Well, Feastlings,
I must say I feel a little embarrassed at spending last month extolling the virtues of bright, fresh white wines, only to turn around and send you a note about this month’s offerings, which are predominantly great big reds. My only excuse is that these wines all come from Australia, and it’s most decidedly winter down there. There’s a Chardonnay this month, but the other five wines are red, red, red, red and more red. And while there’s no shortage of Aussie red to be had, there’s also no shortage of bad Aussie red. How does one navigate through a sea of mediocre wine? One checks the back label to find a reputable importer. One of our favorite importers of Australian wine is Epicurean, an importer with a solid, reliable portfolio of both the everyday and the la-di-da. The tasting is, as usual, on the last Sunday of the month (in spite of it being Memorial Day weekend). It costs, as usual, $25.00. And as usual, we’ll be offering small bites paired with each wine. Just call 326-9363, as usual, to have us hold a spot for you.
Trust Your Importer- Epicurean Imports
2010 Spring Seed “Four O’Clock” Chardonnay, McLaren Vale $19.00
Racy aromas of lime, green apple, dusty minerals and green tea. Starts off taut and linear, but aeration brings up juicy tangerine and pear qualities. This firm, juicy, refreshing no-malo chardonnay develops depth and power in the glass. Finishes with very good clarity and persistent citrus and mineral character.
2011 Thomas Goss Shiraz, McLaren Vale $16.00
Made by Ben Riggs and his winemaking team, this wine has a long, soft and juicy palate and lush mouth feel, bursting with blackberry, blueberry jam and licorice. This wine guarantees a true Australian Shiraz experience and is best enjoyed over the next 7 years.
2010 Kaesler Stonehorse SGM, Barossa Valley $23.00
89 pts Wine Advocate Issue #204 Dec 2012
Blended of 63% Shiraz, 24% Grenache and 13% Mourvedre, the 2010 Stonehorse SGM reveals a medium to deep garnet-purple color and expressive kirsch and raspberry preserve notes with hints of mandarin peel and cinnamon stick. Full-bodied, wonderfully plush and spicy in the mouth, the voluptuous fruit is nicely offset by a refreshing acid line and medium level of velvety tannins, finishing long. Drink it now to 2016+.
2010 Cimicky “Trumps” Shiraz, Barossa Valley $21.00
As honest as they come for Barossa Shiraz, and handsomely priced; plum and blackberry fruit, mocha oak and soft tannins result in a full-flavoured and very well-balanced palate with no hint of alcohol heat. Excellent value.- James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
2010 Mr. Riggs “The Gaffer” Shiraz $30.00
“The Gaffer” 2010 Shiraz is a testament to the best of McLaren Vale. Made with 30% new French oak, this wine shows excellent integration of Shiraz fruit with the gentle use of oak creating a big, rich, juicy, smooth style of red, finishing with elegance and spice. “The Gaffer” is a flavorsome, fruit-driven, full-bodied Shiraz that is well balanced and assured to please the palate.
2010 Glaetzer “The Bishop” Shiraz, Barossa Valley $38.00
Broad and generous, with a spicy edge to the cherry and dried cranberry flavors, rolling smoothly, wrapped in fine tannins, through a long, expressive finish.