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FRANCE
Merlot “Les Jamelles” 2006
Grapes grown in the area around Corbieres in France’s Languedoc. Always well structured with lovely red berry fruit to charm the palate. Well balanced with nicely tuned tannins which support a wide variety of red and white meat, pastas and cheeses. Very versatile with food.
Syrah “Les Jamelles” 2006
A very rich, warm and generous wine, black fruit, leather and peppery spice. Quite bold with well balanced tannins which, whilst prominent, provide a good backbone for the fruit flavours. This wine is very well made and although it is drinking nicely now, it will certainly be enjoyable over the next several years if kept. Food pairing – dark meats grilled, roasted or cold, rack of lamb, steaks and chops.
Sauvignon Blanc 2006
It has pretty citrus and gooseberry flavours, with hints of pineapple and mango on the nose and definitely true to type. These flavours carry on to the palate with a nicely balanced acidity giving a taste of freshness all the way to a pleasant, satisfying finish. Enjoy it with a variety of white meats and seafood.
Mourvèdre 2005
This is one of the great grapes of Southern France, at its best in Bandol but ever so good elsewhere too. It is a warm generous wine, packed with ripe plum and black cherry flavours supported with hints of black pepper, licorice. A perennial favourite at Vintages, but available exclusively from us from now on.
Viognier 2006
Viognier is probably THE best white grown in Southern France. It is a very rich wine with a range of different yet well balanced flavours—apricots, white peaches, flower of vanilla and melon. For all its richness it is fresh on the palate and finishes long and elegant. Quite extraordinary.
GSM “Les Jamelles” 2005
Badet, Clement make a very small quantity of several cuvees which are made separately from their normal ones. This, a blend of Frances three most important grapes- Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre — was aged in barriques for a certain time following fermentation. It shows the warm generosity which these grapes posess, coupled with an elegance which one usually does not expect to see fron this region and these grapes. It has a long, delightful finish which malkes one want to continue drinking it. Superb!
Macon-Chardonnay 2006 “Belle Epoque”
Delightful mid yellow appearance with hints of peach and apricot on the nose. Lightly oaked to allow the fruit and terroir to show through. Harmonious and well balanced, with a long, refreshing taste which finishes delightfully well. An elegant chardonnay from the village of Chardonnay.Chateau Flaunys 2005 Montagne Saint Emilion
From what is the best of the Saint Emilion satellite villages, this has a welcoming deep red colour. Suave, showing hints of licorice and cassis on the nose which are quite enticing. Well rounded with good supporting, but not dominant, tannins to give a flavoursome and well balanced wine. Enjoy now and for 4 to 5 years longer easily.
ITALY
Prosecco Frizzante – La Riva dei Frati
Prosecco is both a grape and a sparkling wine produced just to the North of Venice. This example shows better breed than most as it has that lovely aroma of Granny Smith apples coupled with the yeasty whiffs of freshly baked bread which the best examples always exhibit. A perfect aperitif! Food pairing – veal in cream sauce, shellfish, anti pasti – OR – absolutely nothing!!
Chianti Rufina Riserva 2003 – Prunatelli
The Rufina region just North East of Florence gives the Sangiovese grape more expressive fruit than any other Chianti region – including Classico. This wine shows the sour cherry hallmarks of Sangiovese coupled with an almost sweet richness of palate. Produced and aged in the traditional manner in large “botti” so that the terroir and fruit show in all their glory. Food pairing – pastas, cold cuts, grilled meats red or white, hard cheeses.
Barolo Chinato – Cocchi
Flavoured with an assortment of herbs and spices, and lightly fortified which, together with some unobtrusive sweetness create this drinks’ uniqueness. Enjoy it at a coolish temperature as an aperitif or as an absolutely wicked accompaniment with dark chocolate desserts. Long shelf life once opened.
Brunello di Montalcino 2003
The Brunellis have been grape growers in Montalcino for several generations, and in 2002 decided to make their own wine instead of selling their grapes. 2003 was a universally hot vintage all over Europe, and Montalcino was no exception. The elevated vineyard location took advantage of the breezes which moderated the effect of the heat between June and the end of August.
This wine is deeply coloured and rich. It shows the full black cherry character and an almost chocolatey richness. Full and long lasting, it provides everything one looks for in a Brunello.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 1998 – Il Conventino
Very rich and unctuous. Deep “sour cherry” notes of the Sangiovese grape with chocolate and black fruit all held together with fine supporting tannins. Very long finish, terrific value. A wine which gives superb enjoyment!
Angelo Catarrato-Chardonnay 2006 — Sicily
Attractive light yellow colour gives a warm introduction to its tropical fruit flavours — pineapple and pear predominating giving an delightful sense of rich fruit. These continue onto the palate which is flavourful and well balanced. It has a long, delicious fruity finish.
Angelo Nero d’Avola 2006 — Sicily
Lovely deep red colour which leads to full, rich red and black fruits on the nose, with an interesting twist of toasted spice. The palate is full and rich and mouthfilling and provides delightful drinking pleasure.
AUSTRALIA
Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Balnaves
Balnaves are one of the last remaining family owned wineries in Coonawarra. This area, made famous by its cigar shaped “Terra Rossa” soil running North/South about 200 kms south of Adelaide produces some of Australia’s most sought after red wines. Almost opaque in colour, it is extremely deep and full. Black fruit, chocolate, very complex aromas reveal themselves slowly and enticingly onto the palate which is almost “port-like” in its depth of richness. An exceptional wine by anyone’s standards.
Frankland River Alkoomi 2004 Blackbutt (Bordeaux blend)
Deep and vibrant red, with aromas of red berries and plum. Deep, dark and highly structured palate with flavours of red currant, cedar and spice drives this wine toward a long, long finish. Serve with Venison, rich meat dishes and cheese.
Frankland River Alkoomi 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Deep crimson with purple tints, aromas of spicy black currant and cherry. This wine has soft and generous tannins, velvet in your mouth, and a long, smooth finish.Enjoy with red meats and cheese.
Frankland River Alkoomi 2006 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
Pale straw with hues of green, lifted floral aromatics, herbs and lemon. This wine is fine and elegant, with intense mid-palate fruit and acidity that carries it through nicely. Enjoy with white meats and pastas, or as a perfect aperitif!
Sandhurst Ridge 2001 Estate Shiraz
The colour is extremely dense, indicating very healthy grapes and long maceration. The nose displays prominent black fruit — blackberries and mulberries, together with some spicey black pepper notes. The noticeable tannins provide a very good grip and make this wine both ageworthy and ideal to enjoy now with game and big roasts. The enjoyable flavours finish long and satisfying.
Sandhurst Ridge 2003 Fringe Cabernet Sauvignon
Another densely coloured wine with enticing blackberry and cassis notes on the nose. The tannins are noticeable but not aggressive, and the agreeable flavours finish long and satisfying. A very adaptable wine to enjoy with a variety of dark meats and hard cheeses.
Picardy Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc 2005
This wine has an alluring deep rich colour with enticing red and black fruits being prominent in the bouquet. It also exhibits hints of licorice and tobacco on the nose to provide a perfect lead in to the palate. The palate shows full, rich deep fruit flavours supported by firm tannins and a rich mouthfeel. It has a good length of flavour and is not only enjoyable now, but will keep for a number of years.
NEW ZEALAND
Churton Wines, Marlborough New Zealand
Sam Weaver, an Englishman, has made wine in several different countries before settling in Marlborough 18 years ago. Their vineyards are located in both the flat, alluvial valley floor and also on the slopes of the mountains bordering the area. Consequently you will notice a much greater degree of complexity and mineral character in his wines than most Marlborough wines.Sauvignon Blanc 2006 – Churton
It shows some of the pungent acidity of grassiness, citrus and melon-like fruit, one associates with Marlborough. However, this is complemented by a degree of minerality and complexity one usually expects from Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. A magnificent wine which goes on and on, and finishes delightfully long on the palate.
Pinot Noir 2002 – Churton
In our view, only one other wine country can to come close to the quality of the great red wines from Burgundy –New Zealand with its Pinot Noirs. Although a very young and still emerging country for Pinot Noir it can produce extraordinarily fine and complex Pinots. This example is deep crimson with a complex variety of flavours including tar, cinnamon, black and sour cherry and something “game-ish” too. It has a supple texture with fine-grained tannins and a good, long flavourful finish.
CALIFORNIA
JanKris Zinfandel 2004 Paso Robles
The nose displays red currant and red cherry fruits coupled with a hint of light spiciness which provides an enticing lift. The light tannins combine with charming flavours to make this an enjoyable drinking experience. Very quaffable!
JanKris Divinity 2006 Chardonnay/Viognier
A very clean and unoaked wine, crisp, peach and pear fruit on the nose which carries through to a refreshing palate. The blend of the two grapes [60/40] has been expertly put together to provide a very pleasant drinking experience. This is an elegant wine and very good value.
JanKris Syrah 2003
A very approachable wine. Nice combination of black fruits, berries and the pepperiness which is typical of Syrah. Medium bodied with accessible tannins make this a very drinkable and enjoyable wine now.
