Port Wine
Bulas ‘10 Year-old Tawny’ Port
DO Porto, Douro, Portugal $27.95 20% alcohol
Tawny-reddish hued, look for fig, raisin and piquant spice on the nose of this lively and fresh gem. Spice-driven caramel, sweet treacle and green tea flavours interweave with spirited red cherry and sweet mulberry on the palate. It’s mid weight with persistent, focused flavours and a balanced, beautiful aftertaste of dried fruit and warm crème brulée. Very good value, pouring well with fruit flan and soft cheese. (Vic Harradine)
Bulas ‘20 Year-old Tawny’ Port
DO Porto, Douro, Portugal $49.95 20% alcohol
A slight tinge of green on the outer rim attests to lengthy barrel ageing; mellow aromas of toffee, desiccated pit fruit and spun sugar abound. It’s mid-full bodied showering a glorious wash of palate-bathing, spiced, dried fruit, sweet peach crumble and pecan pie across the palate in waves. The lingering aftertaste brims with charm—it’s spice-driven ambrosia. Good to go on purchase with crème caramel or aged Gouda. (Vic Harradine)
Bulas ‘Late Bottled Vintage’ Port
DO Porto, Douro, Portugal $27.95 20% alcohol
Dark berry fruit, spiced black plum and cola aromas rip from the nose while ripe, robust and rarin’ to go flavour spills over the palate with ripe black currant, spicy, sweet mulberry and tangy, juicy black Bing cherry to the fore. The rich, balanced aftertaste dishes up notes of toast and roasted herbs with good grip and replays of rich, spice-laden, fruit flavour. Pour with Stilton or Benedictine Blue. (Vic Harradine)
Bulas Vintage Port 2009
DO Porto, Douro, Portugal $49.95 20% alcohol
There are kirsch liqueur, cherry cordial and exotic spice aromas on the nose providing segue to an absolute divine gusher of concentrated, sweet black cherry, ripe mulberry and cassis coating the palate, infusing the lengthy finish. It’s full bodied, fully textured and loaded down with spice-laden flavour, perceptible tannin, structure and complexity. Drinking well 2013 – 2025. (Vic Harradine)
Table Wine
Bodegas Bagordi ‘Navardia’ ‘organic viticulture’ Graciano 2009
DOCa Rioja, Spain $14.95 14.5% alcohol
Floral, red cherry and pipe tobacco on the nose, it’s rich and delectable cutting a swath across the palate with well-balanced, luscious, juicy black cherry, ripe boysenberry and tangy black currant. Mid weight with a silky smooth mouth feel it finishes fruit-laden, nicely structured, oozing with charm and ageability. Drink now to 2017 with grilled lamb tenderloin. The price-quality balance tips well in your favour. (Vic Harradine)
Greenpiper ‘Night Harvest – Bronze Label’ Shiraz 2009
Western Australia $18.75 14.0% alcohol
This is layered, balanced and well structured, showcasing good value, mouth-watering, dark fruit tang and a lengthy aftertaste. Aromas of dark toast, field berry fruit and espresso roast herald a wash of sweet, ripe mulberry and dark cherry mingling with eucalyptus and nuances of black pepper. Medium-weight and nicely textured, persistent and focused flavours wash in waves. (Vic Harradine)
Viñedos Real Rubio ‘M. Luz’ 2011
DOCa Rioja, Spain $12.25 12.0% alcohol
Citrus, straw and yellow plum aromas spill from this racy, tart Spanish blend—50% Viura, 20% Verdejo, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Chardonnay. A spirited and lively wash of lemon-lime and white grapefruit mingle with lemon pith and oaky notes on the palate. It’s medium bodied with an über-dry finish that sports an aftertaste of lemon zest and oaky notes. (Vic Harradine)
Viñedos Real Rubio ‘Selección’ Rioja 2011
DOCa Rioja, Spain $13.95 13.0% alcohol
Lively, spirited aromas of black currant, Asian spice and new leather rip from the glass of this concentrated, well-balanced and fruit-laden gem. Rich, tangy flavours of red currant and juicy black cherry wash over the palate and replay on the robust finish. It’s medium weight and texture with an aftertaste of dark toast and red cherry underpinned by ripe, supple tannin. Aerate/decant for two hours pouring with red pizza, gourmet burgers or sausage, especially chorizo. (Vic Harradine)
Viñedos Real Rubio ‘Viticultural Ecológica’ Tempranillo-Graciano 2011
DOCa Rioja, Spain $13.75 13.0% alcohol
This organic red blend dishes up a boatload of charm and a complex nose—rosewood, underbrush, savory herbs and dark berry fruit. A luscious, concentrated stream of juicy, dark cherry and spiced black currant coats the palate with good structure and deft balance. It finishes with a surge of ripe, fruit flavour, excellent moderating tang and oodles of spice—it was tough to spit. (Vic Harradine)
Viñedos Real Rubio ‘Crianza’ Rioja 2009
DOCa Rioja, Spain $16.90 13.5% alcohol
Aromatic on the nose with exotic spice, toasty oak and sandalwood, it coats the palate with rich, luscious flavours of chewy, black, briary berry and dark Bing cherry interwoven with charred toast and tangy black currant. It’s round and robust with loads of mouth feel and a lingering, lip-smacking finish garnished with good tang and a supple tannin structure. Pair with grilled rib eye or roast beef. (Vic Harradine)
Order the following by the case for home or office delivery from agent Dave Coutts via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Egri Korona Borház ‘Egri’ Cabernet Franc 2009
Product of Hungary $13.25 13.5% alcohol
Earthy aromas of truffles, wood smoke and underbrush provide segue to a tart, juicy wash of ripe mulberry and racy red currant with a solid underpinning of still-resolving tannin throughout. The finish dishes up sour cherry and red berry fruit in a mouth-watering, dry aftertaste. Aerate/decant two hours pouring alongside chicken paprikash with spaetzle. (Vic Harradine)