberg Cabernet Sauvignon “The High Trellis” - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
SRP: $20
A blackberry-purple color. Lots going on aromatically, with plums, black cherries, red licorice and violets. The palate is surprisingly fresh and lively, with medium acid, dusty tannins and tangy fruit. Currant, raspberry and blackberry combine with hints of soil and flowers. A fruit-dominated wine, but the fruit tastes quite good, and the complexity is impressive for the price. (88 points)

2010 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon “Jaraman” - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $30
On the nose, juicy blueberry and blackberry mix with aromas of milk chocolate, mint and eucalyptus. On the palate, the blue and black fruit has a nice combination of freshness and sweetness. Flavors of coconut shavings and mint pervade the fruit, and it all works together. Impressive concentration, and full of ripe. Nothing to be ashamed of here, this is serious Aussie Cab. (90 points)

2012 Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon – Australia, South Australia, Mount Clare Valley
SRP: $16
The nose explodes with blackberry, blueberry, milk chocolate and floral notes, so obviously Australian, but enjoyable. Medium tannins, medium acid do a decent job supporting the rich blueberry and blackberry fruit. Notes of toast, mocha and smoke. Despite the richness, it’s still easily drinkable and not overbearing. (86 points)

2009 d’Arenberg “The Laughing Magpie” Shiraz-Viognier - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
SRP: $29

Juicy plums and blackberries on the nose, along with some coconut, chocolate and rose petals. I like the mouthfeel on this wine a lot, a rich and jammy but really creamy. Polished tannins, noticeable acid. Black cherry, plum, kirsch, it all tastes fresh and juicy. Notes of roasted coffee, braised meat and flower potpourri add complexity. 8% Viognier is co-fermented with the Syrah, and it really adds some freshness and floral tones. (88 points)

2010 d’Arenberg Shiraz “The Blind Tiger” - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale

SRP: $85

Really complex on the nose, with wild blueberries and black cherries accented by caramel, roasted coffee, eucalyptus and sweet flowers. Firm tannins, medium acid, this wine is loaded with flavor. The blueberry and black cherry fruit is pure and delicious, but it’s all backed up by roasted meat, kalamata olive and charcoal. There’s also this wild herb and earthy aspect that I find really attractive. A big wine worthy of a long decant. Very impressive stuff from 87-year-old vines grown in sand and clay soils. (92 points)

2010 Wakefield Shiraz “Jaraman” - Australia, South Australia, Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley
SRP: $30
Plums, currant tea, fig paste and some woody-leafy aromas. Firm tannins, the black currant and plum fruit tastes fleshy and ripe. It’s all about the fruit here, with some black cherry and dried fig flavors, backed up with some earthy, minty notes. Not over-toasted or overblown, this Shiraz maintains freshness. Fruit-dominated, but complex and it seems capable of some cellaring. 60% of the fruit comes from Clare Valley, the rest from McLaren Vale. (89 points)

2011 d’Arenberg Shiraz “The Stump Jump” - Australia, South Australia, Fleurieu, McLaren Vale
SRP: $13
Medium purple color. Lots of fresh plums and blackberries, inky but also very floral. Creamy texture, the plum and black cherry fruit tastes fresh and juicy. Some vanilla and mocha, but also some serious black pepper and sweet barbecue sauce. Not life-changing, but solid stuff for the price. Damn, that black pepper lingers. (86 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.