Happy New Year and wishing all an amazing 2021! I want to thank Oliver for the wine reviews. The feedback has been incredible and we will keep the reviews going for 2021! For the last 6 years it's been dry January for me but I have to say that this has been the hardest year so far (and it's only the 11th...God help me!). Thou its not going to stop the wine reviews. New releases of the year are usually pretty thin, but they do some times offer up some decent wines. Cafaggio is one of my favorites and a must try wine! These wines are pretty affordable and delicious AND can be found at your local wine shop or the LCBO in Ontario!
Here are a few highlights:
Renato Ratti, Marcenasco, Barolo, Piedmont, 2016, $71.95. Admittedly the early days of January aren’t usually the time to think of buying relatively expensive Barolo that needs tons of time in bottle, but this is one of the better ones to consider. Drink in 5+ years
Entre Restangues et Garrigues, Cairanne, Rhone, 2016, $19.95. Decent bottle age for a typical southern-French red blend, led by grenache. Drink now, scored 92 by Parker
Cafaggio, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, 2015, $21.95. the 2015 vintage was a very good one in Tuscany, but it has required a bit of time in bottle. This should be ready now, with a decant preferably.
Castelli del Grevepesa, Clemente VII Riserva, Chianti Classico, Tuscany, 2015, $23.95. Another reliable producer, and again from the strong 2015 vintage. Drink now, after decant
Tenuta San Guido, Le Difese, Tuscany, 2018, $37.95. This is the third wine of Sassicaia. Don’t expect a clone of its parent, Sassicaia, but it is decent. Drink now, or hold 1-2 years
Bertani, Catullo, Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Veneto, 2016, $23.95. Bertani makes some very fine Amarones, and ripassos. This will be drinking now
Follas Novos, Albarino, Rias Baixas, 2019, $18.95. Alabarino is never the cheapest white out there, but the grape does delivers a crisp, mineral style wine that is quite reliable. Drink now
Juan Gil, Yellow Label, Monastrell, Jumilla, 2018, $14.95. Generally Juan Gil offers pretty powerful reds, and this is their cheaper end Monastrell, aka Mourvedre. Drink now
Review by Oliver Herbst
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