Aromas of toasted oak, stone fruit and vanilla precede a creamy, gently tropical toned and creamy palate, well textured with good length balanced by quiet acidity.
The new release of Tawse’s entry-level Riesling is a solid offering as per usual. Peach, honey, lime, powdered candies, jasmine, crushed rock and hints of honey find themselves meshing with an electric palate of acidity. There is a hint of sweetness, which reigns everything, as well as a lengthy finale.
Alpha Estate’s owner and winemaker, Angelos Iatridis, learned his trade in Bordeaux. Thus, it is no coincidence that he produces some of Greece’s most polished wines. This SB is cleanly made with good weight, mouthfeel and acidity. The profile of lemon balm, citrus and herbs lingers long. Pair with kalamari or grilled vegetables, topped with shaved Parmesan and drizzled with lemon and olive oil.
Black pepper filters through the nose of this Santa Rosa Tempranillo, selected from older vines, seasoning deep blue plum, mulberry, violets, black raspberry, pipe tobacco. Under the alluring berry fruit there's a dusky, spicy and brooding charcoal spicing to a lingering, textural finish. This has a natural intrinsic freshness to lift the sun-ripened weight easily to a bright and brisk fuller red. Native fermented in concrete vats plus a soft extraction and 20-25 days maceration reflects the winery's dedication to their wines, and this grape, in a foreign land.
Deep colour, almost black. Nose is subtle but has finesse and richness in its notes of kirsch and licorice. Very supple on the tongue but it shows more firmness in the finish. Ripe, fruity, very elegant middle palate. Still has potential to age another 5 years.
Saint Chinian is a special village in the Languedoc where grapes have grown since the Middle Ages. Sandstone and schist slopes yield these Syrah and Mourvèdre vines and their perfumed, cold cream and violets aromas. Rustic and a bit chunkier, this richer red carries smoked, dried meats, dried blackberry, cassis and liquorice across ripe, ragged tannins. Pour with equally rustic dishes for best effect.
A classic version of the West Coast IPA featuring Sierra Nevada’s trademark whole cone hop character, this is redolent of pine, pepper, grapefruit pith and mango. A fantastic throwback to a defining period in the modern brewing history of North America. Will it play as well for their 50th Anniversary? Only time will tell.