One of the most Old-World-like Cabernet I have tasted from Australia. Big thumbs up.
Great Australian Cab: Woodlands Wilyabrup Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015, Margaret River
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Great South African white: Constantia Glen Two 2018
Semillon – Sauvignon Blanc blends are a real strength of South Africa. Try Constantia Glen’s Two 2018 and you will be convinced right away.
The Monastrell that received 99 points – Casa Castillo Pie Franco 2017, Jumilla
Jumilla’s top name, Casa Castillo already got some attention in recent years, but receiving 99 points from Wine Advocate speeds up things a little more. As the high rating was published for their top wine, stocks at most online merchants quickly disappeared – but interestingly this new superstar of a wine is still available at Lobenberg’s in Germany. This was the case when I payed 77 Euros for a single bottle (not something I can afford on a regular basis) and felt lucky.
Aussie Chardonnay with an Old World heart – Hoddles Creek Estate Chardonnay 2015, Yarra Valley
Such an elegant Aussie Chardonnay that it could come from Burgundy. It represents the more exciting face of Australian wine, the one which is harder to find in Europe.
High end Mourvedre: Tempier Cabassaou 2016, Bandol
Domaine Tempier is a legendary estate in Provance, who changed history almost a century ago. It’s a fascinating story and surly the most important one when it comes to the Mourvedre/Monastrell variety, I highly suggest to read it on the Kermit Lynch webpage.
Top shelf Carignan from Sardinia – Santadi Terre Brune Superiore 2013, Carignano del Sulcis DOC
Chateau Simone, an Aglianico and so on… the theme was clearly famous reds from warm climates, based on mostly the Mediterranean. Carignan from Sardinia was a natural choice to be included in the lineup, and this one, the top wine from Santadi did not disappoint.
Exemplary Loire Cabernet Franc: Domaine Olivier Cuvée de L’aloulette Bourgueil 2018
I simply can’t get bored of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, given that it’s well made. My experience from recent years is that the cheaper it is the better made. It rarely disappoints under 12 Euros, but the more expensive ones… I actually stopped buying them.
An Australian Sangiovese to try – Payten and Jones VV Series Sangiovese 2015, Yarra Valley
What a label! A funny one, but does not really match the style of the wine, as that could be called classical or traditional, in the Old World sense – even if this comes from Australia.
An expensive Carignan from Chile: De Matino Vigno 2015
New wave Chilean red. Definitely not one buried in new oak, but there is nothing unexpected here – it tastes Chilean first and foremost. I always wonder where that strong character comes from, I never find it in anywhere else, and it’s always there in the country’s reds. Winemaking? Terroir speaking loud?
Delicious, crisp white wine for 5 euros – Nyakas Irsai Olivér 2019
Irsai Olivér is a local grape of Hungary, a cross made in 1930. It has a bad reputation amongst wine aficionados as a dull, cheap, mass produced wine. An equivalent of low priced Pinot Grigio perhaps – except that it’s a highly aromatic, Muscat-like variety. And when made well, it can be quite pretty, like the most well-known version, made near Budapest by Nyakas.