Well...I've successfully mastered another year of Juiceless January. It's amazing how easy it gets each year. I really thought is would be difficult this year with it being COVID and working from home but a bit of determination goes a long way! That being said, I do have a bit of catching up to do!! Let the year of wine tasting resume!
Here are a few highlights:
Vina Cobos is releasing their budget chardonnay, and malbec. Both are priced at $19.95, and will be drinking now. The two Mendoza , Argentine wines scored 93 by James Suckling. Vina Cobos is the Argentine project of Paul Hobbs.
Astrolabe, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2019, $24.95. One of the stalwart producers from the South Island, excellent fruit. Drink now
Two gruner veltliners are being released from Austria, both 2019, and both are $18.95. One Domane Wachau, Terrassen, Federspiel, and the other Rabl, Langenlois, Kamptal. As ever gvs are excellent food wines, because of their acidity. Drink now
Chateau des Gimarets, Moulin-a -Vent, Beaujolais, 2015, $18.95. Aged Beaujolais from its better sub-regions, like Moulin-A-Vent, Morgon, Brouilly et. al., make for very good fruity reds that aren’t terribly powerful. Drink now, scored 90 by Vinous.
Le Pupille, Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany, 2018, $18.95. From the sea coast of Tuscany, this is largely sangiovese. Drink now, scored 93 by James Suckling
Tenuta Sette Ponti, Crognolo, Tuscany, 2017, $34.95. A fairly dependable super-Tuscan, made up of sangiovese and merlot. Drink now, after decant, scored 94 by James Suckling.
Villa Antinori, Riserva Chianti Classico, Tuscany, 2016, $30.95. This wine needs a bit of time in bottle, but will be fantastic in a year or two. I’ve tried the 2015 recently with a long decant, and it was excellent, look for more of the same with the 2016. Hold 1-2 years, scored 93 by Wine Spectator.
Please enjoy and let me know what you think of the wines!
Review courtesy of Oliver Herbst