Wine Reviews: International Grab Bag

This week, I’m tackling another group of wines from all over the globe.

Starting off with the newest vintage of Trivento’s flagship Malbec, Eolo, the 2014 again delivers a mouthful of delicious, complex, cellar-worthy Mendoza goodness.

A few Spanish wines make an appearance in this week’s report, including two inexpensive but solid Riojas from renowned producer Bodegeas Lan. Carpenè Malvolti brings a pair of Italian bubbles into the mix. And South African stalwart Mulderbosch delivers four wines that bring serious quality at their respective price points.

There’s a new red blend from Virginia winery Early Mountain that I really want to highlight. The inaugural 2015 vintage of their Rise red (a Merlot-based blend), really shines. It should, considering the price point, but this is a serious, delicious, Virginia red blend that will stand the test of time.

I also received three wines from the Firstleaf wine club. Consumers can fill out a quick quiz to generate their first three-pack of wines for $15, plus shipping. The wines each come with story cards that provide technical and more general information about the wine or region. Members can rate their wines on the club’s website, and those ratings are used to generate more personalized wine selections for future shipments. I tasted three wines from an introductory shipment.

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

2014 Trivento Malbec Eolo - Argentina, Mendoza, Lujan de Cuyo
SRP: $79
Deep purple color. Rich and enticing on the palate with waves of plums, blackberry, currant, kirsch, backed up by complex and evolving notes of anise, scorched earth, coffee grounds, mint chocolate chip, violets. Solid grip but no harsh tannins, this is velvety and smooth with medium acidity and pretty dark plum, blackberry and black currant fruit. Complex elements of leather, scorched earth, eucalyptus, mint, dark chocolate, tobacco. A complex mineral, earth, smashed rock element, too. A long-ager for sure but this is beautiful young. (92 points)

N.V. Carpenè Malvolti Rosé Cuvée Brut - Italy, Veneto, Veneto IGT
SRP: $20
Bright watermelon color. Aromas of wild strawberries, white cherries, roses, spicy herbal notes. Juicy and fleshy on the palate but tangy, too, with watermelon and strawberry fruit. Notes of spicy herbs, rose petals, baby’s breath, which combines well with the fruit. Finishes fresh and salty. 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Raboso. (87 points)

N.V. Carpenè Malvolti Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore 1868 - Italy, Veneto, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG
SRP: $19
Pale straw color. Aromas of sea salt, dandelion, magnolia petals, baby’s breath and green apples. Tart and brisk on the palate with lemon, green apples and limes, backed up with a floral punch of magnolia, rosewater and dandelion. Sea salt and dusty, flinty notes add complexity. Crisp and delicious, quite complex for the price. 100% Glera. (88 points)

2017 Mulderbosch Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa, Western Cape
SRP: $17
Medium yellow color. Super fresh and green and crunchy on the nose (limes, kiwi, green apples) with white pepper, sea salt, lemongrass and fresh, floral breezy notes. Crisp and zesty on the palate but nice depth and texture. Green apples, apricot, lemons and limes, backed up with sea salt, honeysuckle, an interesting herbal/spicy note that accents the wine but doesn’t dominate the other elements. So well put-together, this is a great vintage of this wine which is, per usual, killer for the price. (90 points)

2016 Mulderbosch Chenin Blanc Single Vineyard Block A - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch, Bottelary
SRP: $33
Deep yellow color. Whoa! On the nose, a burst of tropical insanity (pineapple, white peaches, some lemon curd) doused in lamp oil, sea spray, nougat, honey butter, hay and rich vanilla. Plump and juicy on the palate, zesty but rich, with flavors of key lime pie, bruised yellow pear and fresh white peaches. Rich and suave but bright, too, with really cool minerals, ginger, musky cologne and sea spray, honeyed white tea. From 33-year-old vines, this shows the ripeness of the vintage and was aged 10 months on in French oak barrels. (91 points)

2017 Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé - South Africa, Coastal Region
SRP: $12
Pale watermelon color. Fresh and floral nose with white pepper, nettle, rose petals, and some juicy strawberry and white cherry aromas. Crisp acidity frames the wine nicely, but there’s a plush, inviting mouthfeel as well. White cherries, strawberries, watermelon, mixed together nicely with white pepper, sliced cucumber, nettle, rose hips, some breezy, salty notes. Lovely balance with fruit, freshness and complex flavors. (88 points)

2015 Mulderbosch Faithful Hound - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
SRP: $22
Light purple color. The nose shows gobs of black cherries, currants and blueberries, along with lots of black pepper, leather, sage, bay leaf, vanilla and cedar. Tangy acidity keeps this full-bodied, medium tannin red stay fresh, but this is also a big and dark wine loaded with black currants and blueberries. Lots of black pepper, cigar smoke, menthol, with dark chocolate and vanilla woven in nicely. Ready to go or could hold for a few years, this packs a lot of complexity for the price point. A blend of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec, aged in 30% new French oak. (89 points)

2017 Delia Tempranillo - Spain
SRP: $9
Medium ruby color. Juicy raspberries, cherries and red currants on the nose with sweet roses, tobacco and cola. Medium-bodied and fresh on the palate with light, easygoing tannins. Raspberries, cherries and strawberries, juicy but tangy fruit, mixed with roses, herbs, menthol, smoke and coffee. Light and fresh but lots of fun, and really solid for the price. (86 points)

2015 Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza D-12 Eighth Edition - Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
SRP: $20
Light purple color. Aromas of tangy black cherries mixed with spice rub, tobacco, leather, vanilla and cedar. Full-bodied, smooth tannins, with tangy acidity, and it mixes well with the crunchy, tart black cherry and currant fruit. Notes of scorched earth, tobacco, leather, some black olive, topped with vanilla and coffee. Delicious, early-drinking Rioja. (87 points)

2010 Bodegas LAN Rioja Gran Reserva - Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
SRP: $25
Deep purple color. Smells of tart black cherries and currants, tangy plums (just smelling it makes my mouth water), with mint, tobacco, coffee, loamy soil and graphite notes. Fresh acidity frames the wine nicely, solidly-gripping tannins mix with tart black cherries and currants, backed up with violets, black pepper, mint, black tea, coffee, lots of complex elements. Underlying earthy, mineral notes, this is a vibrant and fresh wine but also structured and ageworthy. Tempranillo from Rioja Alta and 10% Mazuelo. (89 points)
 

2015 Early Mountain Vineyards Rise - USA, Virginia, Central Virginia, Madison County
SRP: $95
Deep purple color. The nose shows gorgeous depth of fruit (blackberry, cassis, dark plums, roasted fig), along with lavender, violets, sweet cocoa and wet forest/woodsy notes. Solid tannic backbone on the palate but underlying fresh acidity keeps it in lovely balance. Tart black cherries, currants and plums, tangy but bountiful fruit, laced with anise, violets, clove, coffee, all woven together so nicely. Pure, delicious, complex, I’d love to cellar this for a decade. Early Mountain makes a serious statement with the inaugural vintage of this Rise red. 57% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 14% Petit Verdot, and 14% Tannat, sourced from their Quaker Run vineyards on the southern side of Doubletop Mountain. 240 cases produced. (91 points)

2017 International Archives Sémillon - Australia
SRP: $22
Deep yellow color. Nose shows apricot, pineapple, lemongrass, honey and a rosewater note. Plush texture, moderate acid keeps it bright as juicy white peach and pineapple fruit carry the wine. Honey, some cotton candy notes, baby’s breath and cut flower stem notes. Fun, crowd-pleasing stuff for the money. From Firstleaf. (85 points)

2017 Paso del Tiempo Syrah - Spain
SRP: $26
Deep purple color. Nose of juicy raspberries, sweet plums, cola, coffee, roses. Full-bodied with soft tannins and medium acidity. Tart plums meet sweet raspberries and candied cherries, backed up by roses, sweet cola and coffee. Fun, simple, crowd-pleasing stuff. From Firstleaf. (85 points)

2017 PrimaZon Malbec - Argentina, Mendoza
SRP: $26
Light purple color. Aromas of dark plums and black cherries, along with violets, warm clay, tobacco, cedar, espresso. Fresh acidity on the palate frames the wine nicely, and it has velvety, accessible tannins. Tangy black cherries, plums, raspberry jam, the fruit is mixed with cola, coffee, sweet pipe tobacco and vanilla. Fun, pleasant, widely-likeable stuff. From Firstleaf. (86 points)


This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

New, Exciting U.S. Imports from South Africa

If you’ve been a regular reader over the years, you may have heard me rant about South African wines. I love them. After a three-week pilgrimage there in 2014, my love for this country’s wines grew exponentially, as I realized how many exceptional wines were out there. The problem? Most were made in small amounts and weren’t available in the U.S.

Things have changed a bit since then, as more small importers are focusing on bringing high-quality South African wines to the U.S., many of which boast very attractive price points. One such group, New Jersey-based Vine Street Imports, sent me some wines from two South African producers that seem primed for the U.S. market.

Jurgen Gouws kicked off Intellego Wines in 2009. Although he doesn’t own any vineyards, or a cellar of his own, his passion for vibrant, nuanced wines is evident in the glass. He works with growers in Swartland to source fruit, and has a special love for the region’s older bush vines.

Francois Haasbroek is the man behind Blackwater Wine, which became his full-time focus in 2012. After studying at Stellenbosch University, and working stints in California and New Zealand, he was hired as winemaker at Stellenbosch’s Waterford Wine Estate, where he worked for nine years. Now with his own project, Francois sources grapes from all over South Africa’s Western Cape and focuses on natural acidity and steer away from density and new oak.

Both producers seem (to me), to be the kind of wines I want to see more of in the U.S., so I was excited to receive these samples, which I tasted sighted. My notes are below.

2016 Blackwater Sauvignon Blanc High Roller - South Africa, Coastal Region, Darling
SRP: $16
Light yellow color. Bursting aromatics of apricots, limes, nettle, chalk, cut flower stems. Fresh and fun on the palate, a crisp, salty, oyster-friendly appeal but shows a lot of spicy complexity. Apricots, limes, orange pith, mixed with baby’s breath, honeysuckle and some sea salt. Don’t let the cutesy label fool you, this is very pretty South African Sauv. Blanc. (88 points)

2016 Intellego Chenin Blanc - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
SRP: $28
Light yellow color. Whoa! Aromas pop: apricots, yellow apples, limes, lots of saline, honeycomb, white tea. So vibrant on the palate with rich textural depth combining well with a crisp, salty appeal. Flavors of yellow plums, apricots, drizzled with lime. The complexity is impressive, with notes of honeyed tea, sea salt, crushed shells and wild flowers. This is fascinating, deep, delicious, a great reminder of how good South African Chenin Blanc can be for the money. The grapes are sourced from 30- to 40-year-old vines. (91 points)

2018 Blackwater Lazy Lucy Rosé - South Africa, Coastal Region, Paarl
SRP: $15
Light watermelon color. On the nose I get bright strawberries, white cherries, crushed sweet tart candies, white pepper – cool combo! Light and brisk style, lean and crunchy feel to it but plenty of flavor (white cherries, watermelon, honeydew). Notes of white pepper and clove. Fresh and tasty but some solid complexity for this price, I could see this getting a lot of love from a thirsty crowd. 56% Cinsault, 44% Syrah. (88 points)

2016 Intellego Kedungu - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
SRP: $26
Light purple color. OK, so this wine is a wee bit different, for sure! Aromatically, I get wild strawberries, smoked meat, and a funky, spicy, sour mix that reminds me of a sour framboise. Tart on the palate with light tannins, this is super tangy and tart wine (only 11% alcohol) with raspberries and sour cherries. A complex mix if interesting non-fruit elements (black pepper, roasted lamb, leather). Weird but it’s also tasty. If you’re in a funky, adventurous mood, try out this blend of Syrah, Cinsault and Mourvedre. (87 points)

2017 Blackwater Grenache Daniel - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
SRP: $29
Bright ruby color. Aromas of juicy black cherries and loads of non-fruit spicy, herbal, beefy notes (roses, black pepper, soy, leather, tobacco, anise and beef drippings. Fresh and vibrant on the palate with surprising acidity, some light-dusty tannins, and black cherries and raspberry fruit. Tossed together with black pepper, soy sauce, bacon fat and some rose potpourri. Spicy but not too crazy, it stays fresh and lively as well. Delish. All Grenache from a single vineyard in Botrivier, 40% whole cluster fermentation, aged six months in old French oak. (90 points)

2015 Blackwater Wine Syrah Noir - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
SRP: $25
Deep ruby/light purple color. Aromas of black cherries, red and black currants, lots of leather, black pepper, barbecue smoke, beef broth. Medium+ bodied with moderate acidity that helps keep the wine fresh, medium tannins. Spicy black cherries, currants and plums, scorched earth, beef broth, leather, clove. Complex but lots of fun, with a fresh, spicy, barbecue-friendly appeal. Includes a bit of Grenache and Carignan, aged 27 months in old French oak. (90 points)

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.

25 South African Wines to Try Now

Vineyards in Constantia, overlooking Cape Town. Credit: WOSA.

I am a devoted preacher of the good news that is South African wine. I’ve been drinking them since I could legally purchase alcohol, mostly because I was able to find fun wines at cheap prices.

Sure, most of these wines were branded, widely-available, mass-produced bottles, but year after year I saw more and more South African wines popping up. New (to me) wine regions, exciting blends, diverse styles, delicious and unique flavors. And even the $12 wines tasted “real” in a way I struggled to find in similar wines from Australia or California.

I knew there was much more out there to be discovered though, so I was thrilled when I took a bucket list trip to South Africa a few years ago. In addition to surfing my ass off and exploring the insane natural beauty of the Western Cape, Southern Coast and safari preserves in the Northeast of the country, I visited a bunch of wineries and tasted a ton of really, really good wine. As the story usually goes with South African wines, their prices were very reasonable.

I brought a lot of wine back with me, but I also set out to locate some more South African wines in the States. It wasn’t easy, though, and I found myself constantly hoping importers would bring in more wines like the ones I found in South Africa — exciting, delicious, site-specific, inexpensive wines.

Fast-forward to 2018, and here on the East Coast, I’m coming across more and more South African wines that fit the bill. Wines of South Africa (a trade group), recently teamed up with the South African Embassy and a handful of producers and importers of South African wine for a master class and walk-around tasting. Of course, I was excited to see what was on offer, so I attended and tasted through a few dozen wines from a half-dozen producers and importers. I was not disappointed.

I’ve included details on 25 wines that I think represent what I’m trying to say about the quality of South African wines in recent years. Each wine is linked to Wine-Searcher, which will allow you to find where in the States the wine may be available. Most of these wines fall in the $10-$20 range, but prices sometimes vary from state-to-state, of course, and the price points listed come from Wine-Searcher averages or importer data.

Feel free to peruse these suggestions and explore what South Africa has to offer. You have more (and better) options now than I’ve ever seen.

Cheers!

White

2016 Indaba Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa, Western Cape
$8
Aromas of white pepper and peach. Fresh and creamy, bright acidity, tangy citrus fruit, fun spicy elements. (86 points)

2017 Eagles' Nest Sauvignon Blanc - South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia
$13
Bright and spicy aromas of green apple, jalapeno, sea salt. On the palate this is a brisk and fresh Sauvignon Blanc with green apple, lime, along with chalk dust and cut flower stems. Spicy and fresh and fun. (87 points)

2016 Rickety Bridge The Foundation Stone - South Africa, Coastal Region, Franschhoek Valley
$13
White pepper, flowers, sea salt and apricot aromas. Juicy and tropical but tangy, too. Honey, sea salt, cut flower stems and melon rind combine nicely. Grenache Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Roussanne, Viognier, and Nouvelle. (88 points)

2015 Ayama Chenin Blanc - South Africa
$13
Super tropical aromatics with pineapples and lots of flowers. Crisp but creamy, impressive depth on the palate, with flavors of peach, nectarine and apricot, with some floral perfume notes. Fresh, fruity, fun, delicious. (88 points)

2017 Lubanzi Chenin Blanc - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
$14
This wine is so good for the money (a common thread in this tasting). Aromas of flowers, sea salt, chalk and yellow pears. Zesty and bright on the palate but plenty of texture. I like the salted almond, quince, apricot and floral combo, with some underlying minerals. Yum. (89 points) 

2017 Raats Chenin Blanc Original - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$13
Love the floral aromas, fresh and bright. Creamy texture on the palate with bright acidity, peaches and nectarines topped on sea salt and honeysuckle. The texture and depth at this price is really impressive. (89 points)

2017 Rustenberg Chenin Blanc - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$18
Aromas of apricot, nectarine and lots of flowers. Peachy and plump on the palate but crisp, too. Honey and sea breeze mix with white tea, minerals, chalk dust. Wow, there is a lot going on here, especially considering the price point. (90 points)

2015 Rustenberg Chardonnay - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$18
Nose shows almonds, lemon crème, baked apple. Rich and plush texturally but vibrant acidity. Yellow apples, peaches and apricots topped in honey and raw almond. Lovely stuff! (89 points)

2014 Capensis Chardonnay - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$80
Nose shows butterscotch, almond, yellow apple. Palate is rich, creamy, almost waxy but balanced by precise acidity. Yellow apples and pears doused in toasted almond, butterscotch, honeysuckle, notes of sea salt and chalk dust. Complex but also rich and plush. Unlike last vintage (100% new oak), they’ve dialed this back to 50% new oak. (92 points)

Sparkling & Rosé

2015 Twee Jonge Gezellen Krone Methode Cap Classique Cuvée Brut - South Africa, Coastal Region, Tulbagh
$16
Biscuity aromas with yellow apples and sea salt. Crisp ad bright, salty and tangy, apples and ginger, along with buttered biscuits. For the price, this is a seriously good Champagne method sparkling wine. I’d take this over pretty much any similarly-priced Cava. (88 points)

2016 Ridgeback Viognier Methode Cap Classique - South Africa, Coastal Region
$28
Interesting nose of yellow apples, pineapple, nettle and bread dough. Fresh acidity but plump and waxy with apricot, nectarine, pineapple and peach. Lots of fruit but some fun biscuit and almond notes. Really interesting to see a sparkling Viognier (hard to find), and this one is a lot of fun. (87 points)

2017 Rustenberg Rosé of Petit Verdot - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$11
Loving this rosé — what a surprise! Spicy pepper and herbs on the nose along with white cherries and juicy strawberries. Plump and fruit on the palate (peaches and strawberries) but its fresh and tangy. I love the spicy, herbal, floral complexity here. (90 points)

2017 Zorgvliet Cabernet Franc Rosé Silver Myn - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$8
Pale copper color. Red apple, spiced white tea and peach pits on the nose. Crisp and clean but punchy with red apple, apricot, mixed with bright rose petals and nettle notes. Really fun rose. (87 points)

Red

2016 Indaba Merlot - South Africa, Western Cape
$10
Aromas of plums and juicy raspberries. Easy-going tannins, medium acidity. Plummy and juicy, a bit simple, but fun and well-balanced for a wine at this price point. (85 points)

2017 Indaba Mosaic - South Africa, Western Cape
$10
Juicy, dark fruit and spice aromas. Plush, juicy on the palate, crowd-friendly appeal with black cherries and raspberry jam. Notes of spiced tea. Not too complex, but very good for the money. (86 points)

2015 Kanonkop Cape Blend Kadette - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$15
Nose shows leather, spiced tea, clove, on top of black currants and tart black cherries. Palate is smooth and tangy but structured with currant fruit laced in spiced tea, leather, iodine and animal hide. Fruity and fun but structured and complex with a few years of aging potential. (89 points)

2016 Lubanzi Red Blend - South Africa, Coastal Region
$14
Lots of bright and juicy red fruits on the noose with some peppery spice. Soft tannins, medium acidity and plump red fruits on the palate. Notes of pepper, anise and loamy earth add some complexity. Pleasant and crowd-pleasing stuff. (87 points)

2016 Beyerskloof Pinotage - South Africa, Western Cape
$14
Dark and saucy aromas with black cherries and violets. Smooth, plush, juicy with black fruits topped in pepper, leather, earth. Notes of cocoa and earthy add complexity, and while this is a dark and concentrated wine it stays vibrant. Lovely. (90 points)

2014 Zorgvliet Cabernet Sauvignon - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$18
Such spicy aromatics! Leather, pepper, scorched earth and funky herbs on top of black currants. Suave and balanced, medium tannins and acidity, juicy black cherries and dark plum fruit. Complexity comes in the form of cocoa, pepper, anise and iodine notes, along with some spicy herbal elements. This is delicious now but could easily age for 3-5. (90 points)

2013 Rustenberg John X Merriman - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$22
Super spicy! Currants, pepper and leather. Dry tannins on the palate with a suave feel, plush and juicy. Cherries and currants laced with pepper, leather and black tea. Could age nicely. A Merlot-based blend with all five Bordeaux grapes. (89 points)

2014 Spice Route Chakalaka - South Africa, Coastal Region, Swartland
$18
Super leathery on the nose with funky earth and lots of black cherries. Smooth but structured on the palate, fresh acidity, juicy cherry and currant fruit. Complex elements of charcoal, black pepper, leather, coffee and clove. Impressive depth and complexity here. A kitchen sink blend of Syrah, Carignan, Mourvedre, Grenache, Petite Sirah and Tannat. (90 points)

2017 Luddite Wines Saboteur - South Africa, Western Cape
$28
Big and bold on the nose (blueberry and blackberry jam) along with earthy, spicy notes. Dark and plummy on the palate, approachable structure but built well. Pepper and charcoal accents. Yum. (88 points)

2015 Kaapzicht Estate Pinotage - South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch
$18
Nose reminds me of plum caked and currant compote, with some anise and pepper. Plush texture but solid tannic structure. Plummy, fig paste, prune, along with pepper and animal hide and anise. Fruity but earthy/savory with lots of complexity. Could benefit from a few years of cellaring. (89 points)

2015 Ataraxia Pinot Noir - South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley
$28
Wow, an impressive display here. Lovely aromas of red cherries, wild strawberries, tobacco, wet earth, Portobello mushroom. Fresh and zesty on the palate with dusty tannins, lots of tangy cherries and wild strawberries. Lots of black tea, tobacco, mushroom, rose hips. Complex and elegant but plenty of time ahead. (91 points)

2013 Eagles' Nest Shiraz - South Africa, Coastal Region, Cape Peninsula, Constantia
$35
I love the burst of pepper on the nose, along with black cherries, black currant, leather and clove. Tangy acidity, dusty tannins frame it nicely, while the tangy black cherry and currant fruit mixes with clove, coffee, eucalyptus and earth. A Syrah with all sorts of complexity. (90 points)

Zachy’s Makes an Extravagant Splash in DC Wine Scene

New York-based wine importer, auction house and wine behemoth, Zachy’s, opened up shop here in Washington, DC, earlier this year, and I’m happy to have them as part of this dynamic wine scene.

They’ve been hosting tastings, seminars, auctions, and other wine events for a few months now, trying to attract savvy DC-area wine-lovers, of which there are many. I’ve been to a few events and have been impressed with the wines, the staff (some friends of mine), and service. For more info on Zachy’s DC branch and their wine sales, events, and storage facility, click here.

This fall, I attended a large tasting organized by Zachy’s at DC’s Longview Gallery. It was a massive event with hundreds of wines, and unfortunately I didn’t have the time or palate ability to taste and take notes on all of them. 

But here is a good spread of some epic wines...

2016 Peter Lauer Ayler Riesling Senior Faß 6 (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
$28

Complex, deep aromatics. Crazy mineral depth, pristine fruit and floral tones. Wow, this is gorgeous young but will be phenomenal in a decade. (93 points)

2016 Peter Lauer Riesling Barrel X (Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer)
$21
Incredible how complex this wine is already. Acidity is precise, texture is intriguing, pure fruit and tons of mineral depth. Wow, this will be something special in a decade but really exciting now. (91 points)

2015 Lioco Chardonnay Estero (USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley)
$30
Another data point in support of my argument that Lioco Chardonnays are most excellent. This is pretty, vibrant, complex, fascinating stuff. Balanced between lighter body and intense acidity with complex fruit flavors, mineral and oceanic notes, some honey and nougat. Love it. (92 points)

2015 Lioco Pinot Noir Laguna (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)
$39
Tart red fruits, bright acidity, nice grip to the dusty tannins, lots of pomegranate, crunchy cherries, some complex spice tones. This has interesting development in the years ahead but so beautiful already. (93 points)

2016 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay (South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
$37
Buttery nose but also bright and chalky with lots of green and yellow apples. Zesty and chalky but lots of depth and richness as well, along with plenty of rich apple and apricot fruit. I’d love to cellar this for a few years. (92 points)

2016 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir (South Africa, Cape South Coast, Walker Bay, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley)
$50
Lots of spice and rhubarb on the nose, with tart red fruits and pepper. Crisp, bright, but solid tannins. Bright but ripe red and black cherries, some cola, rhubarb, grilled rosemary – very pretty stuff that will improve for 5+ easily. (93 points)

2014 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)

$68
Cool, crisp but lots of bright red fruits and spices. Precise acidity, very bright and spicy but also some textural richness. (93 points)

2013 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)
$90
Wow, so much more herbs and spices and savory elements here. Also lots of structured tannins, fresh acidity, and aging potential. Beautiful, balanced, wow. (94 points)

2012 Cobb Pinot Noir Emmaline Ann (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)
$73
Aromatic bliss of roses and red cherries. Airy and elegant but well-built, crisp on the palate with lots of bright red fruits and spicy herbs. Lovely stuff. (93 points)

2013 Cobb Pinot Noir Coastlands Vineyard (USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast)
$86
I love the depth of herbal, spice, floral and red fruit elements in this wine. Balanced, plenty of ripeness but so fresh and lively and, despite complexity and age-worthiness, easy to drink. (93 points) 

N.V. Buena Vista Champagne La Victoire (France, Champagne)
$60
Crisp, fresh, bright style with lots of tart green apples and pears, some almonds. Leaner style but well done. (88 points)

2013 Buena Vista Cabernet Sauvignon Carneros (USA, California, Napa, Carneros)
$70
For a rich and fruit jam-packed Cab this stays lively and goes down easy with some fun non-fruit complexity. (89 points)

2008 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)
$35
So fresh and herbal with love red fruits and lots of complex pepper and spice. (93 points)

2007 La Rioja Alta Rioja Gran Reserva 904 (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)

$55
Spicy, tangy, structured well but also accessible – my notes say “wow” like three times. I’d love to bury a few bottles of this for a decade. (94 points)

2013 Zena Crown Pinot Noir The Sum (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills)
$80
I’ve taken detailed notes on this wine in the past, and I stick by them – this wine is excellent. Love the briskness and depth, complex floral notes. Will only get better. (93 points)

2013 Zena Crown Pinot Noir Slope (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills)
$100
Crisp but not lean, full of gorgeous flavors. Wow, I’d love to see what this does in five to eight years. (94 points)

2013 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor (Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto
$125
Wow, tobacco city! This has a lot freshness in it for such a young Melchor, but delicious stuff. (92 points)

2014 Concha y Toro Cabernet Sauvignon Don Melchor (Chile, Maipo Valley, Puente Alto)
$125
Wow, a powerful young wine but so elegant and velvety even at this early stage. The violets, graphite, earth, savory spices – gorgeous. (94 points)

2015 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis (Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero)
$32
Peachy and floral with zesty citrus fruit, fun but not simple. (88 points)

2009 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano Albesani di Neive (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco)
$198
Fresh and lively despite youth, so much earthy, savory complexity already but structure for the long haul. Beautiful stuff. (93 points)

2011 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto Vigna Le Rocche (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo)

SRP: $425
So floral and complex and earthy on the nose with tart, deep fruit and loads of spice. Deep tannins, brisk acidity, structure for aging is amazing. Still so pure and delicious at this young age. My wine of the night. (97 points)

2015 Tenuta San Guido Guidalberto Toscana IGT (Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT)
$55
Earthy, dusty, rich texture, bold fruit, depth of non-fruit element. I’d love to let this sit for five to eight years. (89 points)

2014 Tenuta San Guido Bolgheri Sassicaia Sassicaia (Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia)
$200
Love the vibrancy and relatively early-drinking appeal of this vintage at this point in its life. I’ve tasted and taken detailed notes on this before, and this bottle was also delicious, and went down so easily. (93 points)

2015 Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo Toscana IGT (Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT)
$35
Bright and spicy but dry and structured, really pretty red fruits and lots of floral/herbal/spice complexity. So good for the money. (89 points)

2015 Tenuta Sette Ponti Oreno Toscana IGT (Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT)
$90
Wow, this was fantastic. Super earthy and spicy aromatics with rich cherry, cedar, tobacco. So silky and velvety texture but serious grip and freshness for the cellar. Deep, rich, vibrant, complex – a really good one to forget about for five to eight to ten years. (94 points)
2014 Le Marquis de Calon Ségur (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe)
$33
Super fun but also impressive structure and depth for a wine of this price point. Black cherries, earth, tar, floral – could improve for at least a handful of years easily. (89 points)
2014 Château Calon-Ségur (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe)
$105
Still very young with strong grip, medium acid, tart currants, laced with sage, earth pepper. Impressive depth and concentration for the cellar. (94 points)

2008 Château Calon-Ségur (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, St. Estèphe)
$155
Great depth of spicy and herbal aromas (sage, bay leaf, pepper) on top of plums and red currant. Still grippy with plums, currants, herbs, leather. Long way to go still but showing nicely, although I’d decant this bad boy if drinking now. (93 points)

2009 Château Sociando-Mallet (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Haut-Médoc)
$60
Wow this is really showing well. Dark and rich but suave with pretty currant fruit and evolving tobacco/earth notes. (92 points)

2014 Château Malescot St. Exupéry (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux)
$55
Nice grip, solid currant fruits, mixed with olive and graphite. Good now but lots of time ahead. (90 points)

2014 Château Grand-Puy-Lacoste (France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac)
$80
So smooth despite density and structure. Lovely tart currant fruit and lots of earth. Obviously needs time but impressive. (91 points)

N.V. Allart & Fils Champagne (France, Champagne)
$40
Lean, apples, tart, simple but fun. (87 points)

N.V. J-M Seleque Champagne Brut Solessence (France, Champagne)
$50
Good amount of depth and precision on this wine, loaded with pears and biscuits. (88 points) 

N.V. Marguet Père et Fils Champagne Grand Cru Shaman (France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru)
$53
Crisp, lemon curd, dusty minerals and chalk, fresh biscuits. Solid. (89 points)

N.V. Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut (France, Champagne)
$62
Classic, zesty, toasty, always reliable and solid stuff. (89 points)

N.V. Tattinger Cuvee Prestige Rose Champagne (France, Champagne)
$80
Fleshy, tangy, brisk strawberries and raspberries, easy and fun, lacking a bit of oomph but delicious. (88 points)

Recommended Late-Summer Sippers <$25

Earlier this summer, I posted some recommendations for summer sipping wines from my personal collection. Well, since it's Labor Day and summer is winding down, here's one last bunch of wine recommendations.
All of these wines came from my personal collection.

In the summer, I love seeking out inexpensive but exciting wines that I can pop without thinking, pour for friends and family at gatherings. I look for wines that are delicious but also capable of tossing a cup into the pan of veggies I'm sautéing without worry.

All of these wines fit the bill.  

2016 Matthiasson Rosé - USA, California, Napa Valley
$25
Pale copper color. Aromas of nettle, dandelion, crushed shells, wild strawberry, raspberry leaf, watermelon – I love this stuff. Crisp and light but packed with flavors of strawberry, white cherry, raspberry, mixed well with chalk dust, white pepper, saline, crushed shells, mint, some arugula and bell pepper notes, but they don’t dominate. Long, zesty, spicy finish. A perennial favorite of mine, and 2016 comes through. (91 points) 

2017 Cape Original Chenin Blanc - South Africa, Western Cape

$8
Pale lemon color. Aromas of white and yellow flowers, dandelion, chalk dust and white tea on top of lemon and orange. Crisp and zesty, super brisk but not light on flavor. Lemons, white peaches, mixes with chalk, saline, honey and oyster shell notes. Light and refreshing but so delicious, and this is a stellar deal at $8. South Africa delivers in that category yet again. (87 points) 

2016 Cephalonia Cooperative Robola of Cephalonia - Greece
$12
Pale straw color. Super zesty aromatic white wine with baby’s breath, dandelion, lilies, lemons, limes and oranges. Zesty and bright on the palate but surprising, pleasant creaminess. Lemon, nectarine, some white peach, juicy and fresh and mixed with floral perfume, cucumber water and sea salt notes. A lovely, fresh, crowd-pleasing summer white wine. (87 points) 

2015 Louis Latour Montagny 1er Cru La Grande Roche - France, Burgundy, Côte Chalonnaise, Montagny 1er Cru
$18
Medium yellow color. A juicy yellow apple mixes with baked pear, some honey, cinnamon, some white flowers, lovely stuff. Pretty texture, a pleasantly creamy/waxy element, with fresh acidity. Plump apple and pear fruit is delicious, and mixed nicely with nougat, cinnamon and honeybutter along with white flowers and a slight flinty/chalky note. So much  Chard for less than $20. (88 points) 

2014 Béres Furmint Tokaji Száraz-Dry - Hungary, Tokaji 

$18
Light gold color. Aromas of lemons, white peaches, white flowers, impressive chalky, limestone, quinine and mineral notes. Brisk acidity on the palate but plump fruit (lemon, white peach, apricot), but there’s a lovely salinity and chalk dustiness to it, and I love it. Some honeyed tea, mint, quinine and nettle notes. Lovely stuff, very pretty with simple sautéed veggies and penne. (89 points) 

2014 Philippe Jouan Bourgogne Passetoutgrains - France, Burgundy, Bourgogne Passetoutgrains
$20
Loved this stuff on a warm summer evening. Deep rose petal color. Nose shows roses, rhubarb, sour cherries, wild raspberry. Dusty, light tannins, crisp acidity, vibrant and fresh, with chilled raspberries, red apples and bright cherries. Notes of rose petal, rhubarb, spiced tea, tobacco. Lovely stuff, slightly chilled, on a hot day with some grilled veggies. Pinot Noir and Gamay, this is a serious contender for hot weather red of the year. (88 points)

Revisiting a Beautiful South African Cabernet

The view from the Stark-Conde tasting room is, in a word, epic.

In 2014, I spent a few incredible weeks in South Africa. It remains one of the most impactful and memorable experiences of my life. I dream at least weekly about going back for the surf, the wine, the natural beauty, the wildlife.

But that's not feasible at the moment, so I'll settle for the next best thing: tasting wine I brought back from my trip. One of the best things about being a traveling wine nerd and collector is bringing bottles back from my adventures. I love to bury them and try to forget about them for at least a few years.

I recently popped a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon from Stark-Condé, an incredible winery located in Stellenbosch's Jonkershoek Valley. My trip there was fantastic, and the wines were delicious. But there's always a question in my mind when tasting wine on a vacation in gorgeous locations: Is this wine actually as good as I think it is, or is the bliss of the occasion causing me to love the wine more than I would in another context?

It's an academic question, and in the end it doesn't really matter. Tasting wines where they are grown and made is one of life's incredible joys. But, after revisiting this Cabernet three years after my trip, I'm still convinced it is excellent. In fact, I liked this bottle (with three years of age on it) even more than I did when I first tasted it in South Africa.

Notes below...
2012 Stark-Condé Cabernet Sauvignon
South Africa, Coastal Region, Stellenbosch

$25 (in South Africa)
Medium purple color. Aromas of tart red and black currants, violets, eucalyptus, graphite, mint, bay leaf – gorgeous waves of fruit and non-fruit aromas. Medium acidity and a solid tannic grip combine well, this shows some smoothness and freshness but is still well-built. Black currants, plums, tart but suave fruit, laced with black olive, anise, violets, charcoal, notes of cedar and coffee. On day two I was getting all sorts of mushroom and olive oil notes. Very pretty, complex, memorable. Nothing like visiting a winery, buying a bottle, cellaring it for a few years and opening it to discover it’s even better than you remember. (91 points)

Wine Reviews: Summer Samples from Around the Globe

I’m back with another grab bag of wines from all over the world.

I was really surprised by three Greek white wines from Domaine Papagiannakos. Made from the Savatiano grape, traditionally used for the production of Restina, these are dry, zesty, complex white wines with unique flavor profiles.

There are some tasty, inexpensive rosés, and some delicious and value-driven wines from New Zealand.

These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted.

2017 Lekker Rosé - South Africa, Western Cape
SRP: $17
Pale watermelon color. Tart and spicy aromas of strawberries, white cherry, raspberry leaf, nettle. Light-bodied (11.5%), really zippy and easily gluggable, with white cherry, red apple and tart strawberry notes. Lots of dandelion, nettle, white pepper. Fun, zesty stuff. A blend of Grenache and Merlot. A collaboration between winemaker Nico Grobler of Eikendal Vineyards and La Brune Wines in South Africa, and a firm called Wine Awesomeness. (85 points)

2016 Nik. Weis Selection Urban Riesling - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer
SRP: $15
Pale lemon color. Classic nose of limes, white peaches, also some honey and yellow flowers. Juicy and ripe on the palate but this boasts zippy acidity on a light frame (9.5% alcohol). White peaches, guava, limes, mixed with notes of honeyed tea, slight mineral and river rocks. Delicious, classic, not super deep or complex, but a solid Mosel introduction for the price. (86 points)

2016 Les Domaines Paul Mas Cote Mas Rosé Aurore - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc
SRP: $11/1L
Pale watermelon color. Smells like rose hips, watermelon rind, white tea, some honey and clove, too. Plump but fresh with a bright and fun personality, vibrant and fruity with strawberries and white cherries. A nice kick of white pepper, nettle and cut flower stems. Solid one-liter buy that should be a hit at parties. 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault, 20% Syrah. (86 points)

N.V. Cote Mas Crémant de Limoux Brut Rosé - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Crémant de Limoux
SRP: $15
Light copper color. Bright aromas of strawberries, watermelon, quince, some freshly baked biscuits. Tart and a bit lean in body but bright acidity, fine bubbles, lots of fresh red fruits (cherries, strawberry, apple), along with some seashell and baby’s breath, hints of biscuits. Not too complex but put together very well, and quite delicious. Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Noir. (87 points)

2013 La Pinot Pinot Noir - California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
SRP: $19
Pale ruby color. Nose of raspberries, red cherries, rhubarb and cherry fountain cola. Medium-bodied, light tannins, fresh acidity, framed well with candied but lighter-styled red fruits (wild raspberry, red cherries). Notes of white pepper, rhubarb, sweet cola, rose hips. Fresh and lively but lots of ripe fruit. Uncomplicated but fun. (86 points)

2016 Catalina Sounds Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
SRP: $16
Pale straw color. Aromas of sea salt, lime, apricot, sliced salsa peppers and white pepper. Bright and zesty on the palate with slight waxy texture but so tangy. Apricot, peach, lime, sliced bell peppers, sea salt, lemon zest. Classic profile, shows significant complexity for the price. (87 points)

2016 Crowded House Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
SRP: $13
Pale straw. A burst of lemongrass, summer rain on a green field, white peaches, lemon zest and nettle. Medium-bodied with refreshing acidity, this is full of kumquat, lime, white peach, juicy but tart. Notes of saline, shells, the greens are nuanced, not too overt, with nettle and lemon verbena. Textbook, but a lot of depth with a super zesty finish and some minerals and honey. So good for the money. (88 points)

2015 Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
SRP: $19
Medium ruby color. Juicy black cherries, raspberries, cola, violet petals, cinnamon and clove. Medium-bodied, silk texture, soft tannins, medium acidity, bright cherries and red plums. Some roses, cola, clove. Soft, easy style, delicious, shows some solid complexity. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. (88 points)

2016 Nanny Goat Pinot Noir - New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago
SRP: $23
Light ruby colored. Nose of candied red cherries, strawberries, spiced cranberry sauce, some roses. Silky and tangy acidity with light tannins. Fun, juicy, ripe red cherries, strawberry jam. Notes of cocoa, rose petals, rhubarb. Easy-drinking style with wide-ranging appeal. This wine sees 15% new oak for eight months. (87 points)

2015 Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano - Greece, Attica, Markopoulo
SRP: $17
Medium yellow color. Aromas of sea salt, shells, honeyed tea, apricot and lemon curd. Lively and bright but rich textural elements, wonderful balance with this lemon curd, apricot and orange marmalades. I love the beautiful contrast between chalky, oceanic, mineral notes with these white pepper and spice elements, and the fruit is so delicious. 12.5% alcohol. (88 points)

2016 Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano - Greece, Attica, Markopoulo
SRP: $17
Medium yellow color. Bright and zesty aromas with lots of floral complexity, crushed chalk, with a core of lemon zest and guava. Plush texture but medium-bodied (12.5%), fresh acidity. Delicious tropical fruits play off of lime and lemon zesty. Chalky minerals and honeycomb/spiced tea elements are beautiful together, and I love the depth and complexity of this wine, all while being super easy to sip. (89 points)

Greek orange wine? Yes, please!

2013 Domaine Papagiannakos Savatiano Vareli Skin Contact - Greece, Attica, Markopoulo
SRP: $23
Rich gold color. Aromas of almond, beeswax, white tea, chalky notes, oyster shell, all on top of apricot and lemon curd. Rich, waxy textural dynamic but only 12%, so it’s light/medium-bodied, and this brisk acidity throughout makes for fascinating balance. Apricot, orange marmalade, lemon curd, along with almond, sea salt, honeyed tea. Lots of depth and nerdy orange wine complexity, but this is such a balanced and straight delicious wine as well. Love it. (90 points)

<85 points
2016 Jean-Claude Mas Arrogant Frog Lily Pad Pink Rosé - France, Languedoc Roussillon, Vin de Pays d'Oc
SRP: $
Light watermelon color. Red and white flowers on the nose along with under-ripe strawberries, sweet roses and honeysuckle. Zesty and bracing, a bit sharp with white cherries, red apple peel and under-ripe strawberry tips. Leafy, white pepper notes. Fun but not the most balanced rose. 100% Syrah.

This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.