December 8, 2020 Newsletter
We all send best wishes to you, your family, friends and loved ones for a Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season. We also extend fervent hope and prayers for everyone to enjoy a healthy, prosperous 2021 in a world at peace.
Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic
• Kacaba Vineyards offers FREE shipping in Ontario using the code SHOPWINECURRENT for orders of six bottles or more. Kacaba wine being released now (along with others you will find on their site) and details for this offer are found after the main release under ‘New in Ontario Wineries’.
Newsletter Highlights:
- 95 points and over – six wines in this newsletter rang the ‘95 points and over bell’ – it’s that time of year!
- Louise Loves – 2015 Alvear Pedro Ximénez de Añada earned 92 points @ $24.95 375 mL found under Dessert Wine; 2020 Corryton Burge Pinot Gris earned 92 points @ $24.99 found under Upstream in winecurrent.
- Vic Picks – 2019 Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Four Feathers’ earned 91 points @ $14.95 found under Ontario: White Wine; 2018 2027 Cellars ‘Wismer Vineyard – Foxcroft Block’ Chardonnay earned 95 points @ $24.95; 2018 Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Padré’ Cabernet-Merlot earned 92 points @ $18.95 found under Ontario: Red Wine; 2017 Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz earned 91 points @ $24.95 found under Australia: White Wine; 2018 Bleasdale ‘Mulberry Tree’ Cabernet Sauvignon earned 90 points @ $19.95 found under New in Vintages; 2019 Berton Vineyard ‘The Black Shiraz’ earned 91 points @ $16.00 C; Isle of White Distillery ‘Mermaid - Small Batch’ Gin earned 96 points @ $84.35 (700 mL) and $7.95 (50 mL) found under New in Vintages; 2017 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment’ Meritage earned 95 points @ $32.95 found under New in Ontario Wineries; 2017 Vineland Estates Winery ‘bo-teek vineyard – clone 76’ Chardonnay earned 92 points @ $25.00 found under New in Ontario Wineries.
- Exceptional-value wine – Many wines earned the coveted icon. They’re found throughout the newsletter and easily spotted by the icon checkmark in the December 12, 2020 Vintages Release and in categories following the release. Happy hunting!
Vintages Release: December 12, 2020
• Please stay safe and keep others safe by following health department guidelines before, during and after the Holiday Season. It appears the vaccine is soon on its way! If we all pull together, we stand a much better chance to beat this pandemic. Vic
Dessert Wine
• The following 2015 Bodega Alvear ‘Pedro Ximénez de Añada’ is a dessert wine, technically not Sherry—although grapes from this region are used for the base wine in making PX Sherry as the designated ‘Sherry triangle’ doesn’t have sufficient PX grapes. It’s fashioned from grapes laid out to dry and raisin in the sun on mats, then pressed, fermented and finally aged 12 months in traditional earthenware jars called ‘tinajas’. It’s über sweet and absolutely delicious. The Alvear family got their start in 1729 and it’s still family owned and managed—now by 50 Alvear family members.
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Alvear Pedro Ximénez de Añada 2015
DOP Montilla Moriles, Spain $24.95 375ml (499152) 16.0% alcohol
The amber-shaded nectar fills the air with aromas of orange marmalade, fig jam, roasted nut and molasses notes. Unctuous, almost syrupy on the palate, it delivers sweet, concentrated flavours of honey poached apricot, candied orange peel, vanilla and baking spice trailing all the way to an endless, decadent finish. Served slightly chilled; this is truly ‘dessert in a glass’ to be sipped on its own or to enjoy with salted roasted nuts. A little goes a long way so don’t rush, it’s only a half-bottle and it’ll last up to two months refrigerated—securely stopper after each opening. (Louise Boutin)
Fortified Wine: Sherry
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Gonzalez Byass ‘Nutty Solera’ Oloroso Sherry
DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry, Spain $19.95 (35204) 20.0% alcohol
This Oloroso is one the great bargains and most over-looked treasures on wine-store shelves. Flamboyant aromas of dark spice, figs, currants and peel marmalade explode from the glass of this delicious nectar. The ripe sweet flavours—caramel, marmalade, toasted almonds and toffee—turn, magically, almost dry on the lingering finish. Serve chilled, as an aperitif or conversation starter or with spice cake for afters. (Vic Harradine)
Champagne
• The following Non-Vintage Armand de Brignac ‘Ace of Spades - Gold’ Brut is crafted at Cattier, a Champagne house since the mid-1700s. Its recent incredible surge in sales/popularity is due to a long-time fan, now majority owner, American rapper, Shawn ‘Jay-Z’ Carter. It’s a blend of 40% pinot noir/40% chardonnay/20% pinot meuniere from premium vineyards and an assemblage of the 2009, 2010, 2012 vintages. This is packaged in an opaque bottle.
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Armand de Brignac ‘Ace of Spades - Gold’ Brut Non-Vintage
AOC Champagne, France $305.95 (220244) $305.95 12.5% alcohol
Floral and biscuit aromas on the nose precede endless streams of miniscule bubbles in the glass. This is classy and refined, but doesn’t lack in texture—it’s creamy/dreamy smooth—flavour or complexity. A firm flow of lemon-lime tang, ripe apple and notions of grilled pineapple persist on the palate and lengthy finish. It’s crisp and refreshing, delicious and elegant. (Vic Harradine)
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Louis Roederer ‘Premier’ Brut Non-Vintage
AOC Champagne $76.95 (268771) 12.0% alcohol
Roederer is one of the top Grande Marque Champagne houses and this Non-Vintage bubbly is truly delicious. Brisk aromatics of leesy notes and baking bread interlace with nutty notes and red fruit on the nose. Tiny bubbles form a frothy mousse dishing up delightful flavours—racy lemon and peel marmalade with nuances of spiced green apple. It finishes crisp, refreshing and delectable with a mouth-watering aftertaste. This is the perfect wine to welcome guests as well as to serve with all manner of appetizers. (Vic Harradine)
Sparkling Wine
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Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs Non-Vintage
Carneros $34.95 (925735) 12.5% alcohol
Lovely and intricate aromas of apricot pit, almond, yeast, red berry and citrus tantalize the nose. Peach hued, dry, medium bodied, with a fine persistent mousse and silky texture, this is a fine fresh wine that replays red fruit on the palate, with notes of citrus and toasted nut. A real delight, it would pair well with turkey dinner. (Susan Desjardins)
Ontario: White Wine
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2027 Cellars ‘Wismer Vineyard – Foxcroft Block’ Chardonnay 2018
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $24.95 (17663) 12.8% alcohol
Bold aromas leap from the glass—cinnamon and nutmeg mingling with toast and ripe pear. It coats the palate with a full-bodied river of silky-smooth textured flavours—sweet vanilla, baking spice and honeydew melon decorated with lemon pie filling for tang and a balanced-on-a-pin finish and aftertaste. This exhibits a quality level and je ne c'est quoi not found in most chardonnay at this price point, but rather at twice the price and more. (Vic Harradine)
91
Château des Charmes ‘Estate Bottled – Old Vines’ Riesling 2015
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $18.95 (277228) 12.0% alcohol
Riesling lovers take note; sourced from vines approximately 20 years old, this is delicious and quite special. It offers classic, cool-climate, dry-riesling aromas of sharp citrus notes, gun-flint minerality and notions of petrol. There’s a bracing line of laser-like flavour streaking over the palate with tangy lime, passionfruit and saline mineral notes to the fore. This has time on its side to evolve, although you can easily drink now; try with pan-seared fish or mussels steamed in white wine and leeks. (Vic Harradine)
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Featherstone Estate Winery ‘Four Feathers’ 2019
VQA Niagara Peninsula $14.95 (341586) 12.5% alcohol
This white blend has a cult-like following by consistently punching well above its low, low price. A smorgasbord of aromas leap from the glass with mango, pineapple, lemon zest and piquant spice to the fore. It bathes the palate with a delightful, complex wash of flavour—lemon-lime cordial and blood orange mingling with wisps of sugared and grilled white grapefruit sections. It’s just off-dry with loads of delicious tang and silky-smooth mouthfeel. Pour on its own or alongside fish or seafood, or supermarket rotisserie roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
Ontario: Red Wine
• The following sustainably grown 2018 Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Padré’ Cabernet-Merlot is a cabernet franc/cabernet sauvignon/merlot blend that is named in honour of the Speck brothers father who was a Padré before starting his winery with his three sons. The wine has been matured for a period of 16 months in 60% French and 40% American oak barrels with a mixture of new and pre-loved oak.
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Speck Brothers ‘Family Tree – The Padré’ Cabernet-Merlot 2018
VQA Niagara Peninsula $18.95 13.0% alcohol
Heavenly aromas rise from the glass—exotic incense, red and black cherry berry fruit, black licorice and wisps of pipe tobacco galore. It’s sourced from the holy trinity of the Bordeaux blend—cabernet franc/cabernet sauvignon/merlot. It rolls over the palate balanced on a pin with a mouthful of flavour—ripe black currant and raspberry robed in excellent tang and acidity and wisps of dark chocolate. It’s medium-weight and smooth as silk throughout the tasting experience and it’s so much more than the psalm of its parts. Pick up a case and rejoice over the next 12 months or so. (Vic Harradine)
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Norman Hardie ‘Unfiltered Niagara’ Pinot Noir 2016
VQA Niagara Peninsula $45.95 (208702) 11.2% alcohol
This unfiltered pinot walks to the beat of a different drummer, which could well be the mantra for Norman Hardy and his wine. Piquant spice, lilac and dark cherry/berry aromas precede a light-on-its-feet, almost delicate wash of sweet-tinged red fruit—cherry and plum—adorned with spice box, forest floor notes, all deftly balanced with crunchy pomegranate and wisps of blood orange. It’s quite complex, showcasing persistent purity of fruit and a rather lengthy, crisp, dry finish and aftertaste. (Vic Harradine)
Argentina: Red Wine
• The following 2018 Kaiken ‘Ultra’ Malbec was sourced from 100% Malbec from three separate vineyards located in Valle de Uco sub-regions: Los Chacayes, Tunuyán, Paraje Altamira, San Carlos and Gualtallary, Tupungato from vineyards found between 1,200 and 1,600 meters above sea level. Fruit was manually harvested and sorted by hand on winery arrival. Juice was cold-macerated for 7 days at 10 °C with fermentation lasted 7 days at 26 °C in concrete tanks using selected and native yeasts. Post-fermentation maceration lasted 20 days with natural malolactic fermentation in concrete tanks. It matured in French oak barrels—1/3rd new/1/3rd second use/1/3rd third use—for 12 months then a further 6 months in bottle before released.
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Kaiken ‘Ultra’ Malbec 2018
Mendoza, Argentina $19.95 (50849) 14.5% alcohol
The price-quality balance tips well in your favour; pick up a few. Aromas of dark berry fruit, spice and floral notes herald a medium-full bodied, well-textured and deftly balanced stream of palate flavours—bramble berry and blueberry decorated with spice and savory herbs—all underpinned by ripe tannin. There’s structure, good integration of oak along with a lengthy finish. Aerate/decant for three hours before service. Pour alongside grilled striploin, gourmet burgers or Sunday roast beef dinner. (Vic Harradine)
Australia: White Wine
• The following 2017 Sidewood Estate ‘Mappinga Vineyard’ Chardonnay was single-vine selected for particular Dijon clones - Bernard B95 and B76 from the Mappinga Road vineyard. Fruit was chilled for 24 hours then partially whole-bunch and whole-berry pressed off free run juice, wild yeast and barrel fermented then matured 10 months in 100% French oak, 30% new, with both new and seasoned larger 300L and 500L barrels. After meticulous tastings and selection, only the best barrels were then selected for the bottling below. Pick up an armful at this price.
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Sidewood Estate ‘Mappinga Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2017
Adelaide Hills, Australia $25.95 13.0% alcohol
There are baking spice aromas along with baked apple and ripe pear on the nose of this medium-plus bodied, generously textured beauty. It showcases full-integration of oak, deft balance between sweet ripe fruit and lip-smacking tang, persistent purity of fruit and a monumentally long finish. Flavours of lemon zest and tang-laden lemon curd interweave with racy blood orange on the palate intertwined with Royal Gala apple and wisps of pit fruit—yellow peach and Mirabelle plum—and a baking spice replay from the nose. This is balanced on a pin with a lingering, luscious finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside a home-roasted beer-can chicken or one you pick up from the supermarket rotisserie on the way home from work. (Vic Harradine)
Australia: Red Wine
• The following 2017 Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz was sourced from two South Australia, Geographical Indications (GI)—60% from Clare Valley (where Wakefield winery is located) and 40% from McLaren Vale, with both highly acclaimed for their individual terroir. This wine matured in American oak barrels, approximately 1/3rd new.
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Wakefield ‘Jaraman’ Shiraz 2017
GI Clare Valley / GI McLaren Vale, South Australia $24.95 (377036) 14.5% alcohol
Heady aromas of deep, rich, dark berry fruit cocktail leap from the glass interwoven with notions of tar and medicinal notes. It blankets the palate with a surge of piquant spice and oodles of acidity mingling with ripe mulberry fruit and tang-laden passion fruit all underpinned by still-evolving tannin. This has mellowed considerably from my previous tasting. It’s great to drink now and on to 2025. Give this value-laden shiraz a try with grilled rack of lamb. (Vic Harradine)
New in Vintages – available now in most stores.
• The following 2018 Bleasdale ‘Mulberry Tree’ Cabernet Sauvignon was harvested, de-stemmed and crushed to open fermenters for a short soak with fermentation peak at 28 °C with pump-overs up to four times daily. It was drained and pressed after 8 days on skins including 5 days after fermentation then settled for 24 hours before racking to oak for malolactic conversion.
• Fruit was de-stemmed & crushed to open fermenters, for a short soak. Fermentation peaked at 28 ºC with pump overs up to 4 times daily then drained and pressed after 8 to 12 days on skins including up to 5 days post-ferment maceration. It settled for 24 hours before racking to oak for malolactic fermentation. The wine—90% cabernet sauvignon/5% petit verdot/3% merlot/2% cabernet—was then matured for 12 months in 90% seasoned and 10% new French oak 318L puncheons.
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Bleasdale ‘Mulberry Tree’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
GI Langhorne Creek, Australia $19.95 (661892) 14.0% alcohol
Aromas of red berry fruit and notions of minty notes precede a creamy-smooth, balanced and beautiful stream of palate flavours with black cherry and bramble berry interwoven with excellent acidity and soft, ripe tannin. This is medium bodied with the fresh fruit flavours on the palate persisting through the long finish and aftertaste. There’s good symmetry between fruit flavours, acidity and tannin. Pour with burgers, pizza or wings. There’s good value here. (Vic Harradine)
New in the LCBO - available now in most stores.
Red Wine
• The following 2019 Berton Vineyard ‘The Black Shiraz’ was sourced from the wide-ranging Geographical Indication (GI) of South Eastern Australia from the following wine regions: Murray Darling NSW, Riverina, Padthaway, Gundagai, Riverland, Coonawarra and Mount Lofty. This 2019 vintage recently won its share of Gold Medals, and an über-prestigious ‘Best Shiraz’ Trophy against other shiraz wines from across all of Australia. Kudos and a cheerful doff of the cap!
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Berton Vineyard ‘The Black Shiraz’ 2019
GI South Eastern Australia $16.00 (11933) 14.5% alcohol
The price-quality ratio skews well in your favour here. Lifted aromas of black plum and dark juicy cherry provide segue to a glorious mouthful of medium-plus bodied, fully textured surge of palate flavours with black bramble berry, sweet vanilla and lip-smacking tang to the fore. This showcases deft balance, purity of fruit, both poise and pizzazz, and a luxurious finish with each sip as good, or better, than the last. Don’t hesitate to pick up an armful drinking now to 2023 along with meat-laden pizza, burgers or grilled, spicy Italian sausage. (Vic Harradine)
Spirits: Gin
• The following Isle of White Distillery ‘Mermaid - Small Batch’ Gin is hand crafted on the Isle of Wight using ten ethically sourced botanicals. Slow and tightly controlled distillation in column stills and local sustainably sourced ingredients coalesce to produce and allow capture of the sweet spot of the distillation.
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Isle of White Distillery ‘Mermaid - Small Batch’ Gin
Isle of White U.K. $84.35 (13443) 700 mL and 50 mL at $7.95 (16889) 38.0% alcohol
Alluring, spirited aromas of pine cones, lemon zest and white pepper provide segue to a smooth-as-silk gin that sits gently on the palate along with a wisp of mineral/salinity on the finish and aftertaste. Pour on its own with a slice of lime and some ice, or mix with ice cubes, tonic water and a squeeze of fresh lime to begin a relaxing and refreshing end-of-your-workday happy hour. (Vic Harradine)
New in Ontario Wineries
• Order the following wines by the case for daily home or office directly online from Kacaba Vineyards with FREE shipping in Ontario by using the code SHOPWINECURRENT for orders of six bottles or more, by phone at 1 866 522-2228 or 1 905 562-5625, or pick up a bottle or case from the winery (curbside pick-up or shop in the boutique it’s open 10 am to 6 pm seven days a week) at 3550 King Street in Vineland ON. For various wine shopping options during COVID, click here.
• The following 2018 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment - Oak Aged’ Chardonnay was fashioned in a more traditional style using stainless steel tanks for the initial controlled alcoholic fermentation then transferred to older French oak and Acacia barrels where 50% of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. After eight months maturation in barrel, the wine was transferred back into steel tank blending the wine together.
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Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment - Oak Aged’ Chardonnay 2018
VQA Niagara Escarpment $29.95 13.1% alcohol
Toasty/oaky notes dominate the aromas supported by wisps of baking brioche, beeswax and ripe yellow apple. It surges over the palate with mouthfuls of medium-plus bodied, heavenly textured ambrosia with flavours of buttery notes, Bartlett pear and oodles of pizzazz from tang-tinged lemon citrus to the fore. This is balanced with bountiful palate flavours and a good spine of pleasing tasting acidity throughout the tasting experience. Pour with pan-seared salmon, breaded and grilled calamari or mussels steamed in white wine, cream and leeks. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2017 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment’ Cabernet Franc was hand harvested then clusters were gently destemmed at the winery and allowed to cold soak on skins for six days before being inoculated with specifically chosen yeast strains for fermentation. Manual pump-overs and punch downs occurred three-times daily for fifteen days. Following primary fermentation wine was pressed from the skins and racked into slightly older French and American barrels for malolactic conversion and to mature in oak for 12 months before being racked, filtered and bottled in August, 2018.
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Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment’ Cabernet Franc 2017
VQA Niagara Escarpment $32.95 13.6% alcohol
Intense aromas of exotic spice, sprigs of mixed savoury herbs, cedar and black bramble berry fruit precede a medium weight, nicely textured wash of racy passionfruit, Montmorency cherry and hints of cassis enveloping the palate and enhancing the finish and aftertaste. Aerate/decant for two or three hours pouring with rare-grilled rack of lamb or roast beef tenderloin with mixed, roasted root veggies. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2017 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment’ Cabernet / Syrah is a blend of 46% syrah/27% cabernet franc/27% cabernet sauvignon. Although all were harvested at slightly different times, all three varieties were treated to the same winemaking procedures. All the fruit in this wine was harvested and sorted before gentle crushing and destemming before being fermented in open-topped bins for 13 days at a maximum 32.2 °C. Bins were hand-plunged twice daily then pressed off their skins and racked to American and French oak barrels for 13 months of maturation when the final blend was carefully selected then cold stabilized and bottled in Spring, 2019.
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Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment’ Cabernet / Syrah 2017
VQA Niagara Escarpment $29.95 13.7% alcohol
Delicate aromas of savoury herbs and hints of black pepper provide segue to a medium bodied wash with good mouthfeel and plenty of crunchy red fruit—currant and raspberry—robed in tangy acidity and notions of piquant spice and pie cherry. This is fresh and refreshing from cork pop to last drop and sports a lively, lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Serve with pasta in tomato sauce, like spaghetti with Bolognese sauce. (Vic Harradine)
• All the fruit in the following 2017 Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment’ Meritage was handpicked from older estate-grown vines. Each of the three grape varieties underwent gentle destemming and separate small-batch fermentation with manual punch-downs twice daily to soak the cap of skins. After each fermentation was complete, batches were pressed from the skins and barrel aged for 12 months in 60% premium French oak and 40% American oak with mostly second- and third-fill barrels. The individual varieties were racked into stainless steel with the final blend chosen by winery owner, Michael Kacaba, and winemaker, Vadam Chelekhov;—45% cabernet sauvignon/31% cabernet franc/24% merlot.
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Kacaba Vineyards ‘Escarpment’ Meritage 2017
VQA Niagara Escarpment $32.95 13.7% alcohol
Aromas of dark berry fruit—bramble berry, currant and cherry—dominate the aroma profile decorated with grilled savory herbs and peppery spice. This stunning red envelops the palate with complex flavours of black juicy cherry, toasty oak, dark berry fruit and baking spice. This is creamy smooth and fully textured with no rough edges and plenty of tangy pizzazz. The finish lingers, but you shouldn’t, pick up a few along with any others you like from Kacaba and get at least six bottles in total which gives you free shipping using the SHOPWINECURRENT code. (Vic Harradine)
• Order the following wine online for home, office or restaurant: delivery in Ontario is FREE on orders of six bottles or more from this link Vineland Estates Winery. The wine shop is open 7 days a week 11 am to 5 pm, you can also place your order by phone 1.888.846.3526 ext. 124. The restaurant is open 7 days a week for lunch or dinner, make a reservation online or phone 1.888.846.3526 ext. 133.
• The following 2017 Vineland Estates Winery ‘bo-teek vineyard – clone 76’ Chardonnay was sourced from 20-year-old vines of 100% chardonnay found in their bo-teek vineyard and was bottled after three months in barrel with its lees still in the bottle so one shouldn’t expect crystal-clear liquid along with your crystal-clear enjoyment.
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Vineland Estates Winery ‘bo-teek vineyard – clone 76’ Chardonnay 2017
VQA Twenty Mile Bench $25.00 13.0% alcohol
Alluring aromas of Golden Delicious apple and honey-drizzled pear abound. It blankets the palate with a medium-full bodied, nicely textured stream of lemon curd and piquant spice interwoven with tang-laden pizzazz and a lengthy and mineral-tinged finish and aftertaste. This is rich, tasty, interesting and worthy of your attention. Give this a try with roast festive bird or crown roast of pork—now to 2028. (Vic Harradine)
Upstream in winecurrent
Vintages Release: TBD 2021
White Wine
• The following 2020 Corryton Burge Riesling was sourced from long-term family-growers in the cool-climate Geographical Indication (GI) Eden Valley—the Milton Tscharke family—with riesling vines planted on eastern-facing slopes that avoid any late-in-the-day heat spike. The Burge family are now 6th generation vignerons in the Barossa.
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Corryton Burge Riesling 2020
GI Eden Valley $24.99 12.5% alcohol
Lifted aromas of lemon, green apple and hints of honey and mineral notes abound on the nose. It streaks over the palate with a laser-like, tang-laden surge of Meyer Lemon and Key lime soon joined on the mid palate with creamy smooth mouthfeel and flavours of pear and Granny Smith apple persisting through the lip-smacking, lengthy, dry finish and aftertaste. This showcases deft balance, excellent acidity juxtaposed with fresh pear and apple and palate-flavour galore. Give this a go now to 2025 alongside breaded and grilled calamari under a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2020 Corryton Burge Pinot Gris was sourced from the ‘Early Rise Vineyard’ in the Geographical Indication (GI) Adelaide Hills of South Australia. It was bottled early to retain its freshness with a portion stored for a brief eight weeks in pre-loved French oak barriques.
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Corryton Burge Pinot Gris 2020
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $24.99 12.5% alcohol
Imagine a perfectly ripe, fragrant, freshly cut Bartlett pear sitting next to a juicy pink grapefruit on a wet piece of slate and that’s where this gorgeous pinot gris aromas will take you. On the palate, you’ll find more pear, yellow apple and peach flavours complemented with a nice bitter almond touch and loads of mineral character delivered in a vivid yet round and generous fashion. This medium-bodied, dry pinot gris is exquisite just on its own or paired with bacon-wrapped scallops. (Louise Boutin)
• This next wine pays homage to a mother, wife and business partner, Grandmother Ethel Nancy, who stood for community and family. She was a community nurse, volunteer, local sports and committee member and instilled the value of being a patron of the community. The following 2020 Corryton Burge ‘The Patroness’ Chardonnay wine was sourced from the vineyards of the long-term grower for the Burge family in the Geographical Indication (GI) Adelaide Hills, the Porter family. The wine matured for six months in new and used oak with weekly batonnage—the stirring of spent yeast cells—enhancing the wine’s creamy mouthfeel.
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Corryton Burge ‘The Patroness’ Chardonnay 2020
Adelaide Hills, Australia $38.00 13.0% alcohol
Piquant spice, buttered toast and tropical fruit aromas provide segue to a medium-full bodied, wonderfully textured stream of palate flavours with tangy citrus notes—lemon and lime—melding with peach and apricot and a bowl of tropical fruit. There’s good balance, excellent mouthfeel, rich fruit flavours and well-integrated hints of oaky notes preceding a lengthy and luxurious finish and aftertaste. Pour alongside roast chicken accompanied by potatoes, carrots and onions done around the roast chicken. (Vic Harradine)
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Corryton Burge Chardonnay 2019
South Australia $17.00
If you’re familiar with egg custard pie—eggs, cream, sugar, vanilla and lots of nutmeg in a buttery pie crust—that’s what you’ll find leaping out of this aromatic, exceptional-value chardonnay. Quite ample and round on the palate, it displays flavours of ripe orchard fruit mingling with lemon curd, crème brûlée and freshly grated nutmeg. This medium-full bodied, nicely oaked chardonnay is a steal at this price. It will shine with baked brie or coquille St-Jacques. (Louise Boutin)
Red Wine
• The following 2019 Corryton Burge ‘Percival Norman’ Shiraz is named to honour Great Grandfather Percival an entrepreneur of his day. Starting the first family winery during the great depression, along with planting some vineyards that still produce fruit to this day, he was also a well-known writer and poet, his hardworking nature and perseverance inspires the Burge family even today. Fruit for this wine was sourced across the Geographical Indication (GI) Barossa Valley and was chosen for its premium quality. It was matured for 17 months in French oak barriques. This wine should provide an eight- to ten-year optimum drinking window. (Vic Harradine)
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Corryton Burge ‘Percival Norman’ Shiraz 2019
GI Barossa Valley, Australia $38.00 15.0% alcohol
Rich, luscious, alluring aromas abound—exotic spice and incense interlace with hints of tarry notes and mocha then dark berry fruit and juicy black cherry. A stunning tsunami wave of black bramble berry, piquant spice and a boatload of pizzazz swamps the palate adorned with a broadside of espresso roast and hints of bittersweet chocolate with all replaying on the lingering finish and aftertaste. This beauty of a gem showcases exceptional value, deft balance, persistent purity of flavour, good ageability and touches of elegance. Aerate/decant a couple of hours before service. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Corryton Burge ‘Cornelian Bay’ Pinot Noir was sourced from the cool-climate Coal River Valley wine area in the island State and Geographical Indication (GI) Tasmania. This wine was matured in French oak barriques for 14 months with 75% pre-loved and 25% new. Cornelian Bay is where the mother of Trent and Amelia Burge—the family members spearheading this new line of ‘Corryton Burge’ wines—grew up. She’s a proud Tassie-born lady who has longed to have a ‘Burge’ wine produced in Tasmania. Voila!
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Corryton Burge ‘Cornelian Bay’ Pinot Noir 2019
GI Tasmania, Australia $38.00 14.0% alcohol
This pinot could be mistaken with its medium-ruby robe, but its new-world aromas—red cherry, raspberry, laurel and a hint of earthy tone brings it all back to where it belongs. It’s medium-full bodied on the palate with lots of tangy red fruit flavour concentration—cherry and raspberry—along with blackberry, pepper and loads of savoury herb framed in polished tannin leading to a dry warm finish. Additional cellaring will be rewarded as it will allow the coalescing of all the gorgeous elements this pinot has to offer. Decant/aerate two hours and pour alongside grilled mixed sausages and gourmet mustards. (Louise Boutin)
• Grant Burge, father of Trent and Amelia Burge—the two charged with the launch of this line of premium Aussie wines—is a passionate amateur war historian with his fore bearers serving in two World Wars. The wine also honours his own historic winemaking accomplishments. Grant led the way in determining the best Barossan vineyard sites for cabernet sauvignon. The following 2018 Corryton Burge ‘The Brigadier’ Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Burge family’s own Corryton Burge Vineyard in the GI Eden Valley within the Barossa Zone. It underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel then matured in 100% French oak for a total of 22 months with 25% being new.
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Corryton Burge ‘The Brigadier’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Barossa, Australia $38.00 14.5% alcohol
Fans of pyrazines, aka green bell pepper aromas, will be delighted with this full-bodied red also offering ripe dark cherry, eucalyptus and dark chocolate hints. Expect a silky, almost creamy textured flow of mature black fruit flavours—cherry, cassis, blackberry—caressing the palate and grabbing along the way loads of delicious peppery character and a cooling minty savoury note trailing in the long finish and aftertaste. Elegantly crafted yet showing an excellent backbone of ripe tannin, this is the partner you’re looking for alongside grilled lamb chops sprinkled with fresh mint. Drink now to 2028 (Louise Boutin)
• The following 2018 Corryton Burge Shiraz was sourced from Burge-family and long-term growers from across the southern and central Barossa Zone allowing for consistency in style. It was matured in a combination of French and American oak 300L hogsheads for 18 months with approximately 15% new oak. The winemaker portends another ten years of optimum imbibing.
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Corryton Burge Shiraz 2018
Barossa, Australia $24.99 14.5% alcohol
Sandalwood and earthy notes muffle aromas of ripe dark plum, blackberry and a hint of spice. A piquant wash of delicious juicy mixed berry flavour flood the palate along with mocha tones, dry herb notes and powdery textured tannin. This full-bodied red is perfectly balanced with a very approachable structure and expertly integrated alcohol offering a peppery and ripe fruit forward persistent finish. This will shine next to a hearty wild mushroom and lentil stew or duck confit. (Louise Boutin)
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Corryton Burge Shiraz 2018
South Australia $17.00
Aromas of red raspberry and black currant interweave with savoury herbs and sharp spice on the nose of this value-packed, medium-weight, richly flavoured shiraz. Palate flavours of crunchy red fruit—passionfruit and cranberry—are interwoven with replays of sprigs of savoury herbs first then on the mid-palate there are ripe mulberries balancing it all out. The finish showcases good balance, tasty flavours and reasonable length and structure with the latter provided by a firm underpinning of dusty tannin. Pour this alongside burgers, steak or gourmet sausage. (Vic Harradine)
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Corryton Burge Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
South Australia $17.00
Lifted aromas of black licorice, cassis and highly aromatic black juicy cherry precedes a balanced and bountiful wash of palate flavours with red currant and pie cherry mingling with savoury herbs, mixed spice and a bowlful of ripe mulberry fruit. This is mellow and smooth with no rough edges; it flows over the palate with ease and gorgeous flavours from cork pop to last drop. Pick up a few and enjoy over the next three or four years poured on its own or with what you cook on your barbecue. The price-quality balance tips wildly in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD 2021
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Longview Vineyard ‘Yakka’ Shiraz 2019
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $29.95 14.0% alcohol
Lifted, fruit-forward aromas abound on the nose—blueberry, dark plum and bramble berry—interlaced with savoury herbs and floral notes. It blankets the palate with tang-tinged red fruit—pie charry, currant and wisps of blood orange melding with cassis liqueur and ripe, juicy plum. It’s medium–full bodied with excellent mouthfeel, good balance and complexity. The finish offers up lip-smacking tang and ripe fruit replays from the palate along with decent length on the aftertaste. Pour now to 2024 or so with grilled lack of lamb or a roast chook, aka chicken. (Vic Harradine)
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Longview Vineyard ‘Devil’s Elbow’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $29.95 13.5% alcohol
Charred wood smoke, grilled savoury herbs and hints of pipe tobacco aromas abound. This envelops the palate with crunchy red fruit—currant, pie cherry and passionfruit—mingling with wisps of mulberry and blueberry. This is well balanced and delicious from cork pop to last drop. There’s good tension throughout with a welcomed spine of tang and ripe fruit running from stem to stern. Pour alongside meat-laden pizza, grilled snags, aka sausages or supermarket rotisserie chicken. (Vic Harradine)
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Longview Vineyard ‘LV’ Shiraz/Cabernet 2018
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $24.95 14.6% alcohol
Alluring aromas of floral notes, red and dark berry fruit show the way to a fresh and lively surge of palate flavours racing over the palate with plenty of pizzazz and no shortage of bold palate flavours like red currant, tang-laden blood orange and gorgeous bramble berry. This is medium-plus bodied with good mouthfeel, deft balance and no shortage of delectable mouthfuls. Give this a go with braised lamb shanks. (Vic Harradine)
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Longview Vineyard Shiraz/Barbera 2019
GI Adelaide Hills, Australia $24.95 14.5% alcohol
Aromas of floral notes, red and black cherry/berry fruit waft easily from the glass after a gentle swirl. It caresses the palate with a lively wash of ripe mulberry and black plum flavours, medium bodied and creamy smooth. Look for replays of palate flavours on the balanced and bountiful finish. Pour with prawn and chorizo paella. Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD 2021
• 100% of the grapes sourced for the following 2020 Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Chenin Blanc were certified, audited and sourced from Fairtrade producers—in this instance, the vineyards were primarily in Swartland with low yields of 2½ tonnes per acre. Piekenierskloof Wines is a certified Fairtrade producer. Grapes were handpicked very early in the morning to retain natural flavour. Only free run juice was utilised allowed to settle and inoculated with selected yeast strains then fermented under a controlled 12 °C temperature.
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Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Chenin Blanc 2020
WO Western Cape, South Africa $16.95 12.5% alcohol
Aromas of honeysuckle and tropical fruit—pineapple and mango—abound on the nose. It captures the palate with a medium-bodied, heavenly textured mouthful of lemon chiffon pie, blood orange and a touch of white grapefruit. Another three or so months in bottle will allow it to meld together with good balance and flavour profiles too good to resist. For now, it will really shine with chorizo and prawn paella or breaded and grilled calamari under a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)
• 100% of the grapes sourced for the following 2020 Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Sauvignon Blanc were certified, audited and sourced from Fairtrade producers—in this instance, the 18 to 25 year-old vineyards were primarily in Swartland with yields kept to a low 2 ½ tonnes per acre. Piekenierskloof Wines is a certified Fairtrade producer. Grapes were handpicked very early in the morning to retain natural flavour. Only free run juice was utilised allowed to settle and inoculated with selected yeast strains then fermented under a controlled 12 °C temperature.
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Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Sauvignon Blanc 2020
WO Western Cape, South Africa $16.95 12.5% alcohol
A fruit bowl of tropical fruit flavours—pineapple, mango and banana—dominate the nose. It glides over the palate medium bodied with good mouthfeel and flavours of tang-laden lemon-lime and notions of passionfruit. It’s crisp and refreshing throughout. There’s not a lot of typicity in this hot-climate sauvignon blanc. However, this not a competition and it’s tasty wine at an excellent price. Pour with lemon chicken breasts. (Vic Harradine)
• 100% of the grapes sourced for the following 2019 Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Cabernet Sauvignon were certified, audited and sourced from Fairtrade producers—in this instance, the 13 to 16 year-old vineyards were primarily in Swartland. Yields were kept below 2½ tonnes per acre. Piekenierskloof Wines is a certified Fairtrade producer. Grapes were handpicked very early in the morning to retain natural flavour. Only free run juice was utilised allowed to settle and inoculated with selected yeast strains then fermented under a controlled 26 °C temperature.
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Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
WO Western Cape, South Africa $17.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of dark fruit—black currant and cherry—mingle with eucalyptus and wisps of baking spice. This is structured, well balanced and complex with delectable flavours pouring out of the bottle onto the palate—black plum and black currant interwoven with mocha, mixed spice and soft, ripe tannin appearing on the dry, lengthy finish and aftertaste. It’s drinking well now, even better after a two-hour aeration/decant and even still better alongside osso buco or cassoulet. (Vic Harradine)
• 100% of the grapes sourced for the following 2019 Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Shiraz were certified, audited and sourced from Fairtrade producers—in this instance, the grapes were sourced primarily in Swartland. Yields were kept at a low three tonnes per acre. Piekenierskloof Wines is a certified Fairtrade producer. Fruit was handpicked and cold soaked 24 hours then fermented with selected yeast strains and kept under 26 °C temperature. It underwent malolactic conversion in tank then matured 6 months with French and American oak.
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Piekenierskloof Wines ‘Six Hats’ Shiraz 2019
WO Swartland, South Africa $17.95 13.5% alcohol
Aromas of red and dark berry fruit mingle with black plum and wisps of cherry on the nose of this medium-full bodied shiraz. It blankets the palate with a fully textured, nicely balanced surge of bramble berry and juicy black Bing cherry interlaced with tangy red fruit—currant and pie cherry—with notions of peppery spice and plenty of mouth-watering tang and pizzazz. The finish is balanced, tasty and lengthy with palate replays through to the dry, lip-smacking aftertaste. Give this a go with grilled rack of lamb or grilled gourmet sausage. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Broccardo ‘La Martina’ Barbera d’Alba was sourced from Barbera vines averaging 25 years-old at an altitude of 350 m above sea level. Grapes were crushed and fermented with a controlled temperature of 25 °C. Time of maceration approx. 15 days followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless steel before resting and maturing ten months in second-use large tonneaux—approximately 900 L—and small barriques—approximately 225 L—and a further 6 months in bottle before release.
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Broccardo ‘La Martina’ Barbera d’Alba 2019
DOC Barbera d’Alba, Italy $17.95 15.0% alcohol
A gorgeous ruby hue in the glass, alluring aromas waft easily with red fruit—raspberry and strawberry—along with blueberry and mixed spice to the fore. It’s medium bodied, nicely textured, lively and fresh on the palate with deft balance, complexity and plenty of pizzazz complementing delicious flavours of black juicy bramble berry and hints of tangy pie cherry decorated with savoury herbs and wisps of vanilla. This purity of fruit and flavours persists through the lengthy, dry finish and aftertaste. Don’t hesitate to pick up a few of this lovely red as the price-quality balance tips well in your favour. Pour on its own or with pasta in a spicy tomato sauce; perhaps pasta puttanesca. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: TBD, 2021
• The following 2019 Domaine Durand ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Sancerre was fashioned by 3rd generation vignerons of the Durand family sourcing the 100% sauvignon blanc fruit from premium vines averaging 50 years old.
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Domaine Durand ‘Vieilles Vignes’ Sancerre 2019
AOC Sancerre, France $29.95 13.0% alcohol
Aromas of tropical fruit and floral notes mingle with wisps of Meyer lemon on the nose. It bathes the palate medium-plus bodied with good mouthfeel and a crisp, clean and refreshing melange of white grapefruit, lemon curd and Key lime. It finishes balanced with palate replays along with minerality and green apple. Give this a go on its own or pair with chèvre crumbled over olive-oiled mesclun salad or Greek chicken souvlaki gyro wrap. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2019 Carson Scott Pinot Noir was sourced from premium fruit across California and was matured in French oak barrels.
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Carson Scott Pinot Noir 2019
California $19.95 13.8% alcohol
This is translucent ruby and brimming with aromas of alluring incense, earthy notes and bramble berry. A surge of flavours coat the palate with kirsch liqueur, wisps of red licorice and ripe juicy black Bing cherry to the fore and joined by balancing tangy acidity mid-palate. It’s medium-plus weight with good mouthfeel, deft balance and a lengthy dry finish and aftertaste. Pour with roast fowl, crown roast of pork or pan-seared salmon. (Vic Harradine)
• The following 2017 Owl Ridge Wine ‘DCV – Identified’ Zinfandel was sourced from the Zinfandel-friendly Dry Creek Valley with warm summer days cooled by coastal breezes. It was matured for 18 months in French oak barrels with 30% new, then a further 12 months in bottle before release.
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Owl Ridge Wine ‘DCV – Identified’ Zinfandel 2017
Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California $19.95 14.8% alcohol
Mixed spice, mocha and a field blend of red and dark cherry/berry fruit aromas leap from the glass. Zin lovers should find this to their liking—it captures the palate with a sweet-tinged river of dark cherry, bramble berry and sweet vanilla decorated with good tang and pizzazz. The alcohol is well-integrated as is the oak. It’s well paced, well priced, medium-full bodied with good mouthfeel and a lengthy finish and aftertaste. Pour with osso buco, spicy Asian cuisine or meat-laden, red sauce pizza. (Vic Harradine)
Cheers, Lisa, Louise, Dave, Vic